11:00 – 11:45 AM ET
Opening Keynote Address:
The New Channel Ecosystem
The landscape of the channel is constantly changing, moving from the traditional value-added reseller model to a services-based model. Consequently the role of the solution provider is evolving from a one-stop shop to a member of a partner network, be it peer to peer, vendor to solution provider or otherwise. This keynote presentation will discuss how solution providers and vendors alike are adapting to this changing landscape, and how customers ultimately are benefiting.

Moderator: Mike Vizard, Senior Vice President and Editorial Director, Ziff Davis Enterprise
Speaker: Kenneth Lamneck, Tech Data President, The Americas

1:00 – 1:45 PM ET
Hot Button Panel One:
Partner-to-Partner Networking: The Benefits (and Pitfalls)
Solution providers already know that these days, a one-size-fits-all model of doing business does not work. To effectively service their customers, more solution providers are entering into a peer-to-peer networking model and matching their strengths and weaknesses to other solution providers. Vendors and distributors have recognized this and have built their own partner networks to assist solution providers. Learn from our channel experts how peer-to-peer networking can help a solution provider grow its business, and what to look out for before signing on to a network.

Moderator: Pedro Pereira, eWeek Strategic Partner editor & Channel Insider contributing editor
Speaker: Justin Crotty, Vice President of Services, North America, Ingram Micro
Speaker: Tim Hebert, CEO, Atrion Networking
Speaker: Diane Krakora, President & CEO, Amazon Consulting LLC

2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
Nortel Sponsor Presentation:
The Benefits of Nortel Partner Programs and Nortel Enterprise Financing Solutions
Learn how Nortel’s Partner Advantage Program can help you accelerate growth, differentiate your business and increase your profitability. We’ll explain how you can turn your Partner Advantage designation and Specializations into a competitive advantage. And you'll discover how Nortel rewards excellence through lucrative value-based and promotional discounts, generous marketing funds and training allowances, plus a set of flexible financing solutions that give you incremental purchasing power.

Moderator: Joel Shore, eSeminars Host, eSeminars & Virtual Tradeshows, Ziff Davis Enterprise
Speaker: John Stasick, Director North American Enterprise Channel Management and Development, Nortel

3:00 – 3:45 PM ET
Hot Button Panel Two:
Managing Vendors in the Age of Managed Services
These days, the relationship between solution provider and vendor is different from the product-buyer model of years past. As managed services have become an integral part of many solution providers’ business models, vendors have responded by offering more enhanced or value-added services to solution providers and their customers. Discover how solution providers are using their vendor partners in ways previously unimagined – and what vendors are doing to stay relevant.

Moderator: Charlene O'Hanlon, Senior Editor, Ziff Davis Enterprise
Speaker: Charles Weaver, President, MSP Alliance
Speaker: Michael D. Proper, President & CEO, DirectPointe
Speaker: Guy Fardone, COO, Evolve IP

5:00 – 5:45 PM ET
Hot Button Panel Three:
Joint Marketing in a Blended Services World
More solution providers are joining forces with other solution providers to offer a more robust product and service offering and take their business to the next level. But this new model of partnering has created a marketing dilemma for some solution providers. How can solution providers effectively use their partnerships with other solution providers as a marketing tool? Is a solution provider perceived as stronger or weaker by its clients for having partnered with other solution providers? How does partnering with other solution providers affect or impact vendor marketing dollars? Our solution provider panel will offer their “in the trenches” perspective.

Moderator: Larry Walsh, Editor, Baseline Magazine
Speaker: Steve Merkel, CIO, Data393
Speaker: Eileen Renner, Director, Channel and Corporate Marketing, Amazon Consulting, LLC
Speaker: Jeffrey Schuit, Director of Business Development, CHIPS Computer Consulting