The Call Center Networking Group -CCNG- and Advanstar Technology Group Announce Strategic Alliance to Promote Call Center Industry
WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass.--Nov. 1, 20039, 2003--| Alliance Will Boost Membership Through New Member Services and Events |
Advanstar Technology Group and the Call Center Networking Group (CCNG), the industry's largest professional networking membership organization, have announced a strategic alliance to promote and develop new conference and educational programs for the call center industry and expand membership through the creation of new member services. Advanstar's ICCM Event Series, Customer Interface Magazine and its call center and CRM Web media will be designated official media and events of CCNG serving the organization's base of over 2,000 individual and corporate members in 25 regional and local communities throughout the United States.
The alliance will have three primary objectives:
1. Promote and develop membership in CCNG, already the largest professional networking membership organization in the call center industry, facilitate the expansion of existing CCNG communities and the launch of new ones in North America. CCNG membership will be promoted through all Advanstar's Call Center & CRM Industry media and marketing throughout North America.
2. Create and deliver business networking events for members, innovative conferences, seminars and award programs at all CCNG member events and at all Advanstar ICCM events.
3. Deliver member and industry news, research and information through Advanstar's Customer Interface Magazine, c-interface.com, iccm.com Web sites and the industry's leading weekly newsletter, iccmweekly.com.
David E. Hadobas, CEO of CCNG, sees the alliance as an opportunity to significantly advance and grow member services. "The call center and contact center industry is a focal point for business process, management and technology innovation and is evolving rapidly to meet the needs of today's economy. Our members have been tremendously satisfied in being able to communicate with their peers through our services to share best practices, network professionally and identify solutions to common business and technology challenges. Advanstar's marketing and communications expertise is a tremendous addition to our industry-leading membership and networking services," says Hadobas. "Our members will see a significant increase in the number of learning and networking opportunities available as well as an expansion in their content. For example, at Advanstar's industry-leading event in Chicago, ICCM International, leaders from our national membership organization -- all of whom manage significant call center enterprises -- will have the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of the conference and seminar programs creating a program built by the industry for the industry."
Member companies are enthusiastic about the new alliance relationship. "Concerto Software is very pleased to learn about the new CCNG and Advanstar alliance. As a corporate member of CCNG, we look forward to continuing our involvement and taking advantage of the new opportunities -- such as enhanced industry education programs and member networking meetings -- that will be available as a result of this alliance," said Carol Ferrari, Concerto Software's vice president of marketing.
CCNG and Advanstar Technology Group, already the producer of the largest series of call center & CRM industry events in North America, will also be co-producing a series of one day CCNG Community events beginning in 2004. "It is our intention to have these events serve as the annual membership meeting in each of those communities," added CCNG's Hadobas. "These events will combine an innovative conference program design with structured networking opportunities to create a high-quality, interactive experience for CCNG members," said Kerry C. Gumas, vice president and general manager of Advanstar Technology Group.
"The alliance between Advanstar Technology Group and CCNG is a classic case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts," says Gumas. "Our respective products and services are a natural fit that will provide call center and contact center industry professionals access to a much broader range of industry networking, education and information services and resources."
About CCNG
Founded in 1992, CCNG International Inc. (www.ccng.com) is the leading call center networking and membership organization in North America currently serving call center professionals in 25 major markets and growing. CCNG's membership services include the member's only Web site for online networking, webcasts, industry information and a series of member meetings & events on a local, regional and national basis.
About Advanstar
Advanstar Communications Inc. (www.advanstar.com) is a worldwide business information company serving specialized markets with high quality information resources and integrated marketing solutions. Advanstar has 115 business magazines and directories, 78 tradeshows and conferences, numerous Web sites, and a wide range of print and electronic direct marketing, database and reference products and services. In addition to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, Advanstar serves targeted market sectors in the art, automotive, beauty, e-learning, call center, digital media, entertainment/marketing, fashion & apparel, manufacturing and processing, powersports, science, telecommunications, travel/hospitality, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The company now has more than 1,400 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
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