Image Gallery: Channel Partners Conference & Expo — Thrivin’ at 25
It’s a milestone year — and a celebration not to be missed.
March 21, 2022
PHONE+ magazine launches the AgENt Conference & Expo. The event is championed by many dedicated agents including Rick Dellar (co-founder of Intelisys), Bill Power (then president of ARG IT Clarity), Greg Praske (owner, CEO and COO of ARG), Ted Schuman (founder and CEO of PlanetOne), Rick Sheldon (co-founder of Intelisys) Paul Silicato (then co-owner of Global Systems Telecom) and Mark Solomon (president of Global Systems Telecom).
As the lines between voice and data indirect sales channels begin to blur, AgENt Conference & Expo changes its name to Channel Partners Conference & Expo.
Dr. Wayne Dyer keynotes the Fall Show, speaking on self-actualization, spirituality and the power of positive thinking.
The Spring Show in Las Vegas, “Spotlight on Success,” features a keynote from “The Newlywed Game” host Bob Eubanks.
Golf quickly becomes a favorite element of the Channel Partners events.
During his keynote at the Spring Show in Las Vegas, NBA great and Olympic gold medalist Charles Barkley speaks on the importance of lifelong learning.
At the Spring Show in Las Vegas, Channel Partners Conference & Expo celebrates its 10th anniversary. Among the keynote speakers at the event is former NFL player and sports commentator Joe Theismann.
The keynote stage hosts industry thought leaders …
… all-star panels …
… and special presentations.
The Alliance of Channel Women is formed at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo when Nancy Ridge, Jan Sarro, Karin Fields and Stacy Conrad develop plans for a group to provide mentoring, collaboration and education for women in a male-dominated industry.
The beginning of each Channel Partners event is marked with an Alliance of Channel Women meet-up. The popular gatherings grow larger each year and are moved to larger and larger spaces.
A telecom group attends a performance of Blue Man Group in 2007. In 2021, attendees of the first MSP Summit enjoy a performance by the group as well.
PHONE+ magazine is renamed Channel Partners to create one brand and one platform
The “Expo” portion of Channel Partners events starts out as a few hearty souls displaying their products on folding tables in the lobby and grows to a state-of-the-art Expo Hall …
… demonstrations …
… presentations such as “Thunderdome” …
… and spectacular booths.
Cars are always popular.
The fancier and more expensive, the better.
But booth swag is also a favorite.
After all, who doesn’t like free stuff?
Networking is great, but neckworking has its benefits, too.
In 2013, the Fall Show becomes Cloud Partners, as digital transformation takes hold in the industry.
In addition to food for thought, Channel Partners events also feature an abundance of the mouth-watering variety of food.
Beverages are plentiful as well.
The presence of NBA star Dennis Rodman brings a crowd to the Nextiva booth in the Expo Hall at the Spring Show in Las Vegas.
Education tracks are a valuable part of the Channel Partners Conference. Subject matter experts bring partners up to date on the latest trends, challenges and best practices in the industry.
Since 2016, Cloud Girls has presented its Cloud Girls Rising awards at on the Expo Hall stage.
It’s another name change for the fall show as Cloud Partners becomes Channel Partners Evolution
A new Channel Partners event for the EMEA — Channel Evolution Europe — debuts in London.
Channel Partners has a nose for news, even if it’s about our own event. Roving reporters, photojournalists and news desks cover all the angles.
COVID forces the last-minute cancellation of the spring Channel Partners Conference & Expo. In September, it’s combined with Channel Partners Evolution to present a “Virtual Event for the Modern Channel.”
November’s “Homecoming” Channel Partners Conference & Expo celebrates the return to live events and sees the debut of the MSP Summit.
At the 2021 “Homecoming,” magicians Penn & Teller took to the keynote stage and football legend Joe Montana made an appearance in Nextiva’s booth in the Expo Hall.
And, of course, there are the parties. Oh, the parties.
Whether it’s dance ’til you drop or cocktails on a terrace overlooking the city lights, you can be sure it’s nonstop fun.
But this is just the beginning! The only constant in the channel is change. The way business is done is evolving and along with it the technology, service and support needed to keep operations moving smoothly. The importance of the channel to the industry and to their clients has never been greater. No matter what challenges and opportunities come along in the years ahead, Channel Partners and Channel Futures will be there to inform, educate and inspire.
The Best Is Yet to Come!
But this is just the beginning! The only constant in the channel is change. The way business is done is evolving and along with it the technology, service and support needed to keep operations moving smoothly. The importance of the channel to the industry and to their clients has never been greater. No matter what challenges and opportunities come along in the years ahead, Channel Partners and Channel Futures will be there to inform, educate and inspire.
The Best Is Yet to Come!
Channel Partners Conference & Expo turns 25 in 2022. What started out as a small pioneering event in 1997 has grown to become the world’s largest independent channel event gathering. This year’s event is successfully tracking for 6,500+ attendees.
In 1997, Madeleine Albright became the first woman Secretary of State in U.S. history. “The Lion King” musical debuted on Broadway and the movie “Titanic” premiered in theaters. The first Harry Potter book was published. The Green Bay Packers won the Superbowl. Google.com was registered as a domain name. —
And PHONE+ magazine launched the AgENt Conference & Expo, the communication industry’s only event exclusively for channel agents, VARs, systems integrators, interconnects, wireless dealers and consultants.
See and hear from more than 100 top speakers at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo/MSP Summit. Register now to join 6,500 fellow attendees, April 11-14. You can also interact with more than 300 key suppliers and technology service distributors. |
Since 1987, PHONE+ had been serving the telecom channel, primarily the competitive long-distance and resale community. When the resale market expanded into data and local services, PHONE+ expanded its reader base. But there was no trade show or other in-person forum specifically geared toward the needs of the indirect channel. So, PHONE+ created one.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Details on that history will be revealed over the course of the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. In the meantime, scroll through the image gallery above for some highlights of the last quarter-century of shows.
And don’t miss our 25th Anniversary celebration on April 11 at TAO Nightclub Las Vegas.
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