The inaugural MSP Peer Groups will be held on Sunday, March 23, at the Venetian Hotel and Conference in Las Vegas on the front end of the industry’s largest independent gathering of channel partners. The MSP Summit portion of the event kicks off on Monday, March 24 with keynotes, conference sessions, workshops and expo hall meetings. The 2025 MSP Summit is co-located at Channel Partners Conference & Expo.
At the upcoming conference, MSP-Ignite founder Steve Alexander will moderate the MSP Peer Group gathering. Alexander will help partners sort through such challenges as sales strategies, identifying the source of an MSP’s true profits and M&A, and will facilitate discussions among leaders to improve their management skills. He will help partners find clarity, overcome challenges, and unlock new levels of success. MSP-Ignite and Channel Partners Conference & Expo will work closely to incorporate independent partner peer groups and meetings into the fabric of the live events organized by Informa Connect’s channel business and online via its events-run digital platforms.
“We live in a time where every concept imaginable can be researched online. Unique ideas are not likely going to be what drives an MSP. Execution is key,” Alexander said of the new MSP Summit peer groups. “Our groups are guaranteed no geographic competition to help make members comfortable. The truth, however, is that once you are with the right people, sharing becomes easy because of the mutual trust."
With more than 35 years of experience in the managed services space, Alexander is a true force in the industry. Having founded, built, and sold two successful MSPs, he has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to create a thriving business. He’s also played a pivotal role in dozens of M&A transactions, bringing invaluable insights to each one. Alexander has centered MSP-Ignite's peer groups around a key principle: building on each member’s strengths to drive sustainable growth. He’s served on advisory boards for both local nonprofits and national business groups and is a respected voice in the channel.
Demand for independent peer meetings is soaring given the change in the landscape where peer-to-peer meetings have moved under the umbrella of key operators of PSA software platforms, distributors or other suppliers. Many partners have said those peer meetings have lost their objectivity and hindered the ability to assess strategic vendor and supplier relationships.
“Running an MSP today without a peer group is like trying to fix a server with a butter knife —technically possible, but not a great idea. The industry moves too fast, and none of us have all the answers” said Marcial Velez, CEO of MSP XperTeks. “Peer groups give us a trusted space to swap war stories, share winning strategies, and avoid each other’s mistakes — because let’s be honest, learning the hard way is overrated.”
Partners and MSP Summit Board members have lobbied for such a feature to be added to the event. Not surprisingly, the addition of MSP Peer Groups at upcoming Channel Partners events drew positive responses. “The addition of adding peer groups to the Channel Partners Conference enhances the event’s value by offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage in structured, high-impact discussions with industry peers. These sessions foster deeper connections, encourage knowledge-sharing, and provide actionable takeaways that MSPs can implement immediately,” said Sam Ruggeri, VP business development and strategic partnerships at Lincoln IT.
Added Jason Rincker, chief revenue officer of Stronghold Data: "Peer groups have been a game-changer for me, both in business and personally. The MSP world moves fast, and trying to figure everything out on your own is a tough road. Having a group of peers to bounce ideas off, share challenges, and swap strategies makes all the difference. The saying ‘you get what you give’ couldn’t be more true — when you show up and engage, you walk away with insights that can take your business to the next level. Adding peer groups to the Channel Partners Conference means MSPs get more than just sessions and networking — they get real talk, real advice, and real connections that can impact their success long after the event."
Len DiCostanzo, CEO of MSP Toolkit, said peer groups are more important than ever in today's market.
“Peer groups are crucial for MSPs to be successful in today’s business environment, especially as MSPs move from a lifestyle business to one that is seeking to grow,” DiCostanzo said. “With competition coming from all directions, and M&A activity ratcheting up, MSPs need to be at the top of their game, not only with numbers but with service delivery, client success and building a winning culture. Peer group members exchange valuable insights and strategies on what is working and what is not, so you can miss the speed bumps in the road. And the built-in support system keeps members on their toes and accountable as you compare performance and identify improvement areas.
“With the introduction of peer groups at MSP Summit, attendees will now have an opportunity to engage with the best in the channel, and see how their peers are growing, innovating, and staying competitive. Whether you are in a peer group now, or have been thinking about joining one, here is your chance to hear diverse perspectives and see what all the excitement is about.”
MSPs interested in the peer group can go to MSP Peer Group at Channel Partners Conference for more information.
During the peer group session, Alexander will also be joined by Chris Johnson, Sr. Director of Cybersecurity Compliance Programs at Global Technology Industry Association, to lead a peer discussion around the biggest challenge in cybersecurity. Johnson will help partners learn what their clients should really care about, why cybersecurity tools are only 50% of the answer and what MSPs must do to survive.
