ChannelNEXT: “Shaping the Future of the Canadian Channel – Together”

Adapting to the AI-Empowered Channel Landscape

The Canadian channel community faces significant challenges, including economic uncertainties, the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and persistent cybersecurity threats. ChannelNEXT25 West has tailored its content with a “CanadaStrong” mission to help our community navigate these issues.

The Evolving Managed Services Provider (MSP) Landscape

The MSP business model is rapidly transforming. Leading channel partners are adapting to client demands for improved outcomes, enhanced cybersecurity, and the strategic use of AI to optimize resources and explore new possibilities. Failure to guide customers through AI adoption and protect them from cyber threats can lead to a loss of competitive advantage.

Cybersecurity’s impact on the channel is escalating due to new compliance regulations, cyber insurance requirements, data privacy concerns, and advanced AI-driven attacks. While AI offers benefits like improved results and efficiency, its proliferation also intensifies cybersecurity risks and raises concerns about privacy and intellectual property.

MSPs also grapple with high system operating costs (around 30%), low margins (below 20%), difficulties with customer and employee retention, and scarce human resources.

Experts like Chris Day Fred Voccola, Mark Scott and Jay McBain along with many others featured on eChannelNEWS, offer good insights.

ChannelNEXT West: Your “AI-Empowered” and “Cyber-first” Journey

ChannelNEXT West is designed to help channel partners embark on their “AI-Empowered” journey with a “Cyber-first” approach, preparing them for the next generation of MSPs, or Managed Intelligence Service Providers.

Key Highlights:

  • Unbiased Education: Approximately 80% of our content is not vendor-sponsored, ensuring unbiased, real educational insights to help you make informed decisions.
  • Networking Value: While the event offers a wealth of educational content and profit-making solutions, the peer-to-peer social networking aspect provides the most value.
  • Expanded Mastermind Sessions: We’ve added more Mastermind Sessions! Most topics during the two-day event will be paired with an extended Mastermind Peer-Group for deeper dives. Simply select your topic and join a session. Each session will be led by knowledgeable experts. Approximately 15 topics will be available.

Watch this Preview of the Mastermind Peer-Group Sessions:

Explore our sponsors! They are bringing a wealth of business opportunities and solutions:

Register here!


ChannelNEXT’s 3 main topics:

  • Artificial Intelligence – reshaping everything in ways we are yet to fully understand
  • Cybersecurity – essential for any digital transformation
  • Digital Transformation – the future of business in an AI-first digital world
  • We will also explore how leading MSPs are streamlining and automating their operations with AI.
Register here!

Attendees: We anticipate 200 leading channel partners from the local region.

New This Year: For the first time, we are opening our doors to a limited number of leading CISOs, CIOs, and AI Consultants to meet, learn, and collaborate with our channel community and explore business opportunities.

Venue: The NEW BMO Convention Centre in the Calgary Stampede Park. This larger venue will accommodate more attendees and provide easy access for everyone.

Explore our speakers:

Register here!

ChannelNEXT attendees get to experience the ultimate resource and community built to help the channel to fight back against cybercrime 365 days a year – The Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem. Made in Canada! If you want to go very deep in Cybersecurity, explore this resource and consider attending our CDES Cybersecurity event on November 26 in Toronto (coming soon in more locations across Canada).

Watch these and other video previews on eChannelNEWS to get a better understanding of what to expect.

Special Pre- and Post-Day Courses:

We’ve added two full days of special courses on AI and Leadership, specifically tailored for MSPs. Learn how to effectively leverage AI to enhance both your business operations and your clients’ success, and develop your leadership skills.

These exclusive, high-value courses are optional and offered at a fraction of their regular price. All ChannelNEXT registered attendees will also be notified directly. Registration is open to everyone, regardless of ChannelNEXT attendance.

October 22: The AI Advantage: Sales Growth Systems for MSPs and Channel Leaders

October 22: Empathy in the Age of AI: The Emotional Reset at Work

October 25: The AI Power Clinic to Build Your Super-Intelligent Digital Twin

Register here!

Registration Information:

After 23 years of offering free attendance, a nominal fee is now required to accommodate more attendees and deliver independent, unsponsored content.

  • Sponsor Passes: Sponsors may still have some complimentary passes available – just ask your local representative.
  • Early Registration: $195 (before October 10th)
  • Regular Fee: $349 (starting October 10th)

Your ticket includes full event access for two days with food, drinks, and entertainment. Hotel accommodation is not included, but a short list of nearby options to fit any budget will be provided after registration.

Register here!

We thank you for your ongoing support of our independent Canadian channel new media, eChannelNEWS. It allows us to continue serving the Canadian channel community 365 days a year and host events such as our award-winning ChannelNEXT conferences and our latest Cybersecurity Defence Ecosystem Summits. It’s one more reason that makes ChannelNEXT unique. Join us

Event Details
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Agenda

Today, no conference is complete without a significant dose of artificial intelligence. It's such an important topic that we felt necessary to write this preface of how we will be covering AI in this conference to set your expectations.

Most vendors are already incorporating AI into their solutions so you will hear a lot about this. However, the ChannelNEXT conferences will explore beyond AI embedded applications to what's real today and what's coming next in Artificial Intelligence to help Channel Partners AND their clients. You will learn what the most successful channel partners are doing with AI to empower their businesses and to guide their customer's AI journey.

Actually, we have bolted two different AI courses: one a PRE-DAY and another POST-DAY. You and your team and end-users can take these courses to better leverage AI and get ahead of the curve. Even if you are an advanced user of AI, you will gain value from these courses. Details will be sent to all those who register or contact us to learn more.

