New MEA distribution Presidents Club to be launched at DISTREE

The new club joins together top IT channel leaders in recognition of their service and contribution to the Information Technology industry in the region. Honorary in nature, the club will serve as an important regional Think-Tank dedicated to defining and promoting a healthy and successful distribution channel for the IT industry.

"The purpose of the club is to bring together the best minds in distribution to discuss issues and topics of mutual interest that can ultimately lead to efficiency in the way products and services are brought to market throughout the IT Distribution channel in MEA," said Farouk Hemraj, CEO for Distree Events.

Only CEOs and Presidents will be admitted to the club. IT Distribution companies selected to join the club have to demonstrate a sufficient track record in the market (10 years minimum), and should represent a minimum of 200M$ of annual revenues or be an official distributor of a minimum of 5 'A-class' international brands.

A distinguished committee of industry executives, representing the region's top distributors and trade press have identified members of the IT distribution community that qualify to become the club's first circle of members. The first group of member will be limited to fifteen companies.

The initial committee members include Dr. Ali Baghdadi (Aptec), Guy Witcroft (Tarsus), Bob Snyder (The Distribution Channel), Feras Zeidan (ITP ), Frederic Simard and Farouk Hemraj from Distree Events. Over twenty representatives from leading distributors throughout MEA have already confirmed their membership. Michael Kaak, former VP Europe at Ingram Micro has been offered an honorary membership to the club.

"We have a commitment to promoting best business practices and to add value to the top executives who have been attending and supporting our events over the past years," continued Hemraj. "As the initiator of the club, we will support all the related cost, including membership fee, of the club for the first year of operations."

The "PRESIDENTS CLUB" will be announced at a special ceremony on the opening night of DISTREE MEA on January 22. The newly appointed Members will be offered the opportunity to give a brief keynote speech sharing their vision of the future with respect to developments in Information Technology channels.

Following the inaugural ceremony, the club will hold its first meeting on Monday January 23rd to determine its executive members, its charter, the frequency of its meetings, the topics of discussions for the next meetings, suggestions of guest speakers, vendors' attendance, etc.