ChannelPro SMB Forum 2017: Atlanta

Mar 1st, 2017 to Mar 2nd, 2017

Wyndham Atlanta Galleria

The Atlanta ChannelPro SMB Forum was a full-day live event and feature presentations from some of the top SMB resellers and managed service providers in the country, sharing their insights on the hottest tech solutions in the SMB marketplace today.

Check out our sponsors for this event.

Main Group

Event Details

ChannelPro SMB Forum is designed to be a highly interactive, engagement-rich environment specifically to facilitate peer-to-peer networking.

Beyond the numerous educational sessions, the forum is a unique opportunity for you to strengthen current relationships, or build valuable new ones. Throughout the event, you will have numerous opportunities to interact formally and informally with your peers and make connections with new colleagues.

Sessions & Networking

March 1st

SolarWinds® MSP Workshop

Open to all ChannelPro SMB Forum attendees, this workshop will teach you some of the latest key industry trends and take you through highlights of both our on-premises and cloud-based solutions. You'll pick up key business insights from SolarWinds® MSP speakers, industry experts, and other successful MSPs.

Earn promotional discounts just for taking a free trial.
Be entered for the chance to walk away with a $100-dollar Visa gift card.
Learn more about SolarWinds MSP before the event begins.

March 2nd

Pre-Day Cocktail Reception

Breakfast, Registration, and Networking Time

Session: Profiting from Channel Convergence

SMBs increasingly want one-stop shopping from their technology providers—and if you don’t provide it, someone else will. Find out why the lines separating the IT, telco, and print channels are rapidly disappearing and how you can turn the coming channel convergence from competitive threat to bottom-line opportunity.

Presenters:

Erick Simpson, Steve Hall, John Eckstrom, Terry Chapman

Bonus Session: Managed Services in a Minute: What to Sell

Presenters:

Manuel Palachuk, Karl Palachuk

Session: Tech Trends TV Game Show

Play along with ChannelPro Technical Editor Matt Whitlock as he guides you through the latest hardware trends and profit opportunities, game show style. Just remember to answer in the form of a question if you want to win one of our prizes!

Presenters:

Matt Whitlock

Session: Valuation-Boosting Business Management Secrets

Is your business worth what you think it is? If you’re like most channel pros, the answer is probably no. In this hands-on, learn-by-doing workshop, experienced channel partner M&A consultants will help you calculate the real value of your business and then walk you through the concrete steps you should be taking now to maximize your selling price later when you’re ready to cash out. If finding a buyer for your practice is part of your exit plan, this is a session you literally can’t afford to miss.

Presenters:

Rayanne Buchianico, Michael Harvath, Robert 'Bob' Dale, Rick Murphy

Lunch and Sponsor Showcase

Session: Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Customers but Were Afraid to Ask

You talk to customers all the time, but never about the things you most need to know. What do they really think of your IT advice and sales presentation skills? What can you do to gain more of their trust—and business? Get the answers to those and other questions from our panel of experts and real-world business owners who have agreed to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth about technology providers like you.

Presenters:

Carrie Simpson, Terry Hedden, Manuel Palachuk

Session: Specializing in Security

The explosive rise of ransomware has even tight-fisted SMB owners spending more heavily on security. How can you profit from that trend, and which of the ever-widening variety of security systems should you be selling to your customers? This fast-paced session will walk you through the risks and rewards of creating a specialized security practice, and provide expert tips on the traditional and next-generation security technologies you should be using to protect your customers.

Presenters:

Steve Rutkovitz, Ron Culler Jr., Mike Semel

ChannelPro SMB Forum 2017: Atlanta Sponsor Award Winners

Premier Gold

Gold

Silver

Pre-Day

Lunch

Media Partner

Location Info

6345 Powers Ferry Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30339

Wyndham Atlanta Galleria
6345 Powers Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30339

$139.00 Single/Double
Cutoff Date: 02/08/17

To Make your Reservation.....
Book directly within the ChannelPro SMB Forum group room block by CLICKING HERE or dial (770) 955-1700 to make your reservations by phone. Be sure to reference the ChannelPro SMB Forum group when you make your reservation to receive the discounted room rate.

