Techvoice Sets Agenda For 2014 D.C. Fly-In And Tech Policy Summit

More than 80 technology entrepreneurs and business owners from across the country are expected at the 2014 D.C. Fly-In organized by TechVoice, the partnership of CompTIA and the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA).

The Fly-In and Tech Policy Summit, set for Feb. 11-12, provide a forum for IT industry executives to meet with Congressional representatives and government agency officials on issues critical to the future of the IT industry.

The two-day event begins on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 11, with the Tech Policy Summit. Panels confirmed for the summit include

• The Status of Patent Litigation Reform – The costs associated with abusive patent litigation are a considerable burden for small and medium sized IT businesses trying to get on their feet and compete in the $3.2T industry. In December, the House of Representatives passed the Innovation Act (H.R. 3309). The Senate is likely to consider several proposals early this year. Capitol Hill staff will speak on the specifics of these bills and prospects for enactment in 2014.
• Key Tax Issues Impacting Tech Startups – An examination of how federal tax provisions and tax reform efforts can help new, small, nimble tech companies grow, hire more qualified workers and provide new and innovative products and services. Panelists: Rick Morgan, Policy Advisor, Office of U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA); Morris Panner, CEO, DICOM Grid; JJ Singh, Economic Policy Advisor, Office of Senator Chris Coons (DE); and Cynthia Traeger, President, VSI Pacific.
• Driving STEM Success in the U.S. – A comprehensive overview of what’s being done to drive the U.S. forward in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and what business leaders can do to help. Panelists: David Dimmett, Senior Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer, Project Lead The Way; and Rick Geritz, CEO & Founder, LifeJourney LLC.
• Data Security Breach: Prevention, Notification, and the Need for a Federal Law – A discussion on best practices for securing data; and an examination of the current patchwork of state data breach notification rules require, why a federal data breach notification law is needed and what such a federal law should look like. Panelist: Scott Barlow, Vice President of Sales, Reflexion.

On Tuesday night, Feb. 11, Fly-In attendees will honor this year’s recipients of the TechVoice Champion Awards, recognizing individuals who exemplify leadership in the technology sector; and who have championed policies that advance the country’s IT industry.

U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, Congresman Robert Goodlatte of Virginia and Brooks Raiford, president and CEO of the North Carolina Technology Association, are the TechVoice Champions for 2014.

All panel sessions and the TechVoice Champions Awards dinner are open to members of the news media.

The second day of the event is devoted primarily to visits with Congressional offices.

About TechVoice
TechVoice is a partnership of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), and participating regional technology associations. Collectively, TechVoice represents thousands of technology companies across the country employing millions of workers. TechVoice is dedicated to empowering and mobilizing the grassroots tech community to impact legislative and regulatory issues important to growth, innovation and job creation. For more information, visitwww.techvoice.org.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.comptia.org/home.aspx.

About TECNA
The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) represents almost 50 IT and technology trade organizations that, in turn, represent more than 16,000 technology-related companies in North America. TECNA serves its members and the industry through its strong peer-to-peer network and its regional initiatives to raise the visibility and viability of the technology industry.