Sources:
Yankelovich & Harris, a study prepared for American Business Media. Copyright 2001.
Center for Exhibition Industry Research, USA

Addis Ababa, March 15, 2004 - Some companies like to sit back and let customers come to them. Others seek greater visibility. They are the ones who know that with all of the distractions of modern life, it takes effort to get people’s attention and create a favorable impression. They also know that they cannot afford to sit back while their competitors actively reach out to new and existing customers. Name recognition, good customer relations, and customer loyalty are all enhanced through participation at the INFOCOM 2004 International ICT Exhibition. The event is a response to the fast-moving changes currently taking place in the ICT market in Ethiopia, where many new developments show the real need for an event of this kind. This is the first year for this event, whichis planned to be held annually.

Information and communications technology (ICT) is recognized as the medium that promotes economic and social opportunity. ICT is an increasingly powerful tool for participating in global market, promoting political accountability, improving the delivery of basic services and enhancing local development opportunities.

Government policy gives priority to eliminating poverty and deprivation. This is why the focus has to be on the use of ICT in governance, education, health, or more generally, on ICT for development. The competencies to provide and deliver the services exist in the private sector. Hence the need for multi sector partnerships and innovative initiatives.

INFOCOM 2004, the most important event on the local ICT calendar, is expected to bring together over 150 companies from across Ethiopia and abroad from July 1st to 04, 2004 at the Addis Ababa Exhibition Center. A number of owners and managers of ICT companies surveyed, believe that the event to be organized by ICT Focus Publishing will create growth in the ICT market while contributing to a vibrant information society.

This only Exhibition and Forum that brings together key government and private sector players allows local companies and foreign ICT companies to forge partnerships, explore new technologies and shape the future of the ICT industry in Ethiopia.

INFOCOM 2004 Forum, that will accompany the Exhibition, will provide and discuss essential information on a wide range of important ICT issues including local content on the web, Internet, mobile technology, e-commerce and Open Source Software. The organizers have taken every effort to bring in various professionals from this field to take part and present papers.

The opening day of the exhibition will be reserved to senior executives, senior and middle level managers in the civil service, public and private organizations which will be invited through special invitation.

During this event the winners of the Best Website Awards will be announced. Best Website Awards is the first web contest in Ethiopia recently launched by ICT Focus Magazine. Similarly, the top 25 most influential ICT people in Ethiopia will be featured on this occasion.

According to the organizers, the INFOCOM 2004 Exhibition will be widely promoted throughout Ethiopia and abroad to ensure maximum attendance, through INFOCOM 2004 web site, advertisement in local newspapers and magazines, advertisement in local TV station, promotion at ICT related conferences/meetings, distribution of the Exhibition main announcement and invitation brochures. This event, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors per day, will help companies increase their customer base, give them the exposure they need, and increase awareness on the use and benefit of the technology among the public.

In today’s competitive environment, no ICT company can afford to miss this unique marketing opportunity. Let’s make a better Ethiopia with ICTs.