Largest Technology Services Trade Associations Join Forces

AFSMI Teams with SSPA and TPSA to Create First of its Kind Alliance Dedicated To Maximizing Business Value for Members

FORT MYERS, FL., and SAN DIEGO, CA – March 15, 2007 -- The Association for Services Management International (AFSMI) today announced it has entered into a long-term agreement to become part of a network of associations that includes the Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA) and the Technology Professional Services Association (TPSA).  This agreement creates the industry’s first-ever alliance of services associations.  While each association will remain independent, the collaboration is designed to leverage the group’s combined advocacy, thought leadership and resources, encompassing all aspects of the technology services industry in order to maximize the business value for their respective member companies. 

“By joining the network with SSPA and TPSA and sharing their business infrastructure, we are taking AFSMI to the next level of impact on behalf of our members,” said John Schoenewald, Executive Director, AFSMI.  “Together we will achieve more than any one of the individual associations can today.  We believe that the combination of these top associations gives us access to world-class research, best practices, and the leading innovators in the services economy helping our members enjoy the benefits of the highest quality content and resources.”

“We are excited to begin working with AFSMI to enhance current member programs and introduce new ones,” said J.B. Wood, CEO of SSPA and TPSA.  “Members will continue to receive all core programs and services included in their AFSMI membership and we look forward to sharing our plans for enriching membership services as they become complete over the coming months.”

 “Across both enterprise and consumer markets, services are playing a key role in the financial outcomes of high-tech companies,” said William Steenburgh, senior vice president, Xerox Services.  “By joining forces, AFSMI, SSPA and TPSA are now able to collectively address the total services business ­ helping executives at global technology companies like Xerox exceed our customers’ expectations and drive profitable growth in the booming technology services economy.  As a member of all three associations, we are delighted to see them working together for the benefit of the industry.”

About AFSMI
Founded in 1975, the Association for Services Management International (AFSMI) is the global leader in helping service professionals and field services organizations deliver more value for their customers.  AFSMI members range from major Global 2000 companies to smaller, regional players.  AFSMI is internationally recognized for its 30 years of experience delivering service industry research, training and education programs, and industry events.  For more information, visit www.afsmi.org. 

About SSPA
The Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA) is chartered with bringing together the service and support community’s best and brightest minds to deliver a relevant blend of market research, programs and certifications including prestigious J.D. Power & Associates Certified Technology Service & Support, as well as networking, media and analyst relations, education and other information resources. SSPA core constituents include the world’s leading enterprise and consumer technology companies as well as the scores of innovative small and mid-sized companies that serve to continually refresh the industry by bringing new ideas and processes to the marketplace. For more information, visit www.thesspa.com.

About TPSA
The Technology Professional Services Association (TPSA) is the first and only organization for executives who create, produce, deliver, manage, measure, and optimize technology services in the world’s leading corporations. Member companies represent a diverse group of market segments including hardware and software products, systems integration, on-demand hosted applications, and value-added solutions. Through membership collaboration and management expertise, TPSA provides the information, concepts, models, and best practices required for success in the critical professional services component of the technology enterprise.  For more information, visit www.tpsaonline.com.

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