An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016

  The number of managed service providers who turn to Channel Partners for the latest industry trends and news is growing by leaps and bounds.

  The same could be said for the Channel Partners Conference & Expo, where MSPs who join those who call themselves agents, VARs, systems integrators, consultants and more — we’re expecting a record attendance of more than 5,000 when the show kicks off March 16 at the Venetian & Sands Expo in Las Vegas.

  “Let’s Go Big” this year with first-time appearances from vendors such as Microsoft; a Cloud Migration Lab to show solution providers a real-world example of moving applications to the cloud; plus, all of the traditional networking opportunities, education, expo hall and cutting-edge technology discussions you’ve come to expect.

  Each year, thousands converge to share ideas and drive discussion on the topics shaping our industry. Equal parts networking, exploring and learning, #CPExpo equips you to better serve your clients, conquer new markets and drive your business to new heights. Channel Partners Las Vegas is your source for inspiration, innovation and rejuvenation.

  We’ve compiled a series of custom agendas for various partner types. This one is tailored toward MSPs. Agents, here’s yours. VARs, here is one for you. SIs, keep an eye out for yours in the coming days.

  It’s not too late to sign up for the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. Register here.

  Follow senior online managing editor Craig Galbraith on Twitter.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Introduction

  

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: 1COMM on the Road With ScanSource

  

  This ScanSource pre-show event offers up industry insights from more than 30 of the company’s top manufacturing partners. Includes lunch, vendor presentations, keynote message, breakout sessions and more. Separate registration required.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Women in the Channel

  

  Tues., March 15

  5-8 p.m.

  The Women in the Channel Networking Mixer is the perfect way to kick off another exciting Channel Partners event! Following an hour of networking, a keynote panel featuring male and female executives from AT&T, Level 3, TelePacific and Telarus tackles “The Gender Diversity Payoff.” Admission is free to all WiC members and $20 for non-members. Men admitted by invitation only.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: First-Time Attendee Reception

  

  Tues., March 15

  6-8 p.m.

  Channel Partners welcomes attendees visiting the show for the first time! Sponsored by AT&T, this reception offers a fun and intimate setting for new participants to meet with various members of the Channel Partners team, industry rock stars and show supporters, as well as other first-timers.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Keynotes

  

  Wed., March 16

  9:40-10:15 a.m.

  •Suppliers Going Big!

  12:15-12:55 p.m.

  •6 Habits of Highly Successful Partners

  1:15-1:45 p.m.

  •Sign of the Times

  Thurs., March 17

  9-9:30 a.m.

  •Build, Buy or Sell? Maximizing Value in a Changing Industry

  9:55-10:25 a.m.

  •Shootout: Cloud vs. Mobility vs. Security

  12:25-12:55 p.m.

  •Managing Risk for Big Bucks

  1:10-1:45 p.m.

  •The Future With AT&T

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Fastball

  

  March 16-17

  Wednesday

  I: 9:20 – 9:40 a.m.

  II:12:55-1:15 p.m.

  Thursday

  III: 9:45-9:55 a.m.

  IV:12:55-1:10 p.m.

   

  You told us you want to hear about hot new products and services. Fastball delivers. Exhibitors get six minutes to pitch offerings launched within the past 90 days — and yes, we’re timing them. At the end of each presentation, you can decide for yourself: home run or strikeout?

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Education

  

  Wed., March 16

  10:25-11:10 a.m.

  How to Validate a Cloud Provider’s Security: We’ll lay out a cloud vendor assessment strategy that you can adapt for your needs — and reveal security red flags you shouldn’t ignore.

   

  11:20 a.m.-12:05 p.m.

  Data In Is Easy. What About Data Out?: If a customer asks, “Can you pull our data out and move us to another service?” you need to have a good answer.

   

  3-3:45 p.m.

  What’s Next for Cloud?: 5 Future Views – We asked five expert “cloud whisperers” what the future holds for this maturing market — and how channel partners can capitalize.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: More Education

  

  Wed. March 16

  3-3:45 p.m.

  Marketing Boot Camp: We’ll bring together some of our community’s top marketing and PR experts to explore best practices, field questions and share actionable tactics that will help you better market your value, your services and your success.

