ChannelPro SMB Forum 2020: Dallas

Mar 4th, 2020 to Mar 5th, 2020

Hyatt Regency North Dallas

The Dallas ChannelPro SMB Forum will be 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. You MUST attend!

Who should attend: IT consultants, VARs, Integrators and Managed Service Providers of all types who are looking to grow their business.

What's included: Access to all sessions, learning materials, meals, parking, and prize giveaways.

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.

Join Us At The ChannelPro SMB Forum!

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 5th

Welcome Reception

Breakfast, Registration, and Networking Time

Opening Remarks and Peer Introductions

Presenters:

Michael Siggins, Rich Freeman

Session: Mastering Managed Security

There’s big revenue to be made from combining the ever-growing need for cybersecurity services with the magic of recurring revenue. The only question is how to do it. Our panel of managed security pros will give you the answers you need to exploit the future of security today.

Presenters:

Rory Sanchez, Robert Boles, Joshua Liberman, Scott Beck, Angela Hogaboom

Session: Escape to Higher Profits!

Let managed services experts Rayanne Buchianico and Manuel Palachuk teach you profit-boosting financial and operational best practices while feeding you clues to an MSP-related puzzle. Whoever finds the solution first takes home a prize!

Presenters:

Manuel Palachuk, Rayanne Buchianico

Session: Silver Selfie Shout-out

Session: IoT Playbook Live: Do Try This at Home

Join Mark Smith, host of the IoT Playbook podcast, for a one-to-one conversations with successful MSPs, who will tell you exactly how they built a money-making Internet of Things service—and how you can too.

Presenters:

Mark Smith, Luis Alvarez

Session: Tech Trends 2020: Let’s Play the Feud!

Test your knowledge of the latest trends in SMB hardware while competing with fellow audience members for prizes. Survey says it will be both fun and informative!

Presenters:

Matt Whitlock, Bud Custer

Session: Peer to Peer: Best Practices for Big Challenges

Hiring and retaining good people. Generating sales leads. Adopting a vertical industry specialty. All three are important. All three are incredibly difficult too. In this series of interactive, one-on-one interviews, you’ll find out exactly how real-world channel pros like you are successfully tackling these common and demanding challenges.

Presenters:

Seana Fippin, Joanna Mirov, Colleen Frye

Session: Award Voting and PM Snack Break

Session: Building Cloud Solutions

Selling cloud applications is so yesterday. Take a journey into the future of cloud success with our panel of experienced cloud service providers, who will show you how to turn commoditized cloud products into profit-heavy cloud solutions by bundling applications together, combining them with services, and incorporating unique intellectual property.

Presenters:

Eric Long, Ro Kolakowski, Chris Ploessel

Closing Remarks, Awards, and Prize Giveaways!

ChannelPro SMB Forum 2020: Dallas Sponsor Award Winners

Diamond

Platinum

Sapphire

Premier Gold

Gold

Silver

Lunch

Tech Trends: Gear Guide

Media Partner

Location Info

701 East Campbell Road Richardson, TX 75081

Hyatt Regency North Dallas
701 East Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75081

To Make your Reservation.....
Book directly within the ChannelPro SMB Forum group room block by CLICKING HERE or dial (972) 619-1234 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.

Sophisticated Richardson hotels begin and end with Hyatt Regency North Dallas. Our location inside “The Telecom Corridor” affords business travelers access to award-winning convention centers, Fortune 500 companies, golf courses and easy access to areas like Garland, Plano and Frisco.

Hyatt Regency North Dallas offers guestrooms that are in a class of their own. Where other hotels put chunky television sets, we place 55” HD TV with premium cable services and video-on-demand. Instead of a classic queen-sized bed, enjoy a king-sized Hyatt Grand Bed™ with a pillow-top mattress, thick down blankets and plush pillows. Visit our hotel under the assumption that your expectations will be exceeded. Our standard amenities like in-room coffeemakers, iron/ironing boards, refrigerators are considered upgrades in most other suites. There’s never been a better time to lavish yourself in deluxe bath amenities, to stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi and daily newspapers, or to entertain out-of-town guests, than in our spacious guestrooms.

Step inside the restaurant for a culinary experience that doesn’t lose time or heat from the kitchen to your table. 701 is proud to offer an on-site professional chef that oversees every dish leaving the grill. Breakfast is just as tasty when you visit Boots & Brix. Morning classics like pancakes and omelets are made to order.Guests can order room service from their comfortable guestroom. Restaurant-quality food is available from our 701 Bar & Grill and delivered directly to your doorstep.

