TCA chief to get serious at conference

Trade body head Adam Harris claims next week's event will focus on business issues and new opportunities

Harris: we are making our members aware that there are various different options they can explore

The chief executive of the Technology Channels Association (TCA) has stressed that the trade body's upcoming conference will reinforce his commitment to focusing on business issues.

Former Bear IT managing director Adam Harris was handed the reins of the TCA in September, claiming he wanted to shake off the organisation's image as an old boys' network.

The TCA Conference takes place at Leicester's Walkers Stadium on 24 and 25 February. Harris said the focus of the event would be to help attendees make money, save money and explore new opportunities.

"A lot of conferences tend to be geared around the speakers going on about their company or how good their products and services are," said Harris. "They are not necessarily about the market and the opportunities. I have looked at this from a reseller's perspective; all the speeches will be vetted by me."

The conference will include a Reseller Theatre, which will give VARs the chance to vent their feelings on issues facing the channel today. Thursday afternoon will see dabs.com founder David Atherton deliver a speech on the art of PR. A networking dinner will conclude the event, which the TCA is expecting up to 150 people to attend. Tickets can be booked online.

Harris claimed a variety of credit, leasing and finance firms would be exhibiting.

"A number of exhibitors are from the wider business community," he said. "We are making our members aware that there are various different options they can explore – it is a dual education."