Top Gun status for Compass' expo

Moving ahead with its plans for the annual eastern expo, Computer Association of Eastern India (Compass) has successfully braved the supposed ‘damp market' in Kolkata with an estimated spend of Rs. 1.25 crore for the event.

Already, sponsors have been looped in with Dell featuring as the primary sponsor followed by HP and Logitech as Co-sponsors for the event. However, the funding this time for the expo has been directly routed through the vendors and channel partner participation is also being supported by the principal companies.

"We have maintained the expo budget this year despite a bad market scenario in Kolkata and already 135 stalls and 16 pavillions have been booked", said Pawan Jajodia, Chairman - Expo Committee, Compass.

"With the market down this year, I am indeed enthralled with the participation we have received so far for the expo", he added.

This time, however, Compass hasn't increased its rates for stall bookings and participation with a ‘no profit' objective.

"The expo is targeted to provide the opportunity to the channel partners and vendors (participants) with increased business opportunities in the region", Jajodia elucidated.

Compass has already sent out invitations to 500 corporate houses in Kolkata and is seemingly optimistic about the response it is deemed to get for the expo.

Also, following the norm of its own set of accolades for the IT industry, Compass will be holding its Award Night on May 5 at The Park. This time, however, apart from the traditional set of vendor awards, the association has also introduced awards for the partners and participants too. A CIITA meeting has also been scheduled on the same day in the expo venue.

This year, Compass has been very proactive over the marketing front and has focussed heavily over online and using the social media to propagate the forthcoming expo.

"We are experimenting with the online technique and I am optimistic about its impact over the visitors. From the website, a visitor (user) can access free entry passes as well as complimentary ones," said DM Trivedi, chairman, publicity, Compass Expo Committee.