Can’t Miss at Channel Partners Evolution 2019
Here are some of the biggest and best must-attend events at next week's Evolution.
Where do we even start?
This year’s Channel Partners Evolution, Sept. 9-12, in Washington, D.C., is packed with four days of networking opportunities, elite education, a busy expo hall, awards shows and more.
We do, however, know that your time at the show is precious. You can’t be everywhere, especially with so many things going on at any one given time. That’s why we put together this guide of can’t-miss events at Evolution. It’s not anywhere enough, but we don’t want to boggle your mind with volume; we want you to be aware of the biggest and best events you should put on your calendar for the week.
Keep this on hand as a guide for the show. You can always peruse the agenda and download the mobile app on Apple’s App Store or Google Play, but the gallery below, too, could be a handy resource for you in preparation for your week in the nation’s capital.
We’ve included some events open to all attendees, others that are open only to all-access pass holders, and those that are by invitation only. Each slide indicates what’s a fit for the type of pass you have.
Robin Robins Marketing Workshop
Location: Level 1, West Salon
Monday, Sept. 9
1-5 p.m.
Channel Partners' best preconference event to date features Robin Robins, CEO and founder of the Technology Marketing Toolkit, who will lay out the exact marketing blueprint she’s developed and refined over the last 17 years working with over 8,000 MSPs and IT services firms to consistently attract more and better quality clients to:
free themselves from cheapskate clients and price resistance.
easily command premium fees and raise their prices without any pushback from clients.
finally take back control over their business making it profitable, stable and fun again.
Robin can help you do the same. Don't miss this incredible session sponsored by Dell Expert Network.
An all-access pass is required to attend this session.
Location: Level 1, West Salon
Monday, Sept. 9
1-5 p.m.
Channel Partners' best preconference event to date features Robin Robins, CEO and founder of the Technology Marketing Toolkit, who will lay out the exact marketing blueprint she’s developed and refined over the last 17 years working with over 8,000 MSPs and IT services firms to consistently attract more and better quality clients to:
free themselves from cheapskate clients and price resistance.
easily command premium fees and raise their prices without any pushback from clients.
finally take back control over their business making it profitable, stable and fun again.
Robin can help you do the same. Don't miss this incredible session sponsored by Dell Expert Network.
An all-access pass is required to attend this session.
First-Time Attendee Reception
Location: Marriott Marquis, Dignitary
Monday, Sept. 9
7-9 p.m.
Are you new to the show? Network with fellow newcomers and get tips from seasoned veterans while grabbing a bite. It's a great way to kick off your show experience.
This recent Channel Partners tradition, sponsored by Verizon, is the unofficial start to Channel Partners Evolution.
Separate registration is required, and yes, it's open only to first-time Channel Partners attendees.
Location: Marriott Marquis, Dignitary
Monday, Sept. 9
7-9 p.m.
Are you new to the show? Network with fellow newcomers and get tips from seasoned veterans while grabbing a bite. It's a great way to kick off your show experience.
This recent Channel Partners tradition, sponsored by Verizon, is the unofficial start to Channel Partners Evolution.
Separate registration is required, and yes, it's open only to first-time Channel Partners attendees.
Expo Hall (with longer hours)
Location: Concourse Level, Hall A
Tuesday, Sept. 10: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 12: 10 a.m.-noon
You spoke. We listened. We've expanded our expo hall hours this year so that you have more time to visit and potentially do business with the 175 vendors, distributors and master agents on the show floor, sponsored by AT&T.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Location: Concourse Level, Hall A
Tuesday, Sept. 10: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 12: 10 a.m.-noon
You spoke. We listened. We've expanded our expo hall hours this year so that you have more time to visit and potentially do business with the 175 vendors, distributors and master agents on the show floor, sponsored by AT&T.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Breakfast, Lunch and Keynotes
Location: Level 1, West Salon
Tuesday, Sept. 10: 8:30-10:15 a.m., 11:55 a.m.-1:50 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 8:30-10:20 a.m., 11:55 a.m.-1:55 p.m.
