SNW Spring 2010 Sparks Buzz at Largest Conference on Storage, Infrastructure and the Data Center

Workshops, Training Sessions and Presentations From Top CIOs Focus on Cloud Computing, Virtualization, Business Continuity and Other Compelling Technology Topics


FRAMINGHAM, MA--(Marketwire - April 19, 2010) -  SNW Spring 2010 brought together top information technology executives, providers and industry influencers on April 12-15 in Orlando for the world's largest conference on storage, infrastructure and the data center and sparked an online and on-site dialogue covering a broad range of today's most compelling technology topics.

SNW Spring 2010 featured more than 150 educational sessions and presentations by dozens of top IT management experts covering cloud computing, green storage, virtualization, business continuity and other increasingly critical technology topics. SNW attendees also participated in tutorials, Hands On Lab and SNIA certification workshops, as well as countless networking opportunities.

In addition to the presentations and sessions, there was unprecedented online dialogue about the technologies and strategies that were spotlighted at SNW Spring 2010, facilitated by social media programs launched by SNW organizers. Attendees at SNW Spring 2010 were able to engage with each other before, during and after the conference through their mobile device or computer through SNW CONNECT -- SNW's social networking community -- and both attendees and non-attendees alike were able to keep tabs on the conference conversation by following SNW on LinkedIn and Twitter (search for the hashtag #snwusa). SNW also partnered with live stream company BitGravity to broadcast general session presentations live over the Web to interested viewers around the world. Bloggers from Storagemonkey.com and podcasters from Infosmack.com captured and posted emerging news and audience reaction from the conference.

"SNW Spring 2010 marked a number of firsts for what has become the world's largest conference on storage, infrastructure and the data center -- from our new online access points to thought-provoking presentations by influencers outside the IT community; from live streaming video of conference sessions to new twists on established programs like the Hands On Lab," said Neal Silverman, Senior Vice President of IDG Enterprise (parent company of the Computerworld). "Combine this with the rich discussion and dialogue the IT community has come to expect at SNW, and you have a conference that generated unprecedented buzz around technology topics that are shaping the future of IT management."

The conference program featured an opening keynote by Lawrence Lessig, Director of the Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics and Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, who spoke about the broadband challenges facing the U.S. and how this and other critical technology issues are difficult to resolve due to the nation's current political system.

Other presenters included:

  • Anthony Abbattista, Vice President of Technology Solutions for Allstate Insurance Company, who spoke about IT's role in green computing and how this can be part of an organization's culture and business strategy;
  • Martin Gomberg, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President for A&E Television Network and History Channel, who spoke on the changing face of business continuity and its impact in managing crisis -- and managing change;
  • Eric Schrock, Principal Engineer for Oracle, who spoke on the need to move beyond "islands of storage;"
  • Jeff Kubacki, Chief Information Officer for Kroll, who focused on the development of creating valuable relationships with one's technology partners;
  • Hugo Patterson, Chief Technology Officer for EMC Backup Recovery, who focused on how deduplication presents an opportunity to rethink backup;
  • Benjamin Woo, Vice President of Storage Systems at IDC, who talked about shifts in the IT industry brought about by cloud computing and new infrastructure shifts;
  • Joe Lacik, Senior Vice President of Information Systems for The Boeing Company's Aviall Systems, who spoke about the steps Boeing is taking to realize the benefits of cloud computing

SNW Spring 2010 also included executive panels with executives from VMware, LSI, Hewlett-Packard, Xiotech and Citrix.

SNW Spring 2010 featured dozens of breakout sessions, with some of the most popular drawing standing-room-only audiences. These sessions focused on topics such as the storage model for cloud computing, trends in data protection and restoration, the future of storage in the converged infrastructure, implementing and managing storage virtualization, and I/O virtualization: the next virtualization frontier.

SNW Spring 2010 also marked the launch of the first ever "Moonlight Madness Lab Sessions" -- an evening version of SNW's popular Hands On Lab.

In addition, awards were presented to the top winner in each of five categories during SNW's Best Practices Awards Program ceremony.

Finally, more than 60 companies were spotlighted in the SNW Spring 2010 Expo, including major IT vendors like EMC, Oracle, IBM, Intel and LSI.

Produced by Computerworld and co-owned by Computerworld and SNIA (The Storage Networking Industry Association), SNW is the largest event for IT end-users, vendors, channel partners, media and analysts involved in storage, data center, infrastructure, and business continuity. SNW also offers the world's largest Expo devoted to storage and related technologies. SNW Fall 2010 will be held in October at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas.

About Computerworld
Computerworld is the leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide. Computerworld's award-winning Web site (http://www.computerworld.com), bi-weekly publication, focused conference series and custom research forms the hub of the world's largest (40+ edition) global IT media network. Computerworld leads the industry with an online audience of over 3 million unique, monthly visitors and a print audience of 1,059,000 readers each issue (IntelliQuest CIMS Spring 2009).

Computerworld's conferences, with their focus on technologies and solutions, provide a rare opportunity for attendees to gain insight into the way user companies execute their strategies in the enterprise. Whether it's the prestigious Computerworld Honors Program, Computerworld's exclusive Premier 100 IT Leaders Conference or vertical industry events such as SNW, Business Intelligence & Analytics Perspectives, or SaaScon, Computerworld's conferences provide the best environment for idea exchange among IT executives and IT solutions providers.

Computerworld is published by International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, research and event company. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.

About IDG Enterprise
IDG Enterprise, an International Data Group (IDG) company, brings together unique editorial brands (CIO, Computerworld, CSO, DEMO, InfoWorld, IT World, Network World and The Industry Standard) to serve the information needs of our technology and security-focused audiences. As a digital-centric media company we serve our reader and advertiser audiences with award-winning content and community, driving conversation and conversion, across our entire portfolio of awarding-winning, websites, events, magazines, products and services. In addition, the CIO Executive Council, a peer advisory service, brings together the nation's top CIOs, as well as provides community and leadership development tools for their staffs.

Company information is available at www.idgenterprise.com.

About the SNIA
The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) is a not-for-profit global organization, made up of some 400 member companies spanning virtually the entire storage industry. SNIA's mission is to lead the storage industry worldwide in developing and promoting standards, technologies, and educational services to empower organizations in the management of information. To this end, the SNIA is uniquely committed to delivering standards, education, and services that will propel open storage networking solutions into the broader market. For additional information, visit the SNIA Web site at www.snia.org.

Contact Information:

Media Contacts:
Sarah Thomas
Topaz Partners
computerworld@topazpartners.com
781-404-2427

Duncan Newell
Computerworld
dnewell@idgenterprise.com
508-271-8029