Global Websphere Community

The (GWC) Community is a network of over 120 User Groups around the world, comprising over 12,000 members. This community has become a highly effective tool for both brand marketing and lead generation for IBM Business Partners. The GWC vendor engagement programs provide valuable global exposure for companies of all sizes who offer or support WebSphere products, services or solutions - ISVs, Solution Providers, Global and Regional System Integrators, VADs, VARs, Training/Certification Providers, Consultants, Media/Analysts, etc.  Thier programs include:  

- Site Sponsorship - offers prime positioning on the homepage (www.websphere.org) to promote brand recognition, and clickable links to your company/commuinty website.  - The GWC Vendor Zone - includes a dedicated Web page within the GWC with content controlled by you.  The news you post on this page is aggregated on the GWC home page.  The Vendor Zone is offered with a 50% discount when combined with a site sponsorship.   (http://www2.websphere.org/vendordir/) - Presenting at GWC Meetings- Many User Groups offer a Business Partner the opportunity to speak to the User Group Members for 10 - 15 minutes in exchange for the Business partner hosting or sponsoring a User Group meeting. IBM sees the GWC vendor engagement opportunities as very valuable brand awareness and lead generation tools which will enable you to extend your reach in new geographies as well as providing a source of funding to help extend this independent community. 

this is beside other benefit, like being up2date with all IBM websphere technology news and products, obtaing valuable presentations from diffrent speakers, etc..

you can check the site to get more info.

---- Amr Kourany Software Engineer