NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Alan Shulman, DCI Media Relations
(978) 470-3870

Release Date: February 14, 1997

Latest Sales and Marketing Tools Will Highlight
DCI's Sales Force Automation Conference

Chicago Event Also Features Best-Selling Authors
Dr. Stephen Covey and Harvey Mackay

Andover, MA -- The survival and success of America's sales forces today and into the next century will be key issues addressed at DCI's Sales Force Automation Conference and Exposition at McCormick Place in Chicago, April 22-24. Many of the world's leading experts will provide insight into the technologies and tools that will enable sales organizations to acquire a competitive edge and generate revenue growth while maintaining profitability.

Highlighting the conference will be exclusive presentations by world-renowned authors and motivational speakers Dr. Stephen Covey and Harvey Mackay. Dr. Covey, author of the New York Times number 1 best seller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, will present "Principle-Centered Leadership" on Tuesday, April 22, at 3:45 p.m. Harvey Mackay, whose books Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive and Sharkproof have consistently placed on best-seller lists, will present "Outsell, Outmanage, Outmotivate and Outnegotiate Your Competition" on Thursday, April 24, at 8:30 a.m.

According to a study reported in the March/April edition of the Harvard Business Review, "It has become extremely difficult for America's sales forces to achieve profitable revenue as the cost of acquiring and keeping customers continues to escalate at alarming rates." The study reported that sales forces of U.S. corporations on average lose half of their customers every five years.

To counter this trend, America's sales forces are being forced to turn to new strategies and technologies to guarantee profitable revenue growth. And, it is clear that the selling process for the next millennium is becoming increasingly technology driven. This conference will include more than 100 educational sessions addressing today's critical sales force issues, and more than 100 exhibitors will display the newest technologies, products and services that will assure the survival and success of sales organizations into the 21st century.

New Products, Tools, Technologies and Conferences

From the use of the new Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), to maximizing use of laptop computers, to virtual selling on the Internet, to the value of a company-wide intranet, all of today's hottest sales force automation solutions will take center stage.

The DCI event consists of four focused conferences, including: SFA and the Internet, Hot Tools and Technology, Automation Strategies, and Enterprise-Wide Solutions and Implementation. Featured presentations will include virtual selling on the Internet, privacy and security, and how to implement successful sales force automation strategies.

Concurrent Events

Running concurrently under the DCI Sales Force Automation Conference umbrella are a number of additional information technology educational events focused on sales and marketing automation strategies. These conferences include DCI's Sales and Marketing on the Internet; Powered by Notes and Domino, sponsored by Lotus Development Corp.; and The Sales Management Conference and Expo, sponsored by Sales and Marketing Management Magazine. These conferences will feature techniques and strategies for expanding business opportunities, developing new customers, and inspiring, motivating, and managing sales organizations.

DCI's Internet Expo, the world's largest Internet, Web and EMail conference, will run concurrently at McCormick Place. More than 200 exhibitors will display the hottest new Internet technologies, products, tools and trends.

Based in Andover, Massachusetts, DCI is the largest U.S.-based promoter of information technology conferences, trade shows and expositions. With a staff of more than 150 IT marketing and event planning professionals, DCI is a recognized world leader in high-technology education, trade shows and management consulting.