ITEX 2012 Offers Comprehensive Dealer Education Including MPS and Managed Services

Newton, MA, January 26, 2012 - In its 12th year, ITEX National Expo & Conference, the largest North American expo and most comprehensive conference for the office trade and imaging channel, is getting set to deliver evolving technology, integrated processes and profitable solutions to the thousands of dealers, resellers, distributors, VARs, vendors and OEM’s who look to ITEX for trendsetting information. Two of the key topics will be Managed Print Services (MPS) and Managed Services highlighted throughout the 2012 event with a Pre-Conference Workshop, Keynote panel, a dedicated Managed Services Pavilion in the Expo Hall, and MPS and Managed Services Strategy Forums. 

The opening day keynote, “The Converging, Competitive World of IT and Print – How to Survive and Profit,” will be moderated by Jon Reardon of InfoTrends and features Randy Dazo from InfoTrends, Todd Thibodeaux, President and CEO of CompTIA, and Trevor Akervik, Director of Managed Services of Marco, a 2011 Perfect Image Award winning dealership for Best Implementation of Managed Services.

“In these changing times, business professionals need data to improve their chances at success. During our ITEX keynote presentation, attendees will hear how small to medium-sized solution providers (SMBs) are dealing with a growing groundswell between the converging world of print and IT, causing a shift in the way providers address business today,” explained Todd Thibodeaux. CompTIA’s mission is to advance the global interests of IT professionals and companies through education, certification, advocacy and philanthropy.

The keynote panel will shed light on how the industry is moving to a “managed services” perspective – as the converging worlds of IT providers and dealers collide – and more importantly how there are profitable options that will work to their advantage.

The MPS Strategy Forum will offer ten different 50-minute sessions with experts in the field educating attendees on why launching or reinforcing a good MPS program requires commitment, training and credible education to assist in identifying and applying the best resources to accelerate this growth initiative.  Speakers will represent OKI Data Americas, Parts Now!, PrintFleet, Supplies Network, ECI Software Solutions, Compass Sales Solutions, Printer Essentials, DocuWare, GE Capital, LEAF Commercial Capital. Sessions include:

• Moving Beyond the Copier: Protecting Your Business from Channel Convergence
•  How Innovations in Technology Benefit Your Business
• Stand Out! How to Sell MPS in a Me-Too Market
• Close More Profitable MPS Contract in Half the Time
• How to Leverage Document Management for Later-Stage MPS Engagements

In addition to the MPS Strategy Forum, ITEX will also offer the Managed Services Strategy Forum with four specific courses led by executives from GreatAmerican Leasing Corp, Growth Achievement Partners, InfoTrends, ECi and Digital Gateway.   The sessions include:  Management Network Services – Dealer Success Stories; Economic Trends Affecting the Movement Toward Managed Services; and Why You’ll Want to Evolve Your Hybrid Dealership to Include Managed Services.

The Expo floor will offer hundreds of companies bringing together the people, products, solutions and technologies to build profitable results and will feature the Managed Services Pavilion showcasing the industry’s leading providers including: Collabrance, a GreatAmerica Leasing Corporation company; N-Able Technologies; ITBundle; LabTech Software; and ConnectWise, with more to come.

“There is a significant convergence happening between Managed Print Services and Managed Services which is important to the OEMs, VARs, resellers, dealers and others who attend ITEX.  We are thrilled to be able to offer our attendees – the office solutions professionals - great education, worthwhile exhibits, and terrific networking opportunities to gather the information and knowledge they need,” said Sand Sinclair, ITEX Conference Director.  “Our partnership with CompTIA and other leaders in the industry demonstrates our commitment to this important and growing market segment.”

Since 2000, ITEX has been the event that unites the industry - delivering solid education through Power Hour sessions, Forums and visionary Keynotes, showcasing products, awarding dealers through the PIA awards, and partnering with concurrent events for networking at the show. The tangible tools that ITEX delivers will affect businesses today – along with its future tomorrow.  ITEX is presented by imageSource Magazine, the definitive publication for the office channel, and the Diamond Sponsor is Digital Gateway.

To register, visit www.itexshow.com or call 800-981-2741.

PRODUCED AND MANAGED BY:
ITEX 2012 National Expo & Conference, the largest North American trade show in the imaging channel, will be held Wednesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 19, 2012 at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.  ITEX National Expo & Conference is produced and managed by Questex Media Group LLC, a global, diversified business-to-business integrated media and information provider, headquartered in Newton, MA. At www.questex.com