The latest ChannelPro SMB Forum event, originally slated to take place in Raleigh, N.C., on July 8, took place instead as an expanded, innovative virtual gathering with specially created content aimed at helping MSPs and IT solution providers navigate the fast-changing business climate and the impact of COVID-19. And for the first time, the agenda featured an IoT Online Forum presented in conjunction with IoT Playbook.com and RiOT, an economic development organization focused on emerging markets.
“We continue to ride this rollercoaster of reality since mid-March as a result of the global health crisis and resultant economic downturn, and just as IT solution providers had to shift to delivering the same great service to their SMB customers remotely, the ChannelPro event team shifted to deliver the same great educational and interactive content online,” said ChannelPro President and Publisher Michael Siggins (pictured above). “Particularly now, IT business owners need the sales, marketing, product, and operational insight that the ChannelPro SMB events are known for to keep their businesses healthy and even growing during this extraordinary time.”
The IoT Online Forum on July 7 covered topics that included new services enabled by IoT cameras, intelligent video analytics, structuring and managing video data, connectivity and security policy, and utilizing the IoT to drive exponential growth.
Thanks to our IoT Keynote sponsor Dell Technologies/Dell Expert Network, and Event sponsors Domotz and RiOT.
The two-day ChannelPro SMB Forum main event included live, interactive sessions delivered by industry experts who provided strategies for running an MSP business now as well as making adjustments as the economy re-opens at different stages throughout the country. In addition, there were panel discussions on the latest technology trends and solutions, and a virtual expo hall where attendees could browse sponsor booths and interact live in videoconference sessions.
Keynote speaker Gary Pica of TruMethods was featured in a special ChannelPro Weekly live podcast interview. Hosts Rich Freeman and Matt Whitlock spoke with Pica about preparing your business for the post-COVID future.
The educational sessions included:
Weathering the COVID-19 Storm: A Survival Guide—Expert managed services consultants Rayanne Buchianico and Manuel Palachuk outlined the financial and operational moves channel pros must make now to preserve cash and maximize profit.
Peer to Peer: Best Practices for Big Challenges—MSPs and IT business owners Bruce McCully, C.J. Ezell, and Joanna Sobran talked one-on-one about how they are tackling the challenging issues of keeping sales flowing, hiring and retaining employees, and developing a vertical focus.
