If you’re heading to the Channel Partners Conference and Expo for the first time, we welcome you. We also want to make sure you’re not overwhelmed. There is a lot going on with thousands of attendees and past-paced action in the main ballroom, Expo Hall and in the breakout rooms over two floors of the Venetian Las Vegas. Not to mention parties and other events.
There will be 38 keynote sessions, more than 40 breakouts, four workshops and 300 exhibitors around the Expo floor, which even includes a Central Bar this year. Whether you are reading this in your office prepping for the event, on your flight to Las Vegas or about to walk into the Expo Hall, remember that the event is designed for two types of partners—those focused on IT/managed services solutions and those who are technology advisors/agents who focus on communications solutions.
The event begins Monday with the MSP Summit--the name of which gives away the focus. The MSP Summit features keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops and a dedicated Expo floor before bringing all partners together on Tuesday morning for keynotes and main stage panels before opening the main Expo Hall. If you open the app, which can be found by searching Informa Connect Tech Events, you will get a roadmap to all the action.
During Tuesday and Wednesday, attendees can pick and choose the breakouts located on the lower level which suit their interest but are structured along two tracks—one for MSPs and the other for TAs and agents. It is that simple. The breakouts are open to all conference pass holders so even if you are an agent with an interest in a managed service topic, feel free to join that session.
Our Channel Partners’ team is always available to answer questions, so stop by the registration booth for insight, directions or whatever you need to make the event a better experience. We will also have members from our MSP, TA and Channel Partners Boards here with special badging. They are great sources of information about what content to attend, booths to visit and networking receptions to attend.
If you are not using the Channel Partners app, our favorite site links include Networking Receptions for Channel Partners and Agenda at a Glance.
Don’t get event attendee remorse if you missed anything as our events content team will be posting stories and sending out newsletters with show highlights. Make sure you visit the Channel Futures web site as the editors there will be covering the event with up-to-minute stories which will keep you abreast of everything that is taking place.
Here is a primer for first timers on what to expect and tips for navigating the show.
Channel Partners: Technologies, Speakers and Socializing
A good channel event is all about mastering the latest technologies, learning sound sales and marketing advice, and networking. You can do all of those at this conference.
With the theme of Channel Forward, thousands of channel professionals from leading vendors, suppliers, MSPs and technology advisory organizations will gather for the annual Channel Partners event, co-located with the MSP Summit. The conference, which is the world’s largest independent gathering channel partners serving the IT and communications industries, includes an AI symposium and sales workshops along with deep dives into cybersecurity, keynotes featuring CEOs, CIOs and motivational speakers, along with a three-day expo hall including more than 300 vendors with leading edge technology and state-of-the-art partner programs. And of course, Las Vegas parties.
Speakers include a raft of CEOs, including Manny Rivelo of ConnectWise, John Pagliuca of N-Able, Adam Edwards of Telarus, Joan Logan of GTT, Ken Mills of Intelisys, Scott Evars of Bridgepointe Technologies, Margi Shaw of Nitel, Pinar Ormeci of Timus Networks, Mike Psenka of Moovila, Robert Senatore of Data2Go and Mark Venuto of US Networks.
Other speakers include:
- TA 101 Trusted Advisor (TA) 101 representatives Lucas Salvage of Kairos Data Communications, Bill Patchett P2, Nabila Lulow of E78 Partners, Catherine Ripley of Symplicity Communications, and Seth Penland of Bluewave.
- MSP 501 panelists Peter Melby of New Charter Technologies, Harold Mann of Mann Consulting, Antwine Jackson of Enitech and Chuck Canton of Sourcepass.
- Analysts Jay McBain of Canalys and Anurag Agrawal of Techaisle.
- Marquee Speakers Chris McChesney and Shawnee Delaney.
Bobby D’s Channel Partners Cheat Sheet
Here are invaluable tips from Bobby DeMarzo, VP of Content for Informa Channel events, which includes the Channel Partners & Expo:
Tip No. 1. Let’s start with the theme of this year’s conference: Channel Forward, which is perhaps our event’s most straightforward yet meaningful message to an industry undergoing incredible change. While building this amazing event, we realized the only way to guarantee future success in the channel is to possess a forward-thinking mindset. That means moving your leadership skills, thinking, organization, culture, technology acumen and even curiosity forward in ways you have never done before and perhaps could never have imagined. It is important to understand the event theme as all our speaker training is focused on it, so it is not a trivial catch phrase. A great deal of work goes into having a unified message which at this event is moving the channel forward.
Tip No.2 This is the place to sharpen your leadership skills in the channel even if you didn’t plan to do so in Las Vegas. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the channel into a world of AI, platforms and a host of new cyber-resilient solutions, business leaders must adapt and grow to drive their organizations forward. The key to success lies in developing world-class organizational strategies and personal leadership skills. This event is your roadmap to exploring how, as channel leaders, you can position yourselves and your companies for long-term growth and success. There is no doubt that becoming a forward-thinker--an industry thought leader--goes well beyond simply adopting the latest technologies. It requires a fundamental shift in mindset, operations and execution. To assist you all, every facet of this event is designed to help our attendees succeed. One workshop I would rate as a must attend is the How to Unlock Peak Performance Training training by industry veteran Tracy-Ann Palmer who will help you unlock the keys to commitment, consistency and courage, the three principles of her training.