- Building your personal AI Agent to augment your productivity and reduce your workload
- How do other MSPs and VARs use AI internally - Sales, Marketing and Automation.
- Why and how should MSPs"inject" themselves in the AI journey of their customers?
- Where are the AI profitable business opportunities for the Channel today?
- What should channel partners do succeed in the era of AI?
- What risks should the channel and its clients be mindful of when they use AI?

These are just a few of the important topics that all channel partners should be aware of, and we've assembled THE A-Team to address them.

Artificial Intelligence done right allows you to obtain significantly more outcomes from almost any product or service you utilize. It is also something you will most likely receive for free with anything you buy, sell, or use. So how can you make money from AI today? We will show you!

Every day, we look at how vendors are integrating AI into their applications, services, and platforms. If you want to have a better knowledge of how vendors, distributors and channel partners are exploiting AI, check out the hundreds of articles on www.e-channelnews.com

We continue to speak with many channel partners to understand what they think about AI, how they use it in their businesses, as well as how they collaborate with their clients to use it. Some valuable insights to help you navigate your AI journey.

We will share our findings regarding AI at ChannelNEXT through panel discussions, presentations, talk shows, town halls, and mastermind peer-group sessions.

It feels like AI is "dark matter" that lives between everything to enable you to do a lot more with much less. AI is rapidly evolving so it's a subject that we will continue to be exploring and sharing with our channel community on a daily basis, long after the event is over.

You'll either learn new ways to include AI into your game or receive validation that you're on the right track.

Nobody is able to predict what we will discover as we go deeper into the world of artificial intelligence. Moving forward, it's seems obvious that AI will play an increasingly important role in our daily lives and businesses, as no other technology has done since the smartphone. It is also likely that AI will propel us to boldly go where we have never gone before, whether we choose to or not.

What we know is that it will not go away. We understand that Government regulations are late to the AI party and as per our Government's data, Canada is behind the G7 countries in the adoption of AI. We know that practically every business leader believes that AI will drastically change the way they operate. We know that AI is getting cheaper, more accessible and user friendly to everyone. We already know a lot, but we must keep in mind that artificial intelligence is still in its early stages. What we know today will likely change tomorrow!

We are enthusiastic but cautiously optimistic about AI. It doesn't really matter where you fall on the AI spectrum, we are all still learning. If there is one thing we have all learned about AI, it is that it may be both highly useful and dangerous. Here is an interesting article on the topic on eChannelNEWS https://www.e-channelnews.com/is-ai-distorting-or-creating-a-new-reality/

Here are a few more hints on what we will be delving into at ChannelNEXT:

- Every vendor and solution you see at ChannelNEXT will probably be empowered by AI in some way. The key is to understand if it is just a marketing gimmick or does it truly help. We help to uncover the facts through our daily news interviews at eChannelNEWS.
- You will learn how AI is actually making cybersecurity more affordable and more effective.
- You will learn how AI-Agents is empowering bad actors in ways that may surprise you and it's not just about writing better phishing messages.
- You'll discover how to successfully lead the AI conversation with your clients.
- You will learn how your peers use AI.
- You will know how AI can decrease your risks in compliance, regulations and privacy issues.
- You will learn by listening to and exchanging your AI ideas with a community of like-minded peers.
- You will learn how AI Agents are going to change everything including how we use the Internet.

Our expert “A-Team” will share practical insights through panels, presentations, town halls, and peer-group sessions—helping you integrate AI effectively, validate your approach, and uncover new opportunities.

AI is rapidly becoming more accessible, powerful, and integral to everything we buy, sell, and use. The challenge is not whether it will impact your business—it will—but how to leverage it for maximum value while navigating its risks.

ChannelNEXT isn’t only about AI; it’s also about digital transformation, cybersecurity, sustainability, and MSP automation—all increasingly powered by evolving AI. Join the conversation and fine-tune your AI strategy to stay competitive in the channel’s next chapter.

Coffee, tea, drinks and snacks are available any time throughout the day!

As usual, Jay McBain, a top analyst in channel research (Canalys), will give you the most up-to-date research data for the market and channel trends. Julian Lee, who hosts eChannelNEWS and Paolo Del Nibletto of Jolera and eChannelNEWS contributor, will discuss other headwinds and opportunities for the Canadian channel.

Most channel partners want to sell their business. We will have a panel with top MSPs and experts who have been through the process to share their experience to help you with a successful exit or merger. As matter for fact the advice you gain here is valuable regardless if you are ready to sell your business or not!

There is a lot of talk about marketplaces dominating SaaS transactions and today's buyer's journey. How this will impact the buying behaviours of MSPs and end-users? We will explore how channel partners can leverage marketplaces to drive growth and profits and even private-label a marketplace platform.

With the proliferation of AI and the growing governmental regulations, it's getting very complicated for channel partners and their clients to follow compliance rules, get cyber insurance and manage privacy issues. What does this mean for MSPs and their clients and how can they tackle this important challenge? We have both the compliance platform and the cyber insurance solution designed for Canada!

Where is the MSP "puck" going? Experts will share future insights to help you prepare for the next level in managed services. The MSP business model is evolving and staying ahead of the curve is where the most successful companies will thrive.

Lions' Den, hosted by Randal Wark is the fastest and most enjoyable way to find out about vendors and what they have to offer. Each person has three minutes to make their case. No slide decks allowed! You get to pick the best pitch and a chance to win $500 cash. Get paid to learn :o).

Find out what thousands of great MSPs are doing to make their businesses grow faster and more profitable. You will get an inside look at a variety of solutions that other MSPs are leveraging to drive revenue.

Talk Show: Julian Lee and Paolo Del Nibletto going to speak to several guests and find out what MSPs really want to know and why it matters to them. Just the gold, no filler! You can even send us questions you want us to ask them!

