CMP Channel Acquires Vision EventsĀ®, Creating a Technology Event Powerhouse Dedicated to Driving IT Sales

Deepens and Broadens the CMP Channel Portfolio with Robust Events in the Channel, Retail, International, Government and Specialized IT Marketplaces

PRNewswire-FirstCall
MANHASSET, N.Y.
(NYSE:IT)
Feb 21, 2008

MANHASSET, N.Y., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CMP Channel, the number one destination for technology vendors and marketers looking to reach the $390 billion solution provider channel, today announced that it has acquired Vision Events®, a division of Gartner, Inc., and a provider of specialized domestic and international face-to-face IT events. Through a recruiting marketing model, Vision Events builds partnerships and alliances through events, private appointments and one-on-one meetings, which maximize a return on investment for participants.

Vision Events will become a part of the CMP Channel Events group, which consists of CMP Channel's XChange conferences, the largest channel face-to-face conferences worldwide, CMP Channel Custom Events and a new division, CMP Channel eVents, which includes NetSeminars and Virtual Trade Shows. Vision Events will report to Robert Faletra, President of CMP Channel.

There is tremendous synergy between CMP Channel XChange conferences and Vision Events. XChange events bring Channel professionals together in a multi-sponsor setting that facilitates networking, education and partnerships. The XChange conferences incorporate CMP Channel's integrated portfolio, including the ChannelWeb online network, print products such as CRN and VARBusiness, and the Institute for Partner Education & Development for training and education. Vision Events align with the CMP Channel's mission from 'Access to Execution' by deepening and broadening its portfolio with the addition of robust events in the Channel, retail, international, government and specialized IT marketplaces.

In addition to this acquisition, CMP Channel recently added a variety of business tools to its product line up to help IT accelerate sales and grow their businesses. These services include a workflow tool that helps create efficiencies in Request for Proposals (RFPs) and proposal building through configuration technology solutions (eXalt's multi-vendor workflow tool); a promotions tool to manage incentives (MTC Performance's spiff solutions); and a business growth and management tool (M&A Forum).

"Face-to-face events provide a platform for technology buyers to build relationships. By adding Vision Events to our already strong portfolio, we are expanding our offerings and markets even further," said Robert Faletra, President, CMP Channel. "For over 25 years, CMP Channel has helped the sellers of technology make successful decisions and avoid costly pitfalls. We are fully committed to drive business through the technology Channel."

Vision Events, include:
  -- IT ChannelVision is designed to build business partnerships and
     collaboration between technology vendors and technology sellers serving
     the white box, value-added and enterprise channels.  IT ChannelVision
     Spring is scheduled to take place May 19-23 in Grapevine, TX and IT
     ChannelVision Fall is scheduled to take place October 4-8 in Los
     Angeles, CA.
  -- IT ChannelVision Europe is designed to provide IT product and service
     technology providers the opportunity to engage with Europe's premier IT
     channel executives who represent enterprise and mid-size markets.  The
     next IT ChannelVision Europe event is scheduled to take place April
     9-11 in Rome, Italy.
  -- IT ChannelVision Government Edition is focused on the government IT
     channel.  The next IT ChannelVision Government Edition event is
     scheduled to take place December 9-11 in Hollywood, FL.
  -- RetailVision is the premier global event for the retail channel
     bringing technology providers together with the top 100-level
     retailers, e-tailers and direct marketers.  RetailVision Spring is
     scheduled to take place April 14-17 in Orlando, FL and RetailVision
     Fall is scheduled to take place August 25-28 in San Diego, CA.
  -- RetailVision Europe is the only Pan-European event where PC and
     consumer electronics products and Channel programs are unveiled,
     retailer/distributor-technology provider relationships are forged and
     retail decisions are made.  The next RetailVision Europe event is
     scheduled to take place May 14-16 in Rome, Italy.
  -- RetailVision Middle East brings together the top retailers, e-tailors
     and direct marketers.  The next RetailVision Middle East event is
     scheduled to take place November 3-5 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
  -- Healthcare Summit is a healthcare and IT conference focused on bringing
     together IT executives in the healthcare IT community for business and
     networking.  The next event is scheduled to be held in November 16-19
     in San Diego, CA.
  -- The Midsize Enterprise Summit is the only global event addressing the
     information technology issues unique to midsize organizations, tailored
     to senior IT executives and technology providers.  The Midsize
     Enterprise Summit East is scheduled to take place in May 4-7 in
     Orlando, FL; the Midsize Enterprise Summit West is scheduled to take
     place September 14-17 in Grapevine, TX; and the Midsize Enterprise
     Summit Europe is scheduled to take place June 17-19 in Barcelona,
     Spain.
  -- The Project & Portfolio Management Summit is the premier global event
     for enterprise project portfolio management, tailored to senior level
     IT decision makers and technology providers.  Project & Portfolio
     Management Summit North America is scheduled to take place June 16-18
     in Orlando, FL and Project & Portfolio Management Summit Europe is
     scheduled to take place December 3-5 in Vienna, Austria.
  -- The Printing & Imaging Summit highlights print management and
     investment strategies and is designed to assist business and IT
     managers and executives in taking advantage of new print technologies,
     providers and service models.  The next Printing & Imaging Summit is
     scheduled to take place December 3-5 in Bonita Springs, FL.
  -- The Energy & Utilities IT Summit serves the energy industry.  The next
     Energy & Utilities IT Summit is scheduled to take place September 7-9
     in Orlando, FL.

