Image Gallery: The 2019 Channel Partners Evolution Keynote Stage
Every partner in attendance went home with at least a couple of nuggets they can apply to improve their business.
Outstanding content is a hallmark of our channel events, and the recently concluded Channel Partners Evolution was no different.
Just a sampling of who graced our keynote stage: AT&T talking 5G; 8×8 channel chief John DeLozier on enterprise collaboration; top masters and distributors offering partners advice; and Google Cloud channel chief Carolee Gearheart on how partnerships can drive digital transformation.
Every partner in attendance went home with at least a couple of nuggets that they can apply to improve their business.
Our image gallery below offers a sampling of what you missed if you weren’t at Evolution this year. If you were, click through to relive the highlights.
Masters and Distributors Powerhouse
The world of the master and distributor is constantly evolving, meaning most partners are seeing their businesses impacted as well.
Featuring the JS Group's Janet Schijns (right), this was a session to remember. She challenged panelists on what the real difference is between the master and disti models, which is right for a particular partner, and what they do to empower their partners to make sure they get the most out of the relationship.
Pictured left to right are: Bana Qashu, senior director of channel sales, Avant; Ryan Walsh, chief channel officer, Pax8; Kevin Zimmerman, VP of national sales, TCG; Rick Ribas, senior VP, national partner sales, Intelisys; and Schijns.
The world of the master and distributor is constantly evolving, meaning most partners are seeing their businesses impacted as well.
Featuring the JS Group's Janet Schijns (right), this was a session to remember. She challenged panelists on what the real difference is between the master and disti models, which is right for a particular partner, and what they do to empower their partners to make sure they get the most out of the relationship.
Pictured left to right are: Bana Qashu, senior director of channel sales, Avant; Ryan Walsh, chief channel officer, Pax8; Kevin Zimmerman, VP of national sales, TCG; Rick Ribas, senior VP, national partner sales, Intelisys; and Schijns.
Google Cloud
It was a treat to see Carolee Gearheart, global channel chief, VP of worldwide channel sales, Google Cloud, on the keynote stage exploring the critical role that partnerships play in driving customer success, as well as the opportunities that digital transformation is creating for an entire ecosystem of cloud-centric businesses.
“It’s really going to require an ecosystem, which will mean different roles, blends of roles and ways to partner to deliver those services for customers,” Gearhart told the crowd.
Read our full story on Gearheart's keynote.
It was a treat to see Carolee Gearheart, global channel chief, VP of worldwide channel sales, Google Cloud, on the keynote stage exploring the critical role that partnerships play in driving customer success, as well as the opportunities that digital transformation is creating for an entire ecosystem of cloud-centric businesses.
“It’s really going to require an ecosystem, which will mean different roles, blends of roles and ways to partner to deliver those services for customers,” Gearhart told the crowd.
Read our full story on Gearheart's keynote.
AT&T & 5G
AT&T, the official expo sponsor at Channel Partners Evolution, hosted a keynote panel dubbed "Ignite the 5G Experience."
Christina Cheng, AVP of product marketing, enterprise mobility, AT&T, led a discussion with fellow AT&Ters Matt Palmer (left), Joe Kenefic (second from left) and Jim Byrne, COO and managing partner at Five Star Technology Group. The four encouraged partners to consider how 5G technology goes far beyond just the faster speeds we've been hearing about.
“You’ve got to get a 5G strategy," said Palmer. "You’ve got to start these conversations with customers early in the program. If you’re not going to engage with your customers and have these conversations, they may just assume that you’re not going to be in the 5G space.”
Here's more of what the team from AT&T had to say.
AT&T, the official expo sponsor at Channel Partners Evolution, hosted a keynote panel dubbed "Ignite the 5G Experience."
Christina Cheng, AVP of product marketing, enterprise mobility, AT&T, led a discussion with fellow AT&Ters Matt Palmer (left), Joe Kenefic (second from left) and Jim Byrne, COO and managing partner at Five Star Technology Group. The four encouraged partners to consider how 5G technology goes far beyond just the faster speeds we've been hearing about.
“You’ve got to get a 5G strategy," said Palmer. "You’ve got to start these conversations with customers early in the program. If you’re not going to engage with your customers and have these conversations, they may just assume that you’re not going to be in the 5G space.”
Here's more of what the team from AT&T had to say.
MSP 501 Panel
Our MSP 501 winners were front and center during a keynote panel hosted by Tim Conkle (right), CEO of The 20, the industry organization for managed service providers.
