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In this episode of the Channel Futures podcast, Craig and James catch up with a pair of technology advisors (agents) who are breaking the mold. David Goodwin of ATC of Ohio and Keith Hatley of Cloud Communications Group share success stories, dig in on industry trends and offer advice to fellow tech advisors to thrive in an ever-evolving channel.

Coro's Joe Sykora discusses the ways channel partners can tackle the evolving cybersecurity market.

ThreatLocker VP of support Oliver Plante discusses the changes in cybersecurity go-to-market strategies for partners.

Piers Morgan, senior vice president and general manager, EMEA, Coro, describes new growth opportunities and how channel partners can stay ahead of shifts in the cybersecurity market.

Global secure connectivity provider GTT is having a rebirth, if you will, gaining plenty of attention for hiring Lumen alum Sara Seegers and AT&T vet Chris Jones to be two of the most prominent faces of its channel program. The Channel Futures podcast, Coffee with Craig and James, caught up with them to learn about GTT's re-energized dedication to the channel and the opportunities that lie ahead for the company's partners.

The Channel Futures podcast, Coffee with Craig and James, welcomes 8x8 channel leader Michelle Paitich to talk about how the company defines itself in the market, its approach to working with tech services distributors, and more.

We dig into the trends and analysis from the recently released 2024 Channel Futures MSP 501 report with Ingram Micro VP of services Paul Hager and Omdia's Devan Adams, who authored the report.

IBM just rolled out its first partner program specifically designed for managed service providers. That makes it a great time for Craig and James to catch up with IBM Ecosystem GM Kate Woolley to get not only the full scoop on the new program, but also the channel's AI opportunities with the company, its relationship with the hyperscalers, and more.

Low-Earth orbit satellite internet is becoming increasingly popular not only as a backup to fiber and other connectivity technology, but improvements in latency are making it the right option for some businesses, particularly in rural areas. Further consider that the future is bright for LEO satellites. Craig and James wanted to learn more about the technology's upside and how channel partners can add it to their portfolios, so we asked Ed Fox, CTO at MetTel, the aggregator that sources LEO connectivity.

James is back from his trip to the Telarus Partner Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. So it only makes sense that this edition of the Channel Futures podcast, Coffee with Craig and James, features a couple of highlights from the event: James' interviews with Telarus' chief marketing officer and the CEO of Adaptiv Networks, a Telarus partner. (There are some audio difficulties with the first interview. We encourage you to watch this podcast with subtitles at: https://vimeo.com/videos/999672145)

In this episode of the Channel Futures podcast, Craig and James sit down with Fred Voccola, the outspoken CEO of Kaseya, the IT management software giant. The guys learn all about the success of the recently launched Kaseya 365 subscription service for MSPs and get some advice for managed service providers ahead of Voccola's appearance at the MSP Summit, brought to you by the Channel Partners Conference & Expo, Sept. 16-19, in Atlanta. You can register for that event here: https://themspsummit.com. We'll also recognize the top company in this year's MSP 501, and in a turnabout-is-fair-play moment, James challenges Craig to a history lesson vis-à-vis "This Is Your Life."

What does the future hold for channel partners who find themselves in a state of flux following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware? Craig and James welcome industry experts from Telarus and MSP KeyStone Solutions to offer their guidance. Plus, a preview of the 2024 MSP 501 list, some big industry-event content coming to the Channel Futures website, and a litany of seemingly random topics ranging from movies to soda pricing to grocery shopping.

Nerdio CEO Vadim Vladimirskiy joins Craig and James to talk desktop as a service and the direction his company is headed this year.

In this episode of the Channel Futures podcast, we talk to Channel Acuity's Cary Tengler and Onward Communications' Tricia Ward about the ramifications of ScanSource's announcement that it will start a customer-facing agency that works alongside Intelisys, its tech services distributor business.

The guys welcome esteemed channel analyst, Jay McBain of Canalys, now a colleague of Craig and James, to the podcast. He offers a great take on artificial intelligence in the channel, Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, and previews some of his many sessions at the upcoming Channel Partners Conference & Expo.

The latest Channel Futures podcast takes a deep dive into what you need to know for this year's MSP 501, the largest and most comprehensive survey of managed service providers worldwide. Debbie Kane with the Omdia Channel Research & Consulting Practice joins Craig and James to discuss reasons for applying, as well as changes to the 2024 application that make it easier to submit. Learn more about the application and apply here: https://www.channelfutures.com/about-msp-501

The Channel Futures podcast welcomes Amy Bailey and Kathryn Rose of the Channel Marketing Association. Plus, the latest editions to the Channel Partners Conference & Expo agenda. And the guys play a game of Family Feud. There's actually a tie-in! Go here to take the Channel Marketing Association's salary survey before it closes!: https://form.jotform.com/233326429723154

Craig and James sit down with Opkalla's Keith Hawley to learn more about the channel partner's business model, how to talk with customers about artificial intelligence, and much more. Plus, we preview some big changes to the upcoming Channel Partners Conference & Expo, March 11-14, in Las Vegas.

