Still being the “new guy” at The Cannata Report, I recently attended my first IT Nation Connect Global (#ITN25). First observation: I couldn’t get over how large this infotech conference is. More than 3,900 managed service providers (MSPs), including approximately 40 progressive office technology dealers, assembled in Orlando last month. Over 150 exhibitors showed their wares in the busy solutions pavilion.
For the third year, ConnectWise hosted an “Office Technology (OT) Pre-Day” on November 5th, which was co-sponsored by the Business Technology Association (BTA), DXOne, ECI Software Solutions, GreatAmerica Financial Services, and cybersecurity firm Proofpoint. Participating were members of the ConnectWise Dealer Advisory Council, who’ve made the leap into IT, reports Jenna Stramaglio Miner, channel development manager:
- Applied Innovation (Michigan)
- Blue Technologies (Ohio)
- Fisher’s Technology (Pacific Northwest)
- Kelley Create (Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Hawaii)
- LDI Connect (New York)
- Les Olson IT (Utah/Southwest U.S.)
- Loffler Companies (Midwest U.S.)
- Marco Technologies (national)
- Novatech (Southeast U.S.)
- Pearson-Kelly Technology (Missouri/Arkansas)
- Spectrum Technologies (Texas and New Mexico)
- Visual Edge IT (national)
A selfie with Jenna Miner, our gracious ConnectWise hostess.
It was a standing-room-only crowd as representatives from these 12 dealerships, along with managed IT firm ElevityIT, shared information technology best practices and fielded questions from peers about managed services, tech stacks, support, and more. During the “Lunch & Learn” session, Jim Peterson, cybersecurity product marketing manager at ConnectWise, discussed communication and strategies for growth. Several manufacturers, including Kyocera Document Solutions America, were present as well, delving into the shift to IT services. Their OEM journeys highlight wins, pitfalls, and cultural pivots.
The Cannata Report spotted our dealer-partner friends from the BTA (Brian Smith and Valerie Briseno, above) at IT Nation Connect Global (#ITN25) along with the team of fellow exhibitor GreatAmerica Financial Services (below).
“This day was all about showing our dealer partners how they can scale smarter in IT,” Miner said, referring to the event as a playbook for growth in the fast-evolving OT channel. The ConnectWise Partner Program and IT Nation strive to bridge the gap between print and IT and unlock new recurring revenue streams. Debra Dennis, VP of support services at North Carolina-based dealer CopyPro, Inc. (Greenville, North Carolina) and current BTA president, was all ears. For the first time, ConnectWise counted attendees from the BTA and MTA (Managed Technology Association) in attendance, which is “a true testament to where this industry is headed,” Miner pointed out.
(The following week, ConnectWise won a Frank Award for Best IT and Security Services Provider at The Cannata Report’s 40th Annual Awards & Charities Gala held in New Jersey.)
Agentic AI Power and More Office Technology
As the first keynote got underway the following day, reps from these dealerships and managed service provider firms listened to distribution partner TD SYNNEX’s Augie Staab discuss a trio of main go-to-market barriers for MSPs:
- skill shortage/gaps
- intensified competition
- competitive pricing
Next, presenter Jeff Bishop, EVP & GM of product management at ConnectWise, then told the IT Nation Connect attendees how the Asio platform has been constructed to enable data to power artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking to the company’s cloud-based MSP tool, Chief Product Officer & CTO David Raissipour explained that Asio is a platform—not a product—likening it to the Apple iPhone. It’s a technology that is “not done” and is constantly evolving, he said.
Jeff Bishop, EVP & GM of product management at ConnectWise, explains how the Asio platform has been constructed to enable data to power AI.
Two other key conference takeaways:
- Agentic AI will be leveraged by nearly 80% of SMBs over the next 12 to 18 months, Microsoft Americas’ Erwin Visser told MSPs at IT Nation Connect. MS is making its AI technology more affordable for small and medium sized businesses beyond the enterprise, Visser noted.
- For business people still taking cybersecurity too lightly (you know you’re out there!), diamond sponsor ThreatLocker CEO Danny Jenkins shared some terrifying tales of AI-empowered cybercriminals. “Today, anyone with a computer can write malicious software,” Jenkins warned.
The iconic Goo Goo Dolls rocked the stage to open the IT Nation festivities, and a fun night at the Universal Studios resort also was part of the “techie” celebration. Attendees stayed through Friday to hear the closing keynote Q&A featuring actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise. The 70-year-old Sinise, who played the character Lieutenant Dan in the 1995 Best Picture “Forrest Gump,” received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his pre-Veterans Day message.
Actor Gary Sinise (right) gave a Veterans Day message during his closing keynote.
The three-time Tony Award nominated actor talked about co-founding the Steppenwolf Theatre Company as a teenager from suburban Chicago; the profound impact of 9/11 on him; and his inspirations for writing his 2019 book, Grateful American. MSPs in attendance seemed to genuinely appreciate the good work that his nonprofit foundation does on behalf of disabled U.S. veterans and their military families. These soldiers and heroes are “our defenders,” Sinise said, “and we need to let them know that they are appreciated.”
IT Nation Global Connect returns in 2026 (November 4-6) to Orlando’s Rosen Shingle Creek.
