Storage User Association Tops 700 Membership Mark ASNP Doubles 'Month One' Membership Recruitment Target; Minnesota User Group to Merge With Association LOS ANGELES, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Storage Networking Professionals (ASNP), the first worldwide organization dedicated to the needs of storage networking users, announced it has more than doubled its first- month recruitment target of 300 members with more than 700 qualified members joining the organization. "The enthusiastic interest and support in joining the ASNP underscores the real need for an organization like ours," said Daniel Delshad, chairman and executive director of the ASNP. "Within a very short period of time -- less than a month -- the association has already qualified 700 new end user members. The response clearly validates our organization's role in the marketplace as a user resource for education, to meet with peers, and to voice real issues. Another proof point that the organization is gaining momentum -- the Minnesota Open SAN User Group, a storage networking user group that was formed in 2001, is merging its operations into the ASNP. The user group includes end users that represent a broad base of companies such as Best Buy, HealthPartners, and the Mayo Clinic. "The Minnesota OpenSAN User Group is entrusting ASNP to elevate our mission of 'For the User, by the User' by providing users with a forum and a community where they can discuss their needs, experiences, and most importantly, real answers to their storage questions," said Michael Thorson, founder and president of the user group and regional director of ASNP's Minnesota Chapter. "ASNP has a strong infrastructure, expert resources, and a professional staff that will bring users together both locally and globally." With the association's goal to recruit 1000 members by the end of 2003, the ASNP will look to incorporate other existing user groups into the organization. The association is also planning to form new chapters around the world in order to grow its membership and has already received more than 20 requests from users to form new chapters in their respective cities. "The ASNP has effectively laid the ground work in a short time span to unite end users," said David Hill, vice president at Aberdeen Group. "As the ASNP grows, its ability to effectively represent the end user will ensure success in helping end users solve real issues." The ASNP was launched in September of 2003 with 22 chapters, 14 in the U.S. and eight abroad. The chapters are being run by volunteer regional directors, who manage storage as IT managers and administrators at Fortune 500 companies, large academic institutions and non-profit organizations. The ASNP is forming partnerships with storage networking vendors, media, training companies, and other associations in order to involve key industry players in the organization. The partnerships will enable the ASNP to provide quality educational content for its website and for its member meetings. The ASNP's first chapter meetings will take place in January 2004. Current member benefits include discussion forums, an Ask the Expert area, white papers, and case studies that can be downloaded from the ASNP website and chapter collaboration areas. Membership is open to users who manage storage networks, university professors, and students. Membership is free for the first 1000 members. The regular annual membership fee is $199. Prospective members can sign up on the ASNP website at http://www.asnp.org/ . About ASNP The Association of Storage Networking Professionals (ASNP) is a worldwide member organization for users of storage networks. The ASNP provides an open forum for members to discuss real-world problems and solutions related to storage networking. Through its regional chapters and annual conference, the ASNP offers extensive educational training and networking opportunities. Members also have exclusive access to the association's online portal, which features training and certification resources, newsletters and discussion forums. For more information about the ASNP, visit the ASNP website at http://www.asnp.org/ . For further information, please contact: media, Max Shu of The Association of Storage Networking Professionals, +1-310-277-9951, ; or Sarah McNeil of Fleishman-Hillard, +1-612-573-3124, , for The Association of Storage Networking Professionals. DATASOURCE: The Association of Storage Networking Professionals CONTACT: media, Max Shu of The Association of Storage Networking Professionals, +1-310-277-9951, ; or Sarah McNeil of Fleishman- Hillard, +1-612-573-3124, , for The Association of Storage Networking Professionals Web site: http://www.asnp.org/ Web site: http://www.storageworldconference.com/

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