Tech Support Teams Conference in Austin: SSPA And Austin Software Council Form Partnership.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2001

The Software Support Professionals Association (SSPA) announced today the formation of a partnership with the Austin Software Council (ASC) for the Tech Support Teams Conference in Austin, Texas, May 21-24, 2001.

The SSPA's national and international presence and the ASC's Austin regional presence create a natural partnership to enhance the services and events brought to support professionals in the Austin area. With new start-up companies calling Austin home and established companies re-locating major operations to Austin, this vibrant Texas city is emerging as a hotbed of companies representing the software industry, Internet, information technology, new media and related areas. ASC and SSPA have partnered to pool resources so that Austin technology interests could be established as a growing and meaningful economic force.

"The SSPA is excited about our partnership with the Austin Software Council as we work together to provide a content-rich conference for all service professionals and managers," said Bill Rose, SSPA founder/executive director. "Both organizations are dedicated to bringing quality services to Austin area IT industry companies."

The Tech Support Teams Conference is specifically designed as a series of forums where tech support professionals, supervisors and managers can explore and discuss the critical issues facing support services on team building, online support, soft skills and personnel areas. This conference is set in a relaxed, casual environment with presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, networking, leisure activities, the SSPA Certification Training and the annual Support SuperStars Awards presentations.

Key Presentations include:

-- "Selecting e-Reps: The Critical Challenge"

-- Panel "Employee Incentive, Motivation and Retention Programs

That Work"

-- "What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?"

-- "Support Professional Development; The Key to Your Success"

-- "Getting a Technical Support Knowledgebase on the Web: The

Quick, Easy and Cheap Approach"

-- "Fledging New Supervisors Into Leaders"

-- "eSupport: How to Reduce Costs and Increase Customer

Satisfaction"

-- "Employee Retention in The Support Arena"

-- "Certified Support Professional Training Program"

-- Panel "The SuperStars On Stage: What Makes Them So Special?"

Support managers, directors and other professionals from Control-F1, Schlumberger-GeoQuest, Novell, Wonderware, Assessments Solutions Inc., TeamShare Inc., Service Strategies Corp. and many others will be presenting papers, case studies and workshops.

One of the highlights of the Tech Support Teams Conference will be the annual Support SuperStars Awards presentation. The SSPA Support SuperStars Award Program is a unique opportunity for Managers to recognize all of the individuals in their support center who contribute to the success of that operation. The Support SuperStars Awards program not only recognizes these people, but also provides the tools they need to take back to the company and enhance the support operation. By listening to their victories and mistakes, all attendees can share valuable information to take back and implement in their own companies.

"As a non-profit association committed to helping technology companies connect, learn and grow, ASC is thrilled to combine our resources and provide such a valuable program for the software support function and tech support industry for the first time ever," said Paul Toprac, ASC executive director. "We look forward to hosting an ongoing forum for the support tech professionals of the Austin community to gather and learn from each other."

For the past 10 years, the Software Support Professionals Association (SSPA) has led the industry by providing content rich conferences, executive forums and roundtable meetings. The SSPA Tech Support Teams Conference will be a meeting of the best and brightest minds in the software support industry. For more information and to register for the SSPA Tech Support Teams Conference, visit www.supportgate.com/texas.

About Austin Software Council:

The Austin Software Council (ASC) is a non-profit professional organization representing the software industry, Internet, information technology, new media and related companies whose business success is tied to the new economy. ASC has a thriving leadership position in Austin and has been recognized as one of the most effective and influential organizations in the region.

Their mission is to build upon the strengths of many companies -- small and large -- to help forge a world center of technology in Central Texas.

They offer unmatched professional resources for the high-tech industry, such as education, networking and business services. They are the gateway to the technology community and provide leadership in community change. For additional information, visit ASC's Web Site at www.austinsoftwarecouncil.org.

About SSPA:

Founded in 1989, SSPA represents nearly 14,000 service executives in over 500 member companies worldwide. SSPA gives software service professionals opportunities to share ideas, discuss developing trends and network with their peers. SSPA offers its members conferences, seminars, specialized training, executive forums and a variety of publications. For more information regarding the SSPA and other related divisions, log on to www.supportgate.com, building Internet service communities, or send an email to [e-mail].