Location Information
Situated 15 miles from downtown Atlanta, the Wyndham Atlanta Galleria is close to both the Perimeter area and the Galleria with easy access to an array of world class dining, sporting events and such popular attractions as Stone Mountain Park, Six Flags over Georgia, The Georgia Aquarium and World of Coke. Business travelers will enjoy easy access to major corporate headquarters, including UPS, Coca-Cola, and The Home Depot along with close proximity to such major routes as I-285, I-75 and GA400.

Discover deluxe accommodations, renowned Southern Hospitality and convenient amenities. Take a dip in our outdoor/indoor pool and sprawl out on the sun deck for a bit of Atlanta’s sunshine. Enjoy the fitness center for a quick workout or dine in our onsite restaurant, the Chattahoochee Grille, featuring an upscale Southern menu.

Peachtree DeKalb Airport (PDK)
Distance: 9 Miles

Turn Right on Clairmont Rd.
Turn Left on Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Go Right on Johnson Ferry Rd. and continue to Ashford Dunwoody Rd.
Take I-285 West to Exit 22 for Powers
Ferry Rd.
Go straight at bottom of ramp, left at next light, hotel on left.

Fulton County Charlie Brown Airport (FTY)
Distance: 9 Miles

Turn Left on Fulton Industrial Blvd.
Turn Right on Donald Lee Holowell Pkwy.
Turn Left on to I-285 North.
Follow to Exit #22 for Powers Ferry Rd.
Turn Right off Exit, hotel is immediately on Left

Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Int'l Airport (ATL)
Distance: 23 Miles

Head east on N Terminal Pkwy
Merge onto I-85 N via the ramp to I-20/I-75 N/Atlanta
Continue straight onto I-75 N
Take exit 259A for Interstate 285 E toward Greenville/Augusta
Merge onto I-285 E

Agenda

Wednesday, March 1st
Time	Activity
5:30pm to 10:00pm	SolarWinds® MSP Workshop

Thursday, March 2nd
Time	Activity
12:00am to 2:00am	Pre-Day Cocktail Reception
12:30pm to 1:15pm	Breakfast, Registration, and Networking Time
1:15pm to 1:30pm	Session: Opening Remarks & Peer Introductions
1:30pm to 2:20pm	Session: Profiting from Channel Convergence
2:20pm to 2:30pm	Synnex Gold Sponsor Presentation
2:30pm to 2:45pm	Premier Gold Keynote by The 20
2:45pm to 2:55pm	Session: Silver Selfie Shout-out
2:55pm to 3:10pm	Bonus Session: Managed Services in a Minute: What to Sell
3:10pm to 3:20pm	Webroot Gold Sponsor Presentation
3:20pm to 3:30pm	Clover Imaging Gold Sponsor Presentation
3:30pm to 3:40pm	Morning Break
3:40pm to 4:25pm	Session: Tech Trends TV Game Show
4:25pm to 4:35pm	SolarWinds MSP Gold Sponsor Presentation
4:35pm to 4:45pm	Cytracom Gold Sponsor Presentation
4:45pm to 5:30pm	Session: Valuation-Boosting Business Management Secrets
5:30pm to 5:40pm	Datto Gold Sponsor Presentation
5:40pm to 7:50pm	Lunch and Sponsor Showcase
7:50pm to 8:05pm	Bonus Session: Managed Services in a Minute: Operating Profitably
8:05pm to 8:15pm	Eaton Gold Sponsor Presentation
8:15pm to 8:25pm	Data Deposit Box Gold Sponsor Presentation
8:25pm to 9:10pm	Session: Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Customers but Were Afraid to Ask
9:10pm to 9:25pm	Session: Award Voting & PM Snack Break
9:25pm to 10:05pm	Session: Specializing in Security
10:05pm to 10:15pm	Bonus Session: Managed Services in a Minute: Tools to Use
10:15pm to 10:45pm	Giveaways and Closing Ceremony

Presenters

Session Speakers

Carrie Simpson

Carrie Simpson is the founder and CEO of Managed Sales Pros, a cycle-acceleration company that supports IT manufacturers, distributors, vendors, and resellers. She has more than 20 years of cold-call prospecting strategy and execution experience and has created successful outbound programs for enterprise, midmarket, and small tech companies.

