Everything Channel Announces XChange America's Channel@Work Program: Supporting our Troops

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Everything Channel, a UBM Company, today announces its XChange Americas Channel@Work program, this year dedicated to Supporting Our Troops.   The program, supported by vendors and VARs from the technology industry and underwritten by Microsoft, is designed to connect with and contribute to the local Dallas community during the largest multi-vendor event of the year, XChange Americas:  XPloring Opportunities, Making Connections August 21-25.   The Channel@Work:  Supporting Our Troops program will partner with the 301st Fighter Wing, a local Airforce Reserve unit, and the Wounded Warrior Regiment, providing non-medical care to wounded Marines.  The military groups were recommended by former Chief Master Sergeant, of the Airforce Retired #15,  Rod McKinley, current SVP of the solution provider Microtech, and an attendee of the XChange Americas event.

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Everything Channel will honor eight local families, two with a deployed loved one and six with a Marine who has returned from their deployment due to a serious physical injury.  As underwriter of the program, Microsoft will provide Xboxes and the necessary funding to fulfill wish list needs created by each family.   Additional vendors including D-link, HP, Juniper, McAfee, Samsun, and Symantec have also donated technologies and funds to support the program.  Finally, the connection continues throughout the event where all attendees will have an opportunity to lend their support by donating calling cards for military families.

There is no greater honor than answering the call to protect and serve one's country. What comes along with that honor is sacrifice; not only the risk to a marine's life, but the time they are separated from loved ones. That separation can be long and hard, and that is where the miracle of technology can help. "We are thrilled to help bring these military families closer together – and have a little fun - through the magic of technology," said Eric Martorano, director of US SMB Channel and Online Services at Microsoft. "We know countless hours of entertainment and family memories will be created, and these brave families deserve at least that." Microsoft has also fulfilled the wish list of each family through a cash donation. "We are proud to support this program in association with Everything Channel and the other generous vendors."

"It is a privilege to offer a platform designed to bring the channel community together and give back to the local community each year.  This year, we are especially honored to lend our time and resources to support the brave men and women of the armed forces and their families," said Sonja Williams, Program Director for XChange Americas.

Channel@Work will also continue its partnership with Dress for Success at the Women of the Channel Reception to take place Tuesday night of the event.  This is a unique opportunity for powerful women in the IT industry to help those less fortunate thrive professionally.  All attendees are encouraged to donate women's attire to the collection.

Everything Channel's Channel@Work initiative is the charitable component of all XChange events.   Previous Channel@Work initiatives include:

• Channel@Work:  Technology Makeover School Edition - XChange Solution Provider 2010
• Channel@Work:  Future Tech Leaders - XChange 2009
• Channel@Work:  New Orleans Area Habitat For Humanity Home Build - XChange Solution Provider 2009

The Channel@Work: Supporting Our Troops program is part of the XChange Americas event which will take place at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, TX.  XChange Americas will bring together more than 250 pre-qualified executive-level technology sellers with more than 100 industry leading Channel vendors to meet, build relationships and strategize growth.  

Everything Channel (http://www.everythingchannel.com)

Everything Channel is the premier provider of IT channel-focused events, media, research, consulting, and sales and marketing services. With over 30 years of experience and engagement, Everything Channel has the unmatched channel expertise to execute integrated solutions for technology executives managing partner recruitment, enablement and go-to-market strategy in order to accelerate technology sales. Everything Channel is a UBM company.

United Business Media Limited (www.ubm.com)

UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists – with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

About Wounded Warrior Regiment (www.woundedwarriorregiment.org)

The Wounded Warrior Regiment (WWR) stood up in April 2007 and immediately began to assume responsibilities for non-medical Wounded Warrior care.  The mission of the WWR is to provide and facilitate assistance to WWI Marines, Sailors attached to or in direct support of Marine units, and their family members, throughout the phases of recovery.  The Regimental Headquarters element, located in Quantico, Virginia, coordinates the operations of two Wounded Warrior Battalions located at Camp Pendleton, California, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  The Regimental Headquarters provides unity of command and unity of effort through a single commander who provides guidance, direction, and oversight to the Marine Corps QQII non-medical care process and ensures continuous improvements to care management and the seamless transition of recovering Marines.  More information available at www.woundedwarriorregiment.org.

About 301st Fighter Wing  (http://www.301fw.afrc.af.mil/)

The 301st Fighter Wing is an Air Force Reserve unit based in Fort Worth Texas.  Our unit flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Since September 11, 2001, 301st Fighter wing units and individual personnel in various career fields have supported other missions related to Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle's homeland defense, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Our tours of duty have been from 45 days to over 200. The majority of our members who have served on active duty volunteered for the positions. Others were activated in excess of one year tours of duty.

About Dress for Success Dallas (http://www.dressforsuccess.org/dallas)

Our mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

About Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx)

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

SOURCE Everything Channel