SA/NT Council

The AIIA’s South Australia and Northern Territory Council aims to be the primary industry influence on the state’s ICT business environment. We’re committed to achieving a more productive and efficient marketplace and an internationally competitive and export-oriented industry. With more than 50 members operating throughout the state, AIIA has a strong presence in South Australia.

AIIA’s interests and activities in SA/NT are coordinated by our SA/NT Council (listed below), an elected group of representatives from AIIA members who work on a voluntary basis to promote the Association and the ICT industry. AIIA’s objectives in South Australia are to:

Be the principal source of views and information on the ICT industry in South Australia
Represent the industry’s and membership’s interests and influence government policy
Facilitate co-operation and complementary activities between all members, large and small, international and Australian
Provide opportunities to connect our members to valuable new industries, markets and revenue streams (in SA/NT and nationally)
Connect our members to a growing (& returning) local talent pool and support the development of an internationally competitive industry in South Australia
Promote and highlight the products and capabilities of the South Australian ICT industry through the annual iAwards and events programs
Actively engage with the research and innovation sectors and position the ICT industry for relevant opportunities in South Australia and
Advocate high standards of performance and propriety within the ICT industry.

SA/NT Council Chairs

Council Chair

Tim Chopping

SRA Information Technology Pty Ltd

Council Deputy Chair

Rohan Bishop

Adept Technology

Council Deputy Chair

Jason Dreimanis

SA/NT Council Members

Council Committee Member

Rob Absalom

Amazon Web Services Inc

Council Committee Member

Byron Riessen

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Council Committee Member

Vito Rinaldi

Blue Crystal Solutions Pty Ltd

Council Committee Member

Ben Campbell

The Self Made Theory

Council Immediate Past Chair

Karin Geragthy

Stratdigi

Council Treasurer

James Jackson

IBM Australia Ltd

Council Committee Member

Hugh Rutherford

Splunk Services Australia Pty Ltd

Activities

The AIIA in SA/NT:

Offers access to knowledge, advice, contacts and business opportunities to people in AIIA companies throughout SA/NT
Develops a relevant and topical event program of business briefings, and webinars, which provide insight into industry trends and technologies, valuable market intelligence and regular networking opportunities in a national context
Actively engages with the SA and NT Governments to inform and develop policies that support the growth of the ICT industry in SA and NT
Promotes local ICT capability through our events and the annual SA/NT iAwards program.

Key Achievements

Informed government policy through two submisisons to the Productivity Commission’s review into Government procurement
Established a close working relationship with the Office of the Industry Advocate
Established a close working relationship with the Office of Chief Entrepreneur and the Department for Innnovation and Skills
Achieved the appointment of an SA/NT State Council member to the national AIIA Board
Actively supported and promoted SA/NT entries into the 2020 iAwards to showcase South Australian industry capability and innovation on a national stage
Established relationships and links with other industry associations and held events to provide opportunities for AIIA members to connect with the space and defence industries
Influenced and contributed to State and National policy development and represented the ICT industry in SA/NT at relevant cross-jurisdictional AIIA meetings
Engaged with the Digital Transformation Industry and the SA Training and Skills Commission on opportunities for training and skills development
Held the first national AIIA webinar event and expanded AIIA SA/NT event reach for all events to a national audience through the online briefing series
Provided industry representation and input into the development of the SA Infrastructure Strategy
Provided industry representation and input into the development of the State’s high tech strategy
Proactively engaged with the Minister for Innovation and Skills and the Minister for Trade and Investment and the Premier on Building Australia’s Digital Future in a Post COVID World
Introduced an SA/NT Council meet and greet opportunity for new members
Provided SA/NT content into the AIIA Connector magazine to promote SA/NT visibility, achievements, talent and services
Faciliated a number of joint events between AIIA and other organisations to provide opportunities for members to connect, including with the Defence Teaming Centre and the Governance Institute of Australia.