News
Success is Easy When You Have The Right Connections
More than 400 solution resellers attended Tech Data’s Channel Link event in April and connected with industry experts, vendors, as well as the products and tools needed to accelerate business growth.
This two-and-a-half day conference at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando covered the transformational IT topics that resellers are most interested in, including the Cloud, social media, mobility, healthcare IT and Tech Data’s new Software License Selector powered by StreamOne™.
“The strategic agenda of the conference,” says Tech Data’s Senior Vice President, U.S. Marketing, Joe Quaglia, “is to bring IT resellers together with key vendors, domain experts and Tech Data executives in order to help them capitalize on the transformational issues facing IT today.”
Business sessions included several different information avenues from Peer Connection Discussion Groups offering resellers the opportunity to learn from one another to Business Enablement Sessions led by Tech Data executives, as well as focused Vendor Breakout Presentations. This well-rounded approach gave attendees a chance to look at the opportunities for their business from a variety of angles.
“Each attendee was able to connect with the resources and information they needed to expand their business, engage end users and generate higher profits,” adds Tech Data’s Senior Vice President of U.S. Sales, Pete Peterson. “For VARs looking for breakthrough sales and marketing results, Channel Link is the place to be.”
Channel Link also hosted Business Connection Workshops with industry thought leaders such as David Nour, Donald Cooper and industry experts from CompTIA and MSP University.
The event also offered a hands-on approach giving resellers ample opportunities to demo leading vendors’ latest technologies in the Technology Zones and Technology Expo Hall.
Tech Data also celebrated Diversity Month with a “Women in the Channel” luncheon hosted by Xerox’s Stephanie Young.
But, it wasn’t all work. Bob Hirschfeld made attendees chuckle with his satirical look at all aspects of the business world in his “Funny Business” presentation and musical group Big Bad Voodoo Daddy kept things swingin’ on the final evening.
Are you ready to connect to success? Attend the next Channel Link conference in Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 14 – 16.
A Brighter Outlook for Mobility VARS
Tech Data and Brightstar Corp., a global leader in services and solutions for the wireless industry, entered into an agreement to establish a U.S. joint venture named ActivateIT™ to capitalize on the fast-growing mobility market.
ActivateIT will offer Tech Data’s U.S.-based VARs a centralized and customized Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) under the brand name “TDMobility.” In addition to core services that include helping VARs and their end users with activation and renewal processes, TDMobility powered by ActivateIT will provide data services, software, hardware, accessories, technical support, billing management, asset management, and training and installation services. TDMobility will be rolled out to the channel in strategic phases throughout the coming year.
"We are thrilled to be partnering again with Brightstar to form this U.S.-based joint venture, and to accelerate our participation in the U.S. mobility market," says Tech Data CEO Bob Dutkowsky. "It’s a continuation of our strategy to use the efficiency and effectiveness of our broadline business to diversify into high-growth specialty areas. The growth in the mobility market—particularly in the SMB space—and our demonstrated success with Brightstar Europe, make this an exciting and value-creating opportunity for our vendor partners, channel partners and shareholders.”
“Brightstar and Tech Data bring a new level of wireless distribution expertise to the U.S. market with an offering that is completely unique to this space,” says Charles Kriete, president of ActivateIT. “The ActivateIT offering aligns with the current IT distribution model and will help the VAR community maximize the mobility opportunity that exists through the proliferation of smartphones, tablets and cloud computing.”
To learn more about this new partnership, click here.
Upcoming Events
Don’t miss out on Tech Data’s upcoming events! Browse the list below to find out which events are the best ones for you to attend.
Data Center Partner Summit
May 3 – 6
Tampa, FL
This three-day event is packed with fun activities and educational content including keynote speakers, vendor presentations, round tables, showcases and networking opportunities with Tech Data representatives.
Apple Partner Symposium
May 4 – 6
San Francisco, CA
This three-day event is packed with fun activities and educational content including keynote speakers, vendor presentations, round tables, showcases and networking opportunities with Tech Data representatives.
Unified Communications Partner Summit
May 11 – 13
Clearwater, FL
This is a premier event focusing exclusively on opportunities and trends within voice, video and data market including informative, business-building sessions focused around the proliferation of the convergence of voice, video and data and much more.
Southern California Regional Event
May 17
Southern California
Regional events will be hosted by our Tech Data Field Reps located in the different areas of the U.S. These events give resellers the opportunity to network with vendors to learn about opportunities to grow their revenue and profit.
TechSelect Partner Conference
May 19 – 22
San Antonio, TX
TechSelect Partner Conferences are dynamic events that nurture growth and success within the exclusive TechSelect community. These conferences offer resellers the opportunity to engage with vendors, service providers and industry experts to strategize, contribute to professional training and share best practices.
New York/Long Island Regional Event
May 25
New York
Regional events will be hosted by our Tech Data Field Reps located in the different areas of the U.S. These events give resellers the opportunity to network with vendors to learn about opportunities to grow their revenue and profit.
Client Systems Solutions Partner Summit
June 1 – 3
Clearwater, FL
This three-day event is packed with fun activities and educational content including keynote speakers, vendor presentations, round tables, showcases and networking opportunities with Tech Data representatives.
Security Partner Summit
June 15 – 17
Clearwater, FL
This three-day event will feature keynote speakers about hot topics in software while enabling resellers to network with vendors and discover new tools, deal registration requirements and program certifications.
TechMed Partner Summit
June 22 – 24
Clearwater, FL
With an estimated HIT market of $34.7 billion, this is the perfect opportunity for you. At this conference you can engage with HIT experts during our HIT Business Building Sessions, plus meet and listen to presentations by key industry vendor partners and learn what Tech Data’s TechMED Team has to offer to help you grow your HIT business.
Ohio Regional Field Event
June 23
Cleveland, OH
Regional events will be hosted by our Tech Data Field Reps located in the different areas of the U.S. These events give resellers the opportunity to network with vendors to learn about opportunities to grow their revenue and profit.
Apple Partner Symposium
July 13 – 15
New York, NY
This three-day event is packed with fun activities and educational content including keynote speakers, vendor presentations, round tables, showcases and networking opportunities with Tech Data representatives.
TechEDG Partner Summit
July 11 – 13
Clearwater, FL
This event will showcase the tools and services TechEDG provides to help you take advantage of the growing public-sector opportunities, and more. With an estimated $140 billion at stake, it’s worth your while to make the most of these opportunities.
Orange County Regional Event
July 14
CA
Regional events will be hosted by our Tech Data Field Reps located in the different areas of the U.S. These events give resellers the opportunity to network with vendors to learn about opportunities to grow their revenue and profit.
Data Center Virtual Community
July 19
Virtual
This one-day event features themed content around a pertinent topic affecting the data center. Each event can be accessed from the comfort of your desk!
Channel Link
Sept. 14 – 16
Los Angeles, CA
Channel Link is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to meet face to face with some of the IT industry’s most influential leaders---all in one place with one goal: to help you set a newbar for success!