The most important market trends are AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and sustainability. In this digital-first market, how can you apply them all to win. We'll talk about some of the things we've learned from talking to hundreds of MSPs and experts in the field.

Speed Introductions is a great way to meet all the vendors and exhibitors quickly and see if you can work together. The best part is that you can do this over an open bar and food. Listen for the bell every three minutes to move on to the next one. A lot of vendors give away cool prizes!

Get ready for a great dinner and entertainment experience! Time to chill out, have some great food, drinks and enjoy some entertainment while making friends networking with everyone.

You may not want to stay out too late because the next day we start at 8 AM sharp with a full breakfast! Our special guest speaker will rock your world with some eye-opening practical insights to grow business. Don't miss this!

Speakers:

Get ready to supercharge your business at this can’t-miss event! The official kick-off is at 10:00 AM, but why wait? Come early at 9:00 AM for breakfast bites, coffee, tea and a chance to network with everyone! We'll be there by 8 AM.

We'll give you a sneak peek of the jam-packed schedule for the next two days and get you an e-guide with all the deets. Plus, get your hands on a cool (OnPoint) new tool to access and share the speaker slide decks, videos, and more in real time, as well as connect with all speakers and vendors!

Prepare to be wowed by thirty top-notch speakers. Dive into the latest MSP business trends, dive deep into how the industry is embracing artificial intelligence, and don't miss the town hall chat with the five top MSPs in the nation. You'll have tons of chances to pick the brains of these industry giants!

Buckle up for two days of pure excitement and serious business growth.

Meet your event crew!

Speakers:

In the world of business, with this challenging economy, how's our trusty channel community holding up? Where is it going? How do we get there from here? Hold onto your hats as Julian Lee of eChannelNEWS and Jay McBain of Canalys spills the beans with the latest stats, and reveals the top trends channel partners should jump on. Only at ChannelNEXT!

Today, you need to follow the data and listen to other successful MSPs who work on the frontlines every day. With the combined research coming from Canalys and Jay's analysis plus Julian's news media reach with a community of over 100,000 channel partners, you will see the future clearer and how to connect the dots to get you from here to there...Always be going to where the puck is going to be!

Speakers:

Hear firsthand from a two-time IT business owner, David Poulson who successfully sold to two very different buyer types. In this session, you’ll learn what buyers really look for, how to position your business for a strong exit, and what to expect at each stage of the sale process.
Whether you’re actively considering a transaction or simply exploring future options, this conversation will offer an inside look at how to prepare, what the journey entails, and what life on the other side of a sale can look like.

We are thrilled to introduce this latest Mastermind Peer-Group session focused on MSP Valuation for Mergers and Acquisitions, including finding potential buyers and sellers. The peer-group will convene regularly, both virtually and in-person.

If you're interested to join this peer-group, please reach out for more information.

You are also welcome to join an introductory Mastermind Peer-Group session on this topic in the afternoon of Day 2.

Speakers:

Looking for a wider range of solutions built for MSPs? Join Pax8 Cloud Marketplace that will revolutionize the business for MSPs. This data-driven future is purpose-built to anticipate the needs of an evolving industry, so that partners can meet and exceed the needs of their customers, today. Pax8 can help you to make more profits, streamline your business and expand your solution portfolio.

Speakers:

It is clear that the MSP business model is evolving to the next phase. Prepare for some insights by a diversified and forward-thinking panel of MSPs and experts on what the next generation of MSPs will look like especially as they are empowered by AI and focus on business outcomes and strategy. Enter the Managed Intelligence Service Provider...

The trends are already emerging and the dots are starting to connect but there is still more to come. We are already seeing AI Consultants and Strategists emerging as-a-Service and all channel partners can be in a position to lead this trend!

Join these experts for a Mastermind peer-group session in the afternoon of Day-2.

Speakers:

A scrumptious lunch in the middle of the EXPO. A great opportunity to network with everyone.

Speakers:

Each participating vendor gets 3 minutes to make their perfect sales pitch to the entire audiences. (See the sponsor section for all participating vendors).

Channel partners can quickly assess which vendor can be a fit for their solutions' portfolio.

Everyone in the audience will receive a link to instantly vote for their favourite pitch. And, you get a chance to win $500 cash as a "thank-you-for-voting".(Prize draw in the EXPO on day 2. Must be present to win!)

Learn how to do the best 1 to 3 minute "elevator" pitch? Join us for a workshop mastermind peer-group session in the afternoon of Day 2!

Speakers:

Navigating the AI Landscape for anyone is not clear as we don't know what we don't know and things are changing very fast.

Over the two days, we will be showing MSPs how to leverage AI in their sales, marketing and productivity, including creating digital twins and AI-Agents to augment their game.

In this session we will be talking about how YOU can find your path and accelerate on your AI journey.

We are also offering TWO AI Courses on the pre-day Oct 22 and on the post-day Oct 25 - Browse this website to learn more and to register. We strongly suggest you take these two different courses, bring your team and invite your clients.

Join the experts for a Mastermind peer-group session on AI in the afternoon of Day-2.

Speakers:

If you are not already an effective cybersecurity-first MSP, then you are way behind the channel growth curve and the only way to catch up is probably to outsource the workload or focus on AI or exit your business. Research shows that a whopping 93% of clients would ditch their current partners for another if they believe that the new partner can provide better cyber protection.

The trend is 100% clear. MSPs who have transitioned into MSSPs are gaining customers every day at the expense of those without a solid cybersecurity managed services practice.

Everyone in the channel already knows that cybersecurity is like the ultimate never-ending battle. It's a maze of confusion, pain and cash-draining chaos. Finding and keeping experts is not easy and it's expensive (off-shoring outsourcing comes with its own problems). Just when you think you've nailed it, the challenges are morphed yet again. With new rules and regs coming down like rain, the stakes are getting even higher for any slip-ups. Now with AI everywhere, deep fakes, voice cloning and autonomous AI-agent surveillance, the attacks are automated 24/7 and increasing in sophistication.

