Scenes From The VARBusiness 500 Conference And Awards

The VARBusiness 500 and Everything Channel loomed, briefly, over New York on June 3, the day of our VARBusiness 500 Conference and Awards, held at the New York Marriott Marquis and Gotham Hall.

Attendees arrived early, hungry for breakfast and the latest research on the solution provider marketplace.

Todd Bucholz, former White House Director of Economic Policy, was upbeat on the state of the economy.

"You are in the business of bringing the value of technology to companies who are not in the business of technology," he said, adding that the outlook is "bright" for the channel. "It's recognized now that we need solutions."

See Don't Bet On A Recession, Says VARBusiness 500 Conference Keynoter

CRN Industry Editor Craig Zarley (left) and Editor/News Steven Burke share a break with TIG President and CEO Bruce Geier (center), who would later win the VARBusiness 500 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Attendees were able to review the latest technology and program offerings from the day's sponsors: CA, HP, IBM, Avnet, Eaton, AMD, Oracle and Sun. Shown here: the IBM exhibt.

Working panels included discussions on green computing and the purchasing environment among IT solutions customers.

Solution providers enjoyed an open air site-seeing ride between the Marriott Marquis, where the day's events were held, and Gotham Hall, site of the awards dinner.

Everything Channel editors, including Senior Editor Rick Whiting, (right), and Senior Editor Michele Masterson, (left), stowed away for the ride as well.

The dramatic Gotham Hall was decked out to greet our attendees.

Dinner, drinks and networking preceeded presentations from legendary coach Rick Pitino and the VARBusiness 500 Awards presentations.

See Under The Lights: The 2008 VARBusiness 500 Awards and Teamwork Wins: Pitino At The VARBusiness 500 Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Bruce Geier, President and CEO of TIG, and his wife, Angela, charmed the audience with the appearance of young Trent Ian Geier.