Compass announces expo dates

Kolkata: Compass, the IT association of IT channel partners in
Kolkata, has finally announced fresh dates for its IT expo, after indefinitely
postponing it at the end of last year. Slated to be be held on April 10 at
Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata, it is going to be a four-day event where channel
players and vendors across Kolkata are going to showcase their range of products
and the latest offerings that are targeted at increasing the volume of sales
across all consumer segments.

"We have chosen April 10 as it is going to be a holiday and the event will
end on April 13. As the date of inauguration is a holiday, we are expecting a
high footfall at the expo. Keeping in mind the government election dates, we
have taken the move," commented Pawan Jajodia, President, Compass.

Compass had postponed its expo indefinitely owing to the global slowdown. In
Dec, there was a row between committee members in Compass as some of them felt
that the deceleration in the market would have a negative impact on the expo, as
sales across East India dipped by over 30 percent.

"During the month of November, the IT market sank to a record low as sales
and orders fell below expectation. The market condition remained the same
throughout last year, but as of late Dec, the market has started to show signs
of improvement. We are optimistic about the onset of the recovery stage," said
JK Baid, Chairman-Expo Committee, Compass.

Members are keeping their fingers crossed and are waiting eagerly for the
recovery stage to set in. Vendors across West Bengal have also started to gear
up for new demands in the market. While the blogger community has started to
expand across the Dast during the slowdown, substantial demand for quality
products has started to emerge. It is primarily because of this that Compass has
selected 'Emerging Technologies' as its theme for the expo to cater to the new
demands in the market.

After the devastating performance in OND quarter last year, most channel
players across the East are hoping to have a better season this time round. With
government elections around the corner, there are apprehensions about its impact
on the market. Sources in Compass said that the association is trying to avoid
the risks involved in the post-election phase and has thereby agreed to hold the
expo before the elections.