ChannelNEXT26 West

Stop the press! Aug 27, 2026, following several days of reflection as we reach the dawn of the major North American tariff war between the US and Canada, we find ourselves right in the thick of it. 

To meet our MSP community where they stand today and support them moving forward, we have adjusted the event’s goals, mission, and content. Additional updates will be shared as we progress.

You are not alone and we will weather this storm together as best we can…

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Beyond Everything AI and Cybersecurity, key adjustments include:

  1. Resilient Leadership: Equipping MSP leaders with the agility needed to pivot through specific challenges. We are bringing in experts to help upgrade leadership skills for these changing times.
  2. Risk Management & Client Retention: Preparing for market uncertainty, potential client losses, and project pauses caused by cross-border tariffs, chip shortage fueling price increases and currency pressures.
  3. Economic Navigation: Providing actionable strategies and leveraging distributor and vendor support to manage rising operational costs.
  4. Increase in the Mental Stress: Dealing with these market challenges on top of the typical stress levels facing MSPs.
  5. And much more…

It’s more important than ever to join ChannelNEXT26 West. Our 98th event in 24 years.

  • Over 80% of main stage content are NOT vendor sponsored.
  • No vendor sales pitches or mandatory break-out sessions.
  • One main stage for all content.
  • Content and mission shaped by leading Canadian MSPs.
  • 100% independent news media organized by the #1 channel industry brand “eChannelNEWS”.
  • Learn about hundreds of vendors every day – visit eChannelNEWS 

In the AI-driven digital world combined with all of the economical headwinds growth can be challenging for channel partners and their customers. Today, that uncertainty is higher than ever. ChannelNEXT offers a vital regional opportunity to stay connected and ahead by collaborating with your peers and experts to explore the latest solutions and services to elevate and scale business.

 

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Dive into what’s next in digital transformation, cybersecurity, AI, and sustainability to build a more robust, efficient, and innovative business.

Why Attend?

    • Grow Your Local Network and Business: Learn, discover new solutions, network with the community to significantly grow your business. Attendees report up to 30% growth.
    • Organized Independent Canadian News Media: Reduce reliance on foreign influence by supporting eChannelNEWS and ChannelNEXT. We are 100% Canadian.
    • Support Canada: Your attendance encourages vendors to invest in and support Canadian channel partners.
    • Experience: Enjoy a fun experience that everyone loves about ChannelNEXT.

We Will Focus Five Key Market Trends:

    • The Current Economical Headwinds facing Canada
    • Cybersecurity (Essential for digital transformation)
    • Artificial Intelligence (Reshaping everything with Autonomous Agentic AI)
    • Digital Transformation at the speed of AI (The only path forward)
    • Sustainability (Crucial for future survival) We also added Mental and Stress Health.

Unmatched Networking and Insights!

Join 200 leaders in your local channel community to learn, network, and gain actionable insights. Hear “secrets” from successful MSPs and industry veterans. Connect with outstanding, sometimes exclusive, vendors who can drive your revenue. Learn about our year-round effort to combat cybercrime: The Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem The Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem.

 

We are still in the process of fine-tuning  the event schedule and agenda. Come back often for updates on topics, speakers and more.

Save over $200 just by registering early! Registration Fee before September 28, 2026: $229.52 includes taxes and fees. Then $409.64 there after!

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(Your ticket includes full access to both days, including food, drinks, and entertainment. Hotel accommodation is NOT included.)

If you need Hotel accommodations, the dedicated booking link and instructions are provided in your confirmation email.

ChannelNEXT Group Rates:

  • Standard Rooms: $259.00 per night

  • Superior Harbourview Rooms: $289.00 per night

  • To secure the ChannelNEXT group rate, all hotel reservations must be made by Monday, October 5, 2026. We strongly recommend booking early, as room availability is limited.
  • Please note that group pricing and room availability are not guaranteed after October 5, 2026. Guestroom rates are subject to 3% Municipal Hotel Room Tax (MRDT), 5% GST, and 8% PST.

The Value of Peer-to-Peer Connection

While educational content and solutions are valuable, the peer-to-peer social networking, including the pre-day Mastermind sessions and the MSP Town Hall, often provides the MOST value. In-person networking builds meaningful relationships.

Updates and Uniqueness

VIDEO PREVIEWS. We continuously update content based on feedback. Check the agenda often. Tell us if you want something specific; our deep IT industry reach through independent news media, eChannelNEWS, allows us to find it—a major factor that makes ChannelNEXT unique. ChannelNEXT Events Nourish the Mind, Body, and Soul!

Here is our Board of Advisors who are helping to shape the ChannelNEXT Experience:

 

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Meet at the Peer!

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We will be hosting two big activities on the Pre-Day.

