Press Release

Leading trade associations unite the UK's IT industry by staging their first ever joint conference and exhibition

Cambridgeshire, 24th October 2007.

The Professional Computing Association and the Mac Technology Association are staging their first ever joint conference next week in Cambridgeshire, bringing together leading players from vendors, distributors and solutions providers from all corners of the UK industry.

The joint conference takes place on Thursday 8th November at the Wyboston Lakes Conference Centre, St Neots. The two organisations have co-operated informally on a number of occasions in the past but this is the first time they have staged an official event in partnership.

Robert Peckham, Executive Director of the Mac Technology Association, says that bringing the members of both associations together on one place makes good sense. "These days, resellers need to know that any event they might attend is going to offer them something really useful. Coming together like this means we can guarantee that there is something for everyone."

Keith Warburton, CEO of the PCA adds: "Convergence isn't just about entertainment becoming ubiquitous, or VoIP, it also means that resellers are increasingly going across technology platforms in their search for solutions to customer needs. This joint event helps them find such solutions."

Reflecting the necessity for increased business professionalism, the conference has sessions dedicated to WEEE and also features a keynote address by Alastair Dryburgh, the leading business consultant and recognised expert in profit improvement. In his address, Dryburgh will tell PCA and MTA members how they can increase their profitability by up to 25 percent within nine months, without making major changes to their business or finding new customers or products.

There will also be a number of other trade speakers and exhibitors including BT, Symantec, Formjet, NETGEAR, Level Platforms, BERR, Electric International, GfK, Microtronica, Solwise and Digital Links. The Industry Conference will also feature the launch party for FixITLocal, the innovative new reseller scheme that has attracted over 400 reseller members since its launch in the summer.

This time round there is no charge to attend the conference. Warburton says: "We want this event to be as inclusive as possible and as such it is open to all, provided they pre-book. We've even made sure they can have free Wi-Fi access while on site, so that they needn't fear losing touch with their business. Even the buffet is free. We want no obstacles to attendance and look forward to welcoming lots of new faces as well as existing members."

The Industry Conference Takes place at the Wyboston Lakes Conference Centre, St Neots on Thursday 8th November 2007. For more information call 0845 634 9245 email admin@pcauk.org

-ENDS-

For further information please contact: Kerri Chard Senior PR Consultant The PR Room Ltd Tel: 0845 0942901 Kerri.Chard@theprroom.co.uk

PCA Background

Founded in 1993 the PC Association is a not for profit trade association of businesses from all parts of the ICT Industry, including vendors, distributors, system builders, resellers, publishers and finance organisations. Membership has grown year-on-year and is now in excess of 550. Joint turnover of member tops £50 billion.

The Code of Practice

Defines the way PCA members may interact with customers both pre and post-sale. Members who deal in counterfeit products, or knowingly encourage or facilitate the theft of intellectual property on the part of their customers will have their membership revoked.