   

  Must-Have Elements of a Security Practice: From end-user training and policy guidance to penetration testing, SEIM, forensics and monitoring, we’ll profile a comprehensive security-as-a-service practice.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Even More Education

  

  Thurs., March 17

  10:35-11:20 a.m.

  Defining the Practice – IoT: If you wait for the Internet of Things to go mainstream, you’ll be way behind the curve. We’ll offer guidance on developing IoT practices.

   

  Empowering the Mobile Workforce: What’s Next for Cloud?: 5 Future Views –Adding best-practices consulting and expert insight into mobile business apps and mobility cost models is a great practice extension. Learn how it’s done from our panel of experts.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: VIP Events

  

  Wed., March 16

  10:25 a.m.-12:05 p.m.

  AT&T Is Committed to the Channel: Sign up to learn how you can build, grow and profit with the strength of the AT&T network.

   

  10:25 a.m.-12:05 p.m.

  Cloud Recovery Sales Techniques: Sungard AS will explain successful points of entry in selling Cloud Recovery solutions, the value of a cloud-based approach, strategies on approaching vertical markets, and more.

   

  2-3:45 p.m.

  Cloud Contact Center – Diversify Your Cloud Strategy: This panel will discuss the money you are leaving on the table and how CarrierSales makes these complex solutions easy to sell.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: More VIP Events

  

  Thurs., March 17

  10:35 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

  Conquering Tax and Regulatory Challenges: We’ll explain the fundamentals of tax obligations when reselling communications services. We will discuss the common missteps and misconceptions that can lead to ugly encounters with taxing authorities. Wolters Kluwer/CCH underwrites.

   

  Verizon Partner Program – Sign Up to Stand Out: You’ll hear how teaming with Verizon will propel your business.

   

  2-3:30 p.m.

  Realizing New Revenue With Cloud Communications: You’ll hear from your peers about how they’ve made the transition to selling cloud. Learn key best practices, how to handle objections, and pitfalls to avoid. Underwritten by Star2Star.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Even More VIP Events

  

  Thurs., March 17

  4-5:30 p.m.

  Beer, Wings and How to Sell Fixed Cellular Broadband Solutions: You’ll learn when fixed wireless is a great solution, and how it compares to offerings from wired service providers. Accel Networks will review how the cloud system works, giving you a basic understanding of the technology and its superior characteristics.

   

  Beer, Wings and 10 Global Trends That Will Impact Any Organization Selling Hosting: Liam Eagle, senior analyst for the 451 Group, will highlight the future trends that are coming to the fast-changing world of cloud and hosting, and the impact it will have on its diverse partners.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Speed Networking

  

  Wed., March 16

  2:30-3:45 p.m.

  If your goal at this show is to meet as many new suppliers as possible, consider our partner/supplier meetup. You’ll meet as many as 10 potential new partners in an hour. That’s plenty of time to exchange business cards and get a quick elevator pitch — in other words, just long enough to know whether you want to find out more.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Cloud Migration Lab

  

  Wed., March 16

  4-7 p.m.

  Thurs., March 17

  2-6 p.m.

  One of the first questions customers ask about transitioning to cloud resources is, “How do I get there?” Unless you’ve actually seen a migration, it’s a tough question to answer. That’s why we’ve created a Cloud Migration Lab and stage on our show floor. You’ll not only see how it’s done, you’ll get tips from peers on building a business practice that includes cloud adoption and be able to compare multiple offerings in one central spot.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Expo Hall

  

  Expo Hall Hours:

  Wed., March 16

  4-7 p.m.

  Thurs., March 17

  2-6 p.m.

  Fri., March 18

  10 a.m.-noon

   

  Opening Reception:

  Wed., March 16

  4 p.m.

   

  Pub Crawl:

  Thurs., March 17

  2-6 p.m.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Continental Breakfast

  

  Fri., March 18

  10 a.m.-noon

  Wrap up the conference with a light breakfast and some networking before heading out.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016: Visit the Channel Partners Home Page

  

  Please click here for the Channel Partners home page, where you have easy access to our top stories, opinions, business-technology categories, exclusive reports and more.

  It’s not too late to sign up for the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. Register here.

• An MSP’s Guide to Channel Partners 2016

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  It’s not too late to sign up for the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. Register here.