TECNA Achieves Lasting Impact in Partnership with Wendt Partners

Expanded Mission for Global Visibility

Representing more than 45 regional, provincial, and state technology trade organizations in the United States and Canada, the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) is the voice of business owners and technology innovators in more than 15,000 member companies who fuel the innovation economy in North America. In 1995, TECNA was founded and established as the Council of Regional Information Technology Associations (CRITA). In 2008, the organization changed its identity to reflect a broader mission and the increasing presence of a wide variety of technology companies and organizations within its membership. As a result, TECNA has committed itself to achieve increased visibility and enhancing the presence of the technology community – 'from grassroots to global' – with public policy leaders in both Washington, D.C., and Ottawa.

Comprehensive Public Policy Agenda

Recognizing the critical role of education and workforce development in the future of the technology industry, TECNA established that its top priorities in 2008-09 would be developing a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce and achieving greater impact as a partner in public policy development. One cornerstone of TECNA's strategy is the annual Fly-In event in Washington, D.C. The Fly-In provides TECNA leaders, members, and partners to participate in a dedicated public policy forum that integrates world-class speakers, critical topics, and legislative outreach on Capitol Hill. Wendt Partners was retained to assist TECNA leadership with communications and logistics for the 2009 program, with particular emphasis on defining a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder public policy agenda for use with lawmakers.

Lasting Impact and Wendt Partners

Wendt Partners worked closely with TECNA leadership to develop an effective communications platform rapidly. Beginning with the TECNA legislative agenda, Wendt Partners created a comprehensive but concise narrative for the Technology Agenda for North America, focusing on four priorities: STEM and workforce development, healthcare IT, broadband access, and innovation economics. Wendt Partners created a briefing guide on TECNA's Exaflood program, a national workshop series on broadband public policy sponsored by AT&T. Wendt Partners also worked with TECNA members to coordinate the program logistics and support speakers, document program activities, and capture feedback. As a result, TECNA achieved record attendance, strong post-program feedback, and a lasting impact that the organization will build upon going forward.