The first full day of #ITNation was filled with inspiring moments, valuable insights, and, most importantly, the fun of connecting with colleagues who’ve turned into friends over the years. From the dedicated “road warriors” to the transformative “Channel chiefs turned Ecosystem leaders,” the event brought together a diverse community of MSPs, vendors, distributors, and event hosts. Some were newcomers to the game, while others have been around for a minute. But one thing was clear: it’s not about how long you’ve been in the industry; what truly matters are the connections and friendships that have been created along the way.

Building and nurturing these relationships with colleagues turned friends is, without a doubt, the most valuable aspect of any event. The sense of community and camaraderie among MSPs, vendors, distributors, and event hosts is what makes these gatherings truly special.

Insights to Ponder:

While mingling with my channel community friends and colleagues, I came across some intriguing statements that left us all with much to contemplate:

• “Today we are blurring the line of digital and physical presence.”
•  “We have reimagined our whole portfolio to enable your success!”
•  “How can we simplify our message to make more sense for the MSP?”
•  “Anything I can do to help the community is what I want to be doing.”
•  “There is more opportunity in this room than there has ever been before at a conference.”
•  “Beep beep beeps – you just tell me about my beep beep beeps. Most MSSPs are f*cking useless.”
•  “I don’t think that most MSPs are seeing the freight train that the list of automation on that slide will bring.”
•  “Vendors need to stop trying to create something that works outside of the ecosystem where MSPs and SMBs live. Instead, bring products to market that enable us all to serve them.”
•  “Those who don’t understand the power of partnerships will not be here next year.”
•  “Vendors and MSPs alike have to understand that we are not competing, and the only way to win is to work together.”

These insights shed light on the ever-evolving landscape of the IT industry and underscore the significance of collaboration and mutual understanding between vendors and MSPs. The focus on simplifying messages, prioritizing partnerships, and adapting to the changing digital-physical landscape emphasizes the dynamic nature of this field.

As we navigate the world of technology and IT services, these takeaways serve as valuable food for thought. What were your key takeaways from the incredible #ITNation event so far? Share your thoughts and let’s keep the conversation going.