Did ITEX Walk the Talk?
Hosted this year in Washington, D.C., ITEX offered a grand promise of “Delivering the Future of Office Solutions”. If the aggressive agenda planned for ITEX wasn’t enough, entering expansive Washington Convention Center quickly brought home the realization walking was on the agenda.
Mike Stramaglio of MWAi and Todd Matsler of Intel delivered the keynote, asking a question with more weight than I suspect most grasp, “Invent or Innovate?” I was pleasantly surprised that the content was relevant, although the question was late — for most in this industry.
Exhibitors brought their ‘A’ game, with elaborate booth spaces. Good swag was not easily found, but who needs swag when you’ve got substance. The common theme I sensed, at least from software providers I gravitate towards, was almost solely focused on refining and honing the spears they already use to hunt with.
But were there a lot of fish to catch?
Exhibitors I spoke with on the ITEX floor indicated light traffic, at best. With everything from ink recycling and paper shredders to software and services companies, the exhibitor hall offered very little true innovation, in this man’s opinion.
The classroom sessions were interesting, and generally seemed to be more tactically focused. One session, led by Jerry Newberry and Jeff Kelly, Pros Elite Group, was especially memorable. Who would’ve thought five simple things could have such a dramatic impact on your service organization’s contribution to the bottom line!
Sessions seemed to be fairly well attended. However, even with speakers and content, audiences seemed skiddish to ask questions. In passing several conversations outside of the classroom, in the walk ways and at booths up and down the exhibit hall you could sense prospective customers were cautiously sizing opportunity.
If the promise was to “Deliver the Future of Office Solutions,” I’d have to say the event was more talk than walk.
Ken Stewart offers observations from the field of managed print services in his weekly column on MPS Insights every Wednesday. As a senior consultant with the Photizo Group, he comes from and works directly with channel providers in the managed services space, developing educational tools and resources to promote lasting business transformation.
Ken Stewart’s website, ChangeForge, focuses on helping you align technology smartly, engage change considerately and motivate people genuinely. Get the latest industry news, and follow ChangeForge on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.
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