Harry Brelsford and William Kapes discuss their experiences at a conference held at the NASA Space Center. William's company, Integra Tech, is part of the Lyra ecosystem, which includes over 120 companies under the Evergreen Services Group. They focus on professional services organizations, particularly in industries like accounting, legal, and medical. Integra Tech has offices in Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Eau Claire, and supports clients both remotely and geographically. William praises the Thread AI event for its useful service desk tools and rapid product updates. He appreciates the smaller, interactive conference format over larger, less engaging events.
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Meeting at NASA Space Center
- Harry Brelsford introduces himself and William Kappas at the NASA Space Center, noting the unique venue.
- William Kappas expresses his excitement about meeting Harry at the event, highlighting the special setting.
- Harry Brelsford comments on the unique venue, comparing it favorably to a typical Hilton ballroom.
- William Kappas agrees, noting the appeal of events held in interesting locations like the Space Center.
Business Updates and Conference Feedback
- Harry Brelsford inquires about William Kappas' business and asks for feedback on the conference.
- William Kappas explains that Integra Tech is part of Lyra, a company with over 120 companies in its ecosystem.
- He mentions that the growth is through private equity, under the Evergreen Services Group, with Lyra as the MSP umbrella.
- Harry Brelsford asks about the niche of the business, and William Kappas explains they focus on professional services organizations like accounting, legal, and medical.
Geographic Reach and Office Locations
- Harry Brelsford asks about the geographic reach of William Kappas' business, and William Kappas explains they have offices in Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
- He mentions that they support clients remotely as well, focusing geographically around their offices.
- Harry Brelsford notes the presence of Evergreen in downtown San Francisco and comments on the recovery of the area.
- William Kappas agrees, noting the significant capital required to redevelop the space in downtown San Francisco.
California's Economic Fluctuations
- Harry Brelsford and William Kappas discuss the economic fluctuations in California, with Harry noting the state's resilience.
- William Kappas shares his personal connection to California, having been born and raised in Los Angeles.
- They discuss the ongoing issues with homelessness in California, despite the state's economic strength.
- Harry Brelsford emphasizes the importance of not counting California out, citing historical events like the Gold Rush and earthquakes.
Conference Experience and AI Tools
- Harry Brelsford asks William Kappas about his experience at the conference, specifically the Thread AI event at the Space Center.
- William Kappas praises Thread AI, mentioning its usefulness in their service desk and service delivery.
- He highlights the value of Thread's office hours and the opportunity to discuss new voice products with the team.
- William Kappas notes the rapid rate of change in AI products and the importance of staying updated with new features.
Preference for Smaller Conferences
- Harry Brelsford and William Kappas discuss the benefits of smaller conferences, comparing them to larger events.
- William Kappas prefers smaller shows where he can ask detailed questions and get hands-on experience.
- He mentions a session on vibe coding, which was particularly useful for non-programmers like himself.
- Harry Brelsford agrees, noting the comfort and intimacy of smaller events, similar to the one-day events they used to host at SMB Nation.
Final Remarks and Meeting Interruption
- Harry Brelsford concludes the conversation, mentioning that they are being invaded by little astronauts.
- He shares a personal anecdote about taking his family to Cape Canaveral, comparing the excitement of the kids to the current event.
- William Kappas thanks Harry and expresses his enjoyment of the meeting.
- They both look forward to seeing each other at the next show.