Six members of Team TelNet traveled to Las Vegas last week for the annual Channel Partners Conference and Expo. For nearly 25 years, Channel Partners has been the leader in information and communication technology events, enabling the channel to build relationships, showcase the latest solutions and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
“The event had a jam-packed agenda with speakers and breakout sessions along with a huge expo room with vendors and service providers,” said Sara Clancy, a Customer Account Manager and first-time attendee. “All there to connect, share ideas and build relationships.”
Channel Partners has been on a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, so the team was thrilled to be back in action and face-to-face.
“The highlight was being live in-person with the community of telecom people: agents, carriers, providers and MSPs,” said Jason Weller, TelNet’s Channel Manager. “It didn’t matter if we are competitors or friends — it was great to be back!”
Meet and Greet
Team TelNet set up shop in the expo hall on Monday night, getting ready for a few days of meet and greets with attendees. With a wink to Vegas, they gave away branded can koozies, playing cards and poker chips. Between the tchotkes and the miniature putting green, they attracted a lot of foot traffic.
For TelNet President Mark Iannuzzi, this was the highlight of the event. “Connecting with people I have not seen in years,” he said. “Sharing stories and ideas on where we have come from and the road ahead, and how we can help each other.”
Anyone skilled enough to land a hole in one on the putting green was entered for a chance to win an Apple Watch. Congratulations to Chris France of CIO Now for winning the grand prize!
Hitting the Town
Aside from networking with partners, customers and agents, Team TelNet also got the chance to get to know one another a little better. Tuesday night was an adventure around the strip.
“We tried to get to the top of Delano because it is one of the best views of the strip, but there was a private party (strike one),” said Clancy. “But call us Tenacious Team TelNet; we found another view! Then we wanted to take the free tram down the strip, but it was out of service (strike two). We ended up Ubering and walking the strip, tried to get a beverage and they were closed (strike three).”
Luckily, Team TelNet eventually got to see the water show at the Bellagio. “We waited and waited and voila,” said Clancy. “We did not strike out there!”
For Director of Sales Jeff Potter, this team bonding was a highlight of the trip. “Spending time away from the office with a group of my coworkers allowed me to connect professionally and personally in new ways that aren’t achievable via video conference meetings or “normal” days at the office.”
They also wined and dined at partner-sponsored parties, performed magic with Penn & Teller and Potter got to rev a Lamborghini Gallardo with our billing friends over at rev.io!
Team TelNet Takeaways
All in all, it was a great three days for Team TelNet in Vegas. “We left the show with amazing new agent leads, interacted with every master agent in meetings and represented TelNet well,” said Weller.
But the fun isn’t over just because the team flew home. As a matter of fact, it’s just getting started.
“The event exceeded my expectations in the turn out for the conference and the amount of traffic to our booth,” said Iannuzzi. “What an outstanding job the team at the show and back home did to make this a worthwhile event. Now, to act on the opportunities!”
