IT Zone Merger

Ann Arbor SPARK and the IT Zone are working through the merger process for their respective organizations. As part of the merger process, the audit division within the Michigan Attorney General's office has requested additional compliance information that both organizations are submitting. As a result of this request, the effective merger date will not be July 1st. We are confident that the process will move quickly and that we will be able to announce the formal merger in the near future. In the interim, Ann Arbor SPARK and the IT Zone will continue to operate in partnership to bring value to businesses throughout the Ann Arbor region.

View the press release

View and register for events

Become a SPARK Supporter

Ann Arbor IT Zone / Ann Arbor SPARK Merger
Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening with the Ann Arbor IT Zone and Ann Arbor SPARK?
The IT Zone and SPARK board of directors have approved the merger of their operations. The resulting organization will be Ann Arbor SPARK. The former IT Zone activities will be incorporated into Ann Arbor SPARK.

When will the merger take place?
The organizations are in the process of completing the necessary paperwork to finalize the merger. You’ll notice a migration of the IT Zone events, activities and marketing to Ann Arbor SPARK.

Why is this happening?
The IT Zone and SPARK have had a close working relationship since SPARK was launched in May 2005. It has increasingly made sense to join forces and consolidate activities, reduce duplication of effort, and eliminate overlapping initiatives and programs. For example, the merged organization will share one website, event calendar and registration process. We’ll share the same marketing and talent resources.

Is the IT Zone going away?
Although the IT Zone brand is being retired, many elements of the IT Zone will remain in place. Our location at 330 East Liberty in downtown Ann Arbor and our staff will still host many organizations, meetings, and presentations. IT Zone programs such as High-Tech Tuesday and the Marketing Roundtable will continue.

Our participation in collaborative events including ACE (Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurship), SPROUTS (with MichBio and the Life Science Institute), SPARK Entrepreneur Boot Camps and many other technology-related and entrepreneurial events will also continue.

How will IT Zone change?
As SPARK, we’ll be increasing our participation in programs with partners including the Ann Arbor Business Review, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Chambers and the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). We’ll also be working to enhance our registration process and make our calendar information more comprehensive and user friendly.

The IT Zone staff will continue and increase involvement in the SPARK entrepreneurial education programs, including the Entrepreneur Boot Camps, new business development programs like Special Forces Training and others currently in the planning stages. We’ll also be working with Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest (GLEQ) to support their education and business plan programs for entrepreneurs statewide.

We’ll continue to increase our involvement with like-minded organizations and agencies including MI-SBTDC, Washtenaw County MichiganWorks!/ETCS, and Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA). We’ll provide you with more in depth information on talent events and activities and offer a growing array of talent-matching resources.

We’ll be partnering with Issues Media, a Southeastern Michigan e-magazine which focuses on profiling innovative technology-based businesses in our region. This partnership will open up more PR opportunities for our technology companies.

Will I still receive weekly notices of upcoming programs?
Yes. We’ll continue to send you a Weekly Update every Monday to inform and remind you of events and programs. The Weekly Update will also feature new job postings from the SPARK website, a news brief, and a link to the SPARK blog -- making it easy for you to get additional information, register for events, and respond to employment openings.

You will also receive SPARK’s monthly e-newsletter which profiles recent business acceleration and development activities,

How will I register for events?
For the next few months, you’ll continue to register for events using the IT Zone on-line registration system. Once our new registration system is ready on the SPARK website, the Weekly Update and event calendar links will take you to the new registration page. You can continue to call (734) 615-9310 or (734) 615-5555 to register for events by phone.

What will happen to the IT Zone Calendar of events?
The event calendar will continue to be managed and will be located on the SPARK website. We’re planning to improve the calendar to increase its functionality and scope.

What will happen to IT Zone memberships?
IT Zone members will be recognized as SPARK supporters when the merger is complete. Your term of membership (support) will continue until its current expiration date – at which time you’ll be invited to continue as a SPARK supporter for another year.

Supporter rates will mirror the current IT Zone membership rates. Both individual and corporate supporter levels will be available.

SPARK supporters (formerly IT Zone members) will be officially welcomed to SPARK at a special event hosted by the combined SPARK staff, and the advisory boards and executive committees of both organizations.

What will be the benefits of supporting SPARK?
As a SPARK supporter, you’ll receive many of the same discounted registration fees you’ve enjoyed as an IT Zone member. You’ll continue to attend High-Tech Tuesdays and the Marketing Roundtable free of charge – with expedited registration and your name badge ready at the door.

You’ll be invited to participate on advisory and planning committees. Sponsorship and promotional opportunities will be offered to SPARK supporters before they’re made available to other companies.

SPARK supporter-only events will be held to introduce you to key regional and national thought leaders. These private events will feature individual introductions and networking opportunities.

Most importantly, you’ll be participating in a robust, growing network of committed professionals working to develop technology opportunities and to increase the success of technology companies in our community.

Your continued support makes it possible for us to maintain our current programs and events – and to add networking opportunities that will best support the growth and success of your business.

What if I have other questions?
We welcome your questions. Please feel free to contact Susanna Thomashefski, Diane Durance or Elizabeth Parkinson.

Thank you for your continued support and your interest in growing our technology economy.