Left to right are Julian Box, founder and CEO of Calligo, recognized as MSP of the Year; David DeCamillis, VP of sales and marketing, Platte River Networks, the Vanguard honoree; David Carlson, VP of managed service and product management, Sirius, which was ranked No. 1 on this year's 501; and Conkle.
The group shared how they overcame obstacles to growth and what trends and opportunities partners should be capitalizing on.
Our MSP 501 winners were front and center during a keynote panel hosted by Tim Conkle (right), CEO of The 20, the industry organization for managed service providers.
Left to right are Julian Box, founder and CEO of Calligo, recognized as MSP of the Year; David DeCamillis, VP of sales and marketing, Platte River Networks, the Vanguard honoree; David Carlson, VP of managed service and product management, Sirius, which was ranked No. 1 on this year's 501; and Conkle.
The group shared how they overcame obstacles to growth and what trends and opportunities partners should be capitalizing on.
Top Gun 51 Panel
Speaking of awards, that's PartnerPath's Diane Krakora on the right leading a discussion with a trio of our Top Gun 51 award winners on the keynote stage. They tackled what it takes to be a next-gen channel leader and what's at the core of their companies' strategies to drive partner and customer success.
Left to right are Suzanne Swanson, VP, worldwide channels at Trustwave — our Rising Star; John Muscarella, senior director of sales, Cox Business — our Channel Innovator; Craig Schlagbaum, VP of indirect channels, Comcast Business — our Lifetime Achievement honoree; and Krakora.
“You can’t be half in the channel; you have to make that commitment,” said Swanson.
You can see the full list of Top Gun 51 honorees here.
Speaking of awards, that's PartnerPath's Diane Krakora on the right leading a discussion with a trio of our Top Gun 51 award winners on the keynote stage. They tackled what it takes to be a next-gen channel leader and what's at the core of their companies' strategies to drive partner and customer success.
Left to right are Suzanne Swanson, VP, worldwide channels at Trustwave — our Rising Star; John Muscarella, senior director of sales, Cox Business — our Channel Innovator; Craig Schlagbaum, VP of indirect channels, Comcast Business — our Lifetime Achievement honoree; and Krakora.
“You can’t be half in the channel; you have to make that commitment,” said Swanson.
You can see the full list of Top Gun 51 honorees here.
Collaboration 'Unleashed'
That's 8x8 channel chief John DeLozier explaining to the partner audience how they can "demystify" collaboration for enterprises.
Business owners, not IT departments, now are making the decisions and they want collaboration, DeLozier said.
“They want seamless collaboration just like they get in the consumer market,” he said. “And we’re not able to do that without channel … to step in and help them make the right decisions.”
Read our full story on DeLozier's presentation.
That's 8x8 channel chief John DeLozier explaining to the partner audience how they can "demystify" collaboration for enterprises.
Business owners, not IT departments, now are making the decisions and they want collaboration, DeLozier said.
“They want seamless collaboration just like they get in the consumer market,” he said. “And we’re not able to do that without channel … to step in and help them make the right decisions.”
Read our full story on DeLozier's presentation.
CoreDial
One of our "Trailblazer" presentations, Alan Rihm (left), CEO of CoreDial, got on sage with our T.C. Doyle to talk about trends in contact centers for the coming year.
One of our "Trailblazer" presentations, Alan Rihm (left), CEO of CoreDial, got on sage with our T.C. Doyle to talk about trends in contact centers for the coming year.
Massive Growth Opportunity
Did you know the channel is poised to grow 72% per year over the next four years? Yep, that spells opportunity.
Rob Rae, VP of business development for Datto, the data backup and security provider, explained how technology is making that all possible.
Did you know the channel is poised to grow 72% per year over the next four years? Yep, that spells opportunity.
Rob Rae, VP of business development for Datto, the data backup and security provider, explained how technology is making that all possible.
Inside the Mind of a Transformational CIO
Andi Mann, chief technology advocate for Splunk, highlighted the top priorities today's CIOs should be setting.
His keynote offered insight into the key tech, approaches and roles being adopted to deliver so-called "new IT"; changing attitudes toward technology, business and innovation; and how to help drive digital innovation and meet business goals.
Andi Mann, chief technology advocate for Splunk, highlighted the top priorities today's CIOs should be setting.
His keynote offered insight into the key tech, approaches and roles being adopted to deliver so-called "new IT"; changing attitudes toward technology, business and innovation; and how to help drive digital innovation and meet business goals.
