Christopher Gardner to Deliver Closing Day Keynote Address at CompTIA Breakaway 2007.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the leading trade association for the world's information technology (IT) industry, announced today that Christopher Gardner, the "rags-to-riches" owner of his own brokerage firm and author of the best-selling book The Pursuit of Happyness, will deliver the closing keynote address at Breakaway 2007, its annual member conference.

Breakaway, the IT industry's premiere partnering and educational event, is scheduled for July 31-Aug. 2 at the Mirage Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

"Christopher Gardner's life story is among the most inspirational tales of our lifetime," said John Venator, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA. "Twenty years ago Christopher was homeless, carried all his possessions on his back, and lived on and off in train stations and homeless shelters. Through faith, perseverance, hard work, and sacrifice he achieved fame on Wall Street, and more importantly, his dream of financial independence. Christopher's unique, entertaining and humorous storytelling style is certain to deliver a positive and inspiring message to Breakaway attendees."

Gardner, chief executive officer of Christopher Gardner International Holdings, is best known for his inspirational, coming-of-age memoir The Pursuit of Happyness. In his book and in his motivational speeches Gardner delivers the message that a hunger for learning, hard work and never giving up on the people who make you truly "wealthy" can break destructive cycles and propel anyone to unlimited heights no matter who they are, where they come from or what their circumstances may be.

The 2006 film version of The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith is now available on DVD.

Gardner's address at Breakaway is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 2.

For more information on Breakaway 2007, visit http://breakaway.comptia.org/.

About CompTIA

In 2007, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Just as the IT industry it serves has grown, CompTIA has also enjoyed remarkable growth over the past 25 years. The organization was founded by representatives of five micro-computer dealerships working together to find better ways to do business. Today, CompTIA has more than 22,000 member companies in over 100 countries around the world; and serves as the voice of the world's $1 trillion-plus IT industry. CompTIA is committed to advancing the long-term success and growth of the IT industry by helping organizations maximize the benefits they receive from their investments in technology; and by helping individuals to obtain the skills and credentials they need for productive careers in IT. For more information, please visit: www.comptia.org.