BlueStar’s VARTECH2007 Conference & Trade Show is a Tremendous Success

Florence, KY—October 19, 2007—BlueStar, the leading innovator in solutions-based distribution for Auto ID, Point-of-Sale, Mobility and RFID products, is announcing the tremendous success of its VARTECH2007 Conference & Trade Show in Nashville, TN, September 20-23, 2007. BlueStar President/CEO Steve Cuntz had this to say about the show: “I continue to be impressed with the passionate interests that our Value-Added Resellers bring to VARTECH. Their responses to the new products and solution sets presented by our suppliers set a high watermark at the Gaylord Opryland this year. It was even more gratifying to see the intense
interest in keynote speaker Janet Schijns' presentation on the Reseller Channel’s "SHIFT" opportunities. I have seldom seen such a genuine awakening to the forces of change that technology has placed before us.”

Once again, VARTECH attendance was up significantly. This year’s show boasted more exhibitors of best-of-breed software, hardware, and services solutions for the Point-of-Sale, Supply Chain, RFID, Mobility, Government and Security verticals. And with the increase in BlueStar’s Value-Added Reseller traffic at CodeZONE, the show floor became a haven for networking, partnering and informal demonstrations.

Manager for PDI Direct, Charles Conti, expresses his appreciation for VARTECH: “VARTECH was the most useful trade show I have attended this year. Fast, accurate, and direct answers from vendors we are considering purchasing products or service from; presentations targeted at helping me understand how a vendor’s product meets our customers’ needs; and excellent one-on-one with my BlueStar representative to build a better working relationship to determine how BlueStar can provide any additional products or services that our customers need.”

Christophe Naasz, Marketing Director for Star Micronics, adds his take from the vendor perspective: “VARTECH2007 truly topped its predecessors. BlueStar has succeeded in making VARTECH an annual ‘must attend’ event for manufacturers and resellers. The increased attendance at this year’s show brought real qualified traffic to our booth, and the classroom sessions allowed for sponsors and attendees to exchange industry and product insight. As always, the VARTECH team produced a professional event with lots of networking opportunities. We look forward to the 2008 show.”

Also located in CodeZONE was BlueStar’s FUSION booth where BlueStar business development managers explained the enhanced BlueStar FUSION benefits to VARs and ISVs alike. Resellers were able to customize marketing and business development materials in real time, create demand generation campaigns online, and register to participate in a variety of FUSION vertical initiatives.

In addition, VARTECH2007 featured educational seminars with industry experts in six different verticals to help attendees stay up-to-date on the newest industry trends, solutions, and technologies. A keynote address from channel industry consultant Janet Schijns of The JS Group, illustrated the changes in business that will drive go to marketing in the next 1 to 5 years, and how Value-Added Resellers can embrace these changes for profit. Ms. Schijns also exemplified how BlueStar’s FUSION program can help VARs save time and money achieving “go-to-market” strategies and tactics.

Janet Schijns says her keynote has received great feedback: “BlueStar was very visionary in encouraging a keynote that helped the attendees understand the major changes in the channel that could affect their business. BlueStar asked me to focus on what would best help the channel—positive or not. The participation, support, and encouragement that we’ve gotten from BlueStar and all attendees has just been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve had so much feedback from participants.”

VARTECH2007’s evening events expanded networking opportunities at the show, and added an entertainment component. These included the Star Micronics sponsored VAR Idol live-band karaoke night, EPSON-sponsored Wildhorse Saloon party, and the Elo-sponsored Closing Reception and Festival de la Rumba salsa dancing party sponsored by Hand Held Products, EPSON, Star Micronics, Cognitive, Metrologic, Datalogic and LXE.

About VARTECH
BlueStar’s annual VARTECH convention is a combination conference and trade show for those in POS, AIDC, RFID, and Mobility that unites many Value-Added Resellers, industry manufacturers, and BlueStar employees. It's a constructive forum for Value-Added Resellers to get “up-close and personal,” while cultivating rewarding relationships with hardware manufacturers and software solution providers. For more information, please visit: www.bluestarvartech.com.

About BlueStar
BlueStar is a leading solutions-based distributor of Point-of-Sale, Bar Coding, Data Collection, RFID, and Wireless Mobility products. BlueStar works exclusively with VAR Partners, providing them with complete solutions at competitive prices. The company brings unequaled expertise to the market, offers award-winning technical support and is an authorized service center for a growing number of manufacturers. For more information about BlueStar, please contact a BlueStar Account Executive or log on to www.bluestarinc.com.