Our powerhouse keynote lineup features speakers from AT&T, Verizon, top masters and distributors, a panel of Top Gun 51 channel executives, and a panel of MSP 501 honorees who will explain what makes them successful partners.
The highlight could be a presentation from Carolee Gearhart, global channel chief and VP of worldwide channel sales, Google Cloud, who during the Wednesday lunch keynote will describe to the audience how partnerships can drive today's digital transformation.
Good food will be provided to all in attendance at our keynote sessions.
Open to all attendees.
Location: Level 1, West Salon
Tuesday, Sept. 10: 8:30-10:15 a.m., 11:55 a.m.-1:50 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 8:30-10:20 a.m., 11:55 a.m.-1:55 p.m.
Our powerhouse keynote lineup features speakers from AT&T, Verizon, top masters and distributors, a panel of Top Gun 51 channel executives, and a panel of MSP 501 honorees who will explain what makes them successful partners.
The highlight could be a presentation from Carolee Gearhart, global channel chief and VP of worldwide channel sales, Google Cloud, who during the Wednesday lunch keynote will describe to the audience how partnerships can drive today's digital transformation.
Good food will be provided to all in attendance at our keynote sessions.
Open to all attendees.
Alliance Makers/Shark Stage
Location: Concourse Level, Hall A
Programming throughout the show, see the official Channel Partners Evolution agenda for dates and times
Channel Partners is known for cutting-edge education for partners – this year featuring tracks on 5G & Wi-Fi 6, marketing & technology, security and more, all sponsored by Nextiva – but our brand-new Alliance Makers program will be front and center all week in the expo hall, featuring sales and marketing strategies for the supplier crowd.
That being said, there's nothing stopping the partner community from dropping in on sessions at our Channel Futures Theater that are targeted toward vendor reps.
It features great programming for our supplier audience that might be too busy tending to their booths to make the rounds of the event. It all culminates in our Shark Stage, Thursday, Sept. 12, when both startups and established vendors get a chance to get in front of executives from the world's top master agents and distributors with a shot at getting on their line cards.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Location: Concourse Level, Hall A
Programming throughout the show, see the official Channel Partners Evolution agenda for dates and times
Channel Partners is known for cutting-edge education for partners – this year featuring tracks on 5G & Wi-Fi 6, marketing & technology, security and more, all sponsored by Nextiva – but our brand-new Alliance Makers program will be front and center all week in the expo hall, featuring sales and marketing strategies for the supplier crowd.
That being said, there's nothing stopping the partner community from dropping in on sessions at our Channel Futures Theater that are targeted toward vendor reps.
It features great programming for our supplier audience that might be too busy tending to their booths to make the rounds of the event. It all culminates in our Shark Stage, Thursday, Sept. 12, when both startups and established vendors get a chance to get in front of executives from the world's top master agents and distributors with a shot at getting on their line cards.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Dual Expo Floor Stages
Location: Concourse Level, Hall A
Programming throughout the show, see the official Channel Partners Evolution agenda for dates and times
We have so much programming, we have not one, but two stages set up in the expo hall to make room for it all.
The Channel Partners Studio, pictured above from our 2018 show, will feature interviews with channel newsmakers, our New Exhibitor News Desk, live editions of the Coffee with Craig & Kevin podcast, and much more.
The Channel Futures Theater stage will host debates on channel convergence, a channel chief roundtable, the aforementioned Alliance Makers/Shark Stage events, and more.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Location: Concourse Level, Hall A
Programming throughout the show, see the official Channel Partners Evolution agenda for dates and times
We have so much programming, we have not one, but two stages set up in the expo hall to make room for it all.
The Channel Partners Studio, pictured above from our 2018 show, will feature interviews with channel newsmakers, our New Exhibitor News Desk, live editions of the Coffee with Craig & Kevin podcast, and much more.
