HDI is the world's largest membership association for the IT service and support profession, and I've had a number of posts here at The CIO Weblog focusing on different areas where HDI provides niche value.

What's newis that there is a Q2'05 special promotion (see below) being run right now, so if you've thought about joining but haven't done so yet, here's a special opportunity.

A quick skinny on the value of HDI:

• Membership - Join 7,500 Fellow Members Worldwide:With up-to-the-minute publications, industry reports, professional education and networking opportunities -- available both online and through exclusive and vertically-focused face-to-face forums -- HDI gives you valuable information, knowledge and the opportunity to connect with thousands of colleagues around the world.
• World's Most Recognized Training & Certification - Based on open standards developed by a global consortium of practitioners and experts: We truly believe that the training path to certification is as important as the credential itself. HDI offers training and certification programs for IT support professionals from the analyst to the manager, as well as a Support Center Leadership Program and a site certification program.
• Industry Leading Events - The HDI Annual Conference & Expo and the IT Infrastructure Management Conference & Expo (ITIM): Whether it's the world's largest event for the service and support industry, or the most highly focused conference for the senior level IT infrastructure manager, HDI produces world-class conferences and expos that provide a comprehensive educational experience, the chance to preview new tools, network with peers and have fun!

The special promotion being run right now includes a Gold HDI Membership, an HDM Online Certification training class, plus a test voucher, a site certification self-evaluation, and an ITIM conference pass for $1,795 (a $2624 value). Offer expires on June 30, 2005.

Steve Shu