TechAmerica sued by own members

For TechAmerica, one of the largest technology trade associations in the country, this has already been a difficult year. In the past few weeks, the trade group’s situation has apparently gotten even more challenging. The three firms – Zebra Technologies, PCTEL, and SigmaTron – have sued TechAmerica, alleging that the association “breached its contractual obligations” when it closed the TechAmerica Midwest operation last June, thus “denying members access to a local office and the corresponding local benefits and opportunities.” In other words, they claim they didn’t get what they paid for.

The suit accuses TechAmerica of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation, and violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The Chicago-area companies are seeking unspecified monetary damages, presumably, at the very least, in the amount they paid as membership dues. The combined dues for the three association members are listed in the filing as a total of $50,000.