Sage Summit Accountants' Conference to Convene Top Minds in the Profession for Education, Insight, and Dialogue

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 19, 2011) - Sage today announced the full agenda for its upcoming accountants' conference within Sage Summit, set to kick off Saturday, July 9 at the Gaylord National in Washington, DC. The conference will offer accountants the opportunity to earn up to 23 CPE credits, network with peers, and learn about industry trends, the future of the profession, and practical tips on how to energize their practices when they return to the office.

Sage Summit 2011 will bring together Sage customers and Sage Business Partners in a common conference for the first time, creating even more opportunity for the entire business community to collaborate. The core conference runs from July 10-15, but kicking off the event on July 9 is a special learning track specifically for accountants, bookkeepers, and CPAs from across North America. Whether they currently support Sage products, or are just interested in sharpening their business skills and learning more about the Sage portfolio, accountants attending these sessions will learn how to maximize their practices and develop business skills to help them back in the office when they return home.

Sage has assembled an all-star cast of thought leaders to open dialogue and discuss current trends and issues facing the accounting profession, as well as look ahead to the future, and how firms can compete effectively in an ever-changing marketplace. On the agenda:

• "Tomorrow is Today: Accounting Firm of the Future," featuring Ed Kless, Sage; Darren Root, Rootworks; and Ron Baker, VeraSage
• Moderated by Greg LaFollette, for the first time on one stage, editors from Accounting Today, AccountingWeb, CPA Practice Advisor, Journal of Accountancy and Progressive Accountant will discuss the top trends facing the profession, and where they see things going in the short and long term.
• "Have the Idea and Have the Guts," workshop presented by Jody Padar and Jason Blumer, who will look at how firms stuck in a rut can break out and become more profitable, as well as how to go out on your own and start fresh, among other things.

Other leading accounting industry speakers such as Randy Johnston, Doug Sleeter, Brian Tankersley, Geni Whitehouse, and Leslie Shiner will be speaking on a variety of topics, rounding out a dynamic, information-packed learning experience for attendees. Scheduled sessions in the accountants' track will cover tips and tricks for enhancing practice management, utilizing technology, and more. Additionally, the track will offer opportunities for accountants to earn up to 23 CPE credits and receive a free membership in the Sage Accountants' Network, if they don't already have one.

In addition to the specific sessions for accountants, this year's Sage Summit conference will offer new and exciting opportunities to:

• Learn more with hands-on labs, new role-based tracks, certification courses, and presentations by top industry bloggers and media representatives;
• Network with the most diverse Sage community ever assembled, including partners, customers, product experts, Sage executives, exhibitors, and industry thought leaders; and
• Attend the most expansive Sage trade show that's bigger than ever with more opportunities to connect with companies that are innovating with Sage products.

Online registration for partners http://www.sagesummit.com/partners/ is available until July 1, 2011. For additional Sage Summit 2011 information, please visit http://www.sagesummit.com.

About Sage North America
Sage North America is part of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier of business management software and services. Sage North America employs 4,000 people and supports 3.2 million small and midsized business customers. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs 13,400 people and supports 6.3 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the website at www.sagenorthamerica.com.

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