David DeCamillis has in just three years grown the Denver Biz Tech Expo from infancy to the Mountain West's can't-miss tech event.

The 2014 expo, which will take place Thursday, is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees and 70 vendors, including big names such as Microsoft, HP and Dell. DeCamillis is also scheduled to speak at the Best of Breed Conference in Orlando, Fla. next week, where he'll discuss branding and re-branding.

The expo was initially launched as a forum for vendors, end users and solution providers who work with Platte River Networks - a Denver-based solution provider where DeCamillis works as vice president of sales and marketing - to have direct, intimate conversations.

But after more than 600 people showed up in 2012, DeCamillis realized that competing VARs, MSPs and vendors also wanted in. He said the expo is Denver's only tech gathering with a broad focus.

"There was obviously a need in the Colorado market for this type of event," DeCamillis said.

But the tech expo isn't just a Colorado thing anymore. DeCamillis said this year's event is drawing attendees from New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming, as well as United States Secret Service members based in Washington D.C. for a panel on cybersecurity.

"Because of the buzz the event has created, we're getting some really good people," he said.

VARs and MSPs attending the expo can expect to see new technology offerings and have direct conversations with partner vendors, DeCamillis said.

The tech expo has had a theme for each of the past two years to provide vendors and speakers with a more specific focus. The expo focused on cloud computing last year, DeCamillis said, and will take on security and mobility this year.

Speakers, though, aren't just from the world of technology. Panelists will speak to issues such as immigration, rising healthcare costs, locating talent and the overall state of the economy, DeCamillis said.

DeCamillis said he's done his best to steer vendors away from using their stage time to hawk products. Instead, he pushes them to address pain points for businesses and how those difficulties can be avoided.

"They (business leaders) are not just looking to be sold," DeCamillis said. "They're looking to be told." 

Putting together the expo is a family affair for DeCamilli. His wife Amy has many years of trade show experience and serves as director of the expo. And Davis devotes roughly 10 hours each week to coordinating expo activities.  

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