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In-Person Event

February 17 - 18, 2026 | Altamonte Springs, Florida

2026 ChannelPro DEFEND: Orlando

Hilton Orlando Altamonte Springs

2026 ChannelPro DEFEND: Orlando

Ready to reach your next million in cybersecurity revenue? ChannelPro DEFEND is the two-day security event you can’t afford to miss. Built for MSPs, MSSPs, and other IT channel partners, this in-person experience features business-building strategies and threat landscape intel you won’t find anywhere else.

NEW in 2026! Our Day 1 DEFEND Cybersecurity Workshop provides a fully curated journey through four focused tracks: Risk Mitigation, Cybersecurity Response, Business Growth, and Cutting-Edge Tools.

These interactive courses, designed by industry experts and successful MSPs, deliver the secrets to building an IT business that lasts. Plus, you’ll connect with the channel’s top vendors, see exclusive product demos, meet new referral partners, and have a ton of fun.

100% free for qualified channel partners, ChannelPro DEFEND: Orlando will feature insights from the IT Channel’s leading practitioners and renowned strategists. Join us to learn:

  • Actionable strategies for selling cybersecurity solutions
  • Critical tips on preventing catastrophic data breaches
  • Insight into the latest AI-powered tech to strengthen your security posture
  • Best practices and tactics for positioning your business as a trusted security partner

Join your fellow IT providers from throughout the region to network. It’s also a golden opportunity to meet the industry’s most innovative vendors, discover new cybersecurity tools, and strike deals that fuel growth.

Event Details

Dates

February 17 - 18, 2026

Multi-Day Event
Location

Altamonte Springs, Florida

Venue

Hilton Orlando Altamonte Springs

Cost

Free for Qualified Channel Partners

Registration
Event Schedule
Sponsors
Cancellation
Additional Info

Event Registration

Event Schedule

Feb
17
Feb
18

Sessions for Tuesday, February 17, 2026

2:00 PM
Registration opens - AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE - watch this space
2:30 PM
Opening Remarks
2:45 PM
The Bourbon Icebreaker: How to Choose the Right Security Tools
Learn More
Join us for a candid conversation about choosing the right security tools with a twist. Our experts will be joined by one lucky attendee to discuss best practices while sharing a glass of bourbon. They'll break down how to choose, stack, and justify the right security tools for your clients. If you want to scale without overspending, this discussion is can't-miss.
3:25 PM
Breakout Session: Embracing the Co-Managed Security Opportunity
Learn More
Most medium and large organizations can't hire enough IT talent to keep up with the pace of modern business needs. In this strategy-focused breakout session, we'll unpack how you can build a reputation as a co-managed technology expert. You'll learn how to prioritize security and structure responsibilities without stepping on internal teams. Join us to turn co-managed opportunities into profitable partnerships.
3:25 PM
Breakout Session: Evaluating the Threat Landscape: Actionable Intelligence for IT Providers
Learn More
In this powerful breakout session, our experts dig into new data from the industry's biggest threat reports and translate it into what actually matters for MSPs on the ground. You’ll hear the numbers, the trends, and—most importantly—the real-world impact behind them so you can adjust your defenses, guide clients, and stay ahead of what’s coming next.
3:25 PM
Breakout Session: Sticky by Design: How to Leverage Security to Build Client Loyalty
Learn More
Landing security clients is one thing—keeping them is the real game. During this breakout session, we're diving into the habits, communication rhythms, and service touches that install confidence and ensure contract renewals. Walk away with practical ways to grow business relationships without constantly re-proving your value.
4:35 PM
Breakout Session: Who Is Liable When AI Fails?
Learn More
AI and automation tools promise efficiency, but when they misfire, MSPs are left holding the legal bag. In this session, Brad Gross, one of the nation’s leading MSP attorneys, reveals the hidden liabilities of AI adoption, and how to draft protective language into your MSAs and SOWs before disaster strikes.
4:35 PM
Breakout Session: You Are the First Line of Defense: Cyber Hygiene for MSP Leaders
Learn More
Cybersecurity leaders are prime targets, and this fast-paced workshop shows you exactly how attackers exploit your personal exposure to breach businesses, damage reputations, and run social engineering campaigns. Join us to map your digital footprint, spot your weak points, and walk away with a clear, practical plan to protect your identity, reputation, and the clients who rely on you.
4:35 PM
Breakout Session: Your First Call in an Emergency: Dissecting Your Incident Response Plan
Learn More
When something goes sideways in IT, every second counts. This dynamic breakout session highlights the elements that go into a stellar incident response plan. You'll learn exactly what should happen in the first hour, who owns which decisions, and how to keep a small emergency from turning into a full-blown disaster.
5:15 PM
New Realities and Risks: How MSPs Can Protect Their Bottom Line
Learn More
Let's pull back the curtain on the biggest forces reshaping the MSP business today. In this panel discussion, we're putting vendor experts on the hot seat to discuss the trends that matter most: consolidation, compliance demands, tool sprawl, pricing, and more. Bring your questions and walk away with a sharper understanding of where the IT industry is going and how to stay profitable.
5:45 PM
Vendor Preference Directory - Cast Your Vote!
6:00 PM
Partner in Excellence Award
Learn More
Help us celebrate greatness at our Partner in Excellence Award Ceremony. We'll recognize a local IT channel legend for their leadership, innovation, camaraderie, and commitment to building the industry.
6:30 PM
Welcome Cocktail Reception in the Exhibit Hall

