CLEARWATER, Fla., Nov. 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TechSelect, Tech Data Corporation's (Nasdaq:TECD) community of IT resellers supporting the technology solutions needs of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), hosted its Fall TechSelect Partner Conference on November 3-6, 2011 at Disney's Yacht Club Resort in Orlando, Florida. More than 350 channel partners, including over 200 U.S. and Canadian IT resellers, were in attendance to share profitable growth strategies, discuss the latest technologies in the IT channel and capitalize on exclusive networking opportunities.
"Tech Data's TechSelect Partner Conferences are premier events for our SMB reseller members to utilize unique access to our world-class vendors and build relationships in the channel," said Pete Peterson, Senior Vice President of U.S. Sales at Tech Data. "Our TechSelect community continues to grow stronger, now representing over 17 percent of Tech Data's U.S. business."
The Fall TechSelect Partner Conference featured expert-led and peer-to-peer sessions, including one-on-one opportunities for TechSelect members to meet with vendors individually, training sessions with Tech Data's premier vendor partners, BIG Business Workshops designed to help resellers remain competitive and open dialogue with Tech Data senior executives on internal strategies and channel forecasting.
"Building and maintaining our relationship with the TechSelect community helps us provide the latest solutions and services to our SMB customers nationwide," said Andrew Cohen, Managing Director at All Covered, a division of Konica Minolta Business Solutions. "TechSelect Partner Conferences are both educational and rewarding, fostering collaboration among resellers and vendors to adapt to ever-changing market conditions and promote continued growth."
During the final general session of the conference, TechSelect recognized its outstanding and fastest-growing members, as voted on by Tech Data and its vendor partners, as well as the top vendor partners in the community, as voted by TechSelect members. Winners of the 2011 TechSelect Member and Vendor Achievement Award Winners are:
- Fastest Growing Member – Sovran
- Outstanding Member – NetConnect
- Most Engaged New Member - Inception Technologies
- Best Member Partner – Michael Kanan, President, Inacomp
- Most Engaged Vendor - Trend Micro
- Most Creative Vendor – Symantec
- Best Vendor Partnership - Eaton
Keynote speakers at the event included Bill Rancic, Donald Trump's original "Apprentice," and Reggie Williams, a former NFL player for the Cincinnati Bengals and Vice President of Disney Sports Attractions. To conclude the event, Tech Data closed down the Streets of America at Disney's Hollywood Studios for food, drinks, music, and dancing.
"TechSelect continued its host-city charitable program by donating over $10,000, its largest monetary donation to date, to The Russell Home for Atypical Children in Orlando," said Rory Sanchez, President of the TechSelect Advisory Council and chief executive officer of SLPowers. "Our donation, which will provide housing, food, clothing and medical care for children and adults living with severe intellectual and physical disabilities, further demonstrates the collective strength and commitment of the TechSelect community."
Next year's TechSelect Partner Conferences will be held in Palm Springs, California (May 2012) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (November 2012). To learn more about TechSelect, go to www.techselect.com or call (800) 237-8931, ext. 84529. Follow TechSelect on Twitter at @TechSelect.
About Tech Data
Tech Data Corporation is one of the world's largest wholesale distributors of technology products. Its advanced logistics capabilities and value added services enable 125,000 resellers in more than 100 countries to efficiently and cost effectively support the diverse technology needs of end users. Tech Data generated $24.4 billion in net sales for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, and is ranked 109th on the Fortune 500®. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.
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