Top Middle East channel readies for DISTREE XXL

A sold-out exhibition space comprised of 103 leading technology vendors will greet over 850 distribution executives from 80 countries across the EMEA region.

Taking place 25-30 January 2007 in Monte Carlo, DISTREE draws support from top vendors including Acer, AMD, BenQ, Lexmark, NEC, Pioneer, Samsung, Seagate, Sony, Toshiba and over 90 others. The event also draws the top pan-European distribution companies including Ingram Micro, Avnet and Bell Micro, as well as the regional and national powerhouses responsible for over 30 € billions in annual turnover of I.T. products.

DISTREE XXL sponsors
Platinum sponsor AMD
Gold sponsors Port, Samsung, Western Digital
Silver sponsors Farasoo, LSI Logic, Techgear

"DISTREE is an unrivalled business exchange for the technology distribution channels across Europe, Middle East and Africa," says DISTREE co-founder Farouk Hemraj. "Nowhere else do all these executives meet at one place, one time — from Düsseldorf to Dubai, Madrid to Moscow, Copenhagen to Cape Town, we're bringing together the whole of the EMEA region."

The organizers have already facilitated 2,500 pre-booked one-on-one meetings between distributors and vendors using their exclusive web planning tool (a record number for DISTREE). And more meetings will be scheduled during the many business and social networking opportunities at the event.

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.

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. Returning this year is DISTREE's popular "60 Seconds to Convince" program, where vendors compete to deliver the best product pitch in one minute. Attendees will also enjoy a new session, the DISTREE Talk Show, which promises to be a compelling program.

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.

Other keynote speakers include leaders from the world of market research (Pascal Bollon, Worldwide Director at GfK) and industry analysis (Bob Snyder, Editor of Multimedia I.T.), as well as a panel of executives from EMEA's XXL distributors. DISTREE will also bring to the stage Vendor Premier Presentations, offering channel players high-level insight into products and market strategies, and a series of best channel initiatives.

Hundreds of channel executives have pre-registered for DISTREE high-level series of workshops, where expert facilitators will lead participants in a debate of best practices, market conditions and industry trends.

DISTREE workshops
• Managing Your Growth
• Mergers, Acquisitions & Exit Strategies
• Six Degrees of Differentiation
• Collecting Debt
• Operating Productivity
• Dead Stock Issues
• "E" is for Evolution
• The Role of Loyalty Programs
• New Digital Consumer: New Store Concepts

About DISTREE XXL

DISTREE XXL is based on the proven concept of bringing high level buyers into productive contact with vital vendors in a unique, intimate and stimulating atmosphere. This year becomes a single, 5-day event covering ALL-Europe, Middle East and Africa.

"It's the same successful platform the channel has come to know and trust, but now it's grown bigger," says DISTREE co-founder Frédéric Simard. "We're hosting more markets, more executives, more meetings."

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.

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.