Sessions for Wednesday, February 18, 2026

8:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM
Opening Remarks
9:15 AM
Adopting a Security Framework: Guarding Against the Most Dangerous Cyberattacks
Learn More
Security frameworks aren’t paperwork. They’re the blueprint that helps you safeguard clients, detect and respond to threats, and recover when the #@$% hits the fan. In this session, we’ll break down how to choose the right framework, map it to real threats MSPs face every day, and translate it into actionable steps you can take as soon as you get home.
9:45 AM
Sponsor presentations, product demos, partner program updates and more!
10:55 AM
Break
11:05 AM
How to Automate Your MSP
Learn More
Many MSPs want to hop on the automation hype train, but the biggest gains come from fixing internal workflows first. This session will show how to target the right processes and get quick wins without sacrificing security.
11:35 AM
Sponsor presentations, product demos, partner program updates and more!
1:00 PM
Product & Services Expo Luncheon
2:30 PM
Channel’s Got Talent: Cybersecurity Pitch Edition
Learn More
Want to avoid the after-lunch food coma? In this fast and fun showdown, four brave attendees will pitch their cybersecurity services. After getting honest (and perhaps slightly silly) feedback from our judges, they'll try again with a stronger, sharper pitch. The crowd will vote, one champion will emerge, and the winner earns bragging rights and eternal glory.
3:05 PM
Selling with Insight: Using Data to Find Hidden Revenue
Learn More
Most MSPs sit on a goldmine of data without realizing it. This session shows you how to dig into ticket trends, asset details, and security gaps to find new sales opportunities. You’ll learn simple ways to take a data-driven approach and deliver smarter recommendations and stronger proposals.
3:35 PM
How Not to Get Sued: Local Legal Issues for **Florida** MSPs
Learn More
Back by popular demand, Bradley Gross returns with a hard-hitting session built specifically for **Florida** MSPs. It’s a risky time to sell security services, and one lawsuit can drain your time, money, and reputation. Bradley will break down the biggest legal threats MSPs in the **Southeast** face, the mistakes that spark lawsuits, and the concrete steps you need to take today to protect your business.
4:05 PM
Sponsor Awards Voting
4:15 PM
The Halftime Speech: Adjustments You Need to Make to Win the Game
Learn More
This is the locker-room talk every MSP needs before heading back onto the field. In this inspirational featured session, we'll tie the lessons you've learned at ChannelPro DEFEND to practical next steps. We'll deliver a concrete plan to confront the challenges in your business, implement the right strategies, and coach your employees to success.
4:45 PM
Closing Remarks, Sponsor Awards & Attendee Giveaways!

Sponsors

Cancellation

Registration Cancellation

ChannelPro events are free for qualified MSPs and IT channel partners. Our staff reviews all registration information, and if the business details you provide on the form do not meet the required qualifications, your registration will be canceled.

If you need to modify or cancel your registration, please email us at events@channelpronetwork.com.

 

Additional Info

Event Location:

Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs
📍 350 Northlake Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Located just north of downtown Orlando with easy access to I-4, the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs blends comfort and convenience for business and leisure travelers. The hotel features spacious guest rooms, an outdoor heated pool, fitness center, and complimentary Wi-Fi in public areas. Onsite dining is available at U Restaurant and Lounge, serving contemporary American cuisine with a Florida flair.

Parking:

Parking is free at the hotel. 

Registration Terms and Conditions

Our sponsors make ChannelPro Events possible: We are proud to present a showcase of vendor solutions at every event to provide additional learning opportunities and enable channel pros to get one-on-one advice on employing new technologies and services to better serve their clients and their own businesses. Contact information of event registrants is shared with sponsors to allow them to keep you up to date on their solutions. By attending this event, you consent to being photographed or filmed for promotional use, such as on social media, marketing materials, and our website, to capture and share memorable moments. All registrants are enrolled in the ChannelPro Insider program and are eligible for free resources. You can unsubscribe at any time. If you are a resident of California, you can click here CCPA form.

Attendee Code of Conduct

ChannelPro Code of Conduct

Privacy Policy

CyberRisk Alliance privacy policy. The ChannelPro Network is part of CyberRisk Alliance, LLC.

About ChannelPro

The ChannelPro Network is a media company providing targeted business and technology information for IT decision makers and channel partners. Via its websites, live events and quarterly special reports, The ChannelPro Network delivers expert opinion, analysis, news, product reviews, and advice for IT decision makers and channel partners. Perspectives from partners, vendors, distributors, and analysts are spotlighted daily.  

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