1. A Workshop on building your AI Digital Twin and Agents (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM) $695

2. Join a Mastermind Peer-Group (2:00 PM to 4:00 PM) $495

There is a fee to attend these sessions. If you are interested, please contact us to receive full details at https://www.channelnext.ca/contact/

Artificial Intelligence is centre-stage together with cybersecurity at ChannelNEXT26. You simply cannot have one without the other!

AI is now part of most technologies, and ChannelNEXT26 will double-click on how channel partners can leverage for themselves and their customers.

Topics we will cover include:

- Building your Digital Twin and how it will accelerate your AI journey
- How AI Agents are improving workflows for channel partners and their clients
- How MSPs and VARs use AI internally and with clients
- AI-related business opportunities
- Privacy and compliance regulations
- Cybersecurity as well as internal risks to consider with AI use

At ChannelNEXT26, we will explore the latest in AI through expert panels, presentations, discussions, town halls and peer groups. You will learn practical ways to use AI or validate your current approach.

By the end of the event, you’ll have a clearer view of how to use and monetize AI to strengthen your business.

Get ready for some extreme business building at this event! The party officially starts at 10:00 AM, but why wait? Swing by at 9:00 AM for some brekkie treats and mingle with the crew!

Explore the e-guide with everything you will be experiencing over the next couple days.

Prepare to be wowed by over twenty five top-notch speakers covering hot topics like artificial intelligence or cybersecurity (including the Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem). Dive into the latest MSP business trends, learn how to future-proof your biz, and unlock secrets to boosting value and selling like a pro. 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!

Speakers:

Undoubtedly, ongoing tariff challenges, economics, conflicts, and geopolitical concerns are contributing to the market uncertainty and prompting a reevaluation of purchasing decisions, but as companies look to expand into new markets and accelerate with AI, more opportunities are being uncovered.

We will highlight the challenges that are currently impacting the Canadian channel and industry, along with predictions for what lies ahead with some practical insights on how to navigate.

As news media (eChannelNEWS), we access and analyze comprehensive market research, data, and expert insights every day. This is further enhanced by our firsthand observations and feedback from the industry, community, and channel frontlines.

Julian Lee and Paolo Del Nibletto will present the latest findings, and reveal the top tactics and trends channel partners should leverage.

Only at ChannelNEXT!

Speakers:

The MSP industry is in a significant transformation powered by Autonomous Agentic AI. Hosted by Julian Lee and Paolo Del Nibletto, a panel of top Canadian MSP leaders will have candid conversations about where the channel is headed and how they are navigating the future, today.

Learn where you are on the MSP Poverty Line so you can plot a path to future-proof your business. After this panel, we jump into the MSP Town-Hall where you get to ask questions.

Speakers:

You ever left a conference and felt that you did not get some of your most important questions answered? Something was still missing?

Well, get ready to leave with everything you will ever need! It's the latest wild ride at ChannelNEXT! Get candid answers to all of your burning questions before you go home!

Join us for a no holds barred candid session with the top MSP gang and experts 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! This is for your eyes only!

Speakers:

A great opportunity to also network with everyone. See the current list of sponsor on this website! Stay tuned as we add more...

Speakers:

Each participating vendor gets 2 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".

Speakers:

Why “Human in the Loop” is a feature not a bug
The tech sales game has shifted and AI has made obvious who’s riding the change currents and who’s treading water. The Channel grew significantly this year yet deal sizes are shrinking, and for many of us acquiring new customers is our number one challenge. The AI-native MSP is now quietly poaching the AI wallet share most of us are still learning to sell let alone implement internally. Today’s B2B buyers are more informed, more skeptical, and often choose their provider on AI capability first, ahead of technology and data expertise.

In this keynote, Shane Gibson shows MSPs, MSSPs, and IT vendors how to close that gap and own the AI budget in their accounts. Shane makes four moves clear:
1. Why the human in the loop is a feature, not a bug, backed by hard revenue data showing hybrid human-plus-AI teams outperform fully autonomous ones.
2. Why leadership, not tooling, decides who wins, because culture now beats individual skill and the leader who models AI multiplies the whole team.
3. How your AI-equipped sellers with a strong sales playbook can now outperform much bigger tenured sales teams.
4. How AI raised the floor for everyone, so parity is the new baseline, and only the combination of knowledge, process, AI integration, and leadership raises your ceiling.

Shane Gibson has been speaking on AI since 2018, he is one of the few AI speakers with deep expertise in sales enablement, frontline sales management, and modern revenue growth, and he knows the IT Channel. Organizations that Shane has delivered AI-focused keynotes for include Bluestar, MicroAge, Microserve, Mitratech, and Deutsche Telekom. Expect a practical, high-impact keynote on agentic selling, the AI mindset, and how MSPs move from vendor to trusted strategic advisor.