For more information on CMP Channel's XChange events, visit http://www.cmpxchange.com/ or for more information on Vision Events, visit http://www.visionevents.com/.

About Vision Events

Vision Events, a division of Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT), is a leading producer of highly focused business events that bring Resellers and End Users together with leading and emerging Vendors in Private Boardroom Appointments to form strategic partnerships and secure new business in the technology sector. Additional information about Vision Events can be found at http://www.visionevents.com/.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world's leading information technology research and advisory company. Gartner delivers the technology-related insight necessary for our clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior IT leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to technology investors, Gartner is the indispensable partner to 60,000 clients in 10,000 distinct organizations. Through the resources of Gartner Research, Gartner Consulting and Gartner Events, Gartner works with every client to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual role. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has 3,900 associates, including 1,200 research analysts and consultants in 75 countries. For more information, visit http://www.gartner.com/.

About CMP Channel (http://www.cmpchannel.com/)

CMP Channel is the one stop shop customers turn to in order to meet their global sales channel objectives from access to execution. Through use of its family of channel solutions which include CRN and VARBusiness, the ChannelWeb network, XChange Events and the Institute for Partner Education & Development (IPED), vendors are able to accelerate sales through the channel. CMP Channel provides a worldwide answer to advertising, branding and marketing services, lead generation, market intelligence, branded and custom events, education of solution providers and best practices for vendors.

About CMP

CMP (http://www.cmp.com/) is a media and marketing solutions company serving the technology industry. With the leading online, event and print brands in all technology market categories, and with services and tools that reach beyond traditional advertising, CMP shapes and influences the technology industry worldwide. CMP publishes highly respected media brands such as TechWeb, InformationWeek, ChannelWeb, CRN, EE Times and TechOnline; produces major industry events such as Interop, Web 2.0 Expo, XChange, Game Developers Conference and the Embedded Systems Conferences; and provides business information and marketing services such as the International Customer Management Institute, Semiconductor Insights and Second Life consulting for technology marketers. CMP is a subsidiary of United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion. For more CMP news, go to cmp.com/news.

Contacts
  Alix Raine                        Kate Spellman
  CMP                               CMP Channel
  516.562.7827                      516.562.7383
  araine@cmp.com                    kspellman@cmp.com

SOURCE: CMP

CONTACT: Alix Raine of CMP, +1-516-562-7827, araine@cmp.com; or Kate
Spellman of CMP Channel, +1-516-562-7383, kspellman@cmp.com

Web site: http://www.cmp.com/
http://www.cmpxchange.com/
http://www.gartner.com/
http://www.visionevents.com/

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