ComTech 2001, Southern California's Premier Technology Conference Goes International.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2001

In Association with Cal State Fullerton's Global Partnerships

Conference to Provide Technology to Global Markets

The ComTech Conference & Expo., Southern California's premier technology and communications exposition, today announced that it has forged an important alliance with California State Fullerton's Center for the Study of Emerging Markets Global Partnerships Conference.

The new and exciting affiliation will take this popular technology conference to new heights by attracting local as well as foreign companies seeking to utilize current and cutting edge technology to expand their global markets.

ComTech 2001 will also feature an award program which will allow Cal State Fullerton's international business MBA students to select local firms that have distinguished themselves by promoting the U.S. high-tech industry abroad. Ashwin Rangan, senior vice president from Conexant Systems of Newport Beach, Calif., last year's winner of the High-Tech International Enterprise of the Year award, will present this year's prestigious award during the Tech Summit II luncheon.

This year, ComTech 2001 will devote a full track of seminars addressing issues related to the global economy and today's technology industry, in particular the impact of China's entry into the WTO, making Internet payments internationally, and profit opportunities for high tech firms in foreign markets. Attendees will have a first-hand opportunity to meet company executives from several foreign countries including Germany, England, Mexico, the Philippines, and Thailand, just to name of few.

"Constant advances in technology have created high tech clusters around the globe, and it has broken down barriers for many markets," said Joseph F. Greco, Ph.D., director of The Center for the Study of Emerging Markets. "By joining forces with ComTech, we are able to put the region on the international technology map and local high tech firms gain a global competitive edge."

"We are very pleased that Global Partnerships recognizes the value of the ComTech Conference and Expo," said Rick Triola, ComTech Committee Chairman. "Our goal is to make ComTech the largest and most informative technology conference in the entire U.S. Thanks to Cal. State Fullerton, we are one step closer to achieving that goal."

Presented by the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, this year's theme at the 5th annual conference and expo. is "Gaining the Strategic Edge." The 2-day event features products and services that provide company executives with solutions that promote higher levels of efficiency, service and marketing power. Major sponsors include Cox Business Services, Destination Irvine, RiechesBaird, ESP Systems Professionals, Fujitsu, Sage Software, Blytheco, and SEI Technologies.

The Irvine Chamber of Commerce is a business and community volunteer membership organization dedicated to enhancing the local business environment by providing services and information to its membership and the community at large and by serving as the voice of business.

The Center for the Study Of Emerging Markets (CSEM) is a non-profit organization and a Cal State, Fullerton program. The goals of CSEM are to promote the free follow of global information and trade to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME).

For more information, reservations or sponsorship, contact the Irvine Chamber of Commerce at 949/660-9112 or visit the following Web site: www.comtechexpo.com