DISKCON to show latest advances in hard disk drives; first Press Forum set.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 1997--The DISKCON USA Trade Show and Technical Conference aimed exclusively at the $34-billion hard disk drive industry opens Tuesday, September 23, 1997 with more companies exhibiting than last year, more exhibitor booths and an expanded program of technical sessions. The conference runs for three days at the San Jose CA Convention Center.

Sponsored by IDEMA, DISKCON brings manufacturers of disk drives, suppliers of disk media and read-write heads, manufacturers of production and test equipment, and suppliers of components and services together at one site. This year, for the first time DISKCON has also set up a Press Forum, during which time key executives will make short presentations on various segments of the hard disk drive industry, and will participate in a question and answer session. The Forum is scheduled for 9:00 am Tuesday, September 23, and the following executives will participate:

Disk drives: Michael Brown, CEO, Quantum. Disk media: Steve Johnson, president and CEO, Komag Inc. Recording heads: Alan Lowe, president, Read-Rite. Drive electronics: Rick Goerner, president and COO Silicon Systems. Industry Overview: Jim Porter, president Disk/Trend.

According to Joan Pinder, IDEMA executive director, more than 350 companies are participating in DISKCON this year, a 27 percent increase over 1996, and over 780 display booths will be set up at the show-almost 40 percent more than 1996. A full schedule of technical sessions, highlighting the latest advances in data storage technologies is also in place, she added. "The hard disk drive market continues to grow dramatically as powerful desktop systems become more commonplace and as corporations shift over to high speed networked applications," Pinder said. "There exists the need for a conference where the different suppliers to this industry can see first hand the directions that the hard disk industry will be taking over the next 12 months. DISKCON gives them that opportunity." More than 8000 registered professionals will attend the DISKCON conference, she added.

This year IDEMA is once again sponsoring a charity golf tournament in conjunction with the show. The tournament will be held Monday, September 22, and benefits charities that provide computer learning opportunities to disadvantaged youth. Computers, office supplies or cash can be donated, and hole sponsorships are available at $500 each. All contributions are 100 percent tax deductible. The 36 hole tournament will be held at the Castlewood Country club in nearby Pleasanton. Green fees are $525/twosome; $1050/foursome, including cart, lunch, awards dinner and prizes.

IDEMA, The International Disk Drive Equipment and Materials Association was founded in 1986 to promote the data storage technologies and to support the manufacturing, marketing and business needs of the disk drive industry. It now has 668 members, and operates yearly trade shows in Tokyo and Singapore in addition to the September show in San Jose. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional show information, for press registration or for further information on the Press Forum, contact IDEMA at www.idema.org or at 408-720-9352, or contact John Trifari at 408/541-9192.

Press registration facilities will also be set up on-site at the San Jose Convention Center.

Members of the press are also cordially invited to attend the keynote luncheon Wednesday, September 24, and to attend IDEMA's special introductory class "Disk Drives 101" given Monday, September 22 and Friday, September 26.

To sign up for the golf tournament, contact Debbie Lee at 408/720-9352 at IDEMA. Ms. Lee can also be reached at [e-mail] .

CONTACT: IDEMA

Joan Pinder, 408/720-9352

[e-mail]

or

JTPR INC.

John Trifari, 408/541-9192

[e-mail]