The Channel Futures podcast wraps the year with a look back at the biggest stories in 2023 as well as the most memorable moments from Coffee with Craig and James from the past 12 months. The guys also welcome Steven Karachinsky, CEO of Ziro, a company that truly defines "channel convergence" in the way it straddles both sides of the indirect sales channel. Plus, Craig offers up a channel take on "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Happy Holidays, everyone!

Bridgepointe Technologies is doing things a little differently in the channel, the company's co-founders told Channel Futures at this month's Bridgepointe Tech Summit. Bridgepointe has been growing both organically and through acquisition. In fact, at this fall's Bridgepointe Tech Summit, attendance doubled over last year. One of those attendees was Channel Futures' own James Anderson, who caught up with co-founders Scott Evars and Brian Miller for a wide-ranging interview for the podcast. Of course, the guys will spend part of this podcast episode getting you read for the Channel Futures Leadership Summit, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, in Miami Beach. It's not too late to register!: https://channel.informatech.com/leadershipsummit/2023/registrations/Attendee

Parents often are flattered when a child follows in their footsteps. But it doesn't happen very often in the channel. That's why ZLH Enterprises is such an interesting case study. Craig and James caught up with Zina Hassel, CEO of ZLH Enterprises, and daughter Jodi, vice president at the technology advisor company, to learn what it's like to work together at the same company. The mother-daughter team also dish on past experiences in the industry and some of the trends they are watching. Zina Hassel will participate in a session at the Women's Leadership Summit portion of the upcoming Channel Futures Leadership Summit in Miami. And speaking of Leadership Summit, the guys walk you through a few more sessions that they expect will be must-attends at the event, which kicks off Oct. 30 in Miami and runs through Nov. 2. It also features the MSP Summit and the popular MSP 501 gala. All of that, plus Craig and James dish on one of the big headlines of the week -- channel stalwart John DeLozier's new job at ConvergeOne. If none of that floats your boat, we've got fantasy football, a milestone birthday and James' battle with the dreaded COVID.

The most successful partner businesses don't get there by accident. A dedication to proven channel partner strategies helped them become the companies they are today. Channel Futures, its parent company, Informa Tech, and research arm Omdia, have a new, first-of-its-kind service available to the entire channel community that's poised to make a huge impact on decision-making for companies that choose to take advantage of the offer. That's why Craig and James invited Debbie Kane and Devan Adams, the team behind the brand-new Channel Futures research and consulting practice, to the podcast. They discuss the goals of the new practice and share some of the information they've already unveiled that might just surprise you. You'll also find out how to take advantage of their research. Of course, we'll update you on the latest sessions added to the Channel Futures Leadership Summit agenda and talk about the news stories of the week we've found to be most compelling. Go here for access to Debbie and Devan's work, on the Omdia Channel Partner Strategies Intelligence Service webpage: https://omdia.tech.informa.com/products/channel-partner-strategies-intelligence-service

When software-defined wide area networking broke onto the technology scene in the late 2000s, and a number of years later in the channel, few knew how much it would change the network landscape. It has gone on to become one of the industry's most preeminent technologies and a staple in channel partner portfolios. SD-WAN has only exploded since more people started working from home at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That was part of the impetus for Expereo, the SD-WAN and cloud connectivity provider, to launch a survey of 650 CIOs. It brought about some compelling results in the company's new Enterprise Horizons report. In this edition of the Coffee with Craig and James podcast, Expereo president Scott Zarriello joins the guys to explain some takeaways from the report. He also covers the evolution of SD-WAN technology. Also on the podcast, Craig and James break down a handful of sessions that have just been added to the Channel Futures Leadership Summit agenda. It's coming up Oct. 30-Nov. 2, in Miami. All of that plus the return of Movie Night! What would the Craig and James podcast look like if it were a movie? We have the exciting trailer!

In this edition of the Coffee with Craig and James podcast, we get the inside scoop from the guys at techology advisor ARG. ARG chief revenue officer Mike Shonholz and chief engagement officer Steve Kopp have seen a lot in their years of experience in the industry. That background has been key to pulling off some very successful acquisitions over the years. Craig and James sat these gents down for an ARG perspective not only on M&A, but also the company's overall inorganic growth strategy, what its "IT Clarity" branding is all about, and to get some general advice for some their peers in the channel. Moreover, we'll offer up our first official preview of this fall's Channel Futures Leadership Summit, which in addition to being home to the MSP Summit and Women's Leadership Summit, will take an extensive look at marketplaces and how they're impacting the channel. All that, plus James gets a little revenge on Craig for his little "easter egg" stunt around numbers on the last podcast. It's the return of Channel Mad Libs!