Speakers:

Meet everyone over coffee, tea, drinks and snacks.

To streamline virtually every aspect of their business operations, MSPs are deploying a diverse range of AI solutions, allowing them to achieve significantly more with fewer resources. As companies experience substantial results, we will be sharing these insights and experiences with our MSP community. Discover exactly how you can leverage AI to boost efficiency without accumulating a high token bill, and explore how leading MSPs are winning with AI.

Speakers:

The rapid rise of AI and autonomous agents is driving a permanent transformation in the cybersecurity landscape. As organizations execute AI-driven digital strategies, traditional playbooks are no longer sufficient to defend against next-generation cyber threats.

Today's reality centers on "how many times and how fast have you been breached," a dilemma poised to accelerate as autonomous AI agents spearhead hacking-as-a-service. Concurrently, deploying AI introduces new cyber risks, compounded by the growing ability of AI to uncover more vulnerabilities, including zero-day threats.

To help you navigate your strategic options, we have assembled a panel of leading experts experienced in establishing and scaling managed cybersecurity services tailored for the AI era.

Speakers:

SOPHOS - The future of Cybersecurity Today!

Speakers:

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

Interviews with Sophos, Lenovo and Pax8 (and more).

Julian Lee and Paolo Del Nibletto will interview these guests live on stags to ask what do you really want to know!

Speakers:

Get ready to meet the vendors between 5 PM and 7 PM. Speed Introductions is one of the secret ingredients of ChannelNEXT! Vendors and delegates meet over an open bar and pre-dinner snacks. One of our most fun social networking activities! Lots of prize give-aways! All happens in the Expo area. It's simply priceless!

Speakers:

Meet and network with everyone! 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!

We will be doing news interviews all day long. Vendors, speakers and all attendees are welcome to book a spot. It's FREE! Tell us your story! Talk about what you do and why! Leverage your newsworthy content for your own marketing purposes!

We publish on www.e-channelnews.com

Ask about PR services from an expert who will be on-site.

This is a new feature we added so you can have more one-on-one or smaller peer-group private discussions with select vendors.

Look for the vendor names on the tables. Simply join them at their table.

Speakers:

Understanding the Importance of a Business Valuation Mindset, Regardless of Your Selling Intentions:

Prepare for an exciting journey into the realm of MSPs aiming to elevate their operations for a merger, a successful exit strategy, or simply to enhance profitability. Delve into the details of strengthening your business for an impressive valuation, unravel the process, perfect your timing, establish your expectations, and navigate life after a merger.

Join Michael Contento who sold his MSP and wrote a book on the subject. With over 15 years of experience in building and exiting businesses with revenues exceeding $100M, he has firsthand knowledge of the challenges and successes involved in scaling, pivoting, and exiting multiple organizations.

How do you prepare your company to get the best valuation? What is the process?

When is the right timing?

What are the expectations?

How does it work after the
merger?

There are many moving parts to selling or merging a business. In this session, you will get the inside scoop from one of the leading MSPs in the country and their journey into mergers and acquisitions.

Speakers:

Every MSP in this room has already invested in AI — automation, ticketing, agents, the works. Almost none of you have pointed any of it at the one thing actually capping revenue: the belief running the business, whether that's an owner who's never liked selling or a sales team stuck at the same number every quarter. This session names it, and what closing that gap actually looks like.

Speakers:

To Be added

Speakers:

Building resilience against cyber threats requires collective effort, as no single event can cover everything. The Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem (CDE) is a comprehensive, Canada-made resource designed to empower your security journey, boasting a growing community of over 8,000 members.

In this upcoming session, we will look into the advantages of the CDE and examine how the proliferation of AI Agents, non-human identities, shadow AI, Shadow Apps, and Mobile Apps are driving exponential cyber vulnerabilities and rising insider threats.

Specially tailored for MSPs, MSSPs, SOCs, and CISOs, this community offers a transformative framework for establishing and scaling effective Cybersecurity Managed Services within today's AI-driven landscape. Currently, the CDE provides channel partners with more than 240 CISO-approved cybersecurity solutions and robust business services to help expand their operations. You can find the CDE exclusively at ChannelNEXT.

Are you ready to elevate your cybersecurity capabilities beyond this event? Visit https://cybersecuritydefenseecosystem.com/ today to join for free and kickstart your journey.

Speakers:

Mastering the art of leadership is the single most valuable skill you can develop. During difficult times, your team will be looking to you for strong leadership.

In this session, you will discover how to transform into a more impactful and effective leader with a special focus on your sales team.

Speakers:

Leadership skills for today's uncertain business conditions.