Erick Simpson

Erick Simpson built and sold one of the very first MSPs in the industry and co-founded MSP University, where he grew and coached a channel of 30,000 IT solution providers through their MSP transformation. He is the creator of the MSP Mastered® Methodology for business performance improvement that has been licensed by numerous IT channel... more

John Eckstrom

John Eckstrom is president and CEO of Carolina Business Equipment (CBE), of Columbia, S.C. He started in November 1994 as the company’s controller and moved to the general manager position in March 1995. At the end of that year he purchased half of the company and became its president; five years later he became its sole owner.Over the past 10... more

Karl Palachuk

Karl W. Palachuk has been an IT Consultant since 1995 and is one of the pioneers of the managed services business model. He is the author of more than twenty books, most of which are also available as audio books. Karl founded the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community in 2018. He maintains four blogs, including Small Biz Thoughts and Relax... more

Manuel Palachuk

Manuel brings an infectious energy, inspiring audiences to embrace meaningful change with takeaways for resolute action. Manuel has run several successful companies, mentored many more, and spoken to audiences around the world. He helps organizations pull back the curtain to reveal the potentially toxic, rotting culture they've cultivated, and... more

Michael Harvath

Mike Harvath, president and CEO, founded Revenue Rocket Consulting Group LLC in 2001 after having led several multimillion dollar technology companies through both turn-around and rapid-growth phases, increasing revenues ranging from 30 percent to 100 percent. Prior to that, Mike managed a $600 million region of a multinational... more

Mike Semel

Mike Semel is recognized as a thought leader in the IT, compliance and business continuity industries. He is the President and Complianceologist at Semel Consulting, focused on regulatory compliance and Business Continuity planning. Mike is a CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA), CMMC Certified Professional (CCP), CMMC Registered Practitioner, Certified... more

Rayanne Buchianico

Rayanne Buchianico has devoted her career to the technology industry. With over 25 years of working in and around technology, she built many companies to support IT professionals across the globe.As the owner of ABC Solutions LLC in Clearwater, Florida, she developed processes for MSPs to focus on profitability, automation, and standardization... more

Rick Murphy

Rick Murphy is an innovative, serial entrepreneur with a wide range of merger and acquisition experience. As the CEO and managing partner at Cogent Growth Partners LLC, he has led 75-plus acquisition transactions for his firm's buy-side clients in the IT services space since the inception of the company in 2010. Rick is expert at conceiving,... more

Robert 'Bob' Dale

Since 2003 Bob Dale has been a strategic growth and M&A advisor for owners and entrepreneurs who want to build, buy, and sell companies. His firm, the Austin Dale Group Inc., specializes in working with cloud, IT service, and software companies, providing services such as business sales, acquisitions, valuations, financial coaching, strategic... more

Ron Culler Jr.

Ron Culler Jr. is co-founder of Secure Designs Inc., a premier managed internet security provider to SMBs. He currently serves as the CTO, executive vice president, technology architect, managed security services visionary, and security evangelist for the company. With more than 30 years of channel experience in the technology and security fields... more

Steve Hall

Steve has over twenty years of experience in technology consulting in the small business arena with a specialization in cloud and information protection. As a college junior, he started a business with a vision of being able to provide affordable solutions and services to other small businesses that would enable them to better compete with the... more

Steve Rutkovitz

Steve Rutkovitz is the co-founder and CEO of Choice Cyber Solutions. With over 20 years of experience in the managed services industry, specializing in regulatory compliance-specific technology, Steve’s unique, proactive approach to managed services gives him the edge you need to differentiate your business and protect your organization in today’s... more

Terry Chapman

Terry Chapman serves as president of Business Electronics Corp., which was founded in 1988 and provides document imaging systems to the Birmingham, Ala., business community. Previously Terry worked in the banking industry. In 2011, while at Business Electronics, Terry was named a “Retailer of the Year” by the Alabama Retail Association. He is... more

Terry Hedden

In 2003, Terry left a successful career in management consulting to found Infinity Business Systems, later renamed Infinity Technology Solutions, a leading IT service provider with operations throughout Florida and Georgia. Infinity provided a complete technology offering for hundreds of businesses, including hardware and software solutions,... more

Matt Whitlock

Matt Whitlock is responsible for the strategic direction and technical content of ChannelProNetwork.com. He brings more than 20 years’ experience working in the technology industry to his reviews, analysis, and general musings about all things gadget and gear. Matt’s decade of experience in online media, community management, and web development... more

Michael Siggins

Michael Siggins is the founder and publisher of The ChannelPro Network. Since March 2007 the network has been providing targeted business and technology information for the IT channel. Via its print and online properties, the network delivers expert opinion, analysis, news, product reviews, and advice vital to business success. Michael is also... more

