ADVANTAGE - New Interface on the road
The third PC Dealer Advantage page gives you the details of the Interface roadshow, an event aimed at resellers in the SME market, plus a chance to win a memorable weekend trip to Europe.
Ingram Micro will kick off its Interface roadshow - which is jointlyrface roadshow, an event aimed at resellers in the SME market, plus a chance to win a memorable weekend trip to Europe. sponsored by PC Dealer - next week. The show has received a revamped image so that it is seminar-led, featuring a range of interactive presentations on industry trends, product launches and technologies.
Focusing on the SME market, Interface will bring together all elements of the IT trade and provide resellers with an opportunity to gain first-hand advice on the latest range of business systems and product offerings that can address their needs.
Paul Dewar, head of marketing at Ingram Micro, said: 'The introduction of Interface to our events calendar represents an important and exciting development for us. The Interface format reflects our decision to move away from the more traditional, product-focused exhibition format towards an interactive conference and seminar-based event. This decision was made on the results of extensive research that we have undertaken with our customers and vendor partners and underlines our commitment to redefine the standard for reseller events within the UK's distribution channel.'
Commenting on the launch, Sandy Scott, UK managing director of Ingram Micro, said: 'I am really looking forward to Interface as we are breaking the mould of traditional distributor roadshows.'
Keynote presentations
Throughout the day, Interface will feature a series of presentations from participating Interface vendors and well-known IT journalists - outlining the latest product trends and market research.
The format of the roadshow will comprise a series of rolling systems-based presentations which will highlight business opportunities within six key markets:
- Desktop publishing/design and document management
- Office productivity/software/licensing
- Mobile/remote computing
- Multimedia/peripherals
- Connectivity/networking (including servers, internet/intranet)
- Data storage/media and supplies
As well as visiting various vendor display areas, Interface delegates will have access to a range of break-out areas where they can discuss existing and future opportunities in greater detail with representatives from both Ingram Micro and a broad range of participating Interface vendors.
For example, Interface delegates can meet with Microsoft representatives to discuss the ways in which the vendor's SME support initiative - The Direct Access Programme - can back their attempts to add value by providing the technology to meet their customers' needs.
Hewlett Packard representatives will also be available to discuss the HP Connect Partner Programme, an initiative that is designed to provide tailored IT systems for resellers venturing into the SME market.
A series of Rough Guides will be circulated at each Interface event, each of which will focus on one of the six core systems areas covered at the show. Delegates will also benefit from a broad range of exclusive show offers.
Following each event, delegates will be offered an opportunity to speak to representatives from Ingram Micro and its vendor partners at an evening reception, featuring a buffet, drinks and entertainment from a jazz band.
VentureTech Recruitment Programme
Interface will also act as the platform for the UK launch of Ingram Micro's pan-European SME initiative - the VentureTech Network. Supported by 3Com, Compaq, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Intel and Microsoft, VentureTech offers a comprehensive SME strategy aimed at providing high-quality, cost-effective systems for resellers that are targeting and servicing the SME market.
Interface will enable SME-focused resellers to gain a first-hand insight into the VentureTech membership options that are open to them - Partner Level and Associate Level. Each Interface event will feature regular presentations outlining the range of business benefits and opportunities that VentureTech membership can offer, including financing options, reseller marketing support and targeted communication, and vendor focus.
For further information on how to join the VentureTech Network, please call 0345 464726 or email [email protected]
DATES
Edinburgh 25 February, Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Birmingham 3 March, International Convention Centre
London 11 March, Wembley Conference and Exhibition Centre
(Please note that the Edinburgh and Birmingham events will open at 1pm and close at 5pm. The final show will open at 12pm and close at 5.30pm.)
Registration Details Tel: 0345 464726 Fax: 01908 262471
Keynote Presentations
3Com Cornerstone Network Associates
3Com/Palm Epson Olitec
Apple Executive Software Powerquest
Canon IBM TDK Grey Cell
Compaq Microsoft Xircom
MARKETING ON A SHOESTRING COMPETITION
KNS Distribution and PC Dealer are teaming up to offer reseller marketing managers the chance to win one of four weekend trips for two to a European city of your choice. All you have to do is tell us about the most successful, cost-effective marketing campaign that you ran for your dealership in the last six months. Every three months we will award a weekend trip for two to the marketing initiative that can demonstrate it achieved the most 'bang for the buck'. So at last, here's an incentive that allows marketing staff, instead of salespeople, to show off their own skills and win an unforgettable weekend trip. So what are you waiting for - send in your entry now!
What qualifies? There are no hard and fast rules about how much the finished marketing programme costs or what type of activities qualify - although cost-effectiveness and not overall cost is the main criterion.
It may be anything from a special promotion to the local business club, a direct-mail campaign to financial managers or an exhibition at a specialist medical exhibition. What we're looking for is creative thinking, effective implementation and measurable results.
How to enter: Simply fill in the form below or access the online entry form on www.pcdealer.co.uk and send us a sample of any marketing collateral that accompanied your campaign, clearly marked 'Marketing on a Shoestring', to: Martin Lynch, 'Marketing on a Shoestring' Competition, PC Dealer, VNU Business Publications, 32-34 Broadwick St, London W1A 2HG
The prize: The lucky winner can choose from 13 European destinations, - Paris, Amsterdam, Nice, Monte Carlo, Brussels, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Palma, Lisbon, Vienna, Munich and Copenhagen. The prize will include flights and accommodation for two people.
PC Dealer will interview the winner and the successful campaign will feature in a future edition of PC Dealer. The winning dealership will also receive a plaque in recognition of its marketing excellence, presented by KNS Distribution and PC Dealer.
Choosing a winner: A panel of judges from PC Dealer and KNS Distribution will closely assess all submitted programmes. All entries to qualify for the first of four weekend breaks must be received by 8 March and the winner will be notified in next month's Advantage page in the 17 March issue of PC Dealer.