It was business by day and bright lights by night for the indirect channel members who attended the Fall 2009 Channel Partners Conference & Expo in Miami’s world-renowned South Beach Sept. 23-25. Exhibitors educated, enticed and entertained attendees with everything from Cuban cigars and Polynesian dancers to African safaris and surf shacks. Attendees voted online to determine the Best in Show and PHONE+ is giving the winners and runners-up in each of seven categories a chance to enjoy their place in the sun.

Best Channel Partner Event

Broadview Networks’ winning Beach Bash, hosted at an outdoor pavilion on Nikki Beach, the hidden jewel of South Beach, featured Polynesian dancers, drinks and a buffet of regional cuisine.

World Telecom Group’s South Beach Roof Top Event at the historic art deco The Hotel was runner-up.

Best Channel Incentive

Level 3 Communications was a winner with its “Connect NOW With Level 3” that lets direct subagent partners earn a one-time 50 percent bonus payout on the sale order value of qualified services during period of Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2009.

Runner-up Lightyear Network Solutions’ Agent Bonus League (ABL) guarantees payouts, starting at $25,000, on new business from data, voice and wireless products. $500,000 in monthly business earns a $1 million payout.

Best Trade Show Promotion

Winner Broadview Networks dazzled attendees with a magic show, enticed them with a treasure chest promotion offering the chance to win a Netbook computer and entertained them with Polynesian dancers who promoted their Beach Bash.

Level 3 Communications took runner-up honors by bringing in skilled artisan Jermaine Wimberly of Miami’s Cuban Crafters Cigars to roll cigars for attendees. Non-smokers received chocolate cigars instead.

Best Trade Show Theme

Telesphere took first-place honors for encouraging attendees to not have a cowabunga, man, and “Jump on Board” with a surfing-themed wheel of fortune and mini surfboard keychain giveaways.

Runner-up Level 3 Communications got into the Miami spirit and invited attendees to “Come Experience Level 3 Nights,” where staff members wearing Cuban-style guayabera shirts passed out mojitos one night and cigars the next.

Best Trade Show Giveaway

Winner Time Warner Cable Business Class had it made with their shades — totally cool, totally black and totally UV-rated sunglasses.

Lightyear Network Solutions was runner-up for the foam footballs, emblazoned with the Agent Bonus League logo, that were passed out to emphasize the company’s determination to draft agents to play ball and take part in their program.

Best First-Time Exhibitor

Winner CLEAR, debuting with a splash of bright colors, was a breath of fresh “air” with its 4G mobile Internet offer for consumers and businesses.

Runner-up Truphone was all about green — a newcomer with a booth decorated in the company’s signature black and green and promoting the greenbacks to be saved by bypassing international roaming charges with Truphone Local Anywhere.

Best Trade Show Booth

Level 3 Communications took first place by celebrating the Miami lifestyle to the max with a Cuban-themed booth featuring staff members in guayabera shirts, mojitos and hand-rolled cigars.

TouchTone Communications was runner-up for embracing Miami style with a bright orange and green booth in which staffers wearing bright orange and green met with visitors who relaxed on chic furniture set on plush white carpet.

All winners will receive a trophy at the Spring 2010 Channel Partners Conference & Expo, March 1-3, in Las Vegas.

PHONE+ thanks all exhibitors for their ongoing generosity and originality that help make the Channel Partners Conference & Expo such a success. We are pleased to be able to recognize their efforts.