Get your family excited for exotic exhibits at the Dallas Zoo, or devote a day to Six Flags Over Texas. Many of our area attractions like Hawaiian Falls Garland are a few miles away, but the engine that runs northeast Texas is found downtown. Attend famous NASCAR sporting events at the Texas Motor Speedway. Taste our classic Texas culture in more than one way when you experience a Mesquite Championship Rodeo show. And while you wait for your football game to start at AT&T Stadium, tailgate with grub from local mom-and-pop barbeque spots.

HOTEL AND TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION:

Check-in and Check-out

Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM

Parking

Complimentary self-parking is offered on-site. Parking includes in and out privileges.

Transportation

Tiam Transportation will offer 24-hour service 7 days a week to and from DFW International Airport. All arriving guests will find courtesy phones at all baggage claim areas. 2 hour advanced reservations required for guests leaving hotel for DFW. To and From DFW International Airport: $65.00 each way (1-2 passengers). For 3-4 passengers, the price is $70 to and from DFW each way. Any more than four passengers, there is a surcharge but willing to negotiate.

We also offer transportation to and from Love Field. 1-2 passengers will run $50 where 3-4 passengers will be $55. Anything over 4 will have an additional surcharge but subject to negotiation.

The hotel also offers transportation within a 5-mile radius based upon availabilty. Transportation can be taken to Collin Creek Mall, over 50 local restaurants and DART Train, as well as entertainment venues.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS from the airports:

From Dallas/Fort Worth Airport
Proceed to North exit from terminal, after the tollbooth; stay left to get on Hwy 121 North. Then stay right on Hwy 121 for a short distance to Hwy 635 East exit. Travel Hwy 635 eastward until Hwy 75 North (Central Expressway) advanced road signs appear. Keep far right on Hwy 635 for the Hwy 75 North ramp exit. The Campbell Road exit off Hwy 75 is approximately 5 miles.

From Love Field Airport
Exit Love Field and turn left on Mockingbird Lane. Proceed to North Dallas Tollway; go left (North) to the Hwy 635 exit. Proceed East (right) on Hwy 635 keeping on the far right lane to the Hwy 75 North (Central Expressway) exit ramp. The Campbell Road exit off Hwy I-75 is approximately 5 miles.

OTHER TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS:

In addition to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail, guests at Hyatt Regency North Dallas can take advantage of a variety of convenient and affordable public transportation options. For more information, call (214) 979-1111 or visit www.DART.org

DART Bus and Rail System
Provides convenient service from the hotel to most business and entertainment destinations throughout the Richardson and Dallas areas.

McKinney Avenue Trolley
An authentic trolley that runs between the Dallas Arts District and the Uptown entertainment area. For more information, call 214-855-0006 or visit www.mata.org

M Line
Connecting to the McKinney Avenue Trolley line, this free streetcar provides access to Main Street and the West End shops, restaurants and art galleries.

TRE
A commuter train line that links DART passengers to DFW International Airport.

Agenda

Thursday, March 5th
Time	Activity
12:00am to 2:00am	Welcome Reception
12:30pm to 1:00pm	Breakfast, Registration, and Networking Time
1:00pm to 1:20pm	Opening Remarks and Peer Introductions
1:20pm to 2:05pm	Session: Mastering Managed Security
2:05pm to 2:15pm	Gold Sponsor Presentation - Vade Secure
2:15pm to 2:35pm	Platinum Sponsor Presentation - Dell Expert Network
2:35pm to 3:20pm	Session: Escape to Higher Profits!
3:20pm to 3:30pm	Gold Sponsor Presentation - Exclusive Networks
3:30pm to 3:40am	Gold Sponsor Presentation - Cytracom
3:40pm to 3:55pm	Premier Gold Sponsor Presentation - Kaseya IT Complete
3:55pm to 4:05pm	Morning Break
4:05pm to 4:15pm	Session: Silver Selfie Shout-out
4:15pm to 4:55pm	Session: IoT Playbook Live: Do Try This at Home
4:55pm to 5:15pm	Sapphire Sponsor Presentation - Datto
5:15pm to 5:25pm	Gold Sponsor Presentation - Tech Data Security Solutions
5:25pm to 5:50pm	Diamond Sponsor Presentation - SolarWinds MSP
5:50pm to 8:00pm	Lunch (sponsored by Clint Arthur) and Sponsor Exhibit Hall
8:00pm to 8:40pm	Session: Tech Trends 2020: Let’s Play the Feud!
8:40pm to 8:50pm	Gold Sponsor Presentation - Webroot
8:50pm to 9:00pm	Gold Sponsor Presentation - Ingram Micro
9:00pm to 9:10pm	Gold Sponsor Presentation - Trusted Tech Team
9:10pm to 9:55pm	Session: Peer to Peer: Best Practices for Big Challenges
9:55pm to 10:10pm	Session: Award Voting and PM Snack Break
10:10pm to 10:55pm	Session: Building Cloud Solutions
10:55pm to 11:25pm	Closing Remarks, Awards, and Prize Giveaways!

