WESTBOROUGH, Mass., Jan. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 1,000 IT channel professionals, including VARs, MSPs, system integrators, consultants and industry leaders gathered in San Diego, California on December 9th and 10th at The Channel Company's hugely successful 2015 NexGen Cloud Conference and Expo—the only vendor-neutral conference focused exclusively on helping solution providers reinvent themselves for the cloud era. This attendance number breaks new ground for the 2-year-old NexGen Cloud event, representing 27% growth over the previous year's conference.
The two-day conference featured over 80 sponsors and booths representing a full range of cloud service offerings, including IAAS, PAAS, HAAS and SAAS. Attendees came to learn about the latest cloud products and innovations, take advantage of an unparalleled professional networking opportunity, and build strategic vision for their channel businesses.
IBM was the premier sponsor of the event for the second year in a row, featuring a joint keynote speech by Sandy Carter, General Manager, Ecosystem Development and Nancy Pearson, Vice President of Marketing, Cognitive Business on how the channel can distinguish its companies as solution providers that fully grasp and effectively solve customers' business challenges. Their inspiring talk, advocating a "cognitive business" approach, underscored the importance of understanding customers' needs and pain points while providing them with the right delivery platforms as they scale to the cloud.
The special focus of the 2015 NexGen conference was transformation of the channel through innovative cloud technology. This year, for the first time, the event featured a thought leader Cloud and Connectivity content track along with special exhibits by leading telecom and cable providers, addressing the unique needs and challenges of IT solution and service providers focused on cloud computing and managed services.
In addition to the special Cloud and Connectivity track, the conference offered a vast array of peer-based content, including dynamic round table discussions; breakout sessions; tech symposiums; insightful presentations on growing, cloud-focused channel businesses; and educational workshops on business best practices and strategy. The event also featured keynote presentations by Tony Hawk, skateboard legend, entrepreneur and philanthropist; Nick Earle, Senior Vice President, Cloud and Managed Services, Cisco; Cindy Bates, Vice President of US SMB&D, Microsoft; Jerod Powell, CEO, INFINIT Consulting, Inc.; and Glenn O'Donnell, Vice President and Research Director, Forrester.
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About The Channel Company
The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com
Media Contact:
Melanie Turpin
The Channel Company
508.416.1195
mturpin@thechannelco.com
SOURCE The Channel Company