Vendors:

Kickstart is the best possible way to lay really strong foundations for your media relations for 2010. By helping journalists to get to know your company and spokespeople as well as why your key issues and messages are important and relevant, you'll dramatically improve your future media results.

As always, MediaConnect will also run education sessions for clients, giving delegates the chance to hear from, and question, some of the industry's top editors and journalists about their titles and the nature of their information requirements.

Indications are that demand for places at Kickstart 2009 will be exceptionally high, so we encourage all interested companies to express their interest in sessions they are wanting to participate in, as soon as possible. Kickstart is our most popular event and there are fewer slots - indeed, we've had sessions sell out within 24 hours of being announced in past years.

For more details about the event or to book into a session, contact Tamara Jawad at (02) 9894 6277.

Journalists:

MediaConnect started these events because online deadlines and tighter staffing levels were making it harder for journalists to get out of the office - there were simply fewer opportunities to network or brush up on your understanding of the industry or technologies.

These days, the deadline pressures are only fiercer, staffing levels have shrunk even further, and given such a large proportion of the IT journo community are freelance, the need for a very time-effective venue for networking, education and story generation is even more pressing.

Additionally, the Demo Showcase, which has traditionally only been held at MediaConnect's September event in the Hunter Valley, will run for the first time at Kickstart, due to its popularity with both journalists and clients.

MediaConnect would ask that all journalists who are interested in attending Kickstart 2008 to call (02) 9894 6277 or email info@mediaconnect.com.au.