Quebec Technology Association announces record attendance at its Big Bang
forum on sales and marketing

MONTREAL, May 4 /CNW Telbec/ - The 8th edition of the Quebec Technology Association's Big Bang forum is raising unprecedented interest among information and communications technology (ICT) business leaders and their partners. More than 140 people will gather at Montreal's Holiday Inn Select next May 11, under the theme "Widen your horizons: From strategy to action". The extraordinary level of participation in the forum illustrates the vitality of this industry, which is increasingly focused on export and on a constant watch for best practices to drive sales worldwide.

The study (http://www.aqt.ca/fr/presentation/AQT_Sales_Marketing_Profile_2009.pdf) done by the AQT last year describes the remarkable changes to business practices and markets targeted by Quebec's ICT industry from 2003 to 2009.

"The Big Bang program's framework is based on the profile and needs identified in the study, as well as on the recommendations issued by a leader advisory committee. This is why the forum has generated so much interest. Our industry is renowned for its creativity and international ambition. Big Bang is clear proof," stresses Nicole Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Quebec Technology Association.

An encounter focused on discussion and results

Speakers will deliver extensive information and testimonials. Discussion will focus on sales team structure, the strategic, financial and legal aspects that are essential for doing business abroad, and deploying a ROI-centred web marketing strategy, including social media.

The program (http://www.lebigbang.net/en/program2010.htm) features more than 15 speakers and panelists, who will talk about concrete experiences and suggest practical solutions that can be put to work immediately:

    
    - Business leaders Louis Tetu (Coveo), André d'Orsonnens (Druide
      informatique) and Olivier Laquinte (DexterIT)
    - Export specialists Pascal Britt-Côté and Sylvie LeBlanc (EDC)
    - Business law specialist Véronique Wattiez Larose (McCarthy Tétrault)
    - Sales experts Dikran Husseindjian (Embrase), Pierre Marc Jasmin (Triad
      Services) and Marie-Josée Métivier (Strategic International Alliances)
    - Web marketing professionals Katheline Jean-Pierre (Deloitte Canada),
      Yves Sabourin (Bell), Ralph Van Coillie (ice.com), Alexandre Pelletier
      (Acquisio) and Anne-Laure Miquel (Pyxis Technologies)
    - Journalist Denis Lalonde (Direction informatique)
    

Who should attend the Big Bang? Presidents, sales and marketing managers and strategists, and professionals whose services are linked to sales and marketing.

The event is backed by Bell, Export Development Canada, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, McCarthy Tétrault, CNW, Direction informatique, Legault Joly Thiffault, Xpertdoc and Québec's Ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation.

Program, registration and participants (http://www.lebigbang.net/en/)

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About the Quebec Technology Association (AQT) (http://www.aqt.ca/en/index.asp)

The AQT has over 430 member companies and affiliate members. The AQT represents Québec information technology companies and their executives. The Association's mission is to support their growth objectives and facilitate their access to the best business practices.

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For further information: Sylvie Castonguay, [phone], ext. 103, [email protected]