“NVTC is committed to accelerating innovation to solve real-world challenges, growing our economy, and creating meaningful employment opportunities for a diverse and inclusive workforce.”
The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) catalyzes innovation, collaboration, and growth in the National Capital Region. For over three decades, NVTC has played a pivotal role in shaping the technological landscape of Northern Virginia, fostering a vibrant community where technology thrives. As Jennifer Taylor, President and CEO of NVTC, aptly puts it, “Our mission is clear: to accelerate tech innovation in the National Capital Region, driving economic growth, and positioning our community as a global tech leader.”
NVTC offers a uniquely differentiated value proposition in the region. Organizations join NVTC specifically to grow their businesses, enhance their brands, and develop their people by tapping into the vibrant tech ecosystem of Northern Virginia. No other organization provides the same combination of networking, education, awards, and advocacy that NVTC offers to support and elevate our thriving tech industry.
A Legacy of Leadership and Advocacy
Now in its 34th year, NVTC is the region’s leading trade association, representing and serving Northern Virginia’s technology community. With over 500 member organizations, including Fortune 100 tech companies, government contractors, startups, service providers, and academic institutions, NVTC is at the forefront of the region’s industry evolution.
Founded in 1991 by a Fairfax Chamber of Commerce committee, NVTC quickly became an indispensable advocate for the tech industry, addressing critical tax and regulatory challenges such as the BPOL Tax. Throughout the 1990s, NVTC expanded to represent the entire technology sector in the region.
By the Numbers
NVTC’s thriving community of 500 members collectively employ 350,000+ people. NVTC’s Board includes over 100 C-suite leaders from the region’s tech ecosystem, all committed to driving innovation and economic growth. NVTC convenes nine peer-to-peer communities of interest, focused on critical topics like cloud computing, AI, space, government contracting, DE&I, and workforce. NVTC’s award-winning 6 Signature Events, which sell out annually, engage over 5,000 professionals, reflecting the dynamic and influential role of NVTC in the tech landscape.
Connecting Talent and Opportunity
One of NVTC’s unique strengths is its ability to connect technology employers with educators, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled talent. With ten college and university presidents serving on its board of directors, NVTC bridges the gap between education and employment. “The success of our future technology community depends on – and will be driven by – the next generation of talent. We must invest in this generation and provide them with the tools and resources to access in-demand jobs to help our region thrive,” Jennifer emphasizes.
The region’s higher education institutions, including George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and George Washington University have significantly invested in talent development. By collaborating with industry leaders like Northrop Grumman, AWS, and Micron, they inform curricula in areas such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, and engineering. Additionally, the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, which broke ground in 2021, is poised to be a major incubator for startups and a pipeline of talent with advanced degrees in engineering.
Through programs like NVTC’s Aim High and the Kilberg Scholarship Fund, NVTC empowers engineering talent and underrepresented populations to pursue careers in technology, ensuring diversity and inclusion within the workforce.
Innovation at the Core
Innovation is the lifeblood of NVTC. Under Jennifer’s leadership, the organization implemented a ‘Reset and Modernization Plan,’ enhancing member-centricity and deploying digital solutions across all functions. This proactive approach has enabled NVTC to thrive in a digital-first environment, effectively scaling member outreach and engagement efforts.
NVTC’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its impressive Net Promoter Score of 57 and its implementation of a modern CRM system that has significantly improved the digital member experience.
Jennifer defines innovation as the generation and implementation of new ideas and solutions that create value by filling unmet needs or modernizing existing ways of doing things. She says, “It can be incremental or breakthrough, and all organizations should constantly innovate to stay relevant in our ever-changing world.” Since 2020, Jennifer has applied these innovation practices at NVTC.
NVTC’s high-performing culture, known as the ‘NVTC Way,’ prioritizes staff and member satisfaction, ensuring continuous improvement and engagement. NVTC is widely known in the region for producing premier technology summits like the NVTC Cyber Summit, Impact AI, and Rise and Thrive, demonstrating its commitment to enriching member experiences through cutting-edge knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.
Strategic Planning
Strategic planning is also a key focus, with a comprehensive five-year strategic plan and transparent goal tracking fostering impactful decision-making. NVTC’s clear mission and vision are supported by four key pillars: accelerating tech innovation, nurturing the next generation of talent, embedding DE&I best practices, and anticipating industry needs.
Policy Advocacy
Policy advocacy is another cornerstone of NVTC. The organization has led initiatives to shape favorable legislative environments for the tech industry, such as successfully advocating for removing a proposed digital goods tax from Virginia’s biennial budget in 2024. “We believe that proactive advocacy is crucial to creating a pro-business environment where technology companies can thrive,” Jennifer states.
Impacting People and Businesses
NVTC celebrates industry achievements through prestigious events like the Tech100, Cyber50, Data Center Awards, and the CFO Awards. These annual awards are highly coveted and appreciated by recipients who demonstrate exceptional leadership and innovation.
NTVC’s advocacy efforts have a significant economic impact, with Virginia consistently ranked among the top states for business, tech talent, and innovation. In 2024, Virginia ranked #1 in the CNBC Best in Business report. The state was also recognized as the #1 state for tech talent pipeline and cybersecurity jobs by Business Facilities Magazine. Additionally, Virginia is the world’s #1 Data Center Capital and ranked #1 Best Digital Economic Outlook, according to Tipalti’s rankings. Recognized as an Innovation Champion in the U.S. Innovation Scorecard published by the Consumer Technology Association, Virginia’s commitment to fostering a dynamic culture of innovation and technological advancement is unwavering.
The Future of NVTC: A Bright Horizon
Looking to the future, NVTC will continue to empower its members to collectively foster a vibrant technology community. By connecting, educating, and advocating for the tech sector, NVTC ensures Northern Virginia remains a global leader in innovation, particularly in AI, cybersecurity, zero-trust, cloud computing, digital engineering, 5G, space/aerospace, and quantum computing.
Through its commitment to its mission and core values, NVTC drives economic growth, fosters talent, and shapes the future of technology in the National Capital Region. Jennifer concludes, “Our ability to connect and collaborate ensures our tech community remains accessible and vibrant. We are committed to accelerating innovation, solving real-world challenges, growing our economy, and creating meaningful employment opportunities for a diverse workforce.”