The Channel Futures Theater stage will host debates on channel convergence, a channel chief roundtable, the aforementioned Alliance Makers/Shark Stage events, and more.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Thunderdomes
Location: Lincoln Room, Concourse Level, Hall A
Tuesday, Sept. 10: 4-5:50 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 4-4:50 p.m.
Our Thunderdome sessions have proved so popular that we've expanded to three topics this year. We'll have separate sessions on UCaaS, RMM and 5G. And they're conveniently located inside Hall A, where the expo hall is.
No steel cages here, just a forum where attendees can face a panel of top suppliers in a head-to-head matchup. Whose solution is the best? You decide. We'll have timer in hand to make sure the action keeps moving.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Location: Lincoln Room, Concourse Level, Hall A
Tuesday, Sept. 10: 4-5:50 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 4-4:50 p.m.
Our Thunderdome sessions have proved so popular that we've expanded to three topics this year. We'll have separate sessions on UCaaS, RMM and 5G. And they're conveniently located inside Hall A, where the expo hall is.
No steel cages here, just a forum where attendees can face a panel of top suppliers in a head-to-head matchup. Whose solution is the best? You decide. We'll have timer in hand to make sure the action keeps moving.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
MSP 501 Awards Dinner
Location: Level 1, West Salon
Tuesday, Sept. 10: 6:30-9 p.m.
Our second annual MSP 501 Awards Dinner is a blowout bash where we will toast the Class of '19 MSP 501 award winners. We're expecting a packed house to wine, dine and take home some hardware!
Learn more about our MSP 501 program here so you can be sitting with fellow honorees next year.
Separate registration required.
Location: Level 1, West Salon
Tuesday, Sept. 10: 6:30-9 p.m.
Our second annual MSP 501 Awards Dinner is a blowout bash where we will toast the Class of '19 MSP 501 award winners. We're expecting a packed house to wine, dine and take home some hardware!
Learn more about our MSP 501 program here so you can be sitting with fellow honorees next year.
Separate registration required.
Best in Show Awards/Passport Drawing
Location: Channel Partners Studio, Concourse Level, Hall A, Booth 643
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 5-5:25 p.m./5:55 p.m.
We'll celebrate the best booth, best new exhibitor and more on the Channel Partners Studio stage Wednesday, followed just a half-hour later by our passport drawing, where one lucky partner will go home with big bucks; however, they must be present to win and must have collected stamps at participating sponsors.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Location: Channel Partners Studio, Concourse Level, Hall A, Booth 643
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 5-5:25 p.m./5:55 p.m.
We'll celebrate the best booth, best new exhibitor and more on the Channel Partners Studio stage Wednesday, followed just a half-hour later by our passport drawing, where one lucky partner will go home with big bucks; however, they must be present to win and must have collected stamps at participating sponsors.
Open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Top Gun 51 Dinner
Location: RPM Italian Restaurant
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 7-8:30 p.m.
The Channel Partners Top Gun 51 is an elite group of top channel executives chosen each year for their leadership, vision and innovation. The combined IT and telecom channel is going through unprecedented change. Partners depend on visionaries, like those in this select group, to pioneer new and innovative services and products that will enable them to grow their businesses and help clients in their digital transformation journeys.
See whom we honored in this image gallery.
We'll celebrate them in an intimate setting to close out Wednesday night.
By invitation only.
Location: RPM Italian Restaurant
Wednesday, Sept. 11: 7-8:30 p.m.
The Channel Partners Top Gun 51 is an elite group of top channel executives chosen each year for their leadership, vision and innovation. The combined IT and telecom channel is going through unprecedented change. Partners depend on visionaries, like those in this select group, to pioneer new and innovative services and products that will enable them to grow their businesses and help clients in their digital transformation journeys.
See whom we honored in this image gallery.
We'll celebrate them in an intimate setting to close out Wednesday night.
By invitation only.
