Under
the terms of the merger, IWA will assume
responsibility for all HWG operations, while
preserving the HWG identity and programs during an
expected twelve months transition period under
direction of HWG Board of Directors. HWG has
instituted several industry recognized programs
including HWG online classes, email discussion
lists, The AWARE Center, and Gutenberg at HWG which
will continue beyond transition under IWA
direction. IWA will continue to maintain and
promote these core association programs.
Strategic
Benefits to Members and Industry
Kynn
Bartlett, President of HWG, says “IWA's long
history as a successful association for web
developers was a factor, but the greatest factor
was the philosophical match between the Guild and
IWA, as both have founded and built their
organization on creating value for their members.”
"We are
all excited about our strategic combination with
HWG", stated Richard Brinegar, IWA Executive
Director. "What makes this strategic combination
such a logical opportunity is that both
organizations can leverage their shared core
competencies in education and certification.
Furthermore, we can establish a qualified
leadership position in this market if we continue
our focus on these efforts", says Richard
Brinegar.
The HWG
has a longstanding commitment to supporting
accessibility standards for the Web. HWG is the
only individual membership association of web
authors that participate through membership in the
World Wide Web Consortium (www.w3.org).
IWA has agreed to adopt HWG’s accessibility
policies and continue with support and
participation of W3C standards.
About
HWG
The HTML
Writers Guild is the world's largest international
organization of Web authors with over 123,000
members in more than 150 nations worldwide. The
Guild was founded in 1994 and is recognized
world-wide as the leading educational organization
for web authors. HWG offers comprehensive
curriculum of online classes taught by expert
members via a web-based classroom system. HWG
initiative and programs include the AWARE Center, a
industry resource focused on web accessibility
issues and standards, and the Gutenberg at HWG
project focused on preserving literary works in
XML-based formats.
ABOUT
IWA
IWA, a
non-profit global professional association, an
industry recognized leader in providing
certification standards through its Certified Web
Professional (CWP) programs. IWA's initiatives now
support more than 100 official chapters
representing over 24,000 individual members in 106
countries. IWA's objectives are to provide services
and benefits to all Web professionals, which will
assist them in their career advancement. Our
members adhere to the IWA Code of Ethics and
Standards of Professional Practices to guide them
in their business communication and conduct.
The HTML Writers
Guild Merges With The International Webmasters
Association (IWA) To Form World's Largest
Association Of Internet Professionals.
PASADENA, CA -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 08/30/2001 --
Effective today, The HTML Writers Guild, Inc (HWG),
an educational non-profit for web authors founded
in 1994, has voted to approve a merger with the
International Webmasters Association (IWA), an
association committed to certification since its
1996 inception.
Contact:
Kynn Bartlett
Company: HTML Writers Guild, Inc.
Phone: 626-449-3709
Email: kynn@hwg.org
URL: http://www.hwg.org
Contact: Richard Brinegar
Company: IWA
Phone: 626-449-3709
Email: rbrinegar@iwanet.org
URL: http://www.iwanet.org
 International Webmasters Association All Rights Reserved |