Channel Partners Conference & Expo: Time to Elevate, Celebrate & Shine
Channel partners faced down myriad challenges recently and proved their mettle — and metal, as in tempered steel.
April 5, 2023
![CPLV 2023 CPLV 2023](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt10e444bce2d36aa8/blte044585429085c25/65240071cde5c118f7269024/CPLV2023.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
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Former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Scott Kelly spent nearly a year on the International Space Station so that scientists could study the effects it had on his body. While experiencing all the anticipated physical ramifications (from bone decalcification to skin sensitivity) Kelly also gained insights on managing anxiety, loneliness and stress.
A true American hero with a unique perspective on life, Kelly will recount his experiences in space, the path that led him there and lessons learned along the way.
In the channel, the axiom “The bigger they are, the harder they fall,” has been replaced by “The bigger they are, the better they pivot.” Informa Tech’s Kelly Danziger and Bob DeMarzo will join with Michael Caralis, vice president of business markets for Verizon, Kim Chau, vice president of T-Mobile for Business, Natalia De Greiff, vice president of IBM Americas ecosystem, Reggie Scales, senior vice president of global sales applications for Vonage, and Phil Soper, North American head of channel sales for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, to discuss what they are doing to focus on the future of the channel. You’ll find out what challenges they’re facing now, what they think the channel of the future will look like and how they’re preparing to position themselves and their partners for success.
The channel partner’s job is not to sell. It’s to listen, understand and provide expertise to help customers get the most from their technology. Customers will tell you what they need for their business — and what they need from you. David Wright, founder and CEO of Disruptive Innovations/Disruptive Innovators, Sanjib Sahoo, executive vice president and chief digital officer for Ingram Micro, and Vijay Sankaran, vice president and chief technology officer for Johnson Controls, will look at how channel partners are developing innovative solutions to help customers meet the challenges of an uncertain economy and an evolving market.
What’s an extended service provider (XSP)? It’s an MSP that offers a complete, integrated IT and cybersecurity. It’s also the business model that Entara chose to grow their business, expand their expertise and provide outstanding CX. Pamela Diaz, Entara’s CEO and president, and Deniz Sagnaklar, Entara’s director of managed services, will share lessons learned during their transformation.
Make no mistake: These influencers are channel all-stars and recognized thought leaders, not people dancing or giving household hacks on TikTok. Channel Futures’ Craig Galbraith will lead a discussion with John DeLozier, president of Intelisys and 2020’s Channel Influencer of the Year, Jennifer Gallego, executive vice president of global sales for Avant, Craig Patterson, senior vice president of global channels for Aryaka and 2023’s Channel Influencer of the Year, Riya Shanmugam, group vice president of global alliances and channels for New Relic, and Ryan Walsh, chief strategy officer for Pax8, on what real influence is and how it works.
Planning on arriving a little early to prepare for few days of darting around The Venetian? How about getting things started by meeting up for a friendly game of darts? Even if you don’t play, you can enjoy noshing and networking in an award-winning venue, Flight Club Social Darts, located in The Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes.
Separate registration required.
Sponsored by Exclusive Networks, IntelePeer and Vanta
It’s a new name and a bigger game, but the same focus on providing aid to grassroots charities. This year’s event will raise money to fund scholarships for underserved young women through Aspire2STEAM.
To win a spot in the game, make sure you’re registered for #CPExpo, then fill out this entry form for a chance to win.
More than 300 members and prospective members of the Alliance of Channel Women (ACW) will get together and celebrate their sparkle. The three-hour event will feature a cocktail hour, networking, education and contests.
Open only to Alliance of Channel Women and their guests. Separate registration is required.
It’s the official opening celebration of Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit! Enjoy good food, generous cocktails and great friends in tropical, Asian-inspired surroundings that just happen to have a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, a DJ booth and giant LED screens.
Open to all pass types on a first-come, first-served basis.
There’s no doubt you have in some way been impacted by the ongoing M&A in the channel, whether directly through your own company or indirectly through the sale of or a purchase by a partner you work with closely. Whether you’re interested in selling, buying, simply surviving or just figuring out what in the heck is going on, we have you covered.
