https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

From the Industry


Sponsor Content

Person at conference

Partner Conferences: Do They Really Have a Purpose?

  • March 1, 2018
Attending a partner conference means being out of the office for a few days, but the ROI is well worth it.

I’ve always been a fan of annual channel partner conferences. Having produced many of them over the years, I prefer them over general industry conferences — this is where my channel DNA gets to shine. 

I firmly believe channel partners should make it a priority to attend at least one of their top vendor’s partner conferences each year. Yes, it means being out of the office for a few days, but, believe me, the ROI is well worth it.  

More Than a Good Cocktail Party

Every partner conference that I’ve either produced or attended has a great cocktail hour. Each time I tell my wife that I’m traveling to one, she grins and thinks, “Boondoggle.”

Seriously, though, as fun as the cocktail hours can be, a good partner conference is more than a good party. You get to connect with the vendor’s leaders and understand their big-picture vision and strategy. It also is an opportunity to dive into business building and product-specific sessions that can potentially help drive new business all year.

For me, a partner conference is a high-touch event. When I produce a partner conference, I make sure that partners get the royal treatment – ensuring that the information they receive is meaningful, and making it easy for them to connect with our executives and each other.

Connection and Purpose

I’m currently neck-deep in planning for the SAP Global Partner Summit 2018, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency on June 4, the day before SAPPHIRE NOW and ASUG Annual Conference. This day is all about helping our partners take their SAP business to new level, and to create that high-touch experience.

To help partners connect better at our event, we’re introducing a partner “speed dating” experience called “PartnerConnect.” Technology will make the event more robust; partners can schedule meetings and collaborate with SAP and each other, based on their goals at the event. I look forward to seeing what the outcome will be.

At SAP, we’re also keenly focused on “purpose.” In fact “Partnering with Purpose” is the theme of this year’s event. Of course, SAP is concerned with bottom-line results. But our organization places a premium on helping the world run better and creating solutions that help people and businesses of all sizes have impact. Check out some of our #SAPInnovations4Good stories and you’ll see what I mean.

Whether you are going to a partner conference this year or still mulling it over, here are three tips to consider to get the most out of your next partner conference:

1.   Engage with the Vendor’s Channel Execs and Teams. Make an effort to get valuable face-time with the channel chief and channel executives responsible for sales, policies and partner program development. Make it a simple meet and greet, or a sit-down conversation on an important issue.

2.   Get friendly with the Marketing Team. Make sure that you or your marketing colleagues converse with your vendor’s channel marketing teams to get clear on any tools, assets or campaigns that you are not leveraging. 

3.   Connect with Industry Peers. I’ve seen successful, creative partnerships spring from an introduction at a partner event. Make sure you mingle — and make it known if you are looking to connect with partners with particular skill sets, access to geographies you want to tap into, or other go-to-market opportunities.

To get the most business value out of your partnerships, make a commitment this year to attend the partner conferences of your go-to vendors. It’s the perfect way to create business value—and enjoy a pretty good closing party.

Ira Simon (follow me on Twitter – @IraASimon) is global vice president, Partner & SME Marketing, at SAP. Learn more about partnership opportunities at: http://go.sap.com/partner.html.

This guest blog is part of a Channel Futures sponsorship.

 

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs From the Industry Leadership Strategy SAP Sponsor Content

Related


  • Unrecognizable male recruitment agent raising a white collar team of knowledge workers above an artificial intelligence system. Human resources and technology concept for AI augmenting team work.
    Is It Paradoxical that AI Is Blazing a Trail in HR?
    The hiring process is critical, but it’s also resource-intensive for managers. AI is lifting some of the burden.
  • Young man jumping over the chasm. This is a 3d render illustration
    For Maximum Impact, Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone
    New ways of doing things may not always work as well as what’s familiar, but you’ll never know if you don’t think and act differently.
  • Corn cob with green leaves growth in agriculture field outdoor
    If You Build It, They Will Come
    Combining technology with vertical or industry solutions and add-ons is key in developing your advantage.
  • Woman and man sitting at laptops
    Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Your Social Presence
    Social media is a powerful tool and has changed the landscape in every aspect of our lives--including professional branding.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • In a World Full of Waldos, How Do You Stand Out?
  • How Cloud Technology Is Supporting the Human Revolution
  • XO Is in the Air
  • Are Your Customers Lacking Digital Ambition?

Galleries

View all

From The Second City: How to Use Improv as a Business Tool

March 3, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

5 Ways XDR Can Improve Operational Efficiency for MSPs

March 4, 2021

Multi-Cloud: Strategy or Inevitable Outcome? (or both?)

March 3, 2021

Backup Vulnerability: 4 Targets Hackers Might Utilize to Infiltrate Your Backup Solution

March 2, 2021

Webinars

View all

A Partner’s Perspective on Channel Success in 2021

March 23, 2021

XDR and Why it Matters to MSPs

March 24, 2021

Top Security Trends Impacting Technology Security Providers In 2021

March 25, 2021

White Papers

View all

Why Fortinet for my MSSP?

March 2, 2021

Small and Mid-Size Business Security: 4 Steps to Success

March 2, 2021

How SMBs Can Secure Endpoints and Remote Workers for the Long Haul

March 2, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

Our latest #Cybersecurity Roundup highlights #CPVirtual, @Huntresslabs, @Entrust_Corp and @InsightEnt.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 5, 2021
ChannelFutures

RT @Channel_Expo: A HUGE thank you to our amazing #CPVirtual sponsors and exhibitors! 👏 @ATTBusiness @DellTech @8x8 @lumentechco @telarus @…

March 5, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@okta acquiring rival @auth0 in $6.5 billion all-stock transaction. #security dlvr.it/Rtzwdp https://t.co/4LvHCJuwsR

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@MicrosoftTeams features are coming to @MSFTDynamics365, the company announced at @MS_Ignite. #MicrosoftIgnite… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@PreciselyData acquired by Clearlake Capital, @TAAssociates. #digitaltransformation dlvr.it/RtzbKg https://t.co/1rNYnTScxq

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

Thanks for attending #CPVirtual. Here's a Day 3 wrap and a look ahead to #CPExpo Homecoming in November!… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@Veeam announces six annual Impact Partner Awards, with @SHI_Intl, @LogicalisUS, more. #cloud… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

#XDR can improve operational efficiency for #MSPs. @TrendMicro #security #endpoint #AI #threatintelligence… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X