SaaScon: First-Ever Event Already Considered The Central Gathering Place For The Software As A Service Industry; Inaugural Conference Kicks off Next Week in San Francisco.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows, conferences and events for technology markets, today provided a preview of SaaScon(TM), the premier business to business event for the software as a service (SaaS) industry. Due to overwhelming response from the SaaS community, a larger conference and more expo-oriented SaaScon event is already being planned for the Spring of 2007 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The inaugural SaaScon takes place September 25-26, 2006 at the San Francisco Marriott, San Francisco, CA.

SaaScon is designed for business and technical professionals seeking to learn about the latest offerings from providers and how they can incorporate SaaS offerings into their business environments. Attendees will experience in depth sessions in business and professional tracks, and hear real-world examples of SaaS implementations across a broad spectrum of industries.

"What's particularly exciting for us is that this event hasn't even taken place yet and it's already considered the gathering place to learn about the revolution taking place in the software as a service industry," said Patty Caron, Brand Vice President, IDG World Expo. "We're thrilled with the reaction from the industry and looking forward to building on this event next April."

SaaScon will commence with an opening keynote from industry VIP Timothy Chou entitled "The End Of Software," at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 25th. In what promises to be a provocative keynote, Chou will explain why the software world as we've known it is going away and why services will increasingly be delivered over the network in the future. Additional keynotes will be delivered by Buell Duncan, GM of ISV and Developer Relations at IBM, and Bill McNee, President, Saugatuck Technology, Inc.

SaaScon will also feature several panels led by industry luminaries including Jeff Kaplan, John Gallant, Maryfran Johnson and Phil Wainewright. Discussions will address a broad range of industry topics and feature panelists from companies including Authoria, Inc., BMC Software, Everdream Corp., Hummer Winblad, Keystone Automotive Industries, Klir Technologies, Oracle, OpSource Inc., RightNow Technologies, SAP America, WebEx Communications, Inc., and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

The conference will also provide attendees with a networking environment in the exhibit area to interact with the industry's leading companies. Exhibitors and sponsors for this year's event include:

--  Availigent           --  Intel            --  Service-now.com
 --  BMC Software         --  Microsoft        --  SuccessFactors
 --  BusinessObjects      --  NaviSite         --  Sun Microsystems
 --  Everdream            --  NetworkWorld     --  WebEx
 --  IBM                  --  Pervasive        --  Webmetrics
 --  Pervasive Software   --  QBOS             --  ZOHO
 --  Info Directions      --  Qualys
 --  InfoWorld            --  SDForum

Additional highlights open to all attendees at the conference
include:

IBM Opening Night Reception on Sunday, September 24th from 4:00 p.m.
    to 7:00 p.m.

WebEx After Hours Reception on September 25th from 6:45 p.m.
    to 9:00 p.m.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit
http://www.saascon.com

About SaaScon

SaaScon is the premier event for business and IT professional seeking to dramatically lower capital expenses, produce recurring revenue and streamline product delivery and support through the Software as a Service model. SaaS is a software delivery method that provides access to software and its functions remotely as a web-based service, removing the need for organizations to handle the installation, set-up and maintenance while significantly reducing costs. For information or to register for the event, visit the SaaScon Web site at www.saascon.com. For exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Giovanni Stein at 508-424-4864 or [e-mail], or Per Melker at 508-424-4855 or [e-mail].

About IDG World Expo

IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com) produces technology-focused tradeshows, conferences and events for professionals seeking world-class education, peer-to-peer networking and one-stop comparison shopping. As the leading technology event management company, IDG World Expo leverages its experience and knowledge of technology-focused events and conferences, enabling technology companies to capture the attention and loyalty of influential buyers. IDG World Expo's portfolio of conferences and events includes Macworld Conference & Expo(R), LinuxWorld Conference & Expo(R), LinuxWorld(R) OpenSolutions Summit, Wireless Sensing Solutions(TM), GridWorld(TM), Syndicate(TM), SaaScon(TM), OSBC(R), Digital ID World(R), RoboBusiness and RoboNexus. IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

About International Data Group (IDG)

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PC World. IDG's online network includes more than 400 Web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment, and gaming worldwide. IDG is a leading producer of more than 170 technology-related events including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, Macworld Conference & Expo, DEMO, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events. Over 850 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends. Additional information about IDG, a privately-held company, is available at http://www.idg.com.

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