Rich Freeman

As ChannelPro’s founding and executive editor, Rich Freeman is responsible for setting overall editorial direction, covering industry trends, and reporting on breaking news in the SMB technology market. A veteran writer and editor, Rich has more than 25 years of experience in the IT industry, including over eight years in Microsoft’s... more

Sponsor Speakers

Troy Cheeseman

Troy Cheeseman was president and chief operations officer at Acpana Business Systems Inc. When the company merged with Data Deposit Box, Troy retained his title at the new company.Troy has more than 15 years of information technology and business operations experience in both the public and private sectors. For more than 12 years, he worked for... more

Tim Conkle

Tim Conkle holds over 30 years of entrepreneurial success in the Information Technology and Services sector. As a leading voice in the Managed IT Service Provider space, Tim is dedicated to developing simple, solid IT solutions for SMB clients and MSPs (Managed Service Providers) across the nation. His notoriously energetic nature, along with his... more

Renee Bergman

Renee is Manager of CLOUDSolv at SYNNEX. Renee came to SYNNEX in 2010 specializing on the Microsoft Software line. Since joining SYNNEX, Renee has had primary responsibility for the Cloud businesses for all of North America. She is responsible for the cloud sales team, marketing initiatives, cloud marketplace and the SYNNEX CLOUDSolv... more

Noah Sessions

As vice president of marketing for Cytracom, Noah Sessions focuses on empowering the nationwide channel partner network to engage end customers with UCaaS. Noah has over 25 years of high-tech experience across a broad range of industries and companies. From early and mid-stage startups to established, global companies, he has led businesses to... more

Michael DePalma

Michael DePalma is director of business development at Datto. He joined the business development team in February 2016. As a former Datto channel sales executive, Michael worked with existing Datto partners both on a broader scale, through facilitating marketing plans and webinars, and on a client-specific scale, through vetting individual... more

Kelly O’Bray

Kelly has been marketing and selling solutions to the IT Channel for over 20 years and has been working with Solarwinds MSP and its predecessor, LOGICnow/ GFI MAX for 9 of them. Currently a Channel Manager, Kelly works with and educates channel partners on how to build profitable managed service programs and integrate reoccurring revenue into... more

Josh Cornick

Josh Cornick has more than 10 years of experience in the electrical and data center power infrastructure industry as a channel sales representative and marketing manager. Josh works with channel partners to help increase revenue by leveraging Eaton’s award winning Power Advantage Partner program. Currently he holds the position of... more

Gary Owen

A 20 year sales veteran, Gary began to work for Webroot in 2011, as an Enterprise Regional Account Manager. As the threat landscape has evolved and the IT industry has shifted towards the managed services model, Gary has shifted his focus to working specifically with Webroot’s Managed Service Provider partners. His passion is helping MSPs improve... more

Charles Jessup

Charles Jessup is the Director of MPS Solutions at Clover Imaging Group. Jessup has over 25 years of experience in the office technology/ printer supplies aftermarket industry. Jessup has spent the last 8 years specifically in the Managed Print Space building successful MPS programs for dealerships as well as manufacturers. Jessup has been... more

Ashley Hartman

Ashley is Business Development for the CLOUDSolv team at SYNNEX. Ashley Came to SYNNEX in 2014 specializing on the Red Hat line. Today Ashley is responsible for working with our partners on a daily basis and helping them to build their cloud practice.

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ChannelPro SMB Forum 2017 Atlanta: Silver Selfies

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ChannelPro SMB Forum 2017: Atlanta

Check out our sponsors for this event.

Main Group

Sessions & Networking

March 1st

SolarWinds® MSP Workshop

March 2nd

Pre-Day Cocktail Reception

Breakfast, Registration, and Networking Time

Session: Profiting from Channel Convergence

Bonus Session: Managed Services in a Minute: What to Sell

Session: Tech Trends TV Game Show

Session: Valuation-Boosting Business Management Secrets

Lunch and Sponsor Showcase

Session: Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Customers but Were Afraid to Ask

Session: Specializing in Security

ChannelPro SMB Forum 2017: Atlanta Sponsor Award Winners

Premier Gold

Gold

Silver

Pre-Day

Lunch

Media Partner

Session Speakers

Sponsor Speakers

ChannelPro SMB Forum 2017 Atlanta: Silver Selfies