Avnet Technology Solutions Expands Demand Generation Events for IBM Channel Partners

Road2 Events Now Available for Security and Storage

SAN ANTONIO -- Avnet Ignition ’09 - Based on the success of its Road2 Virtualization seminars, Avnet Technology Solutions, the solutions distribution leader and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), announced that it has expanded its demand generation offerings for IBM business partners to include Road2 Security and Road2 Information Optimization events. The new events are designed to enable Avnet’s IBM value-added reseller (VAR) business partners in the U.S. and Canada to quickly and effectively make connections with end users and secure new business leads in the high-growth markets of security and storage.

“The Road2 events present a tremendous opportunity for our partners to get in front of new customers, while reducing the amount of their own time and resources required to manage events of this caliber,” said Mark Martin, vice president of product marketing, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, IBM Solutions group. “Not only does Avnet provide our partners with the industry insights needed to develop new prospects in high-growth markets such as virtualization, security and storage, but we also enable them to make the end-user connections they need to identify opportunities for growth, and ultimately close new business.”

The one-day events, managed by Avnet on behalf of their partners, help VARs establish relationships with new customers and detail how technology solutions address a variety of end-user business challenges. The events feature insights from industry leaders, such as Asa Hutchinson - the first U.S. undersecretary of Homeland Security. Additionally, the events include applicable market trend information developed through Avnet’s solutions practices, such as Avnet VirtualPath™, Avnet SecurePath™ and Avnet StoragePath™, coupled with business assessments and real-world examples. Each event is designed to enable Avnet’s partners to assist end-user customers in effectively preparing for their future technology needs. Avnet also facilitates the event management process, including content development, meeting planning, invitations and recruitment, post-event lead generation and attendee follow up.

“Avnet’s Road2 events have significantly accelerated our sales cycle by putting our team at the table with our top prospects,” said Michael Ritsema, president, i3 Business Solutions, llc. “Avnet’s Road2 Virtualization and new Road2 Security events have created new customer relationships for us and deepened our relationships with existing customers. They’ve been a true home run, resulting in more than $300,000 in sales and pipeline opportunities. These events have been so effective that we’re focusing our marketing efforts moving forward on high-end education events.”