Tip No. 3 Study the Conference Session track Channel Partners Conference Session Agenda. It’s packed with experts presenting on the latest in cloud, business model optimization, sales, AI, reputation and branding, vertical market opportunities and so many more topics in the world of IT and communications solutions. While we might have thousands of attendees roaming the expo floor, keynote ballroom or meeting rooms, the conference breakouts give our attendees a chance to hear topics of interest to them in intimate settings where you can interact with peers who share similar experiences and challenges. Our team puts an extraordinary amount of energy into these educational sessions—some of which are objective editorial content and others sponsored.
Tip No. 4. Speaking of sponsored sessions, this tip is designed to help you navigate an event which Channel Partners can bring to you because of the investment vendors and suppliers are making here. Our exhibitors such as title sponsors T-Mobile and ThreatLocker are here to sell you their goods and services. They are here to sell you on ideas, products, programs, services, margin opportunities and other goods in their portfolio. It is what makes the world go round as one attendee told me. Our attendees are salespeople at heart and our expo sponsors are here to sell the salespeople which makes this event incredibly unique. As David Dorsey wrote in his famous book, The Force, “People don’t buy things, they buy feelings,” and our sponsors are here to pass those feelings along to you and build relationships.
Tip No. 5 Make sure you have fun at Channel Partners and MSP Summit not because you went to a Vegas show or gambled but because you attended one of the many receptions or parties that take place starting Sunday. We may all be introverted geeks at heart, but one of the things I am constantly reminded of is this event’s rich history of bringing together people to have a good time, laugh, bond and just enjoy time together. You can find all the cool parties Channel Partner Parties and Receptions and the highlights are below.
One last bonus tip and this comes from a Vinod Paul, president of channel partner Align, who always builds in time at the event to roam the expansive show floor. Some attendees discount the value of just walking the aisles with an open mind. Paul walks the aisles searching for that next big thing paying attention to the smaller vendors in the back or off the beaten path. A few years back he stumbled upon a company called Adlumin which he said changed the course of his business. You can hear Paul speak during this session Cybersecurity Meets AI 3.0.
Don’t Miss These Channel Partners Vegas Parties
Channel Partners Conference & Expo is the ultimate business trip, but we’ll all be in Las Vegas, so let’s remember to have fun, too. We’ll have plenty of parties and other conference networking events to keep everyone happy while conducting business.
Check out these Las Vegas parties, entertainment and booth attractions:
Roaring '20s MSP Summit Kickoff Party
Sunday, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Channel Partners Conference opens with a Roaring '20s MSP Summit Kickoff Party at a Prohibition-era speakeasy, where booze and fun will flow just like insights will in the following days. Expect plenty of lively ragtime jazz, and dazzling performances by flapper dancers.
ACWConnect Live! – An Alliance of Channel Women Event
Monday, 4-7 p.m.
ACWConnect Live! is a biannual get-together where the group’s members and prospective members gather for a night of camaraderie, inspiration, and fun. This unique event will take place in the Channel Partners Conference keynote room.
Fast Forward: A #CPExpo Welcome Party @ TAO Beach Dayclub
Monday, 8-10 p.m.
Just because it will be nighttime in the desert doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a Day club at the beach. Join the official conference kickoff party in style at TAO Beach Dayclub, a tropical oasis under the stars that’s sure to set the tone for an unforgettable week.
Faster Forward: Run the Channel
Tuesday, from 7-8 a.m.
Running the Channel is excited to host its 6th annual run/walk event at Channel Partners. This is a free and fun way to network around a common passion for running and walking and it's open to everyone. Meet in the lobby of the Venetian Tuesday morning. Running the Channel will provide water, nutrition, pacesetters, a free t-shirt, and a picture at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.
Booth Attractions
You won’t even have to leave the expo hall for networking opportunities. You’ll find them throughout the expo hall, at vendors' booths, and all around the show floor. If you’ve always wanted to meet a UFC champion, stop by and see Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at the Telesystem US booth. Don’t be afraid, the former light heavyweight champ’s a nice guy out of the Octagon -- unless you’re a bad-guy hacker.
If you prefer your thrills in cars, then drop by for an autograph – and perhaps driving tips -- from stock car driver David Leon Starr at the ConnectUS booth. ConnectUS is a sponsor of Starr, who drives in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for SS-Green Light Racing.
If Vegas-style entertainment is your thing, a Rat Pack tribute group will open the Expo Hall on Tuesday, and Chance the Gila Monster, official Mascot of the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights, will wander the hall on Wednesday.
There will also be three days of swag available at the Channel Partners Swag Lab on Level 1. Drop by Monday through Wednesday for exclusive fun-stuff souvenirs.
Other networking opportunities on the Expo floor include during the Expo Hall Opening Reception on Tuesday, sponsored by AT&T, and the Pub Crawl in the Expo Hall on Wednesday. And Central Bar, powered by T-Mobile, will be open through all the Expo hours as the perfect place to recharge with expertly crafted espresso drinks to power up your high-impact days.
Also, Triton and AT&T will host happy hour Tuesday night from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Flight Club Las Vegas.