Hello UXPA. Bye bye UPA.
« So, goodbye and thank you UPA. But get ready people, and say Hello and Welcome to the NEW. The UXPA. »
Here are the final words of Ronnie Battista’s talk at the UPA2012 Conference. UPA’s treasurer announced the evolution of the Usability Professionals Association (UPA) to the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA).
The association and its members are deeply rooted in usability, and the move is not a denial of these fundamental origins, but it aims at including the various disciplines revolving around the reconciling User Experience (UX) umbrella.
The name change also reflects the fact that usability professionals are increasingly called upon adressing strategic issues related to system design and evaluation. Here is how Carol Smith, UXPA Vice President puts it:
« Our new organizational model allows us to deliver content on all four of these pillars: Research, Design, Evaluation, and Strategy (the emphasis is mine). »
On a more practical level, UXPA members will benefit from a series of new professional offerings and privileges, starting with the following ones:
- increased international orientation and presence with
- 2 conference per year, on in North America and one beyond that initial base, and so UXPA2013 will take place twice with one conference in Washington, DC and in Shangai
- expanded professional offerings with a variety of Special Interest Groups in areas ranging from Healthcare to eGovernment User Experience
- an online version of the organization’s quarterly magazine: “UX Magazine”
- a more active website supporting the annual and international events and SIG venues
As a final word on the association’s evolution, and what primarily motivated the change, Cory Lebson, UXPA Director of Strategic Partnerships, noted that:
« We are hoping to use this name change as a way to reach out to, and more closely align with, other like-minded organizations. »
Related Links: Read the UXPA Press release and the integral transcription of Ronnie Battista’s compelling introductory talk
