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The second Canalys Channels Forum: Fit to Partner
- Hesperia Tower, Barcelona, 4–5 February 2009
Reading (UK) - Thursday, 23 October 2008
For immediate release
Canalys today announced that it will host its second Channels
Forum in Barcelona, Spain in February 2009. The Forum is established
as the largest, independent conference for channel partners taking
place anywhere in EMEA, delivering unique content in a concise and
efficient format.
Steve Brazier, Canalys President and CEO, announced: ‘Time is the
most precious commodity for channel executives, as they are invited
here, there and everywhere by different vendors to international
events. These channel executives have told us that it would be more
efficient if they could instead attend a single, major event where
they can meet up with the most important channel vendors in one
place, at one time. The Canalys Channels Forum provides them with
just such an event, and an intensive programme that offers a broad
view of the industry and a meeting place par excellence.’
The format has been enhanced this time to allow each
participating vendor to promote their strategy on the plenary stage,
in a competitive environment where resellers can vote to reward the
best delivered message and the strongest strategy. This is in line
with the overall theme of the event – ‘Fit to Partner’. In another
enhancement, specialists from the vendors, as well as Canalys
analysts, will be giving attendees’ one-on-one ‘Fitness Checks’, on
subjects as varied as virtualisation, cloud computing, security,
unified communications and mobility. These specialist sessions will
be interspersed with forward-thinking presentations on industry
trends from senior Canalys analysts and industry visionaries.
Major companies have signed up for the event, with Hewlett
Packard returning to support the event at Platinum level. In
addition, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, APC and Acer have confirmed
their participation at Gold level. Distributors Ingram Micro and
Tech Data will also be present at the event while several other
vendors are expected to announce their involvement shortly.
The event will run for one and a half days, allowing attendees to
fly in on the morning of Wednesday 4 February 2009. Rita Chaher,
Canalys Events Manager commented: ‘This format allows us to provide
attendees with a rich and intense business experience and at the
same time put on a night of fun in hip Barcelona. We shall be
providing a fabulous gala dinner followed by entertainment.’ The
Forum itself is being held in the Hesperia Tower hotel. Opened in
2006 and designed by Richard Rogers, the purpose-built conference
hotel is just a 15-minute taxi ride from the international airport.
Resellers will be invited to attend the Forum by the supporting
vendors and by Canalys. They will also be able to request sponsored
invitations via Candefero, the Canalys channels community. Capacity
is limited so those that are not lucky enough to receive a personal
invitation will be able to view post-event video messages on the
Candefero web site (www.candefero.com).
Participating vendors will be able to reach out to hundreds of
resellers at the event, then reach thousands more by video. The
Forum will have a significantly expanded press programme this time
around, offering exclusive interviews, dedicated schedules and work
areas. Press are invited to request an invitation by sending an
e-mail to press@canalys.com.
Steve Brazier concluded: ‘Economic times are tough and the
channel is under pressure. Managers need to make smart decisions to
keep their workforce motivated and take a fresh look at costs. Most
importantly, they must define and then stick to their core strategy,
so that they can emerge from this slowdown stronger than their
peers. Now, more than ever, they must make sure that they are on top
of the latest industry trends and that they are connected with the
vendors that are committed to building a fitter channel. Our Forum
will provide them with an opportunity to reflect and seek expert
guidance on the challenges they face.’
About Canalys
Founded in 1998, Canalys is one of the fastest-growing technology
market analyst firms in the world. It specialises in delivering
high-quality market data, analysis and advice to the world’s leading
technology vendors. It is recognised as a key provider of continuous
advisory services and confidential custom projects for marketing
managers and strategists in blue-chip IT, telecoms, navigation and
consumer electronics companies. It has unrivalled expertise in
routes to market for all kinds of high-technology products and
services in the consumer, SMB and large enterprise segments, and
provides worldwide market data and trends analysis.
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