This will be MediaConnect’s eighth Forum in Australia and we’ve established a proven track record of outstanding media attendance and client satisfaction. Last year's Influence event was the first of its kind, and 80 per cent of vendors and influencers who attended the event rated it positively with no vendor or journalist giving the event a negative rating.

Here's what some had to say about Influence 2006:

 

INFLUENCER TESTIMONIALS

There is nothing else like it in the world today -- if you want access to the leading IT Journalists in Australia, to get your message across or to find out how well your message has been received, Influence is the event where it happens.
Ashton Mills, Freelance Journalist

 

It was great to get the chance to talk in an informal situation with some of the industry's leading vendors and other practitioners.
Darren Baguley, Freelance Journalist

 

The most cost effective way to reach the media and get your message to more publications in one hit, for one price.
Valens Quinn, Freelance Journalist

 

This is such a good way to get to know vendors and their products and services better and in a very timely way instead of spending hours attending press conference etc. The relationships that are established during the formal sessions and informal sessions are long-lasting.It's definitely conducive to getting the greatest value possible for time spent and we all know how time poor we are.
Merri Mack, Editor, Voice&Data

 

As an editor with severe time constraints, the two Media Connect events are far and away my most valuable time investment each year. In one location, they expose me to the new products and technologies in the industry to an extent that I could never hope to cover in other circumstances. It's also a great opportunity to develop mutually beneficial relationships with vendors, both large and small, and other members of the media.
Gail Lipscombe, Editor Australian NetGuide

 

As a busy freelancer, I don't attend many events, but I always make time for MediaConnect's forums, as they offer me an excellent opportunity to network with industry representatives, educate myself about upcoming technologies and represent myself accurately.
Alex Kidman, Freelance Journalist

 

In market research we refer to the desert island question (If you only had one what would it be?). Influence is like that, if there's one thing you are going to do in terms of media relations that should be it.
Rob O’Neill, Freelance Journalist

 

By going to a MediaConnect forum and telling your story, you are reaching a captive audience of journalists who write about this area of the market every day.
Pamela Connellan, Editor Australian Smart Home Ideas

 

It's about more than telling us what your latest products are. It's a chance to help us understand why what you are doing is important - through conversation and genuine interaction.
Seamus Byrne, Freelance Journalist

 

Influence brings together a diverse range of vendors and opinion shapers in a format that promotes discussion and education. It's well worth the time to attend.
Ian Grayson, Freelance Journalist

 

A great way to get updates on areas outside my main focus and discover industry players I never know existed.
Stuart Corner, Managing Editor, Exchange

 

As a travelling journalist who's rarely in one spot for long, Forum gives me an ideal opportunity to make connections with new companies and learn about technology innovations.
Angus Kidman, Freelance Journalist

 

Always an excellent opportunity to connect with such a broad spectrum of Australia's key IT leaders.
Ben Mansill, Games and Online Editor, PC Authority, Online Producer - Atomic

 

There's no better networking opportunity, anywhere. If you want to meet the press, this is easily the best way to do it.
Nick Ross, Labs Editor, PC Authority

 

IT Journo Forums are a vital way for working IT journalists, vendors, and PR to meet, share ideas and learn from each other.
John Hepworth, PC User

 

MediaConnect's twice yearly events are THE way to get your message across to the bulk of Australia's top IT journalists at the same time, in an atmosphere of education, fun and networking all rolled into one. I look forward to seeing "you" there, and learning about the latest products and services your company offers!
Alex Zaharov-Reutt, Free Access

 

There are two IT events each year that I won't miss - both by Media Connect. They are a fabulous opportunity for IT media and vendors to get together and really get to the crux of the issues.
Ray Shaw, Intermedia

 

Attending a MediaConnect Forum is a good opportunity to engage with a larger number of journalists and analysts than usual, and all at once.
Fleur Doidge, Roam

 

"It's a great opportunity to get the attention of writers and editors that might not realise you're involved in a particular aspect of the market."
Stephen Withers, Black and Write

 

The event can help make genuine professional connections to journalists. Presented in a forum setting, journalists can get a good impression of a vendor's knowledge, integrity and capability.
Cameron Bayley, Staff writer, Dynamic Business Magazine