MSP M&A Superstars: Understanding Today’s New Realities will feature an expert panel discussing the M&A journey for MSPs: how they analyze targets, what they look for in targets and what you should expect in the process. You have questions and Cristian Anastasiu, managing partner of Excendio Advisors, Bradley Gross, counsel at Law Office of Bradley Gross, Neil Medwed, vice president of corporate development and M&A at Meriplex, Tim Mueller, president of Martinwolf, and Cheryl Strom, principal, origination at The Riverside Co., have answers.
Emerging M&A: Not All Plays Are Created Equal will help make sense of the different players in the M&A arena and what they bring to the table. Channel Futures’ James Anderson will moderate a panel consisting of Scott Evars, co-founder of Bridgepointe, Steve King, chief development/M&A officer for Amplix, Tim Meng, CEO of OneSource, and Seth Penland, founder and CEO of Bluewave Technology Group, in discussing key questions partners should be asking as they contemplate a transaction.
Finding Your Magic Number and Surviving the M&A Process will help partners drill down to what’s really important in the M&A process. Robin Hau, CEO of USWired, and Rick Murphy, CEO and managing partner of Cogent Growth Partners, will provide war stories, insights and the tools you need to buy, sell or merge your way to growth.
There’s no doubt you have in some way been impacted by the ongoing M&A in the channel, whether directly through your own company or indirectly through the sale of or a purchase by a partner you work with closely. Whether you’re interested in selling, buying, simply surviving or just figuring out what in the heck is going on, we have you covered.
MSP M&A Superstars: Understanding Today’s New Realities will feature an expert panel discussing the M&A journey for MSPs: how they analyze targets, what they look for in targets and what you should expect in the process. You have questions and Cristian Anastasiu, managing partner of Excendio Advisors, Bradley Gross, counsel at Law Office of Bradley Gross, Neil Medwed, vice president of corporate development and M&A at Meriplex, Tim Mueller, president of Martinwolf, and Cheryl Strom, principal, origination at The Riverside Co., have answers.
Emerging M&A: Not All Plays Are Created Equal will help make sense of the different players in the M&A arena and what they bring to the table. Channel Futures’ James Anderson will moderate a panel consisting of Scott Evars, co-founder of Bridgepointe, Steve King, chief development/M&A officer for Amplix, Tim Meng, CEO of OneSource, and Seth Penland, founder and CEO of Bluewave Technology Group, in discussing key questions partners should be asking as they contemplate a transaction.
Finding Your Magic Number and Surviving the M&A Process will help partners drill down to what’s really important in the M&A process. Robin Hau, CEO of USWired, and Rick Murphy, CEO and managing partner of Cogent Growth Partners, will provide war stories, insights and the tools you need to buy, sell or merge your way to growth.
The traditional business track has turned into more of an obstacle course for channel partners over the past few years. They scrambled to keep their clients’ businesses as well as their own operational during the pandemic, finding ways to facilitate remote work and meet the explosive increase in the need for security. They managed to help clients update and upgrade their systems, then adapt them for the “new normal,” all while contending with supply chain shortages. Markets continually shift as technology advances to new horizons, creating new demands. Clients are self-educating, transforming the buying journey.
Partners themselves are also transforming, identifying themselves as technology advisors, adopting a recurring revenue model, becoming MSPs and MSSPs, and using M&A to expand, adapt, adopt and sometimes even cash out.
But most importantly, they’re still standing — stronger than ever and focused on going even farther. And this year’s Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Channel Futures MSP Summit are designed to help them do just that.
As you’ll see on signboards throughout the venue, this year’s theme is “Elevate: Your Time to Shine.” We have sorted through the challenges to identify the opportunities, then enlisted the aid of industry thought leaders to help you both tackle the challenges and make the most of opportunities.
In the Expo Hall you’ll find more than 300 booths showcasing state-of-the-art goods and services. On the keynote stage you’ll find American heroes, industry icons and expert peer groups. In the Business of the Channel Track, you’ll find help and advice on running your business. In the Technology & Innovation Track, you’ll find out about new technologies and trends.
In other words, no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it at Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Channel Futures MSP Summit.
So let’s take a closer look at what you can expect. Scroll through the slideshow above for a preview of power players and parties at the event.
And a big shout out to our Title Sponsors, ThreatLocker and T-Mobile for Business.
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