By Ian Kieninger, CDW

Last month, Sprint hosted its 2008 partner convention at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. This was the largest Spring indirect meeting to date.

The event kicked off with an introduction by Dan Hesse, Sprint’s newly appointed CEO. Dan lived up to his reputation as being a straight shooter by candidly addressing some of the challenges the company faced in 2007 along with the key components Sprint will be focusing on in 2008. He outlined his plan, which was focused on improving the customer experience as it relates to care issues and network performance. Dan is reviewing overall strategies and assessing how to the increase the value of Sprint Nextel, Based on his experience, the consensus is that he’s the right man for the job.

As you would have guessed, much of the conference was focused on Wireless. There were many different break-out sessions focusing on topics from retail store products to the new cutting edge Xohm technology. Xohm is the branding behind Sprint’s wireless broadband strategy. Xohm is going to offer incredible speeds through WiMAX in most of the major cities. Sprint did not share a roll-out time frame or any details on how their BSP’s were going to particpate in this technology.

This year, Sprint’s exhibition hall was filled with more sponsors than ever, a positive indication of the growth in this segment. Some of the big names included Motorola, Samsung, Sanyo, Palm, RIM, Microsoft, Panasonic, Sierra Wireless and many others …

The Sprint BSP kickoff session was hosted by Steve Rowley, channel vice president. Steve reinforced the importance of the channel to Sprint’s success. He shared his 2008 strategy, focusing on a closer alignment of the channel to the overall business. Steve believes the channel’s ability to be flexible is a key attribute, allowing Sprint to provide true valued-added solutions to the end-customers. He also highlighted the channel’s low churn numbers and how important this will be in 2008. Steve closed by commending the channel on its incredible growth and pledged to support his partners in achieving the same success this year.

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse opened the meeting.

 
Sprint’s director of indirect channels, Steve Rowley, adresses the gathering.

 
Sprint’s vice president of distribution channels, Mark Krantz.

 
Agents spin the wheel of fortune in the exhibit hall.

 
Motorola was one of the marquee sponsors.

Motorcycles took the stage in Nashville.