This article originally published in Self-Service World magazine Nov/Dec 2006.
In case you haven't heard the big news, JD Events, owner of KioskCom, has entered into a strategic relationship with NetWorld Alliance, operators of The Self-Service & Kiosk Show and The Self-Service & Kiosk Association (SSKA).What does this mean? Most important to SSKA, membership in the KioskCom Professional Society will transfer automatically to membership in the new Professional Deployer Group, part of The Self-Service & Kiosk Association.
This is not the only good news for the Association. KioskCom will recognize SSKA as the industry's association and will provide a booth and meeting space for annual membership meetings and advisory board meetings at each of its shows.
This is an exciting new development, and we believe that through this partnership we will be able to provide deployers with even more value.
Here are some of the benefits deployers can expect:
- Access to a members-only expert panel. Post a question and one of the members of the expert panel will provide a response within one week.
- Access to contact information of other deployer/user members (on a permission basis) for networking.
- Information pack — a roundup of the best information and stats available. Gathered by SSKA staff and other industry experts, this package of case studies, guides, special reports, feature stories and seminar presentations will save members time finding the best of the best.
- At least twice a year, we'll have an audio conference with a featured industry expert.
- Roundtables with industry leaders.
- Participation and involvement in association committees.
Members will continue to receive these benefits:
- Discounts on registration fees to KioskCom conferences and shows.
- Discounts on reports from members such as Summit Research Associates.
- Complimentary access to individual consulting and referrals.
During the recent Self-Service & Kiosk Show in San Antonio, a planning meeting was held to discuss the needs of Professional Deployer members in the SSKA. We expect many more exciting benefits to be developed and announced in the coming months.
With one recognized show (KioskCom, held twice a year), one recognized association (SSKA) and the full force of this publication and its sister Web sites to support both, the self-service industry now will be unified like never before.
Won't you join us? Together we can accomplish so much more.