Presenters

Session Speakers

Seana Fippin

Seana Fippin is founder and CEO of Red Box Business Solutions, a women-owned business. Red Box Business Solutions is a concierge-level managed service provider, exceeding the technical needs of San Francisco Bay Area businesses. Seana began her career in management at a leading ISP and web hosting company in the Silicon Valley, where she gained... more

Scott Beck

Scott Beck is CEO of the fast-growing cybersecurity and IT services firm BeckTek, based in New Brunswick, Canada. He’s a two-time international best-selling author and award-winning speaker, including appearances at NASDAQ and Harvard Club of Boston. Co-star of the Amazon Prime documentary Cyber Crime, Scott is a frequent celebrity guest expert... more

Rory Sanchez

Rory Sanchez is CEO of Forthright Technology Partners. He was previously President at Cerberus Cyber Sentinel Corp. (NASDAQ: CISO), a managed compliance and cybersecurity provider, and CEO of True Digital Security, which was acquired by CISO in January 2022. Rory was a founding member of the ConnectWise Partner Advisory Board, past president... more

Robert Boles

Robert Boles is the founder and president of BLOKWORX, an organization built on three foundational tenets: security, reliability, and a positive user experience. Robert has designed infrastructure for hundreds of companies ranging from small businesses to large corporations to municipalities. With over 20 years’ experience in cybersecurity and... more

Ro Kolakowski

Ro Kolakowski is the founder of 6th Street Consulting, a management consulting firm focused on providing strategy and technology consulting services. He has more than 25 years of finance and technology experience. He was a senior equity analyst covering telecommunications companies in Latin America, including Telmex and Telebras while at D.A.... 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

Mark Smith

Mark Smith is the business development director of The ChannelPro Network, the premier resource for growing IT service companies. Mark was was the founder of Windows NT Magazine, with a reach of 1.5M unique enterprise IT professionals in 160 countries. Mark sold Windows NT Magazine to Penton Media for $100M. EH Media has helped customers generate... 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

Luis Alvarez

Since founding the Alvarez Technology Group (ATG) in 2001, Luis Alvarez has led the company to grow from a two-person consultancy to a premier technology solutions provider in California, delivering Security, Internet-of-Things (IoT) and information technology (IT) services. The company’s vision is to keep their clients safe, secure, and... more

Joshua Liberman

Joshua Liberman is president and founder of Net Sciences. He started PC Services in 1990, providing Novell networking and becoming a Master CNE. Since starting Net Sciences in 1996, Joshua has built and secured hundreds of networks in New Mexico and the area. Joshua has been a rock and ice climber, martial artist, and lifelong... more

Joanna Mirov

Joanna Mirov is an accomplished entrepreneur and businesswoman who has established herself as an active advisor and guest speaker on business and technology. With a proven track record of growing a multi-million-dollar IT company and mentoring MSP leaders and women professionals, Joanna aims to share her knowledge and expertise with others,... more

Eric Long

Eric Long is the President of TeraCloud, a national cloud computing and managed services provider. With over 30 years of experience in the Information Technology sector, Eric has become the go-to resource for large and small companies when it comes to solving complex IT issues that decrease productivity and hurt business operations.

