South Australia's Technology Industry Association to merge with the Defence Teaming Centre

The members of the SA-based TIA (Technology Industry Association) have agreed to merge with the Defence Teaming Centre from 1 July 2016.

When the TIA board began its term in Aug 2014, it accepted the challenge to transform the association and it has worked tirelessly:

• developing a dynamic Strategic Direction;
• increasing the number of TIA members;
• creating a stronger voice for industry within government and with other associations;
• developing a strong and relevant calendar of events;
• continuing to deliver value through the activities of sub-committees, in particular the WWC Portal and the in-kind sessions offered by the IP and Government Grants Sub-Committee.

Unfortunately, the membership goals outlined at the 2015 AGM were not achieved and as a non-for-profit association funded only by membership fees, without a critical mass the association is limited in the benefits it can deliver to members.

The board has been through a rigorous process to determine various options to continue the work of the TIA. This process included ranking other associations against strict criteria including: South Australia focus, the willingness to form a technology sub-group, the possibility of a TIA board position, a current awards event, similar culture and values, strength of the relationship with the TIA, membership details including fee structure and current member numbers, the ability to meet the needs of the TIA members, sustainability of the association, strength of the events program and willingness to support the WWC.

Through this process the recommendation of the board was to merge with the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) at the end of the 2015/2016 financial year.

Summarised below are the critical reasons for this recommendation:

• Many core TIA members are also currently DTC members, or have a shared interest.
• Due to recent federal funding announcements, this is an industry sector set for huge growth, which is where many TIA members will be positioning themselves.
• The DTC has scale that the TIA doesn't — resources and a larger membership base to ensure sustainability.
• The DTC and TIA have a long, supportive relationship and a history of collaboration with events etc.
• The DTC hosts a very prestigious annual awards night, with many categories similar to those of the TIA Awards.
• The DTC will continue to support the Web Work Connect Portal — one of the TIA's major projects.
• The DTC has offered a one-year board position to a representative of the TIA, allowing TIA members immediate representation to ensure their needs are met during the transition.
• The DTC has offered to match TIA fees for TIA members during the first year of membership.

The board believes that a merger with DTC will be a positive outcome for TIA members.