Nailing cybersecurity is an obvious must for you and your clients. Failure is not an option! The only big question is do you build the practice in-house or outsource and if so, what and how do you outsource?

Our squad of top cyber crime-fighting superheroes is here to dive deeper into the cyber realm and hand you some treasure maps to accelerate your journey to victory. They will tackle it from what's coming, building and testing the right tech stack, discovery, HR solutions, an analyst views, legal perspectives, insurance issues, selling risks and privacy compliance. Time to level up your cybersecurity practice and generate more revenue.

And, get your questions answered! Pick the brains of these amazing cyber experts throughout the event! Stay back for even more in the afternoon Mastermind sessions.

Let's rock this cyber fortress together and help you level up your game! You got this!

Join these experts for a Mastermind peer-group session in the afternoon of Day-2.

Speakers:

Dive into the conference e-guide for more info of these exciting unscripted and candid sessions!

Get pumped for ten power-packed sessions with top vendors and thought leaders ready to rock the stage. Brace yourself for discussions on several hot topics like Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, and Artificial Intelligence, 5G, Business Automation, Networking, and so much more!

No boring slide decks here! These fast-paced, high-value 15-minute sessions are all about engaging with our channel partners and sparking lively discussions around topics that matters to THEM!

Julian Lee and Paolo Del Nibletto will interview these guests live on stage and field your questions (you can actually submit you questions). What do you really want to know?

And the best part? All speakers will be around for two full days to tackle all of your burning questions.

Let the games begin!

Speakers:

AI is evolving fast—but are we evolving emotionally with it? In this session, we explore how
emotional intelligence (EQ) remains the most valuable human trait in an AI-driven world. From
leadership to burnout, decision-making to digital empathy, we’ll look at how the most impactful
organizations are blending IQ, EQ, and AI to lead the future of work.

Key Takeaways:

• How AI tools (like ChatGPT) are shaping EQ and emotional wellness in teams
• The balance between automation and authentic human connection
• The neuroscience of empathy and how tech can support—not replace—it
• Real-world applications and tools for emotionally aware leadership

Join this expert for a Mastermind peer-group session in the afternoon of Day-2.

Speakers:

Speed Introductions is one of the secret ingredients of ChannelNEXT! Meet every vendor and speaker for 3 minutes each! Find out if you are a match. Companies and people change so what you may have known in the past may not be what reality is today. You just never know who you will meet that can benefit you. We will ring a bell every 3 minutes to promote you to move to the next brief meet-up. This will help you to know which companies, solutions and people you want to connect deeper with over the rest of the event.

Vendors and delegates meet over an open bar and pre-dinner snacks for just 3 minutes each. Listen of the bell and just move to the next. It's one of our most fun social networking activities! Lots of prize give-aways! All happens in the Expo area. A great lead into the evening's dinner and networking experience.

Join us at a special location for more great conversations, food, drinks and entertainment!

Many (including us) say this social networking activity is where the best relationships and partnerships are made. It's also where friendships are built!

Need more drinks? Keep your money! Just look for the vendors with the special sponsor badges as they are loaded with drink tickets and are more than happy to buy you a drink all night long!

At ChannelNEXT we play hard but we also work hard! Time to wake up a bit early, maybe go for a walk or job by the falls. Today is going to be another big day!

We will have a full breakfast waiting for you so please be in the room by 8 AM! Our guest speaker will deliver som eye-opening insights into building your success!

Today, cybersecurity is the hottest sector for all MSPs. You will learn the more advanced skills to stay ahead of the curve in the cyber world. They will cover the hottest areas that you need to know. Regardless of your level of cybersecurity skills, you can't afford to miss this!

Sustainability is a growing factor in end-user and government decision-making as well as becoming a competitive differentiator. It is also important for the environment. In this session we will explore solutions in sustainability to monitor and measure results with Artificial Intelligence.

One of the hardest things for most MSPs is their marketing and use of public relations. Not anymore! We will explore how you can become an expert in both marketing and public relations with our expert Michael Becce, and continue on your own to grow your business 365 days a year! Later in the day you can dive deeper with two sessions on marketing and public relations.

The Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem is now available in Canada. You can find everything you need to win the cybersecurity fight under one roof. You will learn about some of the powerful tools and services that will change the game! It's going to help you in so many ways! Get ready to be pleasantly surprised! Julian Lee will introduce the CDE with several partners to help you up your cyber game.

CompTIA says that by the end of 2025, AI will take away 85 million jobs and create 97 million new ones. However, not all of these 85 million people will gain. We finish up the morning with a deep dive into how to best leverage AI with and in your clients. AI is NOT a product. It's more of a feature that comes (or will come) with just about everything. AI already has enormous impact on the digital evolution, cybersecurity and sustainability, and we still don't know all of its effects! A panel of experts will explore how all of these trends are morphing as they collide.

Prizes, awards, and lunch in the expo! It's your last chance to meet all the exhibitors and your peers to make action plans for after the show! What you do after the event will impact your personal ROI.

The afternoon is like gold! ChannelNEXT's newest crazy ride is the MSP Town Hall. It's probably unlike anything else you've experienced at any event. Shout out you questions and get answers for the collective wisdom of the experts and audience! A panel of experts will be there to brainstorm and provide insights to help you.

Last but not least, we have the amazing Mastermind Peer Group sessions, where we break everyone up into smaller groups to work on their pain points. Experience probably the most important thing you can do to improve your business forever! It can also be life-changing! It's optional so you can decide to head home or stay back for one more big thing! 6 topics to choose from including a session just for vendors! we will move to another room with a great view of the falls to wrap up the last session of the event.

