Channel Partners Expo: Best-in-Show Awards

Channel partners and their suppliers came together at the Spring 2008 Channel Partners Conference & Expo, held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, March 10 – 12. The show floor saw more than eight hours of networking traffic, allowing the more than 150 exhibitors to showcase their products, services and programs — and PHONE+ believes a few of those standouts deserve recognition.

Based on an attendee vote, the following companies were the winners in their respective categories. PHONE+ will present these Best-in-Show awards at the Fall 2008 Channel Partners Conference & Expo held at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center in Boston, Aug. 18 – 20. Exhibitors: Bring your best to Beantown!

Best Trade Show Booth

PAETEC brings home the award for Best Trade Show Booth. Following its recent buying spree, PAETEC’s booth was bigger and better than ever. The exhibit’s new design towered over the hall and featured a classy wood-paneled look and an open, inviting space for attendees to interact. All-new graphics presented a clean and consistent look.

NETXUSA is the runner-up in the Best Trade Show Booth category for its new, attractive design. This futuristic setup stood out from the crowd and allowed plenty of space for meetings and conversation.

Best Channel Incentive

TeleSphere’s Sweet Deal incentive program wins the award for Best Channel Incentive. The program, promoted via an ice cream sundae bar at the company’s booth, offers new agents a $1,000 bonus and $500 per location on each of the first three sales made of the company’s hosted PBX and integrated trunking product within 90 days of signing on to be an agent. Agents must sign up by Sept. 30, 2008, to be eligible.

Lightyear Network Solutions is the runner-up for Best Channel Incentive. Its Dream Car Program 2008 enables agents to earn yearlong car leases starting at $35,000 in new revenue per month.

Best After-Hours Party

TelePacific Communications knows how to party. The company receives the award for Best After-Hours Party for hosting an evening of cocktails and appetizers at the Voodoo Lounge atop the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. Guests got to network, relax and enjoy a panoramic view of Las Vegas.

Level 3 Communications’ event at Lucky Strike Lanes at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino gave attendees the chance to unwind with cocktails, bowling and billiards, and secured Level 3 the runner-up spot for Best After-Hours Party.

Best Promotion

One Communications’ Porsche roll had attendees taking a gamble on a new car. This winner of Best Promotion invited agents to roll seven die to see if they could spell out “Porsche” to win the hot rod. Although, nobody was lucky to get the perfect roll, more than 300 people took their chances on a roll of the dice at the One Communications booth.

Placing as runner-up in the category, O1 Communications gave attendees a breath of fresh air with an oxygen bar.

Best First-Time Exhibitor

Telarus wins the award for Best First-Time Exhibitor. Telarus is a relative newcomer as master agencies go, with six years in telecom. The company has put its own twist on the model with automated tools for opportunity, order and account management for traditional agents, VARs and referral partners.

Motorola, which is expanding its VAR program to enable partners to sell broadband wireless inside and out, is runner-up for Best First-Time Exhibitor.

Best Trade Show Theme

Motorola rocks out with Best Trade Show Theme for its Opportunity Rocks motif. The rock star theme ran consistently through Motorola’s materials and display, making a great impression.

TMC Communications is the runner-up for Best Trade Show Theme telling agents, “You’re the Star,” with its Greatest Agent Program on Earth theme.

Best Trade Show Giveaway

TelePacific Communications wins the award for Best Trade Show Giveaway with its battery-powered fan that lit up to reveal TELEPARTNER. This new and useful gadget stood out among all the pens, mints and squishy toys.

Runner-up Covad Communications satisfied gear-heads with its USB/AC adaptor.