 

Highly valuable! Influence 2006 is one of the few public forums where IT journalists, analysts and vendors can candidly express, discuss and challenge each other's views.
Robin Simpson, Gartner

 

The choice is simple: attend Influence and reach several interested journalists at once, or stage a number of breaksfasts, lunches and press conferences in a year to reach only a few who do not cancel at the last minute.
Lia Timson, SMH/The Age/AdNews

 

Influence Forum is undoubtedly a unique opportunity to access a critical mass of Australia's leading IT journalists and influencers in the one place, eager to converse and find interesting stories.
Ross Dawson,

 

Simply put, if the right vendors paricipate then they can get their view of the industy across to a captive and wide reaching group of influencers/reporters. Vendors need to make sure the representatives and content are of a global standard and they have something new to add/say at the event.
Matthew Boon, Gartner

 

For a feature writer looking to stay abreast of industry trends, most press conferences are a waste of time. They take up half your day and focus on a particular product. Media Connect forums are a far better use of my time. In three days I can cover the whole industry from an issues angle. I could not get that done in a week of press conferences!
Simon Sharwood, Freelance Journalist

 

As a New Zealander attending these events the opportunity to meet with vendors face to face, hear their thoughts in panel discussions and network with them on a social level is invaluable. It helps build relationships that extend beyond a phone interview based on a press release.
Kate Palmer, Editor, The Channel

 

 

VENDOR TESTIMONIALS

 

Great opportunity to network and raise your awareness with media.
Jody Lennon, Kinetics

 

I would welcome other vendors so long as they weren't my competitors ;-)
Peter Spiteri, Emerson Network Power

 

I would - and have - encouraged attendance.
Terry Quinn, WordPLUS

 

I would certainly recommend this event.
Reginald Evans, Systimax Solutions

 

Excellent venue to get to know the IT media and analyst community.
Duncan Journee, Supply Chain

 

Influence is a wonderful opportunity to educate and network with the leading journalists in Australia and New Zealand. It is great that the majority of journalists go to be educated and are willing to learn. It really helps to build our profile in a cost effective manor.
Emma Keen, VeriSign

 

Go for it!
Andrew Lamble, Dimension Data

 

Its a good way to understand what the media is looking for in the industry, which usually matches the general public.
Roger Parrish, Citrix

 

A fabulous opportunity to meet a lot of media in a relaxed environment. Customers should be encouraged to attend.
Hannah Watterson, Watterson

 

Definitely a worthwhile opportunity to meet journalists and establish relationships.
Rachel York, Max Australia

 

Have informed other vendors I deal with it is a useful event to keep relevant and/or increase mind share with journo's.
Roger Kester, Legend

 

This is your soapbox - If you have an opinion or a new technology/solution to launch/spruik, this is the place to do it. Integrate this into your PR/marketing budget for the next year and reap the results all year with valuable media and influencer relationships.
Sarah Creelman, Edelman

 

It's a great way to get your message out... and more. Listen and learn from the questions and feedback you receive.
Sean Boiling, BEA

 

Its one of the only annual events that brings together top IT journos from Asia Pacific and top IT companies allowing each group to benefit immensely from the networking opportunities presented.
Brett Stevens, NetComm

 

Particularly for the Influence event, I think there is a great opportunity for all leading lights in the local industry to be involved in the dialogue.
Martin Aungle, Dimension Data

 

An event not to be missed. If you're serious about your product/service, consider it negligent not to attend.
Stacey Toskas, Taurus

 

Great and rare opportunity to network with journalists and peers.
Lynn Hepple, NEC

 

Inflence is a great investment of time and budget. Excellent networking opportunities and a particularly valuable opportunity to participate in the open floor discussions with vendors, partners, analysts, media and marketers.
Pru Quinlan, Einsteinz

 

Go - definitely go. If you have budget to do one thing, do this.
Emma Rogers, AAPT

 

A lot of today's PR work is done over the phone or via email. Influence is a great opportunity to both work and play with key IT industry journalists.
Sebastian Rice, Silverspan

 

It is a great opportunity to speak with the media and get your message out
Sam Dawson, ICON