As Founder, President, and CEO of the RFIDba I would like to welcome you to our web site and to our new RFID trade association. 
 
The idea for the creation of this organization did not come about over night. In fact, it has been in the making for the past Fifteen (15) months or more. Much research and effort went it to this project from may people who I met and talked to at RFID trade shows, workshops, and seminars. The more people I came in contact with, the more I realized that there was a need for an organization to provide educational information to both the RFID vendors and the end user community. There was too much “Smoke and Mirror” and too much of the “old wild west” atmosphere similar to the start of the Internet back in 1994. 

What was needed was a new vehicle to get the RFID industry better organized and in tune to the end users’ needs.  I was convinced that for the RFID industry, (both active and passive), to grow there had to be a forum where the industry and the end user community could meet to do their RFID business together outside of the standards world. I felt that it was consequential for these two groups to work together in a collaborative manner with each understanding the other’s problems, needs, limitations, budgets, and timelines in a vendor neutral environment. 

In December of 2003, I discussed the idea with some industry leaders and we did more thinking and in depth research to validate the concept. It was decided that it was time for the formation of an RFID organization dedicated to this industry 100%. This new organization would not be tied to other existing associations. We needed a clean break from the established machine(s). We needed new blood, new ideas, and “Out of the Box” thinking to move the industry forward in the 21st. century thus, the birth of the RFIDba.

The RFIDba is based on delivering educational programs and industry information in a timely, accurate, factual, vendor neutral manner. The RFIDba will share “Lessons Learned” and “Best of Breed” technologies with its members so that all may learn.

The RFIDba will only be as good as its members. I therefore invite you to help invent and control this industry’s future by becoming an active member of the RFIDba. 
 
Please drop by our web site often and watch us grow. 
 
Thank you,

The International RFID Business Association, Inc.
Harry P. Pappas
Founder, President and CEO
hpappas@rfidba.org