If you are staying back for another night, we will be around!

Speakers:

Everyone meets over a scrumptious full breakfast to kick off day 2 and learn about selling with AI as well as selling AI services.

AI alone doesn’t build trust, drive growth, or close deals. In fact, MIT research shows 90% of AI projects in large organizations fail because they lead with tools, not strategy or culture.

As MSPs and tech vendors, we’re expected to guide our clients through the AI shift. But without a mindset, framework, and execution model, we risk becoming replaceable.

In this keynote, Shane Gibson unpacks:

How to build AI tools with embedded strategy and prompts that convert.

How to install an AI growth mindset across your team.

Why top sales orgs are shifting 75% of workflows to AI—and what they’re doing with the other 25%.

Easy-to-deploy tools that amplify sales efforts and client value.

AI-driven content strategies that speak directly to your market—without losing authenticity.

This isn’t about using AI. It’s about using it well so we build a moat around our clients in this disruptive AI marketplace.

We are also offering TWO AI Courses on the pre-day Oct 22 and on the post-day Oct 25 - See tabs to learn more and to register. We strongly suggest you take these two different courses, bring your team and invite your clients.

Join this expert for a Mastermind peer-group session in the afternoon of Day-2.

Speakers:

You must be plugged into the AI journey of your customers to remain relevant or your competitors will! As the rise of the AI Consultants accelerate, it's either you learn what's required or you partner with these AI professionals.

Are you actually leveraging all of co-pilot with your clients? As that enough?
How do you have the AI conversation to lead the journey beyond the basic co-pilot?

In this session, we will give you two ways in which you can lead the AI conversation. Governance and Data Classification is mission critical before you start the journey and we have a solution for that. Then, building and selling your knowledge of AI while customizing your AI Digital Twin for yourself and your clients will accelerate your growth.

There is a lot to learn here but the AI business opportunity can be very lucrative!

We are also offering TWO AI Courses on the pre-day Oct 22 and on the post-day Oct 25 - See tabs to learn more and to register. We strongly suggest you take these two different courses, bring your team and invite your clients.

Join these experts for a Mastermind peer-group session in the afternoon of Day-2.

Speakers:

Death by a thousand tools! This is what most MSPs are face with. What are the more effective tools to streamline the MSP operations to maximize productivity and profitability. There are many MSPs tools available today. How do you navigate and find the right tools and platforms for your business.

Some top MSPs have found the sweet spot to maximize productivity, save time and reduce cost. Literally do more with less. We will showcase the selection of tools as well as show how AI is helping to connect the dots better to make it fly!

We will explore some new tools are coming online from several companies that are poised to change the way MSPs run their business.

Join these experts for a Mastermind peer-group session in the afternoon of Day-2.

Speakers:

Join us for an exclusive session as Tiana, Senior Channel Account Manager – MSP at Sophos, takes the stage to share the latest innovations in cybersecurity from Sophos. This presentation will highlight the cutting-edge products, services, and technologies within Sophos’ comprehensive cybersecurity platform that equip MSPs to help their customers stay ahead of evolving threats.

Discover how Sophos is driving the future of managed security and get an inside look at key enhancements to their MSP Partner Program with the introduction of MSP Elevate — a program like no other, designed to help MSPs scale faster, operate more efficiently, and deliver greater value to their customers.

Whether you're a long-time Sophos Partner or just exploring what’s next in the cybersecurity landscape, this session will provide valuable insights into the tools, strategies, and support that set Sophos apart.

Speakers:

Introducing everything you need in one resource to do Cybersecurity right! Over 6,0000 members strong!

This is truly a a valuable resource in Cybersecurity Managed Services! Built in Canada exclusively for MSPs, MSSPs, SOCs and CISOs. See https://cybersecuritydefenseecosystem.com/

Highlights:

1. Cybersecurity Insurance
2. Cyber Mastermind Peer-Groups
3. Compliance and Regulations
4. Data Classification, Cyber Breach Forensics and AI Governance
5. Cybersecurity Posture Management
6. The next opportunities in Cybersecurity

It currently features over 240 CISO-vetted cybersecurity solutions and several business services currently available to help members build and scale their cybersecurity business practice.

We will highlight a few of the latest CDE membership services to help you the fight against cybercrime and scale your cybersecurity managed services!

AI Agent Platform for MSSPs built by an MSSP; Canadian Compliance Platform; Data Classification Platform, Cyber Insurance, Marketing Automation Platform, Private label SaaS Marketplace Platform, vCISO Services, Outsource SOCs, CyberSecurity Mastermind Peer Groups. Some making their debut to the channel.

You will only find this at ChannelNEXT!

Head over to https://cybersecuritydefenseecosystem.com/ and join for free to jumpstart your journey.

Join these experts for a Mastermind peer-group session in the afternoon of Day-2.

Speakers:

Marketing your MSP business is complicated and most MSPs are just not experts. When it comes to public relations it gets even more difficult for MSPs. In this session you will explore marketing powered by AI as well as learn how you can leverage PR to promote your business 365 days a year - like a pro! Get ready, we are about to demystify marketing and PR and give you the tools, knowledge and support you need to rock this! Stay back in the afternoon for more Mastermind sessions on these topics!

Join these experts for a Mastermind peer-group session in the afternoon of Day-2.

Speakers:

Get ready for a fast-paced, fun, and eye-opening micro session where you and your table team dive into a game-show-style challenge powered by real-time data from the latest research available.

This is your chance to uncover surprising truths that will transform how you think about talent, leadership, and the very profitability of your business.

In just 20 minutes, “The XX Files” will reveal how your leadership team is a proven driver of recurring revenue, customer retention, and high performance in the channel.

