ISA, Acting Global, Not Local

    Aug. 11, 2005
    According to a press release from ISA, "Today, ISA has almost 9,200 members that live outside of the U.S." That means that close to 32% (depending on which membership figures you believe) of ISA's membership is "global." This is a great accomplishment. Or is it? Estimates range from 85,000 to 275,000 automation workers in the USA. Less than 20,000 of them belong to ISA. In fact, less than half of the readership of InTech, which is commonly cited as THE most important member benefit, are members...
    According to a press release from ISA, "Today, ISA has almost 9,200 members that live outside of the U.S." That means that close to 32% (depending on which membership figures you believe) of ISA's membership is "global." This is a great accomplishment. Or is it? Estimates range from 85,000 to 275,000 automation workers in the USA. Less than 20,000 of them belong to ISA. In fact, less than half of the readership of InTech, which is commonly cited as THE most important member benefit, are members of ISA. ISA needs to continue expanding globally, but what if the value proposition isn't there? With such a large percentage of automation workers in the USA not feeling the need to join ISA, what's wrong with this picture? Let me know what you think. Walt