Success of COMDEXvirtual Marks Largest Independent Virtual Tradeshow in IT Industry

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Everything Channel, a UBM company, today announced the successful launch of COMDEXvirtual with nearly 5,000 attendees over the course of two days, making it the largest independent virtual tradeshow in the IT industry.  The event featured more than 100 expert speakers and nearly 50 sessions on topics ranging from mobility to virtualization to address the event's theme, "New Business Solutions: Embracing Disruptive Technologies & Changing Delivery Models."

Among the most popular sessions were "IT Megatrends: Powering the Next Generation of Computing, Are you Ready?" delivered Paul Otellini, CEO of Intel; "Insights from an American Entrepreneur" delivered by Mark Cuban, High Tech Investor and Entrepreneur; and "Cloud Computing: Beyond the Hype & Into the Future" delivered by Jeffrey M. Kaplan, Principal and Founder of THINKStrategies.

"We are thrilled to have helped resurrect the COMDEX brand and execute a successful virtual event specifically designed for the IT channel community," said Robert Faletra, CEO, Everything Channel.  "Together with our sister company UBM Studios and through the help of expert speakers, exhibitors and attendees, we look forward to continuing in this tradition to offer IT channel executives a meaningful and dynamic environment to share best practices, exchange ideas and address key challenges. COMDEX now has the historical distinction of having been both the largest face-to-face, as well as virtual IT trade show."  

COMDEXvirtual featured nearly 30 exhibitors including IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Symantec, Panasonic and D&H, and drew in attendees across all industries to engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges facing IT channel executives today and the technologies available to address those challenges.   The innovative platform, powered by UBM Studios, enabled dynamic interactions among attendees at several touch points throughout the event including redesigned exhibitor booths, hospitality suites and the VAR Bar, a public meeting space for attendees to network.  

"It was a thrill to be part of the new COMDEX legacy and experience the breadth and depth of expertise that Everything Channel was able to offer attendees through the virtual platform," said Dan Schwab, co-president, D&H Distributing. "VARs are anxious to understand the tools and technologies that are going to keep them competitive, whether it's cloud technologies, custom systems or mobility, and COMDEXvirtual delivered compelling answers as to what to expect as we move into the new year.  As conference participants, our team was able to engage in excellent reseller dialogs throughout the event.  This was a valuable opportunity that we tried to leverage to the resellers' benefit as well. Plus, no long cab lines!"

Through a partnership with Microsoft, Everything Channel was also able to extend the [email protected] program to COMDEXvirtual and presented a generous donation to the United Way's Hope for the Holidays program.

"It was a pleasure to participate in the first COMDEXvirtual and a privilege to be among the top-quality speakers who presented their views during the online event," said Kaplan. "It was especially gratifying to see the level of interest in THINKstrategies' perspectives regarding the current state and future direction of Cloud Computing and how organizations of all sizes can capitalize on this unprecedented market opportunity."

The exhibitor booths with downloadable content and the COMDEXvirtual keynote, vendor, and content track sessions will be available on-demand through May 17, 2011.  The Conference Catalog provides session descriptions, speaker biographies, and a listing of exhibiting sponsors.

COMDEXvirtual will return November 15th and 16th 2011.  

To view UBM's press release regarding COMDEXvirtual today please visit: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/ubm/42742/

Everything Channel

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. To learn more about Everything Channel, visit us at http://www.everythingchannel.com.

United Business Media Limited (www.unitedbusinessmedia.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.

CONTACT: Sarah Murray, 781-794-3214, [email protected]

SOURCE Everything Channel