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ICE 2007 PROMISES TO BE ANOTHER RECORD-SETTING USER CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION Brentwood, TN — June 22, 2006 Innovative Computing Corporation knows a good thing when we see it. When our 2006 annual software user's conference and exhibition (ICE) drew a record number of participants and high marks for its classes and location, ICE 2007's fate was sealed. The 24th ICE will be held at the same beautiful Nashville, Tennessee Music City Sheraton next May, and we promise to create even more excitement and opportunity. 2006 ICE, with its theme of Tune in to Technology, was phenomenally successful and offered something for everyone. From learning new tricks to improve Innovative software use to embracing entirely new modules, first-time attendees to long-time ICE veterans reaped the benefits. It had been ten years since Amarillo, Texas based Plains Transportation attended ICE. Last month, they sent seven people to Nashville for the 23rd ICE and were thrilled by the educational opportunities --- and sorry they waited so long. "I can't tell you how much we've learned," said Sharla Trimble, Plains Transportation's Operations Manager. "We haven't gone into a class that we haven't been amazed. It will make our life so much easier." Held May 1-3, 2006 at the Music City Sheraton in Nashville, this year's ICE drew over 400 attendees and vendors. Trimble, along with a record-breaking number of registered Innovative customers, was offered a selection of 70 classes, including several hands-on lab sessions and 20 hours of support labs manned by Innovative staff. Vendors from across the industry displayed their wares, conducted sessions for interfacing their products with Innovative's software, and sponsored sessions and activities. "I didn't know what to expect from ICE. I didn't know it had as many suppliers and vendors here. I found a lot of additional solutions," said first time ICE attendee, Steven Hall, President of RRR Express in Cincinnati, Ohio. As for the classes, he plans on bringing more of his staff next year. "We got into some of the mileages and some of the fuel surcharge portions of it, some of the payroll... It's good. I realized right away more people should be here to learn." James D. Talerico, Business Manager for Contract Transport Services, Inc. in Green Bay, Wisconsin, who has attended ICE on a regular basis since 1994, added, "I learn something every time I come…I always go back with something I didn't know." Third-year ICE attendee Peri Standlee, Director of Operations for National Distributors, Inc. in Sellersburg, Indiana, agreed. "I always get something out of it," she said, and "It's nice to keep up with the people." The networking opportunities abounded with an opening night reception, followed the second evening by an on-site Blue Grass and Blue Jeans Party. The sessions, with breaks and meals in between, also afforded excellent opportunities to catch up with old friends and make new ones, while on-the-hour evening shuttles to downtown Nashville allowed visitors to soak up the local culture. Cindy Nightingale, Office Manager for Pottle's Transportation, Inc., headquartered in Bangor, Maine, liked seeing the same people, noting that she's seen Innovative's Sales Representative Marla Grant every year since the late 1980s, and also, "It's good to see faces, to put a face to the (Customer Support) voice on the phone." ICE is also the place to consider business-altering decisions. The ICE 2005 presentation of Innovative's Innovative Access Plus® ASP model convinced Pottle's Transportation to switch from their IBM System i™ Host-based system. Pottle's ASP system became effective in May, 2006. "We're very excited," Nightingale said. For Phillip Vinson, CFO of Miller Truck Lines in Stroud, Oklahoma, the highlight of his ICE 2006 experience came with Innovative's CEO, Ernie Betancourt's opening session, Innovative 2006 and Beyond. "He was well aware of the direction and vision for Innovative," Vinson said. "It was a real confidence builder." At the close of the conference, as Sharla Trimble and colleagues from Plains Transportation prepared to leave Nashville, they reflected on their experience, but couldn't quite decide what was the most significant thing they'd learned – was it in the cash management class where they figured out how to bill for their yard fuel or the Risk Management class that explained the time-saving convenience of the Claims Lite option? One thing was clear: "In planning ICE, we make every effort to provide a return on investment for all attendees," said Innovative's CEO, Ernie Betancourt. "From the comments that we received, we believe we accomplished that goal this year." Innovative's commitment to an excellent product and superior customer service ensures that next year's ICE will be even bigger and better. We are looking forward to another outstanding ICE on May 6-9, 2007 at the Sheraton Music City in Nashville, Tennessee. You can view a complete list of Innovative's ICE 2006 sponsors. Contact Innovative's Media Director |
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