The Channel Company

Looking to deepen relationships in the Cono Sur IT channel? 𝗫𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗠 | 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗿 takes place 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟮–𝟮𝟰 and brings together senior solution providers and technology leaders for focused conversations, strategic boardrooms, and high‑value connections. Sponsorship opportunities are available for brands looking to engage—intentionally and impactfully. 👉 Learn more about sponsoring Cono Sur: okt.to/8xmuMs #xchange

What a finale for #MES IT Security! ✨ Two days of high‑energy networking, sharp insights, practical strategies, and real conversations that help cybersecurity leaders strengthen their influence and drive meaningful business results. From keynotes, to whiteboarding, to our executive sessions, the pace and engagement never let up. 🔥 👉 What was your favorite part? Follow @MES_Computing for continued IT leadership insights.

Big Channel Madness Round 1 update 👀

Channel Madness Round 1 ends in one hour!! 🚨 Vote here before polls close today, Wednesday, March 18, at 12 PM ET: crn.com/rankings-and-l….

What an incredible keynote lineup to kick off Day 2 at #MES IT Security 2026! 💡 West McDonald, Founder, GoWest.ai, opened with a powerful look at the explosion of AI inside organizations, and the massive security gaps forming behind the scenes. From Shadow AI to outdated privacy controls, he broke down where risk is growing fastest and gave attendees a practical checklist for securing AI, governing it responsibly, and preparing for what’s coming next. 💡 Josh Behnke, Manager of Pre-Sales Engineering, Concentric AI, tackled one of the industry’s toughest challenges: data security. He unpacked why legacy tools keep failing, how AI and context are transforming the landscape, and where companies can finally get real value from their existing investments, especially as they roll out GenAI. 💡 Subha Sriram, Senior Director of Product Management, @JumpCloud, closed the keynote block with insights from JumpCloud’s Q1 2026 IT Trends report, revealing the widening gap between AI confidence and AI readiness. She highlighted the top threats that can derail AI initiatives, why piling on more tools makes things worse, and what a unified IAM foundation actually looks like in practice. An electric start to Day 2—and we’re just getting warmed up! ⚡ Want the inside scoop? Follow @MES Computing for live coverage all day long.

Back‑to‑back keynotes are live at #MES IT Security! We kicked off with Blaine Carter, Global CIO, @FranklinCovey, who cut through AI‑transformation buzzwords and gave leaders a practical roadmap for aligning strategy, culture, and capability. He translated themes like AI, leadership, and upskilling into clear behaviors, governance rhythms, and talent moves, grounded in candid stories of what worked and what didn’t. Next, our sponsored keynote with Rob Allen, Chief Product Officer, @ThreatLocker, showed why “easy targets” are the first to fall, and how to avoid being one. He walked through practical ways to shrink your attack surface, tighten controls, and limit lateral movement. Now on-stage, Brandon Carden, Principal Solutions Engineer at @Sophos, is unpacking how cybercrime has evolved into organized, business‑like networks. He’s highlighting why understanding this structure is essential to defending against today’s threats. Follow @MES Computing for live updates from the event.

☀️ Sun’s out, badges on, and 𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 is kicking off in Ponte Vedra Beach with serious momentum. Day 1 is officially live, and the energy is already off the charts! We’re kicking things off with @Tracy Fischer, VP of Audience, Communities, @The Channel Company getting attendees oriented and ready to roll, followed by opening remarks from @Adam Dennison, VP of MES @The Channel Company. 💥 Together, they’ve set the stage for two days packed with sharp insights, real‑world security conversations, and the kind of connections that move the industry forward. What’s Ahead: ✔️ Expert-led keynotes and briefings sharing the latest IT security best practices ✔️ IT Leaders connecting to share real-world insights and actionable strategies ✔️ Interactive boardrooms and exclusive networking that will level up your security expertise Follow @MES Computing for live updates straight from the event. The momentum is building—let’s dive in! #MES

Channel Madness Round 1 voting ends in 24 hours!! Some of the wildest matchups of the round are taking place in the Evolution region, where @Sophos’ @Scottjbarlow was trailing Friday but then surged ahead over the weekend to jump out in front of @PureStorage’s Hope Galley. @jfollett has all the details from Round 1 so far: @SophosPartners @PurePartners okt.to/ETMbuQ

Would a rising star in the channel, 40 or under and driving meaningful impact, describe you or someone you know? 👉 Apply or nominate them for @CRN's 2026 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 list: okt.to/15xBUl. Now in its seventh year, this list honors standout executives, directors, and managers driving growth and shaping strategy at top #solutionprovider organizations, including: • Integrators • VARs • MSPs • IT Consultants • Other solution provider organizations 🏆 The #CRNNextGen SP Leaders will be featured on CRN.com in June.

