IBM Business Partners Gear Up for Growth at Avnet Technology Solutions’ Ignition ’09

Conference for IBM Value-Added Resellers to Be Held October 12-14, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Avnet Technology Solutions, the solutions distribution leader and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), will host approximately 350 IBM business partners at its annual conference, Ignition ’09. The event, to be held October 12-14, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas, is designed to provide Avnet’s reseller partners with insight into the strategies and trends needed to grow their businesses. Additionally, the event will feature 28 hours of certification training to ensure that Avnet’s partners have the latest skills needed to develop and implement innovative IBM-based solutions that address end-users’ business challenges.

Ignition ’09 is structured to help Avnet’s IBM business partners identify opportunities for growth, regardless of market conditions. In particular, the event will feature keynote sessions on how to appeal to financial decision makers within end-user organizations. Attendees will hear from Avnet’s Chief Financial Officer, Ray Sadowski, and IBM’s General Manager of Global Financing, John Callies, who will share insights into the mindset of CFOs and the return on investment expectations that factor into today’s IT purchasing decisions.

The general session will feature:

* Avnet Chief Operating Officer Rick Hamada
* Avnet Technology Solutions Global President Phil Gallagher
* Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas Senior Vice President and General Manager, IBM Solutions Fred Cuen
* IBM Senior Vice President and Group Executive, Systems and Technology Group Robert W. Moffat, Jr.
* Expert on the Future of Technology Dr. James Canton

“Avnet’s Ignition conference is designed to help our partners obtain the insights and industry connections they need to develop complete, technology-based solutions that solve their customers’ business challenges,” said Fred Cuen, senior vice president and general manager, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, IBM Solutions. “We look at the event as an opportunity to not only educate and train Avnet’s business partners on the latest IBM-based solutions, but it’s also a venue for discussing the challenges they face in the marketplace and how we can help them become even more successful.”

Avnet Ignition ’09 will provide direction to attendees through a combination of:

* Interactive networking with top channel industry executives
* Compelling technical, sales and executive-level education
* A Solution Expo showcasing the very best in today’s new products, solutions and services

“Avnet’s Ignition conference for IBM business partners is a must-attend for High Plains,” said Brad Mendel, a partner at High Plains Technology, Inc. “Every year, Avnet brings together senior IBM and Avnet executives, complementary suppliers and industry thought leaders who bring a fresh perspective to trends in the market. I particularly appreciate the mix of strategic learning and hands-on training that takes place during the conference, because we need both long-term vision and technical proficiency to succeed in this highly competitive, solutions-driven marketplace.”