In an era where human interaction and conversation are rapidly displaced by agentic AI tools, live events are taking on critical importance. More than ever, attendees at the upcoming Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit—and all face-to-face events for that matter—seek information they can trust. Trust is taking on new meaning in our current working environment when so much AI-generated information requires validation or peer perspective. As a result, live events have become increasingly significant.

The 2026 Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit call for speakers is now officially open to industry experts and thought leaders who want to share business and technology insights designed to help partners grow. The Channel Partners Conference & Expo is scheduled for April 13–16, 2026, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

NICE channel leader Michael Quince captured this moment perfectly when he characterized our traditional call for speakers as "A Call to Leaders," noting that "it's more important than ever for executives to share their vision. The channel community is looking for guidance on navigating disruption, harnessing AI responsibly, and building sustainable partner ecosystems."

What follows are perspectives from thought leaders in the channel who are part of the Channel Partners Conference & Expo ecosystem. We asked them to share their insights on why it's important for executives, rising stars, mainstream managers looking to boost their brand and individual contributors to speak at what is today the world's largest independent gathering of the entire channel.

"If you're a leader with a story to tell, CPLV is your stage. And your voice can be the spark that drives the next wave of channel innovation," Quince said.

Industry Leaders Share Their Perspectives

Tricia Ward, President, Onward Communications

"As our reliance on AI and turning to services like ChatGPT to broker information grows, now more than ever, it is important for real voices to be heard. Channel Partners Conference provides a platform to connect to like-minded individuals, industry leaders, and potential future collaborators. These interactions have often led me to meaningful relationships that have advanced my personal brand and business. The value of hearing directly from these thought leaders who often share their unfiltered insights and experiences, personal perspectives and cutting-edge ideas make their message more memorable and impactful, and this experience just cannot be replaced by seeking inspiration from passive digital formats."

Catherine Ripley, CEO, Symplicity Communications

"I want to hear real world examples of how they or their technology can transform business outcomes, and exactly what that transformation can mean to me and my business. I personally don't want to hear product information so much as how their product or service produced an outcome that fostered a customer's business growth—how can I apply what they are pitching to me.

“Speaking at Channel Partners in Las Vegas is about more than thought leadership. For me, it's about creating trust. In an era where AI can generate content at scale, face-to-face connection and live dialogue are irreplaceable. Partners want to hear directly from executives they can see, question, and validate in real time. These events give us the chance to cut through the noise, share what's real, and inspire confidence in the direction our industry is headed in. At this critical moment in the channel's history, live content, relationships and community matter more than ever."

Michelle Accardi, CEO, Liongard

"The channel ecosystem continues to evolve at lightning speed, driven by cloud, security, digital transformation, and now AI. With so much change, industry leaders are asking: where do we find the right platform to connect, influence, and guide the partner community? For decades, Channel Partners has been that platform. It's not just the largest gathering of channel executives, MSPs, and technology providers, it's a stage where thought leaders share their vision, set direction for the industry, and influence how the channel adapts to change."

Michael Quince, VP, Channel Sales, NICE

"Speaking at a major partner event like CP offers leaders a unique opportunity to shape industry dialogue. Keynotes and panels allow executives to introduce new strategies, challenge conventional thinking, and guide partners toward future opportunities.

“Sharing real-world use cases and success stories positions leaders as trusted advisors in an ecosystem that values proven expertise. Words from the stage often spark new partner initiatives, investments, and collaborations that extend far beyond the event itself.

“Executives who take the stage at CP do more than present slides, they create momentum that reverberates throughout the channel. AI is transforming how we communicate, automate, and scale. But while AI tools can provide efficiency and insights, they cannot replace the human connection forged in person. Live events like CP LV offer trust-building moments that no digital interaction can replicate. Technology may accelerate how we work, but it's still face-to-face interaction that drives the partnerships and relationships fueling channel success."

Marie Rourke, Founder, WhiteFox Marketing

“Being present—physically and emotionally—is where the magic happens. In real life (IRL) events like Channel Partners and the MSP Summit are where experiences are shared, ideas take shape, and challenges get solved together. In today’s AI-saturated world, maybe WTH should mean ‘Where’s the Human?’ Show up. Engage. Share. It’s good for your soul—and even better for your success."

Your Opportunity to Speak at Channel Partners Conference & Expo 2026

With that insight shared, we hope members of the channel community will seize the opportunity to take center stage at the world's largest independent event connecting the entire partner ecosystem. Whether you are in the C-suite, sales leader, running a marketing team or on the front lines of the channel supporting customers, our call for speakers is open to you. When submitting your call for speakers, keep in mind our event theme and position: Channel Velocity: Acceleration Through Intelligence.

The pace of business has fundamentally changed. Channel partners who can harness intelligence to accelerate decision-making, solution delivery, and business outcomes are creating unprecedented competitive advantage for themselves and their customers. The 2026 channel landscape rewards Velocity—the ability to rapidly identify opportunities, deploy solutions, and generate measurable results. The 2026 Channel Partners Conference & Expo brings together the industry's fastest-moving organizations to share strategies for building velocity into every aspect of the partner business model and ecosystem.

For more background on our event, please visit our website: https://channelpartnersconference.com/

Suggested CFS Topics for 2026

Consider crafting speaker submissions from the following topics for keynotes, educational breakouts, and workshops:

• AI for Revenue Growth in the Channel
• Cybersecurity Beyond the Basics
• The Future of Cloud
• Outcome-Based Service Models
• The Changing Hybrid Workplace Tech Stack
• Connectivity 2026: 5G, Fixed Wireless, and Beyond
• Modern Services for Data Centers and Edge
• AI-Driven Sales Enablement Tools
• Customer Buying Behavior in an AI Era
• Sustainability and ESG as a Revenue Driver
• Cloud Security & Compliance-as-a-Service
• Selling and Delivering AI-Enhanced Contact Centers
• Partnering for Private and Public Cloud Services
• M&A Strategies in the Channel
• Recurring Revenue Expansion Strategies
• Data Monetization for SMB Clients
• New Partner Program Models from Vendors
• Automation for Service Delivery
• Winning Enterprise Deals as a Small Partner
• Building a Multi-Million Dollar Practice with TSDs
• Compensation Models and Contract Negotiations
• Sales Strategies for Tech Advisor Leaders
• The Future of Cloud Marketplaces
• Elevating your Partner Brand and Marketing Efforts
• Operational and Services Best Practices

Don’t miss an opportunity to participate in this event not just as a passive attendee consuming and enjoying the content and experience but as a speaker. Share your point of view on the topics we mentioned above. We are encouraging channel partners from the technology advisor and MSP communities to submit call for speaker applications so the event can become the epicenter of peer-based best practices and the voice of the channel partner. Call for Leaders to Speak