The midmarket’s top CIOs read @MES_Computing. Join them. Subscribe now ➜ okt.to/vXLjTW. #MESComputing #ITLeaders #MidmarketIT

Stop scrolling. Start leading. Upgrade your inbox with CRN’s Daily—vendor moves, partner wins, market shifts. Join: okt.to/E7oL1w

⚠️ Time is almost up! The deadline extension for @CRN's Solution Provider 500 and Fast Growth 150 lists ends this Friday, March 13 at 11:59pm PT.  If you want your company recognized among the industry’s top performers, this is your moment. Vendors, partners, and customers look to these lists to see who’s shaping the future and being featured puts your brand squarely in that spotlight. Don't miss it. Apply now ➡️ okt.to/TOtimJ. 🏆 #CRNSP500: Ranks North America’s top integrators, strategic service providers, and IT consultants by services revenue. 🏆 #CRNFG150: Spotlights the fastest-growing solution providers in North America based on net sales growth over the last two years.

Our next 𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 is the unstoppable @Tracy Fischer. 💥 Tracy has been a force at @The Channel Company for more than 18 years, bringing almost two decades of expertise to her role as Vice President of Audience for our Communities business. She’s at the center of the midmarket ecosystem—connecting with Advisory Board members, leading our powerhouse audience team, shaping the MES brand, and showing up at every major MES event with unmatched energy. 🛼 Off the clock, you might find Tracy watching the post‑apocalyptic series 'Fallout' or listening to the podcast 'Who Did What Now?' And here’s a fun twist: she’s a huge Roller Derby fan and even served on the board of a local league. She’ll never turn down a great conversation! Connect with Tracy on social and meet her at our upcoming MES events: • 𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 — March 17–18, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL: okt.to/SbKWgs. • 𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 — April 26–28, Houston, TX: okt.to/AHtwNY. • 𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 — September 20–22, Marco Island, FL: okt.to/r7cDgy. Stay tuned—more team spotlights coming each week! #MESBrandAmbassador

If midmarket growth is a priority this year, 𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 isn’t optional. 💥 It’s the event where tech vendors win mindshare, build pipeline, and claim market position before their competitors even get in the door. 150 pre‑qualified IT decision‑makers, CTOs, and senior executives will be onsite with one purpose: to find the technologies and partners that will define their next phase of innovation. These leaders 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀, they’re actively 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀, and they’re 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲. Why tech vendors can’t afford to sit this one out: 🔸 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻‑𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 who are vetted, budget-ready, and exploring new solutions 🔸 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵‑𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 with 8–10 executives who want to see what makes your solution stand out 🔸 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁—80% of 2025 attendees planned follow-up meetings with sponsors 🔸 𝗔 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 with 60% new attendees every year 👉 𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 is built for vendors who want measurable outcomes, not passive visibility. It’s where deals start, relationships accelerate, and midmarket influence is won. 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆: okt.to/1zSc7A.  And attendees agree—here’s what 2025 participants shared: 💬 “This is one of my favorite conferences. I love the group discussions with the vendors and being able to talk with them directly.” – Jennifer Dalton, Bridgeway Inc. 💬 "The boardroom sessions and executive sessions were great ways to get to know products more deeply. I felt it was easier to talk to the vendors after they had presented their solutions to us. I have several meetings scheduled with vendors next week.” – Lisa DeLapo, Union School District  #MES #MidsizeEnterpriseSummit

🧵 Less than 24 HOURS TO GO!! 🗣️ Get to know your Acceleration chiefs before Channel Madness Round 1 begins tomorrow, Thursday, March 12, at 10 AM ET 👇 📌 Here's where to vote and enter our bracket contest: okt.to/D2Bagu.

🧵 Here's where you can vote throughout our 2026 Channel Madness Tournament of Chiefs: okt.to/pelQcX. -- 1/4

🧵 2 days until Channel Madness 2026 begins! Get to know your 2026 Transformation chiefs 👀 Round 1 voting will kick off this Thursday, March 12, at 10 AM ET, and you can also enter your bracket predictions in our 2026 contest here: okt.to/VI1FAe.

.@Cloudaware made its debut at #XChange March last week and was named a finalist for Best Newcomer during the XCellence Awards. At the event, CloudAware also introduced its new field manual "The Bridge to AI Readiness," which outlines why strong CloudOps foundations are essential for successful AI adoption. Explore the guide: okt.to/VwChsY Learn more or request a demo: okt.to/M9FNV2 #Cloudaware #AI #CloudOps

💡🚀 Applications are now open for @CRN's 2026 Tech Innovators Awards! We’re looking for cutting‑edge products and services that deliver real innovation and value for solution providers and their customers. Think your solution stands out? Apply today ➡️ okt.to/VnvYhr. 🏆 Finalists will be published in July, followed by Winners in August—both on CRN.com. #CRNInnovators #TechInnovation

As we look back on XChange March in Orlando, one moment continues to stand out for the impact it made beyond the event itself... Through our Channel@Work initiative, attendees rolled up their sleeves to support @Rise Against Hunger, turning purpose into action. In under two hours, this incredible group packed 10,000 meals, proving once again what’s possible when the channel comes together to give back. A special thank you to @Cavelo Inc. for being the exclusive sponsor and champion of this effort. Your support helped fuel meaningful change, and we’re proud to partner with organizations that lead with intention and impact. This is what the channel is all about. 💙 #xchange