ITA Launches Program to Search for Great Tech Talent

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Aug 7, 2014) - The Illinois Technology Association announced the launch of the 2014 ITA Tech Challenge this morning. The 2014 Tech Challenge expands on the 5-year old Fall Challenge to support the talent needs of growth-stage companies. Continuing on the success of indentifying top collegiate students each Fall, the initiative will grow to a year-round program to include internships and continued dialogue between universities and tech companies.

The ITA Tech Challenge is a programming skills tournament for technology students at targeted Midwest universities. Participating students have the opportunity to win a grand prize of $5,000 as well as meet, connect and interview with companies looking for amazing technology talent.

"Midwest universities produce talent that drives the national tech industry, but for too long we've let much of the talent leave our community," said ITA CEO Fred Hoch. "It's incumbent on us, as the industry, to do all we can to engage university students and showcase professional opportunites that will challenge them while changing the way we live and work. The Tech Challenge works to close the door and help companies grow."

This year the Tech Challenge will visit 10 universities: University of Illinois, Chicago (September 11), Illinois Institute of Technology (September 16), Purdue University (September 22), Northern Illinois University (September 23), Indiana University (September 25), Illinois State University (September 30), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (October 2), University of Michigan (October 6), Northwestern University (October 8), University of Chicago (October 9). The Final Challenge will take place in Chicago on November 7.

Representing some of the brightest companies in Chicago, this year's sponsors currently include Presenting Sponsor: ADP; Supporting Sponsors: Backstop Solutions, Cleversafe, HERE, kCura, CDW and Trustwave; and Participting Sponsors: Cars.com, Lyons Consulting Group and Optiver. Besides promotion, sponsoring companies gain annual access to an ITA student network of more than 2,000 CS students.

For more information on the program or to get involved visit www.itatechchallenge.com.

About the Illinois Technology Association
 The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) is an enabling organization powering the growth of tech in Illinois. Through vibrant programs, services and strategic consulting, the ITA drives our dynamic industry by working to grow, build and elevate our members. For more information, visit www.illinoistech.org, follow the ITA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/itabuzz, and view the ITA's Facebook profile at www.facebook.com/illinoistechnology.