Come play, learn, and leave ready to lead the change. Can’t wait to see you there!

Speakers:

Lunch in the Expo Hall. Enjoy lunch as you brows the vendor booths and network with everyone for the last time.

Enter the Prize Draws – It’s Easy and Rewarding!
Make sure to enter your business card at the prize draws at every exhibiting vendor, there are many giveaways.

Please VOTE – Your Voice Matters!
Voting recognizes vendors for categories like “Best in Show.” Winners are selected directly from the voting list. Please check your email for the survey link

Did you vote for the best pitch at the Lions' Den? Winners are selected directly from the voting list. Please check your email for the survey link.

MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!

Get ready for the latest wild ride at ChannelNEXT! Get answers to all of your remaining questions before you go home! Join us for a candid session with the top MSP gang in an open town-hall showdown. Ask away any question and tap into the wisdom of top channel partners! If you had to assemble a group of your MSP peers to help you improve your business, then this would be the A-TEAM! Remember, what goes down in this town hall, stays in this town hall!

Speakers:

Last but not least, we have one more BIG thing for you! This may be actually one of the biggest values you take home so come with an open mind to collaborate and learn with your peers!

Dive into a Mastermind Peer Group of your choice to tackle any pesky problems you're facing!

You can choose to join a Mastermind Peer-Group on ANY of the topics covered over the last two days of ChannelNEXT with the speakers and experts. Go deeper. Ask your questions. Find the answers YOU need.

There is only so much one can get from a short presentation. These sessions follow a specific Mastermind process to help you get the most from the topics covers during the events plus more!

Simply pick the topic you wish to experience and Randal Wark hosting this session will guide you to your group!

It could be THE secret sauce to boosting your success and happiness. But don't just take my word for it—ask around for some success stories. We even have some video testimonials posted in the About section of this website! It's a game-changer!

Some Mastermind topics and facilitators > Sign up for any session at the event. Details will be provided.

- Any MSP business problem - Randal Wark, Channel Partner Alliance - home of Mastermind Peer-Groups!
- Sales with AI - Shane Gibson
- Exiting your MSP - business Michael Contento
- Digital Marketing - Earl Flormata
- Following the Buyers Journey - Jeff Mesnik
- Public Relations - Michael Becce
- Cyber Security Transforming your MSP to MSSP - Nim Nadarajah
- Cybersecurity Ask a CISO - Evgeniy Kharam
- Artificial Intelligence Strategy - Kris Krug
- Artificial Intelligence Agents - Manuj Aggarwal
- Streamlining MSP Operations - Shawn Freeman
- Leadership - Likky Lavji
- Team Building - Glynis Devine
- Cyber Insurance - Kenrick Bagnall
- Data Discovery, Classification and Preparation before Implementing AI - Jaap Mantel
- Vendor Channel Partner Development - Julian Lee

- Meet Participating Vendors in One-on-One or Peer-Group Sessions - TBA. Every vendor has an option to host one-on-one sessions with any attendee or in a small group. Just look for the vendor logo on the tables!

We do this at the end because you never know how long these sessions can run or transition to the bar or dinner to carry on. Some vendors host private dinners post event.

If you like, ask about joining a permanent peer-group to carry on the collaboration throughout the year! To learn more https://www.channelpartneralliance.com/

Speakers:

We hope you gained a lot of new and valuable knowledge that will help your business, made solid partnerships with our sponsor vendors as well as connected with your peers, and of course, enjoyed yourself.

If there is anything you missed or need, you know how to reach us. We are there to help our community move forward. Please subscribe to www.e-channelnews.com to stay up to date!

We know you have choices and are busy so we truly appreciate you taking some time to attend our event! Your support also matters to encourage more investment from vendors into the Canadian channel.

Have a safe journey home! We look forward to seeing you again at our next events.

Remember to take Canada's 50 Best Managed IT Company assessment to measure your best practices - know what you may not know and improve! See https://www.bestmanageditcompanies.com/ If you score in the top 50, you can also earn one of the most prestigious awards in the country for channel partners!

We will be staying back so if you are also sticking around, we hope to see you post event!

Thank you!

ChannelNEXT/TechnoPlanet

Many of us are leaving on the following day. If you are staying back, you are welcome to join the gang after the event. Where we go and what we do is all up in the air...One thing for sure, it will be fun to build some relationships and friendships.

Map, build and launch AI revenue growth tools in one-day

(Investment: $995 / $795 before October 1st / $695 Before September 15th)

For MSPs and channel leaders, revenue is the lifeblood and too much of it gets trapped in admin, stalled deals, and outdated processes. This one-day intensive is designed to unlock that revenue first, by helping you automate redundant tasks, accelerate deal cycles, and focus your people on high-value selling.

But that’s only half the story. Once you master these AI-driven systems, you can turn them outward — packaging AI sales enablement as a high-value service and demonstrating leadership your clients will pay for. You won’t just be using AI to grow revenue, you’ll be the trusted advisor helping others do the same. Every client should be using AI assistants... but we need to lead them from experience.

What you’ll build in one day:

AI Sales Assistants: Automate research, proposals, and follow-ups.

Pipeline Acceleration: Cut deal times from weeks to days.

Smart Prospecting Systems: Identify and prioritize high-value clients.

Content at Scale: Generate campaigns and thought leadership in minutes.

Capture & Clone Best Practices: AI coaching and writing that sells like your best rep.

Revenue Automation with Humanity: Free your team from mundane tasks while amplifying human-centric skills.

