May 23, 2005 (Loveland, Colorado) - The associate publisher of Penton Media's (OTCBB:PTON) SQL Server Magazine, Michele Crockett, announced the "Get Ready for SQL Server 2005" Roadshow, brought to IT professionals by Microsoft, PASS (the Professional Association for SQL Server) and SQL Server Magazine, far surpassed projections for its success. The Roadshow was presented in seven cities, and ended May 19th in Dallas. The show attracted sold-out crowds in Chicago and Dallas, and nearly double the initial expectation of attendees in some of the other five cities.

Crockett said, "The unprecedented success of our paid attendance model shows the extraordinary value of the information we are providing to IT professionals across the country." The roadshow presented best practices for migrating to SQL Server 2005.

"The Roadshow brought together a wide range of SQL Server and database experts to share ideas and learn about the upcoming features of SQL Server 2005," said Ryon Packer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Scalability Experts, a sponsor of the events. "Our sessions for DBAs were standing-room only and highly interactive, providing people the information they need to start building an internal justification for upgrading to the upcoming release."

Produced by the Windows IT Pro Group, which includes SQL Server Magazine, the "Get Ready for SQL Server 2005" Roadshow was a traveling showcase providing a full day of information about installation, upgrading, engine enhancements and migration to the new server. The information was presented in three tracks - administration, development, and business intelligence - to more precisely address the interests of the various IT professionals attending the show.

"Hitachi Consulting was pleased to provide the Business Intelligence track content and training for the "Get Ready for SQL Server 2005" Roadshow," said Brian Biglin, Managing Director, Microsoft Alliance, Hitachi Consulting. "As an early adopter of SQL Server 2005 and leader in the Microsoft Business Intelligence community, we have found the SQL Server Roadshow a great venue to share our experience with our clients and partners."

Douglas Chrystall, CTO Imceda Software, said, " 'The Get Ready for SQL Server 2005' Roadshow was an excellent forum for DBAs or developers to get a solid head start on how to use SQL Server 2005's new functionality to improve their database environment."

"DevelopMentor is very pleased with the turn-out for the 'Get Ready for SQL Server 2005' Roadshow," said Mike Abercrombie, company president and CEO. "Obviously, this event fulfilled a need in the market. The one-day format is an ideal way for the SQL Server developers to get a taste of all the great new SQL Server 2005 features and functionality covered in detail in our 5-day course. We were glad to partner with SQL Server Magazine on such a professionally run event."

The full day of SQL Server technical content was presented by SQL Server experts from DevelopMentor, Hitachi Consulting, and Scalability Experts, and by technical representatives from Microsoft, BMC Software, HP and Imceda. Breakfast and lunch was provided, and there was a PASS user group party at the end of the day.

The registration fee of $99 included a one-year PASS membership and a one-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Attendees also received $100 off the registration fee to the 2005 PASS Community Summit. For more information about the Roadshow, go to: http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlserverusa/ .

About the Windows IT Pro Group
The Windows IT Pro Group, the largest independent Windows IT community in the world, includes content from flagship print publication Windows IT Pro, three monthly paid subscription print newsletters, 12 direct-request email newsletters and a web site resource for more than two million IT professionals each month. First published in 1995, Windows IT Pro is the editorial leader in its field and has a paid subscription base of 105,000. The magazine is published in 13 languages and has an international reach in 160 countries.

The franchise also includes SQL Server Magazine, with 30,000 paid subscribers, more than 210,000 web site visitors monthly and two email newsletters sent to more than 130,000 opt-in subscribers. The American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) named SQL Server Magazine "Magazine of the Year" in the less-than-80,000 circulation category in 2002. The two publications generate nine million page impressions monthly, host 2.5 million unique visitors to their web sites monthly, and have more than one million readers with opt-in subscriptions to their email newsletters. The Windows IT Pro Group is the world's leading producer of custom Roadshows, paid conferences and paid workshops for Windows and SQL Server IT professionals.

About PASS
Co-founded by Microsoft Corporation and Computer Associates, Inc., the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) is the first independent, user-run, global association of SQL Server technology users. With a worldwide chapter network, PASS is the definitive, global community for more than 15,000 SQL Server professionals. PASS' mission is to provide SQL Server users with the resources they need including educational offerings, unparalleled networking opportunities and direct advocacy to Microsoft. For more information visit www.windowsitpro.com/pressroom/ , www.sqlmag.com and www.sqlpass.org.