A community of innovative MSPs, MSSPs, VARs, and IT consultants attended ChannelPro LIVE: Columbus on June 5-6 to redefine the future of managed services. Eager attendees, hailing from Ohio and its bordering states, were on hand to network and learn at ChannelPro’s first-ever event in the Arch City.
ChannelPro’s day-and-a-half MSP event at the Hyatt Regency Columbus was compelling, interactive, and chock-full of actionable advice. Conference-goers also had a chance to meet with a group of world-class IT channel vendors in an expo hall atmosphere.
Pre-Day Builds MSP Momentum
The event kicked off on June 5 with a truly personal keynote by successful MSP Allen Edwards, president of Eureka Process, who shared his journey from homelessness to being a thriving entrepreneur. Edwards stressed the importance of taking risks and not being afraid to fail — and how that often leads to even more fulfilling successes.
Simplex-IT President Bob Coppedge brought 6 co-workers to the ChannelPro LIVE: Columbus MSP conference
Then, attendees took in a panel discussion led by ChannelPro Executive Editor Jonathan Browning featuring National Society of IT Service Providers representatives Karl Palachuk, founder of the organization, and Vice President Heather Johnson. The discussion centered on how IT professionalism can drive profits. Other presentations included Jay Longley of Envision Technology Advisors sharing insights on how to monetize Microsoft Copilot; Rosene Johnson of Mission Unleashed Enterprises shared opportunities MSPs have with nonprofits; and Margee Moore of BigOrange Marketing offered best practices and five must-do items to ensure success.
Next was ChannelPro’s special “MSP Matchmaker” workshop. Matchmaker coaches Corey Kirkendoll of 5K Technical Services, Seana Fippin of Red Box Business Solutions, and Palachuk led small group conversations around peer networking, vendor selection, and mergers and acquisitions. The session was a hit as audience members eagerly shared their own best practices and made new connections.
Matthew Adkins, operations manager for Sunpoint IT Solutions and Toledo-area native, said, “I go to a lot of events and would never disparage anyone else, but the way ChannelPro handles networking is refreshing and uniquely valuable.”
The positive energy carried into the welcome cocktail reception, where these IT leaders met with some of the industry’s best solutions providers.
“I’m thrilled you came to Columbus,” said Nate Sheen, president of Alliance, OH-area MSP Astoria. “This is my fifth ChannelPro event and it benefits me every time. Plus, it’s great connecting with the vendors and seeing what they have to offer.”
Nate Sheen
Profitability and Innovation Dominate Agenda
On the main day of June 6, ChannelPro LIVE: Columbus covered some of the hottest issues on MSPs’ minds:
- New Ways to Use AI to Improve Your MSP: Moderated by ChannelPro Tech Editor Matt Whitlock, industry experts Charles Lannan of Lannan Technologies and Ronnie Parisella of DataBit demonstrated practical ways that AI can be leveraged by IT pros to save time and gain efficiency.
- The Secrets to Onboarding Clients Successfully: Eric Shorr of Secure Future Tech Solutions joined Edwards for a panel discussion, moderated by Browning.
- Selling Up! Strategies for Winning Bigger Accounts: A panel discussion by Kirkendoll and Shorr, moderated by Browning.
- How Not to Get Fired by Your Clients: Lisa Shorr of Shorr Success joined Edwards for a panel discussion, moderated by Browning.
- Boosting MSP Revenue with Cybersecurity Services: A vendor panel moderated by Whitlock featuring Trevor Serebro of Kaspersky, Roger Burke Sr. of Huntress, Brian Doty of Kaseya IT Complete, and Carlos Berrio of TD SYNNEX.
The presentations concluded with an insightful keynote address by Fippin on how people, productivity, and protection lead to MSP prosperity.
Giveaways & Awards
In addition to free food, drinks, and prize bags valued at more than $1,500, attendees were eligible to win prizes and giveaways. One of the $100 prize winners was Jason Comstock, president/founder of Clarity Technology Solutions LLC.
Jason Comstock wins a gift card at the event.
The day concluded with special recognition for the event’s sponsors during the ChannelPro awards ceremony, as voted by the Columbus audience:
- ROI Lightning Round Winner: Channel Hunters
- Best Add-on Product: (tie) Huntress and ThreatLocker
- Best Cloud Solution: Kaseya IT Complete
- Best Distributor: TD SYNNEX
- Best Expo Hall Presentation (Premium Sponsors): Kaseya IT Complete
- Best Expo Hall Presentation (Silver Sponsors): Channel Hunters
- Best Hardware Solution: Meter
- Best New Solution: Channel Hunters
- Best On-stage Presentation: (tie) BigOrange Marketing and Galactic Advisors
- Best Product or Platform: Kaseya IT Complete
- Best Revenue Booster: NUSO
- Best Security Solution: Huntress
- Best Software Solution: ThreatLocker
- Most Exciting Solution: Galactic Advisors
- Best in Show: Kaseya IT Complete
- Editor’s Choice: NUSO
- ChannelPro Community Award: Barracuda MSP
Sponsors Make It Happen
Many thanks to the world-class sponsors of ChannelPro LIVE: Columbus.
Join Us Again
This was the fourth of eight in-person ChannelPro events planned for 2024, following Chicago, Orlando and Baltimore.
Next up on the 2024 ChannelPro event schedule are two virtual events, plus the first of two cybersecurity-focused, in-person gatherings:
- June 18: ChannelPro Product Round-Up: Driving MSP Profits with Cutting Edge Products will be a virtual event. Powerful vendors Vicarius, CyberQP, and Arrow highlight tools that can help MSPs see better margins. Reserve your spot now.
- July 17: ChannelPro Deep Dive: Strategies on Selling Cybersecurity Services will feature compliance expert Mike Semel of Semel Consulting LLC. His presentation will provide MSPs with a roadmap to leaning benefits from new regulations, updated requirements, and increasingly strict enforcement. Sign up here.
- Aug. 7-8: ChannelPro DEFEND East in Iselin, NJ., offers two full days of cybersecurity-focused workshops, sessions, demonstrations, plenty of networking. See more details, and register here.
If you are an IT integrator, managed services provider, consultant, or VAR serving SMBs, these events are designed to help you grow your business. To learn more, visit the ChannelPro events page.