Facilitators:

Shane Gibson — Sales Futurist & CEO, Professional Sales Academy
Kris Krug — Co-Founder TheUpgrade.ai, Executive Director BC AI Association, AI Instructor at Google News Initiative

Book your seat now at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-ai-advantage-sales-growth-systems-for-msps-and-channel-leaders-tickets-1636723938359

Contact us for more information: https://www.channelnext.ca/contact/

Speakers:

Workshop Overview:

This full-day experience is designed for professionals, team leads, and business owners who
want to stay emotionally intelligent in a tech-saturated world. It blends EQ coaching,
neuroscience, and AI-powered tools like ChatGPT to teach emotionally aware leadership and
culture building.

Workshop Breakdown

Module 1: EQ Unpacked – The Foundation

• What is EQ really? And why does it matter more in the AI age?
• The 5 components of emotional intelligence and how to apply them at work
• Assessing your current EQ leadership style

Module 2: The Emotional Cost of AI (And How to Use It Wisely)
• AI and mental health in hybrid/remote work
• Using ChatGPT and similar tools to reduce stress, conflict, and burnout
• Emotional disconnect in digital teams—and how to fix it

Module 3: IQ vs EQ vs AI – Leadership’s New Equation
• When to lead with logic, emotion, or automation
• Interactive leadership matrix exercise
• Real business cases on AI + EQ failures and successes

Module 4: Tools, Prompts & Practice
• Emotional intelligence coaching prompts using ChatGPT
• Digital wellness practices and AI-supported feedback loops
• Building your own AI x EQ plan for your team or company

Bonus Deliverables for Attendees:
• AI-Powered EQ Toolkit (custom prompts, reflection templates, team exercises)
• Workshop workbook (PDF + printed copy)
• Certificate of Completion

Price: $449 per participant. All registered ChannelNEXT attendees will automatically receive information and link to purchase tickets. Others, please contact us to reserve your seat: https://www.channelnext.ca/contact/

Speakers:

Scientifically Proven & Peer-Reviewed: The AI Power Clinic to Build Your Super-Intelligent Digital Twin (Published in the Prestigious Mensa Research Journal)

Your competitors are already experimenting with AI. Some are quietly using it to slash costs, win bigger contracts, and reposition themselves as market leaders. If you’re not leveraging AI, you’re already falling behind.

This is not hype. This is scientifically validated, peer-reviewed, and published in the prestigious Mensa Research Journal with a 100% success rate in real-world applications.

In this exclusive 6-hour workshop, you will engineer your Super-Intelligent Digital Twin — an AI-powered extension of your leadership intelligence — and use it to re-engineer your:

Purpose (your north star for decision-making)
Self-Identity (upgrade from vendor to visionary)
Relationships (build trust and command higher margins)
Creativity & Courage (act decisively under uncertainty)
Time/AI Agents (reclaim bandwidth and scale intelligently)

By the end of the day, you won’t just “learn about AI” — you’ll leave with a working Digital Twin built from your own data and a roadmap to scale it into your business advantage.

Tangible Benefits (What You Walk Away With):
A first-generation AI Digital Twin built from your inputs.
A codified Purpose Statement that aligns every business decision.
An upgraded Self-Identity to reposition yourself for the AI era.
Tools to strengthen client trust and relationships.
New ways to solve problems with creativity and speed.
A time leverage plan — using AI agents to reclaim hours weekly.
A scalable roadmap to expand your Digital Twin into a full operating system.

Agenda (Aligned to AI Merge System):

Morning (3 hrs)
Build Your Digital Twin (Foundation)
Collect and structure your leadership & business data.
Create your first-generation Digital Twin.
Define Purpose (Compass)
Engineer a clear Purpose Statement with AI.
Use it to filter noise and focus on profit-driving opportunities.
Upgrade Self-Identity (Growth Mindset)
Replace outdated leadership patterns.
Reposition as an AI-powered growth architect.

Afternoon (3 hrs)
Optimize Relationships (Trust Builder)
Redesign how clients and partners see you.
Position yourself as the AI-enabled advisor clients pay a premium for.
Amplify Creativity & Courage (Edge)
Use your Digital Twin for innovative problem-solving.
Build the conviction to act under uncertainty.
Reclaim Time & Scale with AI Agents (Multiplier)
Offload tactical noise to AI agents.
Free your calendar for strategy, growth, and client wins.
Leave with a roadmap to scale your Digital Twin.

Price: $997 CAD (early bird $897 before October 1st)

Proof & Credibility:

Scientifically Validated: Featured in the Mensa Research Journal
Peer-Reviewed Framework: The AI Merge System has been academically vetted and industry tested
100% Success Rate: Every participant to date has achieved measurable breakthroughs
Testimonials & Case Studies: Available on request

Seats are limited! The MSPs who attend will lead. Those who don’t will follow.

Book your seat now at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-ai-power-clinic-to-build-your-super-intelligent-digital-twin-tickets-1663053581029?aff=oddtdtcreator

Contact us to learn more https://www.channelnext.ca/contact/

Speakers:
Register here!
Registration for ChannelNEXT25 West
Early registration fee $195.00
195
Register here!
PRE-DAY Oct 22 - AI Course
The AI Advantage: Sales Growth Systems for MSPs and Channel Leaders
995
Book Your Seat
POST-DAY OCT 25 - AI Course
The AI Power Clinic to Build Your Super-Intelligent Digital Twin
997
Book Your Seat
PRE-DAY Oct 22 Leadership Course
Human + Machine: Elevating Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI
449
Book Your Seat
Description

It's time to work ON your business instead of IN your business!

ChannelNEXT is a uniquely Canadian channel experience focused on practical insights for the growth of MSPs, ITSPs, ISVs, VARs, vendors, and distributors.

We'll cover four key areas:

- The impact of Artificial Intelligence on the channel.
- Cybersecurity solutions and best business practices.
- Digital Transformation in a digital-first world.
- The importance of sustainability.

