Here are a couple high-level thoughts from last week's IT Nation hosted by ConnectWise in Orlando. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again - it’s the Rose Bowl of events in our space and ya’ gotta go at least once.
Here are some pillars!
- The PitchIT contest is always fun and three finalists completed for a $70,000 prize. Strategy overview prevailed against two capable entrants. All good.
- IT Nation continued its tradition of promoting the training for service dogs - a noble cause.
- The traditional Friday night closing party was moved to Wednesday night and I liked it. That allowed people to depart Friday afternoon (if the flights were intact - I had a delay until Saturday afternoon.
- Of course the executive keynote occured Wednesday afternoon and painted the picture for 2026 for product developments and the partner program.
- Myself and my colleague Jamar Freeman keyed in on the Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) track with robust crowds in each session. Basically with dozens of lectures, ya gotta pick and choose wisely - we attended five lectures in all.
- Best booth went toThread and it had two booths. Booth one was a with a Halloween theme andboth two was a candy lane journey. Both were tons of fun. Its “theater” showed as many traditional booths were exactly that - traditional. The Threat time appears in costumes (pirates this time) and reminds me of Spiceworld hosted by SpiceWorks aka ComicCon in a different realm).
- The vibe was positive PLUS this is a 25-year show that invests in improving the experience, and it shows!
Welp that’s it. See ya next November in Orlando!