Thaler is the Robert P. Gwinn Professor of Behavioral Science and Economics and Director of the Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business. He will explain how recent research in behavior can be utilized to improve decisions about health, wealth and happiness.

Silver has repeatedly produced uncannily accurate predictions on his website FiveThirtyEight.com -- from the performance of Major League Baseball players to politics --- successfully predicting the winner in 49 of 50 states in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. He will share some of the lessons learned about turning mountains of data into nuggets of gold and will address how to effectively work with data to generate more accurate predictions.

Directions User Conference also features:

-- Organizations such as Advance Auto Parts, First Tennessee Bank, Procter & Gamble and Southwest Airlines delivering best practices and successes achieved using Predictive Analytics Software (PASW(R)).

-- More than 90 breakout sessions providing insight into new product developments in Predictive Analytics Software -- data collection, statistics, modeling, text analytics and deployment.

-- SPSS Expo showcasing applications, services, and cutting-edge technology from partners and product experts.

-- Product Experience Room offering valuable one-on-one time to ask SPSS experts --from development, product management, training, and tech support -- the most pressing questions.

Stephen Gold, vice president of worldwide marketing at SPSS, said, "Directions is a unique opportunity to experience thought leadership in Predictive Analytics and discover how leading organizations are transforming themselves from a 'sense and respond' workplace to a 'predict and act' enterprise. Attendees will learn how to empower their organization to gain competitive insight and optimize outcomes, including maximizing customer profitability, retention, and satisfaction; predicting fraud before it happens; and detecting risk in real time."

Registration

For more information and to register for Directions, please visit: http://www.spss.com/spssdirections/na/

About SPSS Inc.

SPSS Inc. is a leading global provider of Predictive Analytics software and solutions. The Company's complete portfolio of Predictive Analytics Software (PASW) products -- data collection, statistics, modeling and deployment -- captures people's attitudes and opinions, predicts outcomes of future customer interactions, and then acts on these insights by embedding analytics into business processes. SPSS Solutions address interconnected business objectives across an entire organization by focusing on the convergence of analytics, IT architecture and business process. Commercial, government and academic customers worldwide rely on SPSS technology as a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining and growing customers, while reducing fraud and mitigating risk. Founded in 1968, SPSS is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, please visit www.spss.com.

SOURCE: SPSS Inc.

Christina Preiss, SPSS Inc. 
(312) 651-3437 
cpreiss@spss.com

A recent IBM Global CIO Study involving 2,500 CIOs from 78 countries found that leveraging analytics to gain a competitive advantage and improve decision-making is now the top priority for CIOs. As more organizations harness the exponential growth of data with Predictive Analytics to improve decision-making, the demand for smart and savvy professionals fluent in this knowledge is critical. The PASW Statistics Certification gives employers the confidence in an individual's ability, and advances careers and creates leadership opportunities for these professionals.

Joe Somma, director, market intelligence at Independent Health, said, "We have built an analytical platform with Predictive Analytics Software from SPSS to improve our marketing efforts, better engage with customers and improve treatment outcomes. Finding professionals with the right skill set in statistical analysis is paramount to furthering our organization's goals. The PASW Statistics Certification establishes a basis to find qualified candidates, screen for the best talent and locate low-risk employees that can give us a competitive edge."

PASW Statistics Certification will also create a worldwide user community taking advantage of Predictive Analytics Software to improve business outcomes. This trusted network allows those with certification to collaborate on development efforts, share business problems and solutions (by industry), showcase achievements and search for potential employment.

Michael Bigenwald, vice president of worldwide education for SPSS, said, "The introduction of an official certification program for PASW Statistics establishes an industry baseline of knowledge for statistical analysis using our product. By providing a formal declaration of an individual's professional competence with PASW Statistics, this certification serves as a significant differentiator in Predictive Analytics and an asset for those vying for positions in today's job market."

Availability

PASW Statistics Certification testing will begin in November 2009. To ensure success in the certification exam, SPSS also offers a comprehensive training program providing the necessary skills and understanding of PASW Statistics to become certified. Pearson VUE, the global leader in computer-based testing, will administer the exams at its testing centers worldwide. For all other inquiries or certification questions, please visit www.spss.com/certification or send an email to certification@spss.com.

About SPSS Inc.

SPSS Inc. is a leading global provider of Predictive Analytics software and solutions. The Company's complete portfolio of Predictive Analytics Software (PASW) products -- data collection, statistics, modeling and deployment -- captures people's attitudes and opinions, predicts outcomes of future customer interactions, and then acts on these insights by embedding analytics into business processes. SPSS Solutions address interconnected business objectives across an entire organization by focusing on the convergence of analytics, IT architecture and business process. Commercial, government and academic customers worldwide rely on SPSS technology as a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining and growing customers, while reducing fraud and mitigating risk. Founded in 1968, SPSS is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, please visit www.spss.com.

SOURCE: SPSS Inc.

Tim Powers, SPSS Inc. 
(312) 261-6553 
tpowers@spss.com