DISTREE goes XXL

Taking place between 25 to 30 January 2007 in Monte Carlo, DISTREE XXL is based on the proven concept of bringing high level buyers, responsible for € billions in annual turnover of IT products, into productive contact with vital vendors in a unique, intimate and stimulating atmosphere.

"The EMEA region deserves a high-level event gathering of the elite in the distribution channel with the key technology vendors," says DISTREE co-founder Farouk Hemraj.

"DISTREE serves as the premier relationship event for the region. Nowhere else will you find all these markets, all these executives, at one time and one place."

Today the EMEA region represents the world's largest technology market, as last year's PC sales in EMEA eclipsed those in North America. The industry recorded sales over 73 million units in the region, according to IDC, growing a robust 17% in 2005.

With similarly high growth in other consumer I.T. categories, DISTREE XXL combines the consumer channel's top executives from the economic giants of Western Europe with the fast-growing markets of Central/Eastern Europe and Middle East/Africa.

"It's the same successful platform the channel has come to know and trust, but now it's bigger," says DISTREE co-founder Frédéric Simard. "We're hosting more markets, more executives, and more meetings. DISTREE this year will be the world's largest channel event covering 80 countries across all of Europe, Middle East and Africa."

DISTREE is not just an important business exchange, but also an annual forum and educational update for the region's top channel players. The event is a place for sharing and debating the distribution channel's best practices, and to find out about real market conditions.

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, will keynote at DISTREE on Sunday, 27 January 2007. A Silicon Valley icon and leading technologist for the past three decades, "The Woz" will share his insight and opinions with those in attendance. DISTREE will also feature a panel of executives from Europe's XXL distributors.

For the first time, DISTREE will use the impressive stage of the Grimaldi Forum. A new multimedia program features an engaging, entertaining format with state-of-the-art video production technology.

Channel buyers from 80 countries will convene in two distinct groups at DISTREE this year:

GROUP 1, comprising Middle East and Africa, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Turkey and Greece, will gather at DISTREE Thursday, 25 January to Sunday, 28 January.

GROUP 2, including North Europe, Benelux, Germany, Central East Europe and Russia, will assemble Sunday, 28 January to Tuesday, 30 January.

Unlike most traditional trade shows, DISTREE is an exclusive event by invitation. Only CEOs and acting Managing Directors are invited to Monte Carlo. A savvy selection of attendees blends with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to help you build in-depth relationships with all the invited customers. This kind of relationship strengthens over time and contributes to DISTREE's long lasting value.

DISTREE is a full service event: by removing the organizational and logistical burden, DISTREE empowers participants to focus on relationships and business. A powerful web planning tool, especially designed for DISTREE, allows users to view all profiles and pre-scheduling one-on-one meetings. Before last year's events, distributors and vendors used conference software to pre-book more than 1900 appointments (a record number for DISTREE).

DISTREE's Farouk Hemraj comments on the strength of the event: "Last year one vendor said to me, 'I've met so many executives from so many countries that I feel like I've walked 8000 kilometres over the past three days.' I think that really reflects the spirit of DISTREE — a proven system that helps participants achieve fruitful business in just a few days."

DISTREE XXL, the defining event for the consumer channel in EMEA, will take place 25-30 January 2007 at the Le Meridien Beach Plaza in Monte Carlo.