SIIA branched out in 2010. We met dozens of new members, spearheaded new events and initiatives, and contributed new research to the industries we serve. Looking back on 2010, it’s exciting to see how much SIIA — and the entire digital landscape — grew and evolved in one year.

Here are our favorite SIIA moments from 2010:

• The intellectual property team filed an amicus brief in a U.S. Supreme Court case that led to one of the most important IP decisions of the decade. Bilski v. Kappos addressed the question of which things and activities are eligible for patents. SIIA’s brief argued that software should remain eligible for patent protection–and due to the decision, it will continue to be.
• The education and policy teams launched a new initiative based on the Personalized Learning movement, which advocates a flexible, project-based educational system. SIIA hosted a symposium on the model in August, and used the findings to create a groundbreaking report in partnership with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Council of Chief State School Officers.
• The Software Division spearheaded a report which revealed some welcome news: small and midsize software companies are emerging from the recession stronger than ever. Revenues grew about 15 percent from 2008 to 2009, with even higher growth coming from small SaaS firms, says the report, developed in partnership with OPEXEngine.
• The globetrotting Financial Information Services Division (FISD) held meetings on five continents last Spring. For the first time, they hosted events in Dubai and Brazil. Both meetings attracted over 100 financial industry players, who hashed out the challenges and opportunities facing global financial markets. [Read more...]