We’re just two weeks away from the MSP community’s biggest event of the year, IT Nation Connect Global! Every November, thousands of MSPs and vendor partners descend upon Orlando for a week of learning, inspiration, and a healthy dose of networking. Think of it as the Super Bowl for MSPs.
There’s plenty to look forward to, including:
- Inspiring sessions from industry leaders.
- Exciting new product launches from vendors.
- Opportunities to connect (and commiserate) with your MSP peers.
- A live performance by the Goo Goo Dolls.
- My personal favorite event: the IT Nation Connect Party at Universal Studios.
- The Domotz booth and swag, obviously.
Whether it’s your first time at the event or you’re a seasoned attendee, it’s worth taking a little time to mentally prepare. In this post, I’ll share a few tips to help you make the most of the conference and ensure you walk away inspired, informed, and maybe just a little sleep-deprived (in the best way).
Tip 1: Embrace The Madness
If you leave the event feeling exhausted but excited and optimistic, you are probably doing it right. There is a lot happening, and it can be overstimulating, but my best advice is to embrace it.
Soak in as many sessions as you can. Meet vendors in person and get demos of products that could improve your operations. Say yes to those late-night networking events and get-togethers.
As someone with two young children, I can empathize with the temptation to head to bed early and curl up with a rerun of Friends or Whose Line Is It Anyway? But being present, attending all the after-hour events, and spending as much time as possible networking pays big dividends, and I highly recommend it. Was this paragraph mostly me speaking to myself? Maybe.
The vendor floor can also be overwhelming as everyone tries to scan your badge and shove another t-shirt down your throat. The chaos is worth it. There are some great companies sponsoring this event, and many of them are doing interesting and transformative things. I have had the chance to work with several throughout the year at the quarterly Evolve meetings, and they are absolutely worth hearing out.
Tip 2: Meet New People
I mentioned this in the first tip, but it deserves its own spotlight. You should make networking and expanding your circle a top priority. It can be tempting to stick with familiar faces, but this event is a perfect opportunity to branch out and meet new people.
The MSP community is unlike any other I have been part of. The level of transparency and collaboration among business owners is truly remarkable. ConnectWise has done an excellent job fostering and encouraging a go-giver mindset among their partners. Because of that, you have a chance to build relationships with people who genuinely understand your world and can relate to the challenges that come with running or supporting an MSP.
Building those connections is one of the most valuable parts of the conference. You never know which conversation might spark a new idea, partnership, or lasting friendship.
Tip 3: Post Event Plan
Imagine this: you are flying home at the end of the event feeling excited and inspired. You spend the weekend recovering and return to your desk on Monday to a backlog of emails and tasks from the week you missed. On top of that, your inbox is now filled with messages from the many MSP vendors you met, each trying to schedule a follow-up call.
This will happen, and as a result, the excitement you felt at the close of the event can quickly turn into stress. The first step is accepting that this is normal. The second is to create a plan for the week after the event to stay in control and preserve that post-conference energy.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Connect with the people you met. Follow up on LinkedIn or record their contact information somewhere you will not forget. A quick personalized note can go a long way in turning a conference acquaintance into a lasting connection.
- Select vendors to prioritize. You will likely want to follow up with a few vendors after the event. Choose the ones that align most closely with your goals and politely communicate your timeline to the rest. If you are interested but need a few months, tell them so they know when to check back in.
- Set aside time to reflect. Before diving back into your day-to-day, jot down your biggest takeaways, new ideas, and action items from the event. Capture them while they are still fresh, and you will be more likely to turn that inspiration into real results.
See you there!
If you are heading to Orlando, make sure to stop by the Domotz booth to say hello. I would love to meet you in person, hear about your business, and show you how you can monitor and manage every customer site with our affordable network monitoring solution.
Whether you are an existing partner or just curious about what we do, come chat with us and grab some swag. After all, as the Goo Goo Dolls put it best, “I just want you to know who I am.” If you want to take a look at our product now, view our interactive demo or start a free trial.
