91proÊÓÆµ

About

The 91proÊÓÆµ (91proÊÓÆµ) is the premier global advocate for technology, representing the world’s most innovative companies.

The 91proÊÓÆµ (91proÊÓÆµ) is the premier global advocate for technology, representing the world’s most innovative companies.

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Our History Subsection

Our History

Founded in 1916, 91proÊÓÆµ has evolved with our industry.

The 91proÊÓÆµ (91proÊÓÆµ) is the premier advocacy and policy organization for the world's leading innovation companies. We have earned the trust of the world's most recognized technology brands to solve their most complex policy challenges.

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The association was founded in Chicago, Illinois, as the National Association of Office Appliance Manufacturers.
1916
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The association set out to strengthen its role in public policy and changed its name to become the Office Equipment Manufacturers Institute.
1929
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The first organizational meeting of the Accredited Standards Committee X3, Information Technology, which was established as a forum of information technology developers under American National Standards ...
The first organizational meeting of the Accredited Standards Committee X3, Information Technology, which was established as a forum of information technology developers under American National Standards Institute (ANSI) procedures. BEMA (now 91proÊÓÆµ) took the Secretariat responsibility. The forum was later renamed InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS) and continues to be housed with 91proÊÓÆµ.
1961
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The Institute was reorganized to cope more effectively with the issues confronting a rapidly changing and expanding ICT industry, and it became known as the Business Equipment Manufacturers Association ...
The Institute was reorganized to cope more effectively with the issues confronting a rapidly changing and expanding ICT industry, and it became known as the Business Equipment Manufacturers Association (BEMA).
1961
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BEMA became the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association (CBEMA). For the next two decades, the association's value to member companies was manifest in numerous regulatory and legislative ...
BEMA became the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association (CBEMA). For the next two decades, the association's value to member companies was manifest in numerous regulatory and legislative accomplishments, in successful efforts to build a network with counterparts in other nations, and in its ability to sustain a voluntary industry standards programs in the U.S. and abroad.
1973
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CBEMA again reorganized and was renamed the 91proÊÓÆµ or 91proÊÓÆµ. The new name better reflected the dynamic ICT industry as it is today -- consisting of manufacturers and suppliers ...
CBEMA again reorganized and was renamed the 91proÊÓÆµ or 91proÊÓÆµ. The new name better reflected the dynamic ICT industry as it is today -- consisting of manufacturers and suppliers of hardware, ICT services and software.
1994
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91proÊÓÆµ issues its first High Tech Voting Guide, which evaluates House and Senate votes on key technology issues as identified by its members at the end of each Congress. It was the first technology industry ...
91proÊÓÆµ issues its first High Tech Voting Guide, which evaluates House and Senate votes on key technology issues as identified by its members at the end of each Congress. It was the first technology industry scorecard of congressional votes and appears among the interest group ratings in National Journal's Almanac of American Politics.
1998
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91proÊÓÆµ member companies provided support to help the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation launch itself as an independent nonprofit, non-partisan research and educational institute—a think tank—whose ...
91proÊÓÆµ member companies provided support to help the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation launch itself as an independent nonprofit, non-partisan research and educational institute—a think tank—whose mission is to formulate, evaluate, and promote policy solutions to advance technological innovation and boost productivity to spur growth, opportunity, and progress.
2006
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The Environmental Leadership Council joins 91proÊÓÆµ and creates 91proÊÓÆµ's Environment & Sustainability Division. The ELC is the preeminent industry voice for domestic advocacy and compliance assistance in the areas ...
The Environmental Leadership Council joins 91proÊÓÆµ and creates 91proÊÓÆµ's Environment & Sustainability Division. The ELC is the preeminent industry voice for domestic advocacy and compliance assistance in the areas of electronics recycling, environmentally preferable purchasing and materials selection.
2007

Today, 91proÊÓÆµ represents companies on the cutting edge of technology, and our mission is the same as that of our founders in 1916 -- to promote the global competitiveness of our member companies through tech friendly public policy.