ITA to Make Chicago a Tech Talent Mecca

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - October 05, 2015) - The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) today announced its new initiative to fight the tech talent war. In the ongoing battle to recruit top tech talent to major cities, the ITA is taking Chicago's tech community on the road.

To kick off the initiative, the ITA will be featuring key Chicago tech companies that are hiring at Techweek New York October 12 - 18 and Techweek Los Angeles November 9 - 15. The ITA will highlight the benefits of choosing Chicago as a career destination and educate job seekers on cost of living advantages and the strength and diversity of the technology industry in Chicago.

The ITA launched the initiative in response to member concerns regarding attracting more tech talent to Chicago. It's a battle many members felt Chicago was losing.

"When individuals are seeking a career in technology, we want Chicago to be top of mind," said Trisha Degg, ITA Director of Talent Programs. "Too often the focus for job seekers and recent graduates is on the coasts. Through this initiative we want to showcase the thriving tech community in Chicago and tout the other benefits Chicago offers, such as a lower cost of living than New York, LA or the Bay Area."

The ITA collaborated with its Talent Advisory Board to launch the initiative, seeking input and guidance from the members of the Advisory Board.

"I'm a big supporter of ITA's new initiative," said Rob Crawford, Director of Talent Acquisition at Raise. "Chicago's tech scene is growing at a rapid pace, largely fueled by the endless possibilities at the various start-up and growth-stage companies throughout the city. Companies like Raise are proof that you can work on innovative, disruptive projects without leaving the Midwest."

The ITA also partnered with UrbanBound as its preferred vendor to help local companies plan relocation logistics. "Getting the candidates to Chicago is part of the battle," said Nola Lazin, ITA Engagement Manager. "Ensuring our members have the resources they need to easily manage all the logistics is also critical. UrbanBound not only provides a great service but they are a great Chicago tech success company too."

About the Illinois Technology Association
The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) is a business services organization dedicated to growing technology companies. ITA provides strategic programming, consulting and resources, enabling its members to grow, build and elevate their business. For more information, visit illinoistech.org, follow @ITAbuzz on Twitter or find us on LinkedIn.