Learn to be small-minded at Think SME

Free one-day conference and exhibition focusing on opportunities in the SME space

CRN

has teamed up with the leading manufacturers in the SME space to stage a free one-day conference and exhibition focusing on opportunities in the small-business marketplace.

Think SME, which will be held on Monday 9 December at Reading's Madejski Stadium, is being organised by Ideal Hardware and is supported by CRN and its sister magazine Computing.

The event is open to anyone involved in IT management decisions, and aims to help VARs maximise their business in the SME sector.

Visitors can view exhibitions by the top SME-focused vendors, attend four presentations by manufacturers and see a live demonstration where products from at least 12 manufacturers will be integrated.

Ian French, president of Bell Microproducts Europe, Ideal's parent company, said the SME market offers opportunities for resellers but it is easy for VARs to miss them.

"The Think SME event, hosted in partnership with vendors such as Hewlett-Packard and Brocade, aims to guide resellers through a confusing business landscape," he said.

Alex Tatham, vice-president of software at Bell, added: "The UK is the number-two place in the world to do e-business and a lot of e-business is being driven by SMEs; they are open to technology. Resellers must position themselves for this market, and Think SME is a great chance to hear from the experts."

Paul Briggs, editor of CRN, said: "The SME market relies on the channel for support and advice as well as sales. Resellers in any sector - from storage to mobile computing - that target this vital market should be at Think SME. It will be a great event for any channel players trying to reach small businesses."

Visitors can also listen to independent views on current issues, from legal implications of data protection to piracy, and hear a panel debate on SME issues chaired by Tatham.

To attend, visitors must first register here.