The TMC team is working diligently to finalize plans for ITEXPO, which will take place next month at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. We hope to see you at the big event, which will run from Oct. 5 through 8.
ITEXPO, as you may know, is a business technology event that brings together developers, enterprises, government agencies, medium and small businesses, resellers, service providers, and vendors to discuss the latest innovations that are changing the marketplace. It is where the community gathers to collaborate and discuss today’s business communications challenges, and how to overcome them.
The top names in the industry will be exhibiting at ITEXPO, which is dedicated to communications solutions for the enterprise, mid-market, resellers, and service providers. That means all the people attendees need to meet with and hear from will be there, so visitors can accomplish all of their research in one 72-hour visit – a much more affordable alternative than months of expensive travel, and far more efficient than doing months of Internet searches and calls.
The ITEXPO programming this time around will focus on five tracks, including carrier solutions, communications solutions, managed services, network functions virtualization, and resellers. Key topics to be discussed at ITEXPO include Asterisk, channel strategies, cloud computing, content marketing, customer experience, E-SBCs, the Internet of Things, IP PBXs, IVRs, mobility, net neutrality, network functions virtualization, open source, orchestration, security, software defined networking, startups, unified communications, VoIP, VoLTE, wearable tech, WebRTC, Wi-Fi, and much more.
Attendees can look forward to keynote addresses from Avaya GM and VP of UC Mohammad Nezarati; Intel (News 
- Alert) Security expert Candace Worley; and XO Communications CEO Chris Ancell.
"How we communicate and collaborate with one another is evolving at a rapid pace, and many businesses are struggling to keep up with these technologies and how they can uniquely drive business value. ITEXPO offers a highly interactive, forward-looking venue for the industry to come together and explore the next frontier in communications," said Nezarati.
His keynote presentation will take place on Oct. 7 at 10:30 a.m. In his talk, "The Evolution and Future of Communications" Nezarati will discuss the advances in communication and the next generation of engagement solutions that are changing the way people connect, communicate, and collaborate with one another to get work done.
"Avaya is demonstrating great leadership in developing innovative approaches to creating more engaging communications solutions. We are eager for Mohammad Nezarati to share his insight and expertise during his keynote presentation, sharing with attendees the latest strategies for driving enhanced communication and collaboration within their enterprise," said Rich Tehrani, TMC CEO and conference chairman.
As for keynoter Worley, she is responsible for developing and executing the strategic direction around endpoint protection for PCs, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and embedded devices. She is also responsible for data center security for physical, virtual, and cloud environments, and data protection solutions for corporate assets.
“I’m looking forward to keynoting ITEXPO and speaking about how endpoint security is evolving in response to the corporate security risks associated with greater degrees of end user digital freedom,” said Worley. “In a recent survey by MSI (News - Alert) Research, 80 percent of respondents reported using personal devices for work and vice versa, which yields an ongoing challenge as organizations scramble to find more effective ways to protect their valuable corporate data and devices.”
Worley’s presentation will take place on Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. In her keynote, “Digital Freedom: A risk to corporate security?” Worley will discuss blurred lines between personal and work devices.
“We are pleased to announce Intel Security’s participation at ITEXPO,” said Tehrani. “Security is a great concern for employees and businesses alike, learning how to properly secure corporate data is crucial from a legal, compliance, and customer care standpoint.”
XO’s Ancell will focus on how enterprises can accelerate the migration of mission-critical applications to the cloud to increase productivity, and how networks are becoming virtualized to help enable that. “The Impact of Virtualization” is the title of Ancell’s presentation, during which this keynoter will touch on 5G wireless deployments and security as well as cloud connectivity.
“XO Communications (News - Alert) is a national leader in IP communications, managed network and IT infrastructure for all enterprises,” said Tehrani. “We are eager for Chris Ancell to share his insight and expertise during his keynote presentation, sharing with participants what they need to be planning for today, in order to ensure that their companies are leveraging the power of network virtualization.”
Indeed, virtualization is an area of enormous focus in communications networking today. To further address this quickly growing trend, TMC has launched a new event called NFV Expo, which will take place Oct. 6 to 8, alongside ITEXPO.
“The NFV market represents the biggest disruption and opportunity in carrier spending this decade,” said Tehrani. “NFV Expo will focus on leading this change by bringing cutting-edge discussions and sessions to the conference agenda.”
A wide variety of other dedicated workshops and training will be available under the ITEXPO umbrella. For example, new this show is the Skype for Business Conference at ITEXPO, Presented by Microsoft. There, attendees can explore how Skype can be used to improve workplace efficiency and directly lower communications costs. There will also be The Skype for Business Pavilion on the exhibit hall floor.
“Microsoft is leading the ecosystem in providing Skype for Business as an optimal tool that enterprises of all sizes use to improve their communication and collaboration,” said Tehrani. “Participants will walk away with new processes and products they can implement back in their offices.”
That also includes:
• ChannelVision Expo, which addresses the agent, interconnect, and value-added reseller demographic;
• Content Boost, a workshop for marketers;
• Ingate’s SIP Trunking, UC & WebRTC seminars; and
• Telecom Reseller (News - Alert) Week, a seminar about how to effectively sell IP gear and services.
The show will also provide attendees with the ability to win a variety of valuable on-site giveaways including a 3D printer package, a collection of Apple goods, fashion items, gift cards, and travel-related products.
ITEXPO sponsors include an array of industry-leading entities including Platinum sponsors Content Boost, Fiber Mountain, Sansay, and Yealink, and Gold sponsors
NetSapiens and Vitelity Communications (News - Alert).
“We are excited to announce these industry-leading companies that are supporting ITEXPO,” said Tehrani. “Through their valuable insight, event participants can learn about the latest advancements within the industry. These companies will deliver another impressive event featuring in-depth content and innovative technologies.”
Edited by Stefania Viscusi
