SUPPORT SERVICES INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS TO COSPONSOR CONFERENCE

HELP DESK INSTITUTE AND SOFTWARE SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION JOIN
FORCES FOR SUPPORT SERVICES CONFERENCE AND EXPO

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (MAY 28, 1996)- The two major support services
industry organizations have announced plans to co-sponsor the industry's
largest conference and expo. Help Desk Institute (HDI) and Software
Support Professionals Association (SSPA) will sponsor Support Services
Conference and Expo, in San Francisco, August 26-29, at the Moscone Center
and the ANA Hotel.

Historically the two groups have sponsored separate events specifically
targeted to their own members. HDI has focused on internal support
professionals while SSPA has concentrated on service providers. As the
industry has evolved, the lines have blurred, leading to overlapping
interests between the two groups. Research conducted by both
organizations, including discussions with industry analysts and conference
attendees, has revealed the need to broaden the scope of their events to
encompass the entire technical customer support industry. Since the two
audiences are converging, the decision was made to sponsor a single
conference.

"The demands created by business-critical, enterprise-wide client/server
computing have had a far-reaching impact on technology support
activities," said Dennis Privitera, executive director of Help Desk
Institute. "We are no longer independent, but highly
interdependent,relying on each other provide effective services. This new
interdependence challenges us to redefine our roles and the approach we
take to doing our jobs."

"The support industry will never be the same," said Bill Rose, executive
director of Software Support Professionals Association. "As the industry
has grown it makes sense to sponsor a conference encompassing the entire
industry. It will enable us to capture shared issues while focusing on the
unique perspectives each group will bring to the conference."

The conference will offer 7 tracks, or forums, with 82 individual sessions.
The forums include Enterprise Support, Software Support, Service
Marketplace, Organizational Development, Network Management, Support
Technology and Client/Server. The expo will feature the industry's largest
tradeshow including support-related products and services, help desk
support, network and LAN support, software support, and outsourcing
services.

Help Desk Institute, a division of SOFTBANK Expos, provides targeted
information about the technologies, tools, and trends of the help desk and
technical customer support industry as well as customized training and
consulting. HDI has more than 6,000 members worldwide, with partners in 12
countries, as well as 55 Local Chapters in the United States and Canada.

Software Support Professionals Association provides a forum for service and
support professionals in the software industry to share ideas, discuss
developing trends, and network with peers through "virtual" roundtables,
training, and seminars. SSPA has nearly 600 member companies, including
technical and support professionals from the world's leading software
companies.

SOFTBANK Expos, the world's largest Internet conference & trade show
company, presents 21st century technology events, including
NetWorld+Interop, Interop DotCom, JavaOne, Seybold Seminars,
WebINNOVATION, Windows Solutions, ComputerMania, Interactive 96, Support
Services and Computer Training & Support. Its divisions include Strategic
Networks Consulting, which provides custom consulting, advisory services,
enterprise testing & benchmarking, and a national seminar series. The
events begin with premier educational conferences which attract the
brightest technology professionals. The interactive trade show floor is a
professionally enriching experience for qualified attendees who also
participate year-round via online events and a collection of focused
newsletters.

SOFTBANK Expos, 303 Vintage Park Drive, Foster City, CA 94404
1-800-4-SBEXPOS, 415-578-6900, http://www.sbexpos.com
 
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