Web Marketing Guy Attends ConnectWise Partner Summit
The annual ConnectWise Partner Summit was held in Orlando this past week. I had the privilege of attending, exhibiting and speaking. Here are some of my thoughts from the event.
As a web marketing/social media guy, it’s very refreshing to attend a conference outside my industry. ConnectWise is a valued client whose vibrant community of clients (appropriately called Partners) is very loyal. Over 700 of their partners attended this year’s Partner Summit in the face of a weak economy. ConnectWise partners are IT solution providers many of whom provide managed services. They use ConnectWise software similar to the way manufacturers use ERP software. ConnectWise software runs their business.
Most of the topics in the breakout sessions pertained to topics to help ConnectWise partners become more efficient running their IT solutions business. I conducted two breakout sessions entitled Social Media Marketing for the Rest of Us. Each of my sessions was very interactive with lively conversations. Some of the memorable commentary included these:
Amy Kardel shared how they rebranded their company from a generic computer-centric name to Clever Ducks. They are building an online community to help with their recruiting efforts and strengthen their “clever” brand. Way to go Amy!
Jason Beal from Ingram Micro recognizes the importance of co-branding himself and his employer in social media and wisely devotes time to it.
Laura Aronson from MLANS couldn’t contain her excitement about re-purposing existing content for a blogging strategy and using her partner’s skills for a podcasting strategy.
Joe Pannettieri, Editorial Director at Nine Lives Media Inc. introduced me to his wildly successful MSPMentor, the leading web destination site for IT professionals in the managed services market segment. Joe is a frequent speaker and acclaimed blogger. I think Joe and will get along really well!
Jon Schram, President of ThePurpleGuys has successfully used LinkedIn for networking and can point to new clients resulting from it. I really liked his purple shirt too.
The professional development experience briefly summarized here was awesome. But, I must admit that the highlight of the ConnectWise Partner Summit for me was the entertainment on Thursday night. The team from Drum Café entertained the crowd of about 1000 people by leading us in harmony to a spirited African drum symphony. Everyone in the audience was given a drum. The team leader orchestrated us with her arm motions and passion without uttering a single word. The fact that (for the most part) the audience was in harmony with the drummers on stage was astounding. This exercise was billed as a team building exercise, and that it was! It lasted about an hour. The next morning my wrists were sore. I’ll remember that event a long time. If you ever get the chance to see (and participate) with the Drum Café, do it! You’ll thoroughly enjoy it.
Congratulations to Christy Sacco of ConnectWise for planning and executing a superb partner conference! I can’t wait for next year’s ConnectWise Partner Summit!
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