ASI Launches Innovative Trade Show Program
Leading Tech Distributor Partners with ON24 to Provide Virtual Alternative to Traditional Shows
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 26, 2009 – ON24, Inc., the global leader in webcasting and virtual event solutions, announced today that the company has collaborated with leading IT products distributor ASI Corporation to develop an innovative complement to its traditional multi-city customer “road show”, leveraging the 3-D and interactive capabilities of ON24 Virtual Show to extend reach and add value.
ASI’s traditional road show effort consists of day-long regional trade shows held throughout the year in the cities in which ASI branch offices are located, with the shows being conducted in each city every other year. It became apparent, however, that vendors and customers needed to communicate more frequently. In addition, travel to physical shows can be challenging for some customers.
The ASI solution, the new ASI Trade Show package, includes the physical events and a live virtual alternative, with content available on demand. The first virtual show will be held May 14. All shows will feature vendor exhibits in which new products are showcased. In addition, six seminars, with a focus on market trends, will be available to all attendees.
“What is especially appealing to attendees is that they will be able to do all this, and more, from the comfort of their own homes, at a time that is convenient to them,” Hedrick added. “This online conference format will allow us to reach a greater global audience. Our goal is that attendees will still experience the sense of community and fellowship that they can enjoy when attending one of our conferences in person.”
“The ASI Tech Show package is a year-long communication tool for ASI vendors. Our goal with our ‘hybrid’ approach is to differentiate ourselves by adding value and extending reach in an innovative way. Supplementing our traditional road show effort with a virtual show is a concept that our vendors find extremely appealing; they say it is a cost-effective use of their marketing dollars, maximizing ROI,” explained ASI Vice President of Marketing Kent Tibbils. “With ASI conducting both activities, we feel we have positioned ourselves to leverage the benefits of both a virtual event and live trade show to, ultimately, bring greater value to our customers, our vendors and to ASI.”
“The ASI approach is a creative use of ON24 Virtual Show because the company is not replacing traditional trade shows with a virtual event; instead, the ASI Virtual Tech Expo complements a series of in-person events. Sponsors pay a fee for the package, which includes a virtual component. The value proposition for sponsors is that they get more high-quality leads and can reach out to a wider range of customers with ON24 Virtual Show,” said ON24 CMO Denise Persson.
The ASI Virtual Tech Expo will feature the latest technologies from more than 25 ASI vendors, including Microsoft, Intel, NETGEAR, Hitachi, Crucial, ASUS, NVIDIA and Linksys. Register for the May 14 event here.
About ASI
ASI has been a leader in the distribution of IT products for over 20 years. Founded in 1987, the company has rapidly grown to become the partner of choice for over 20,000 VARs throughout North America. ASI offers an extensive line of products, components and services, and also provides ISO-9001 compliant system integration and value-add contract assembly. Experienced technical support team, knowledgeable sales, dynamic marketing, and innovative management have helped the company achieve an impressive $1.5 billion in sales revenue.
About ON24, Inc.
ON24, Inc. is the global leader in webcasting and virtual events. ON24 provides a full range of innovative solutions for applications such as demand generation, corporate communications and training and continuing education. More than 700 organizations in publishing, technology, life sciences, government, and financial services rely on ON24, including IBM, Cisco, United Business Media, Credit Suisse, GE Healthcare, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola and the National Science Foundation. ON24 is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, London and Singapore.