Toshiba recently hosted its much-anticipated LEAD Beyond Conference, welcoming industry experts, resellers, and select customers to a dynamic three-day event. Industry press and analysts were among the esteemed attendees, offering insights into the future of the office equipment industry.
Day 1: Setting the Stage The conference began on Tuesday, September 12th, with registration for attendees. In the evening, members of the press, were given an exclusive preview of Toshiba’s latest products let by Maegan Lujan. This was followed by an intimate press conference hosted by Salley Thornton with executives Larry White, Bill Melo, Steve Sauer, Kerstin Woods and Michael Torcasco.
Day 2: Deep Dive into Print & Expansion The day started with a hearty buffet breakfast, energizing participants for the General Session. Throughout the morning attendees heard from executives about new products, strategies and direction Toshiba is focused on going forward. There were several excellent panel sessions held during the conference, including one where Larry Weiss of Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office sat and chatted with TABS’ newest senior executive Steven Sauer.
Bill Melo spent time updating attendees on Toshiba’s Elevate Cloud portfolio and other new products and services coming out over the next few months.
The general session ended with an awards ceremony for several dealers that earned recognition for their significant achievements over the last year.
Toshiba took this opportunity to use this conference to help raise money for the Orangewood Foundation, a charitable organization that helps foster children. Toshiba threw down the gauntlet and told dealers they would match their donations up to $10,000. Once again, this industry rallies to help those who need help!
Following the morning session, the Product Fair and Lunch allowed attendees to experience firsthand Toshiba’s innovative solutions and meet partners.
Post-lunch, the breakout sessions provided actionable insights:
- Track 1 emphasized strategies for “Growing Your Print Business” with sessions on accelerating print revenue, maximizing reseller profits, and capturing more margin with Toshiba’s MPaaS Print Management Solutions.
- Track 2 focused on “Expanding to New Markets & Customers,” discussing consultative selling, growth avenues in print, and Toshiba’s resources for market expansion.
- Track 3 was dedicated to partner profiles, including sessions by Lexmark on cloud services and Brother’s value proposition.
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The day concluded with the “Majestic Monochrome” welcome reception, offering dinner, drinks, and entertainment. Attendees were encouraged to wear black and white, and old industry photographs were showcased, making for an enjoyable and nostalgic evening.
Day 3: The Future of Print & Technology Horizons The Leadership Breakfast tackled crucial topics like recruiting, retention, and succession planning. The General Session later in the day examined the future of print and the rising wave of digital transformation.
Breakout sessions on this day were equally illuminating:
- Track 1 sessions delved into secure, cloud-ready printing and the power of Managed Print Services. Cloud played a major role at this conference.
- Track 2, titled “The Print PDX Experience,” discussed maximizing efficiency with document workflows and harnessing the cloud for unprecedented efficiency.
- Track 3, “Future Tech Horizons,” offered a unique look at the potential of digital signage and teased a mystery session that promised a confluence of diverse sectors like hospitals, restaurants, and shipping lines.
The day’s highlight was the keynote by Jon Dorenbos, adding an inspirational dimension to the tech-heavy event. The day concluded with a Product Fair & Happy Hour, followed by the “Captivating Color” closing party, a nice contrast to the monochrome night the previous evening.
What’s Happenin’: Toshiba’s LEAD Beyond Conference was a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation, partner collaboration, and customer satisfaction. The carefully curated sessions, expert insights, and networking opportunities make it an unmissable event for office equipment resellers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
SOURCE Industry Analysts Inc.
