Ingram Micro Empowers IT Channel with Technology Trend Insight and Enablement Tools at Bi-Annual Partner Connections Summit

More than 220 Fast Growth Channel Partners Convene with Top IT Manufacturers to Learn More About Emerging Technologies, SMB IT Needs and Business-Building Resources

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Enabling channel partners to sell and support a greater variety of IT solutions, Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM) today welcomed more than 220 channel partners to its Spring 2009 Partner Connections Summit, themed "We Empower You," in Hollywood, Fla., May 20 - 22. The bi-annual event is known for bringing together hundreds of fast growth channel partners and IT manufacturers to discuss emerging IT trends, train on new technologies and explore the growing number of partner enablement tools available exclusively to Ingram Micro channel partners.

Ingram Micro's vice president, customer solutions marketing for the U.S. and event co-host Anne Wilcox calls Partner Connections a demand generating event that drives awareness for new technologies and trends, and always spurs timely discussions on sales and partner enablement. "Partner Connections is a must for solution providers who are eager to grow and expand their current business models and want to engage Ingram Micro and our IT manufacturer partners to learn more about what technologies and resources are available to them today."

The Spring 2009 Ingram Micro Partner Connections Summit features a number of guest speakers, IT solution-focused workshops and informative keynotes. Featured presenters include industry influencers such as Joslyn Faust, principal analyst, SMB Research Group at Gartner; Richard Benigno, vice president, North American Partner Sales, CA; and Tom Flink, vice president, Channels and Emerging Products, Citrix Systems. Additional speakers include a number of Ingram Micro executives who manage critical partner resources and support organizations, as well as the distributor's respected team of field-based Technology Solutions Engineers.

During the three-day Summit, attendees will hear from IT industry experts on new technology solutions and business opportunities within content management, digital signage, disaster recovery, data capture and point-of-sale, managed services, mobile workforce, peripherals, security and storage, as well as desktop and server virtualization. Attendees will also view live technology and solutions demonstrations during the Summit's new Experience Tech Fair.

"We designed Partner Connections to keep our channel partners who are not actively involved in an Ingram Micro partner community up to date on the latest technologies, market insight and sales opportunities so they can provide an even deeper level of value to their end user clients," says Jeff Marks, co-host and Ingram Micro vice president VAR sales. "These events also deliver a tremendous business value to our manufacturer partners by placing them front and center with a targeted group of Ingram Micro partners who are eager to engage and grow their business."

The next Partner Connections Summit will take place September 22 - 24 in Denver, CO. For more information about Ingram Micro, visit www.ingrammicro.com.

About Ingram Micro

As a vital link in the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics services, technical support, financial services, and product aggregation and distribution. The company serves approximately 150 countries and is the only global broad-based IT distributor with operations in Asia. Visit www.ingrammicro.com

SOURCE Ingram Micro Inc.