Trade show alternative
Broadline distributor Ingram Micro is once again hoping to show Channel Expo how to do it by holding its own trade show.
Retail Expo made its debut last year at Wembley Stadium and featured many vendors that failed to make an appearance at the UK's supposed main IT trade show - Channel Expo. It was apparently sufficiently successful for Ingram give it another go, although this time it will be at the Business Design Centre in North London, which should prevent some of the transport problems that affected last year's event.
Ingram is positioning Retail Expo 2008 as "the premier event to bring together manufacturers, IT Resellers, buying groups, retail independent resellers and retail chains," and will take place on 9th September.
"With significant pressure on the IT channel and in particular the high street, it's imperative that IT resellers and retailers take time out to explore new opportunities and partnerships to further support their business through this difficult time," said Julian Klein, Ingram Micro UK MD.
Among the vendors expected to exhibit are: Microsoft, HP, Lexmark, Toshiba, Linksys, Cisco, Acer, Apple, V7, Canon, Asus, Targus, Logitech and AMD. Among the freebies on offer are: a Z1420 wireless colour printer to the first 50 visitors to Lexmark's stand and a free laptop bag to the first 300 visitors to the Targus stand.
I attended last year's event and, while the vendor line-up was impressive, I was a bit disappointed at the number of retailers and resellers that made the journey. So I would like to hear from any HEXUS.channel readers about their reasons for attending or not and whether they plan to attend this year.
Also, on a more general note, what do you feel about trade shows in general? Channel Expo's attendance appears to decline year after year - do you think there is sufficient ROI on taking a day away from your businesses to attend trade shows? Distributors are increasingly hosting events of their own; do you think this is the way forward? Let us know in the HEXUS.community.
Press release: INGRAM MICRO SUPPORTS IT RESELLERS AND RETAIL INDIES AT RETAIL EXPO 2008
