34th AFSM International World Conference to be Held October 3-6, 2004

Business Wire,  July 13, 2004  

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FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Association for Services Management International (AFSMI), the only global, member-based professional association of executives and managers in the technology services and support industry, today announced the details of its 34th S-Business Education Summit and Expo to be held October 3-6 in Dallas, Texas. This year's conference will continue the long tradition of providing AFSMI members with world-class keynote headliners, thought-provoking speakers, in-depth case studies, extensive networking, and an expansive technology showcase. The conference includes the announcement and presentation of the annual George O. Harmon Award for Industry Excellence and the Service Quality Award.

This year's theme, "Learning - Sharing - Advancing," highlights AFSMI's commitment to providing an independent, neutral, and noncommercial forum with over 50 sessions in seven concurrent subject-area paths providing in-depth case studies and best practices. AFSMI members from chapters around the world come together each year to learn from leading services and support experts, share their successes and lessons learned, and advance their careers and the s-business profession. And, new for this year, AFSMI is partnering with the Center for Services Marketing and Hahn Consulting to present a special "conference within a conference" program with dedicated sessions and events for s-business marketing and sales professionals.

Other conference highlights include: a panel of industry experts, leaders, and visionaries who will examine the question "What Does it Mean to be a Service Leader?"; a world-class Expo Hall that will feature over 80 exhibitors, an "Author's Corner" for book signing sessions with some of the industry's best known authors, and a "Speaker's Forum" where selected exhibitors will provide in-depth information on technology advancements; the AFSMI gala featuring live country and western music; a networking golf tourney held at the world-renowned Bear Creek Golf Resort; and two special, full-day, pre- and post-Summit seminars, "Reinventing Services" and "Service Finance for the Non-Financial Services Manager," that will be offered on October 3 and 7, respectively.

"In today's economic environment, it is more important than ever for support executives and managers to be highly skilled, highly informed, and highly involved s-business professionals who contribute enhanced productivity, profitability, and competitiveness in their own business situations," said John Schoenewald, CEO of AFSMI. "This year, we are bringing together an unprecedented slate of keynote speakers, education track session presenters, and industry-leading technology vendors, all of whom will contribute to making this one of the best Education Summit and Expos yet," he concluded.

An impressive list of keynote speakers is headed by Dr. W. Michael Cox, senior vice president and chief economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and professor of economics at Southern Methodist University. Joining Dr. Cox as keynote headliners are David M. Clementz, executive vice president of service delivery for EDS; Scott A. Dougall, general manager technical support executive - Americas, IBM Global Services; and Steve Smith, co-author of the international bestseller businessThink: Rules for Getting It Right--Now, and No Matter What!

For more information or to register for the 34th AFSMI S-Business Education Summit and Expo, please visit www.afsmi.org/dallas.

About AFSM International

Founded in 1975, AFSM International (Association for Services Management International) is a global, not-for-profit, professional association of customer services and support executives and managers committed to s-business excellence. AFSM International is the acknowledged leader in providing the knowledge, fellowship, and career connections that further the personal and professional development of executives, managers, and individuals involved in s-business. For more information or to join AFSM International, visit www.afsmi.org.

About S-Business

S-business is the industry standard term AFSM International developed to describe all of the activities, organizations, and individuals involved with providing customer services and support for technology-based products and solutions.

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