Meeting of the Industry Minds

After several years working in the IT channel, both as an industry writer and software company employee, I look forward to attending events where I can catch up with my peers and immerse myself in discussions on essential technology business issues. Conferences tend to energize and inspire those who attend, providing insight needed to make improvements in their business and encouraging additional research on products, services and other topics that could shape their company’s future.

In addition to those benefits of attending industry events, I really enjoy the opportunity to sit down with experienced channel providers and vendor to share ideas and get their feedback. Why go down an avenue that has been unsuccessful for others? Sitting down with peers allows you to gain a deeper understanding of previous failure or success, and then make adjustments to your own plans to avoid pitfalls. That was a key to Thomas Edison’s success.

With IT channel-business education and collaborative industry discussions as a focus, CompTIA’s 2^nd Annual Member Meeting will be held April 6-7, 2011, in downtown Chicago. This event is quite unique in an industry with its full agenda of vendor-neutral presentations and open discussions. That’s not to say IT channel vendors won’t be attending, but the focus will be on networking and collaboration between members representing all CompTIA groups and audiences. A variety of industry experts will discuss the top IT channel business needs, as identified by our membership. The AMM agenda hosts presentations such as:

• Simplified Acquisitions: A Missed Opportunity for Small Businesses


• Flash Foresight: Seven Radical Principles that Will Accelerate Growth and Transform Your Business


• The Evolving Security Threat Landscape


• Cloud Computing: It’s Here, Now What?


• What’s Happening in Unified Communications: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond


• Managed Print Services: State of the Industry and Market Trends

In addition to all these discussion stimulating topics, our community members will hold their meetings at AMM, with the UC Community holding its initial “live” gathering (previous sessions have been conference calls). These meetings are open to all members in attendance, even if you’re not currently registered with a group. Each collaborative community provides a platform for solution providers, vendors and industry experts to discuss the issues around a common group of technologies, business segment or vertical market.

Initiatives are the lifeblood of each group, building specific objectives and designing the methods to achieve them with the assistance and resources of the entire CompTIA organization. Whether that target is to create a new business accreditation, or design specific training programs or templates, the groups have been instrumental in crafting valued tools for the solution provider community. Check out the list of CompTIA communities and message them if you’re interested in joining or obtaining more information.

A few additional prestigious industry contributors will be joining attendees at AMM this year, where we’ll announce the IT Industry Hall of Fame inductees for 2011. They are still accepting nominations for this lifetime achievement award for both categories (IT Channel and IT Innovators), so if you know a “mover and shaker,” please submit an application as soon as possible (closes Feb. 1).

AMM registration is now open, and it’s FREE to all CompTIA Members. So sign up today—and make sure to book your room and flights for Chicago. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!