Storage Expo Exodus helps IP Expo grow 80% IT firms predict market recovery

The organiser of IP Expo 2010 has experienced an 83% year-on-year rise in pre-bookings as technology sector executives invest their marketing budgets early in 2010. The surge, helped by the demise last year of niche technology show, Storage Expo, has also seen a 70% rise in show floor sales, despite increased capacity.

The rise in sales comes as other leading indicators show IT sector optimism. Data from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Economist Intelligence Unit show, respectively, that the IT sector will pick up faster than others (70%) and predict that IT budgets will rise (63%) in 2010.

This years IP Expo will see leading technology companies Brocade, Compellent, Emulex, Hitachi Data Systems and LSI joining long-standing exhibitors VMware, Cisco, EMC and Vodafone. Interest in hot topics like Virtualisation, Wireless, and Cloud Computing are driving interest in the show which last year attracted over 7,000 attendees.

Bill Hammond, Event Director for IP Expo, commented: The rapid uptake of IP Expo floor space and conference sponsorship reflects a realization that the IT sector will consolidate and grow in 2010. In particular, storage buyers now look beyond simple capacity issues, viewing data as networked information, therefore decisions on what should be stored online, nearline, offline or archived have become part of a wider infrastructure conversation. IP Expo is where these conversations begin.

Traditionally trade events provide a barometer of the market, Due to the pace of change in IT, where many recession-hit buyers skipped a technology wave last year, they now need to invest ahead of time to keep their organizations competitive.

Adam Malik, Content Director for IP Expo explains Events reflect what is happening in the market. As the largest, fastest growing and most comprehensive IT show in the UK, we have adapted our format consistently for six years. Exhibitors expect attractive events attended by well-educated, pre-qualified, end-user attendees, with money to spend and seeking solutions. This years move by so many former Storage Expo attendees demonstrates to the broader vision provided by IP Expo provides the perfect environment for storage vendors to sell as the market recovers.