Colleen Frye

Colleen Frye is managing editor of ChannelPro, which she has been involved with since issue No. 1 of the publication, first as a freelance copy editor and then adding writing and special project duties, until assuming her current role in 2017. Her work has appeared in publications such as InfoSecurity Professional, Application Development... more

Chris Ploessel

Chris Ploessel is president of RedNight Consulting. Chris and his expertise have shaped the company’s purpose and vision. He utilizes his extensive technical and business expertise to benefit clients in a variety of industries. With more than 20 years in the IT industry, Chris’ strengths and experiences include the enhancement of revenue-... more

Bud Custer

Bud Custer, National Sales Director at Oki Data Americas, Inc., provides leadership and strategic direction to a team of Strategic Account Managers in North America. He built his reputation in the industry through C-Level relationships at several of OKI’s major accounts along with several significant Channel and Distribution relationships.... more

Angela Hogaboom

Angela Hogaboom is a Cybersecurity Professional and Sales Director at SugarShot, a cybersecurity and IT services firm headquartered in Los Angeles. Angela carries multiple certifications in Cybersecurity, IT Operations, Network, and Project Management. Her focus is on building solutions and strategies that increase operational efficiency and... 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

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

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

Sponsor Speakers

Trey King

Trey King is a Solutions Architect with Vade Secure and has more than ten years in various aspects of security (systems, networking, software development, and email). He loves code, surfing, understanding things on a granular level, and thinks he is funnier than he really is.

Tracy Holtz

Tracy Holtz is a director of security solutions in Tech Data’s security organization. She joined Tech Data in December 1996 and brings more than 22 years of strategic channel knowledge to the team. Tracy is responsible for Tech Data’s U.S. Security Vendor Management strategy and business. Tracy began her career in the IT industry when she joined... more

Todd Richardson

Todd Richardsonis the CRO of Trusted Tech Team. He's on a mission to help managed service providers dramatically improve 0365 margins while creating a more repeatable and scalable recurring model for their companies. He has over 20 years of experience in tech and has worked with VCs and their portfolio companies in Silicon Valley but is now... more

Peter Houseman

Pete Houseman is a senior new business development rep with Ingram Micro’s SMB business unit. He has helped countless companies leverage the resources available through Ingram Micro, allowing them to scale and take on opportunities they would have previously passed on. He can help develop a plan tailored to your business that will allow you... more

Mobolaji Sokunbi

Mobolaji Sokunbi has been at Dell for just over nine years. Over the course of his career at Dell, Mobolaji has held various sales, digital marketing, merchandising, and leadership roles across the Consumer, Commercial and Small Business divisions in North America. As the head of Strategic Partnerships and the Centre for Entrepreneurship for Dell... more

Matt Solomon

Matt Solomon is vice president of business development and IT Complete for Kaseya IT Complete. An experienced sales professional with over 13 years in B2B, B2C, and B2G environments, Matt’spast sales experience includes copyright, licensing, research and government consulting, and advisory services. Matt joined ID Agent, a dark web monitoring and... more

Julian Hamood

Julian Hamood is one of Trusted Tech Team’s senior licensing engineers. He works with business owners, IT, and managed service providers to ensure the most cost-effective and compliant solutions based on their requirements. He has an extensive history of Microsoft licensing stemming back to 2010 and has assisted in licensing small, medium, and... more

Eric Harless

Officially named as head backup nerd for SolarWinds MSP, Eric Harlesshas over 25 years of data protection experience and has held senior-level product management, marketing, system engineering, sales, and customer support roles with several data protection and disaster recovery vendors, including SolarWinds, FalconStor Software, Symantec, CA... more

Desraie Thomas

Desraie Thomas is the channel development manager on the business development team at Datto. She has a background in sales within several different industries and has had the opportunity to work around the world, always excelling in each position. Over the past few years within the MSP channel, she has assisted partners and customers in building... more

Dave Goldie

Dave Goldie (Goldie) is vice president of channel for Gradient MSP and channel champion for the MSP world. He’s worked in the channel for six years, valiantly helping MSPs scale their businesses and improve their practices.   Dave lives in Vancouver, Canada, with his family. When he’s not working in the channel, he enjoys spending... more

Clint Arthur

CLINT ARTHUR Transforms Experts into Celebrities in the Eyes of Clients & Prospects with the help of Dr. Oz, Dr. Drew, A Surgeon General of the USA, NASA, an MMA World Champion, and the REAL Patch Adams. Find out more at www.ClintArthur.TV

Bob Rowell

As a pre-sales engineer with over 20 years of experience, Bob has met with thousands of MSPs, IT managers and enterprise executives to understand their IT Security and desktop management requirements. He is an expert in assisting in the evaluation of solutions to meet those needs. Using his knowledge of the Webroot portfolio of solutions and the... more

Alex Wright

Alex Wright has been working in the channel for the last eight years. For the last five years, she has been solely focused on Fortinet as a vendor manager at distribution for Exclusive Networks, helping partners grow their business and security offerings.

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