Why A Focused Networking Event Like This?

There is a need in the business-to-business community for a place to meet partners, OEMs, press, analysts, venture capitalists, and consultants as part of the business development process. Most of these gatherings of industry people are at shows like Storage Networking World or Storage Decisions.

Many of the industry professionals who go to these shows do not register for the show. Rather, they have ad hoc meetings in the hotel lobby.

While there is a time and a place for exhibiting for outbound sales and marketing, this event will cater to core internal business needs of participants. We will offer a great venue for having meetings, presentations and for networking with other professionals like you. We will not charge exorbitant registration fees, or make you pay for things you don't care about.

This is a networking event FOR industry insiders, put on BY industry insiders.

What others are saying

"In this economy, vendors should be very careful about their marketing spends. A focused event like this, especially one that is such a good value, allows vendors to network with prospective partners in one space, so it’s a unique opportunity in our industry."

Mark Smith, Executive Vice President of JPR Communications

"I think it’s a great idea to separate business development and networking events like this with other events geared towards end-users and outbound marketing. With this event we can have the right people in the right meetings, without having to bring the whole company. Focus is key."

Ed Walsh, former CEO of Avamar and Virtual Iron, now CEO of Storwize

“We are a young company, so having one place where we can meet analysts, press, venture capitalists and potential OEM partners is perfect for us.”

Brian Dodd, CEO of DataStor

WSJ: R.I.P Tech Conferences
December 16, 2008

"The era of the mega technology conference looks like it's coming to an end. In place of mega conferences, a number of smaller, more focused technology gatherings still get good turnouts...(more)"

Digital Daily: CES 2009: Three Booths and a Clapping Toy Monkey?
John Paczkowski, December 5, 2008

"All six companies have abandoned plans to exhibit on the Consumer Electronics Show floor. Like Belkin, they are all opting for the more intimate and inexpensive floorspace of a Vegas hotel room." "We are focusing our CES presence on our direct customers, press and analysts in order to create a more intimate event and reduce expenses...(more)"

Tradeshow Week: Corporate Exhibitors: Sky (Might Be) Falling
Kerri Zerlin, November 17, 2008

"Show managers, take good note: The number of exhibiting companies unhappy with the results they get from your shows, unfortunately, is skyrocketing...Many exhibitors – both... clients and business associates – are choosing to exhibit at fewer tradeshows in 2009...(more)"

Bye-Bye Macworld, Brainshare, CES
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols, December 18, 2008

"Social networking, e-mail lists, blogging are all well and gone, but they don't replace actually meeting with someone. When you're (with) someone, you can get a much better feel for who they really are and what they're really thinking. But, the big, mega-shows? They're dinosaurs. Their day is done...(more)"