Image Gallery: Preconference Day at Channel Partners Evolution 2018
We still commonly call it "preconference day," but the day before the keynote stage lights up and the expo hall opens now has a full slate of activities.
We still commonly call it “preconference day,” but the day before the keynote stage lights up and the expo hall opens now has a full slate of activities.
Tuesday started with the Channel Partners Evolution Golf Invitational in the morning, followed by education at the Avant Special Forces Training and the Business Innovation Hackathon in the afternoon. Then, as the sun began to set, the Alliance of Channel Women gathered for their traditional networking event and we closed the evening with our First-Time Attendee Reception.
Click through our gallery below to learn more about these events and to see highlights from them.
Follow executive editor @Craig_Galbraith on Twitter.
Avant Special Forces Training
One of the highlights of Tuesday's preconference was Avant's Special Forces Training, where the master agent and technology distributor welcomed a packed room of partners to get trained on selling today's hottest technology solutions, including SD-WAN, UCaaS, IaaS and colo.
Here, Jen Gallego, executive vice president, channel sales — West, welcomes attendees.
One of the highlights of Tuesday's preconference was Avant's Special Forces Training, where the master agent and technology distributor welcomed a packed room of partners to get trained on selling today's hottest technology solutions, including SD-WAN, UCaaS, IaaS and colo.
Here, Jen Gallego, executive vice president, channel sales — West, welcomes attendees.
More Special Forces
Avant says participants in its last five training events earning an average NPS score of 87. Special Forces is an intense sales training that brings the partner community together with thought leaders and key vendors of next-generation IT solutions for a training event dedicated to sales strategies, tactics and tools that will enable partners to transform their business to that of a true trusted adviser.
The event started with a welcome lunch and finished with a cocktail and networking reception.
Avant says participants in its last five training events earning an average NPS score of 87. Special Forces is an intense sales training that brings the partner community together with thought leaders and key vendors of next-generation IT solutions for a training event dedicated to sales strategies, tactics and tools that will enable partners to transform their business to that of a true trusted adviser.
The event started with a welcome lunch and finished with a cocktail and networking reception.
Business Innovation Hackathon
This wasn't a bunch of coders plugging away on computers. We took the hackathon theme and converted it to a set of business roundtables about learning and creative problem-solving.
Our first Business Innovation Hackathon, sponsored by Office Depot and iMarket2, brought together entrepreneurs, technologists, marketing and sales experts, HR specialists and other facilitators from the channel community. The goal was to provide intimate discussions with experts who would help you transform your business.
This wasn't a bunch of coders plugging away on computers. We took the hackathon theme and converted it to a set of business roundtables about learning and creative problem-solving.
Our first Business Innovation Hackathon, sponsored by Office Depot and iMarket2, brought together entrepreneurs, technologists, marketing and sales experts, HR specialists and other facilitators from the channel community. The goal was to provide intimate discussions with experts who would help you transform your business.
More Hackathon
The conversations covered 10 different topics, including: how to use social media to advance your business; why personal branding is essential; innovative ideas to win new business; and more. Here's Trans4mers' Mike Schmidtmann leads a discussion.
The conversations covered 10 different topics, including: how to use social media to advance your business; why personal branding is essential; innovative ideas to win new business; and more. Here's Trans4mers' Mike Schmidtmann leads a discussion.
Expo Hall
Most of us don't see the expo hall until it opens at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. But all day Tuesday and much of the day Wednesday, crews are busy setting up the infrastructure of the hall and vendors are getting their booths ready. We were there right after the big Channel Partners Evolution welcome sign went up.
Most of us don't see the expo hall until it opens at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. But all day Tuesday and much of the day Wednesday, crews are busy setting up the infrastructure of the hall and vendors are getting their booths ready. We were there right after the big Channel Partners Evolution welcome sign went up.
Alliance of Channel Women
The Alliance of Channel Women welcomed a big crowd to its traditional networking event and program Tuesday night.
With the theme, "Light Up Your Life," the group examined ways to be strong both personally and professionally.
The Alliance of Channel Women welcomed a big crowd to its traditional networking event and program Tuesday night.
With the theme, "Light Up Your Life," the group examined ways to be strong both personally and professionally.
More ACW
The Alliance of Channel Women's event allowed members and guests to network with old friends and discover new relationships that will help their business grow and improve their skills. The evening started with cocktails and networking, followed by speakers.
Our Lynn Haber provides a recap.
The Alliance of Channel Women's event allowed members and guests to network with old friends and discover new relationships that will help their business grow and improve their skills. The evening started with cocktails and networking, followed by speakers.
Our Lynn Haber provides a recap.
Fore!
The day at the Scotland Run Golf Club started out overcast, but the sun peeked through the clouds and made for a great round for the partners and sponsors who took to the links for the Channel Partners Evolution Golf Invitational. This was the second year for what's become a popular new tradition.
The day at the Scotland Run Golf Club started out overcast, but the sun peeked through the clouds and made for a great round for the partners and sponsors who took to the links for the Channel Partners Evolution Golf Invitational. This was the second year for what's become a popular new tradition.
First-Time Attendee Reception
We snapped this photo just as people were starting to arrive at the First-Time Attendee Reception, held at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Many of those enjoying food, a drink and networking were honorees in this year's Channel Futures MSP 501, which recognizes the best 501 managed service providers around the world.
We snapped this photo just as people were starting to arrive at the First-Time Attendee Reception, held at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Many of those enjoying food, a drink and networking were honorees in this year's Channel Futures MSP 501, which recognizes the best 501 managed service providers around the world.
Academy of Fine Arts
First-time attendees got to explore the museum, home to some unique art. It's internationally known for its collections of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, sculptures and works on paper. It says its archives house important materials for the study of American art history, museums, and art training.
First-time attendees got to explore the museum, home to some unique art. It's internationally known for its collections of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, sculptures and works on paper. It says its archives house important materials for the study of American art history, museums, and art training.
