Gartner to Advise Businesses on IT Strategy and Key Technology Issues at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2004 in Cannes
CEOs from Hewlett Packard, British Telecom, France Telecom and Deutsche Telecom to participate in keynote interviews with Gartner analysts
United Kingdom, 12 October 2004 — Gartner today announced details around its annual Symposium/ITxpo, taking place in Cannes, France from 31 October - 4 November.
An audience of more than 3000 senior IT and business executives from companies across Europe will join Gartner's leading analysts as well as key industry figures at this year's flagship event. Analysts will take stock of the IT industry, discuss IT and business strategies and deliver the latest actionable advice on how to best meet the challenges of 2005 and beyond. More than 150 presentations will delve deep into specific topics ranging from the future of IT to computing infrastructure, wireless communication, outsourcing, enterprise software strategies, security and CIO leadership.
"For IT and business professionals Symposium/ITxpo is a unique opportunity to gain all the information they need to test and refine their strategic planning for next year in just five days," said Roger Fulton Vice President Gartner research and conference chair for the event. "The blend of independent advice, best practice workshops and peer networking, combined with access to technology solution providers at ITxpo, makes it an unrivaled platform for businesses to assess their strategies and make the right IT decisions for 2005."
In addition to presentations of Gartner's latest research and analysis, a line-up of leading technology company CEOs will participate in mastermind keynote interviews. During these on-stage interviews, Gartner analysts will address topical questions to the CEOs present on IT issues of vital concern. Interview guests will include:
Carly Fiorina, Chairman & CEO HP
Ben Verwaayen, CEO BT Group
Kai-Uwe Ricke, CEO Deutsche Telecom
Thierry Breton, Chairman & CEO France Telecom
This year's event will be opened by Gartner's new CEO Gene Hall. Peter Sondergaard, worldwide head of research, will present Gartner's latest predictions for the IT industry. He will be followed by a panel of top Gartner analysts who will debate 'how to prepare for software driven business transformation'.
"For the past few years much of the industry seemed to go into hibernation mode, now is the time to move away from tactical, point solutions and advance again into true strategic thinking. This year's Symposium/ITxpo is designed to accelerate that process and particularly explore the directions software technologies and IT management disciplines are taking and the implications for business and government," said Roger Fulton.
Examples of focus areas at this year's Symposium/ITxpo in Cannes include:
Emerging Technologies — how future technologies will transform business, the workplace and society
Adopting Global Sourcing — where, when, why and why not
Disruptions and Discontinuities — anticipating the unexpected
The Future Role of the IS Organisation — drivers of change and how to take action now
The New CIO Leader — challenging traditional notions of management, metrics, risk and IS's role in creating competitive advantage. This is also the subject of a new book by Gartner analysts Ellen Kitzis and Marianne Broadbent, "The New CIO Leaders: Setting the Agenda and Delivering Results", scheduled for release this fall.
Compliance & Corporate Governance — how to meet public expectations and improve corporate performance
About Gartner Symposium/ITxpo
Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the IT industry's largest and most strategic conference, providing business leaders with a look at the future of IT. For more than 10,000 IT professionals from the world's leading enterprises, Gartner's annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of their annual planning efforts. Attendees rely on Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to gain insight into how their organizations can use technology to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency.
In Cannes an integral part of the Gartner Symposium is the ITxpo showfloor, where more than 80 technology companies will give attendees and press an opportunity to see and experience the latest technology solutions. There are 10 ITxpo marketplaces, including application integration, business intelligence, business applications, hardware infrastructure, IT operations, mobile and wireless, outsourcing, portals, web services and security. ITxpo market places are focused areas designed to aggregate solutions providers into a specific market and link conference topics to market solutions. Attendees can attend technology company presentations and schedule face to face meetings with an exhibitor of their choice. For more information, please visit www.gartner.com/eu/symposium.
About Gartner:
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB) is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global information technology industry. Gartner serves more than 10,000 clients, including chief information officers and other senior IT executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies and the investment community. The Company focuses on delivering objective, in-depth analysis and actionable advice to enable clients to make more informed business and technology decisions. The Company's businesses consist of Gartner Intelligence, research and events for IT professionals; Gartner Executive Programs, membership programs and peer networking services; and Gartner Consulting, customized engagements with a specific emphasis on outsourcing and IT management. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has more than 3,500 associates, including approximately 1,000 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide For more information,
visit www.gartner.com.
