CLEARWATER, Fla., Nov. 12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TechSelect , Tech Data Corporation 's (Nasdaq: TECD ) community of IT solution providers supporting the technology solutions needs of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), hosted its Fall TechSelect Partner Conference on November 6-9, 2013 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif. Approximately 400 channel partners were in attendance to share growth strategies and discuss the latest technologies and opportunities in the IT channel.
"Tech Data's TechSelect Partner Conferences lead to continued profitable growth for our channel partners and provide our members with invaluable networking opportunities," said Pete Peterson, senior vice president, U.S. Sales at Tech Data. "The content provided focused on innovation in the channel, providing the TechSelect community with the training and tools they need to profitably grow their businesses. Our TechSelect community now represents more than 20 percent of Tech Data's U.S. business, proving the value these partnerships bring to the IT channel."
The Fall TechSelect Partner Conference featured Peer-to-Peer Panel Workshops led by J.B. Wood , president and CEO, Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA), who shared insight from his book, Consumption Economics , and Robert B. Tucker , president and founder of The Innovation Resource, who led a session titled "Driving Growth Through Innovation: How Leading Firms Are Transforming Their Futures." The event also included training sessions with Tech Data's premier vendor partners and Innovation Workshops focused on staying competitive in the IT marketplace and improving bottom line. Other highlights of the conference included interactive sessions around enhancements to techdata.com, as well as strategic direction from the TDCloud and TDCreditServices business units.
During the TechSelect Awards Gala, the community 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 on by Tech Data and TechSelect members. Winners of the 2013 TechSelect Member and Vendor Achievement Awards are:
- Outstanding Member: Valcom
- Member Partner Award: Inacomp
- Fastest-Growing Vendor: Oracle
- Most Creative Vendor: Symantec
- Best Vendor Partnership: Cisco
Through TechSelect's Partner Conference charity fundraiser, the TechSelect community has historically partnered with charitable organizations in the host cities of its events to give back to the local communities. TechSelect chose Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts as its partner charity of choice for the Fall Partner Conference. Over the course of the conference, the TechSelect community raised over $25,000 for the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where students create character-based documentaries each semester that focus on a nonprofit organization and the people whose lives they affect. Since 2008, the TechSelect community has raised over $125,000 in monetary and product donations to help various charities that benefit special needs children, abuse survivors, children's education and advancement, humanitarian causes, and more.
"This was one of our most successful TechSelect events, featuring thought leaders in the industry and information around innovation we can bring back to our companies to ensure success," said Allan Walters, president of the TechSelect Advisory Council and senior vice president at Saratoga Technologies. "As president of the TechSelect Advisory Council, I am most proud of our generous members who donated to the local charity to make a difference for those in need."
Earlier this year, Tech Data launched its enhanced TechSelect Community Portal , available exclusively to TechSelect members. The portal includes more robust applications, mobile device capabilities, and simplified navigation, providing a resource library for solution providers, important details about upcoming events, reseller partner locator information, and vendor microsites.
To learn more about TechSelect, visit www.techselect.com or call (800) 237-8931, ext. 84529. Follow TechSelect on Twitter at @TechSelect.
About Tech Data
Ranked No. 119 on the Fortune ® 500, Tech Data Corporation is one of the world's largest wholesale distributors of technology products, services and solutions. Its advanced logistics capabilities and value added services enable 120,000 resellers in more than 100 countries to efficiently and cost effectively support the diverse technology needs of end users. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com , or follow us on Facebook and Twitter .
Amanda Lee Public Relations Manager (727) 538-5803