Successful Managed Service Providers will share their secrets of success, focusing on effective strategies and lessons learned. Participating companies and presenters aim to provide valuable solutions and insights without sales pitches.

In the Lions' Den, vendors have up to three minutes to make their best pitch, allowing you to quickly assess if they are a good fit. The audience will even have the opportunity to vote for the best pitch, with cash prizes awarded!

ChannelNEXT also offers over 15 Mastermind Peer-Group sessions, allowing you to solve current pain points and experience the power of a peer network. Learn more or join a prominent peer group at Channel Partner Alliance.

Face-to-face social networking is a significant aspect of these events, giving you an opportunity to connect with industry professionals, your peers, and learn from their experiences.

If you're looking to develop or scale a sustainable and predictable managed-service recurring revenue business, ChannelNEXT is the perfect fit!

Discover why our guests consistently rate us at 98 percent satisfaction. Even so, we continually work to improve the experience. We strive to ensure you feel like an active participant rather than a passive attendee, offering multiple opportunities to help shape the content and questions addressed during our events.

Lastly, we are excited to announce the full availability of the Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem (CDE) in Canada. This exclusive offering, available only at ChannelNEXT events, provides everything you need to build and scale your cybersecurity business. Don't miss out on this game-changing opportunity. Learn more or join the community at Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem.

Stay tuned for updates on speakers, topics, and vendors as we continually update the information.

Get ready to dive into the ultimate, great Canadian Channel Extravaganza, ChannelNEXT! It's a power booster for MSPs, ITSPs, ISVs, VARs, vendors, and distributors, blending work and play in a spectacular resort setting.

NOTE: If, by chance, you need to cancel, make sure to do so at least 7 days before to get the full refund. (Cancellations cannot be accepted after this date, as we aim to avoid unnecessary waste of catering resources and ensure every seat is filled by a valued channel partner.)

Our Sponsors are the best and they make these events possible and affordable for the channel community!

We appreciate our sponsors but to bring you the very best educational content by non-sponsored speakers, we have to share costs. This is why for the first time in 23 years, we now have a nominal charge for attendees.

Keep in mind that eighty percent of our stage time is dedicated to independent expert speakers who are not vendors or sponsors, which restricts the number of sponsors we can include. Read more details in the FAQs.

Attending ChannelNEXT is like snagging a golden ticket to success! See you there!

FAQ

- Are you a vendor or distributor not exhibiting?

You will need to qualify for a guest pass. There is a fee for this. Are you an independent software vendor (ISV)? You may attend this event for free but some restrictions apply.

- How do I get all the information I need to attend?

Register and everything will be sent including the venue location and hotel recommendations.

- Can I bring my family and friends?

Yes, and they can leverage the resort facilities on their own. However, family members and children may NOT attend any official event functions.

- How do I cancel my attendance?

If you have registered and cannot attend, please cancel by following the instructions on your ticket notification from Eventbrite. If you cancel within 7 days prior the event date, you will get a full refund.

- What is minimum age of attendees?

Attendees must be 18 years or older.

- How do I book the hotel room?

Register and the hotel booking link will be sent in the confirmation email.

- How is my privacy of information handled?

We do NOT store your information after the event is closed. Registrations are handled by Eventbrite with the highest level of security. We do not share your information with anyone. If you want to connect with a vendor or others, you must exchange your details with them directly and we also provide a tool for you to easily connect and request more info.

- What is the cybersecurity posture of the event?

We are a cybersecurity-first organization and part of the Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem and therefore we adhere to a strict cybersecurity policy. We will never ask you for ANY personal or payment information beyond what you enter into Eventbrite (see their strict cybersecurity policies).(As with all cybersecurity hygiene policies, always be skeptical of everything you receive as bad actors are leveraging smart social engineering - when in doubt call us or contact us.)

Pledge for diversity and inclusion: We have a strict policy of no tolerance! ChannelNEXT is a welcoming environment for everybody. We take equality and diversity very seriously. Our events are completely safe zones, and no negative remarks or behaviour are tolerated.

- How do I book the pre and post event sessions?

Look for the registration and purchase ticket options on this website. You will receive complete details after you register

- Why is there a fee to attend instead of increasing the number of vendor sponsors to make it free for all?

We appreciate our sponsors a lot, without whom, these events would not even be possible. But, to bring you the very best of independent educational content by non-sponsored speakers, we have to share costs. This is why for the first time in 23 years, we now have a nominal charge for attendees. That said, all things considered, we believe we will have the right balance between vendor sponsors and unbiased educational content - you be the final judge if it's a great value for you:
1. Independent Expert Speakers: Eighty percent of our stage time is dedicated to independent expert speakers who are not vendors or sponsors, which restricts the number of vendors we can include.
2. Vendor to MSP Ratio: We aim for a 10 MSPs to 1 Vendor ratio. Our goal is to prevent an event where the number of vendors and guest speakers overshadows the channel partners.
3. Quality Over Quantity: We choose vendors that align well with our channel audience. If a vendor doesn't fit, they won't be part of the event.
4. Event Focus: Vendors are selected based on the event's focus.
- Cybersecurity: You'll find an abundance of experts and solutions from some of the world's top vendors. Trust us, you won’t need more!
- Artificial Intelligence: We have handpicked five regional experts who understand the channel, your market, and local requirements.
- Distributors: We will feature two of the best distributors in the channel, offering a wide range of products.
- Hardware Solutions: While we don't focus heavily on hardware, we will present some noteworthy solutions.
- If you want to explore thousands of products and vendors, subscribe to www.e-channelnews.com You will find everything that you are looking for!

- Still have more questions?

Contact the ChannelNEXT events team!

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Mitchell
Jeff Mesnik
Don/Cradlepoint
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