Two spring conferences hosted by Greenville-based ScanSource Inc. had a combined $1.6 million impact on the Upstate economy, according to an analysis by tourism agency VisitGreenvilleSC.
The March and May conferences are normally held in separate cities, but ScanSource partners were so impressed with Greenville that the company had to bring the conference back home, said ScanSource Worldwide Communications and Services President Mike Ferney.
“So much of what’s defined ScanSource is our people and our culture, and that people and culture are reflected in Greenville,” said Ferney, who said the conferences draw close to 1,000 C-level executives and leaders from ScanSource partners from around the world.
ScanSource operates as a wholesale distributor between the manufacturers and resellers of specialty technology products, which makes partner conferences excellent networking opportunities, he said. “You give them a slice of the broader market as well,” he said. “You get to see not only a bunch of your partners, but a bunch of prospective partners.”
In March, the company hosted its four-day Worldwide Partner Conference, including an estimated 600 attendees for a total impact of $886,000 in business spending and taxes, according to the report. The 1Comm May conference this week is expected to have an impact of $747,000, and included local Upstate speakers from BMW, Greenville Health System, Milliken and Greenville County Schools, according to the agenda.
Founded in Greenville more than two decades ago, ScanSource employs more than 620 people locally and 2,000 people worldwide.