Speakers:

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

Ensure you enter the prize draws with every vendor as many prize give-aways including CASH just for voting! We select the winners directly from the voting list!

Please VOTE! Your vote matters to give the vendors some recognition for being the best presenter in "Lions' Den" or "Best in Show". They will appreciate the recognition! Thank you for voting and you get a good chance to win some cash!

We may be leaving the best for the last!

This entertaining and insightful digital social marketing session will show how anyone can leverage the power of AI to drive digital marketing outcomes like the pros.

Every MSPs can use this to drive at least $100K in additional sales out of the gate!

Speakers:

Sometimes you need to look at yourself as you may be preventing yourself from achieving your goals...

Speakers:

Meet the MSP Well Team and Mission to help with Mental Health...

Speakers:

Two workshops will be happening in parallel every 30 minutes. Pick any 3 to attend.

Topics to be announced!

Speakers:

We hope you gained valuable insights to help grow your business and improve your life, built strong connections with peers and sponsor vendors, and enjoyed your time and experience with us.

If you missed anything or need further support after the event, feel free to reach out—we are always here to help the community thrive. Stay informed by subscribing to eChannelNEWS to get updates 365 days a year.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend. We know you have choices and we thank you for choosing us and supporting Canada! Your in-person participation supports greater vendor investment in the Canadian channel and tells us you still want our support. #CANADASTRONG

Bonus Opportunity:

Remember to take the Best Managed IT Companies assessment at https://www.bestmanageditcompanies.com/ to benchmark your practices. It's FREE! Top 50 scorers receive one of the industry’s most prestigious awards! Awards are handed out at our annual awards gala in February of each year!

Have a safe trip home! We look forward to welcoming you at our next event See www.channelnext.ca for upcoming events, dates and locations. Remember you can attend any that you like!

Your ChannelNEXT Events Team

You can head back home or you are welcome to join the gang after the event.

No big party planned. Just fun social networking at a nearby bar or pub. Maybe some food. 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.

Some vendors host private dinners and experiences! Details to be announced!

FAQ

- Why attend?

Join the premier "Channel-First" event in Vancouver this October. It will be our 98th event over 24 years. We are uniting the IT community and ecosystem to collaborate on the future of the Canadian channel and MSPs. Come experience The “MSP Poverty Line” to best understand where you are on the journey towards the next generation of MSPs.

Master the AI Curve:

In an era defined by AI, staying ahead requires expert deep insights. Collaborate with peers and industry experts to navigate AI, digital transformation, cybersecurity and more.

Left of Boom and Right of Boom:

It’s not a question of when anymore. It is a question of how many times and how fast you will be hacked. With the rise of autonomous hacking, it is clear that the best defense is smarter AI support to augment the human in the loop. Resilience and speed to detection and recovery matters most! How do you best prevent a breach and what do you do after the breach?

An Unrivalled Lineup of Leaders and Content:

Experience an exclusive on-stage dialogue with elite channel figures:

Following the panel on the Future of MSPs hosted by Julian Lee and Paolo Del Nibletto, join our MSP Town Hall featuring 10 additional MSP leaders to tackle your most pressing questions.

- What does the actual agenda look like?

Check out the event guide of the most recent ChannelNEXT event: https://www.channelnext.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ChannelNEXT26CentralGUIDE.pdf

- What outcomes should I expect?

Build meaningful relationships through networking.

Discover solutions that may help you grow revenue up to 30%.

Resolve pain points in Mastermind Peer-Group sessions.

Save time and money travelling. We bring the event to you.

Support independent Canadian news media.

- Are you a vendor or distributor not exhibiting?

You will need to qualify for a guest pass. There is a fee of $695 for this. Some restrictions apply.

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

Register and everything will be sent automatically through Eventbrite, including the venue location and hotel links and other 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.

- Is there a no-show fee?

No-shows impact everyone involved. Because seating is limited and all catering is pre-ordered, event organizers incur costs regardless of attendance. Furthermore, failing to attend prevents individuals on the waiting list from participating and leaves sponsors disappointed.

Please note our cancellation policies:

Purchased tickets: Cancellations must be made at least 7 days before the event start date to be eligible for reimbursement.

Complimentary sponsored tickets: If you do not cancel at least 7 days prior to the event, a no-show fee of $250 will be charged.

- 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?

Your information is never stored on our event website. Registrations are handled by Eventbrite with the highest level of security (see their policy for details). We do not share your information with anyone. If you want to connect with a vendor or others at the event, you must exchange your details with them directly or use the event app to connect or request more info. However, it is your decision to participate in the system. You control your profile and you can delete at anytime

- 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.

- Still have more questions?

Contact the ChannelNEXT events team!

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