Craig Schlagbaum might very well be, as James puts it, the "O.G." of the channel. As senior vice president at Comcast Business/Masergy, he's one of the longest tenured channel executives. You could almost say he "grew up" in the channel. So we thought it would be great to pick his brain on topics ranging from his longevity, to relationships with technology service providers and much more. Furthermore, with the next Channel Partners event, the Channel Futures Leadership Summit, still nearly four months away, Craig and James thought it was a perfect time to highlight some of the things you might've missed on our media platform, Channel Futures. All of that, plus Craig once again tries to prove his manhood by humiliating James in a round of trivia, this time focused on, as an homage to our guest, cable TV.

The Channel Futures podcast duo is back after a brief hiatus due to travel, and they're welcoming Palo Alto Networks into the coffee house. Channel leader Tom Evans joins the conversation to discuss the latest cybersecurity threats, updates for Palo Alto partners and predictions for the future. Craig and James also get you caught up on final numbers from the Channel Partners Conference & Expo, as well as their trip to London representing Channel Futures at the annual Informa Awards. Don't forget that you can watch this podcast. The video is here: https://www.channelfutures.com/podcasts/coffee-with-craig-and-james-episode-124-palo-alto-networks

MartinWolf M&A Advisors founder Marty Wolf joins Craig and James this week on the popular Channel Futures podcast. Wolf offers an overview of the M&A landscape and delivers practical advice for any partner business considering selling or taking private investment. It also serves as a preview for some keynote and conference sessions that focus on mergers and acquisitions at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, May 1-4. Speaking of CP Expo, Craig and James will do a final breakdown to get you ready. It's not too late to register!: https://channel.informatech.com/lv/2023/registrations/Attendee

It's MSP 501 season. The final day to apply for the biggest and best awards program in the channel is April 30. With that rapidly approaching deadline in mind, we decided to dedicate this podcast to the Channel Futures MSP 501. First, we welcome in Ginette Andre, senior marketing associate for Channel Futures and VIP liaison for the MSP 501. Ginette offers up some frequently asked questions for candidates who are applying for the list. Then comes the team from Ingram Micro, sponsor and longtime supporter of the 501. The distributor's execs discuss the value of landing on the list. They also cover some important managed service provider trends for 2023. Also, it wouldn't be an episode of the podcast without talk of the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. James tells us about two of the sessions he'll be hosting and why you should be there. Finally, what's in a name? A common email mistake that flusters some of our colleagues. Apply for the 2023 Channel Futures MSP 501 here: https://channelfutures.tradepub.com/free/w_chag101/prgm.cgi?a=1

The Channel Futures podcast this week welcomes in Phil Soper, North America head of channel sales at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. He gets us caught up on the HPE Partner Ready Vantage program and the company's as-a-service efforts. Craig and James also cover the networking opportunities not to miss at the upcoming Channel Partners Conference & Expo. The big show is less than six weeks away — here's where you can register: https://channel.informatech.com/lv/2023/registrations/Attendee

The Channel Partners Conference & Expo is less than two months away and Craig and James are all over it. In this episode of the podcast, you'll learn about more incredible keynotes slated for the event. CP Expo is May 1-4, at the Venetian in Las Vegas. And for a guest, we have a special treat. Ronnell Richards, sales consultant extraordinaire to the channel, joins the guys for a conversation. They touch on sales tips, relationships between partners and TSDs/vendors, and much more. The news discussion of the day will center around a couple of things. First, James talks about an acquisition by HPE that could have significant channel implications. 5G, once overhyped, might be making another run at celebrity status. Also, our Channel Futures' Channel Influencers for 2023. The list is out, and features a lot of names in the channel who are having a big impact. The guys will explain how the team came up with this year's honorees.

A best-kept secret no more, the Alliance of Channel Women (ACW) plays a huge role in our industry. The organization promotes both established and up-and-coming channel sales professionals, including the camaraderie and mentorship to elevate their careers in what's traditionally been a male-dominated field. ACW is kicking off a spring membership drive, so it's a great time for Craig and James to learn more about the group. The guys welcome ACW board member Kelly Danziger to the show. (Her day job is Craig and James' boss as general manager of Informa Tech Channels, Channel Futures' parent organization.) The guys also discuss some of the big keynotes at the upcoming Channel Partners Conference & Expo. Furthermore, we've got fun with technology trivia and a test of ChatGPT technology.

Coffee with Craig and James, the Channel Futures podcast, welcomes Scott Kinka, chief strategy officer with Bridgepointe Technologies. Bridgepointe is truly one of the hottest companies in the channel, growing both organically and inorganically, via acquisition. The guys also give you your first taste of the keynotes and conference sessions at the upcoming Channel Partners Conference & Expo, May 1-4. We told you last time about keynote speaker Capt. Scott Kelly, but that's far from all. From a guy who lived in a van to a NASCAR driver, there's some really cool content on tap. We talk about it in this podcast. And that's just scratching the surface. Craig and James also will discuss the news of the week, including the staggering number of layoffs impacting the channel. Communications platform as a service (CPaaS) is also a topic, as Channel Futures introduces a new video segment. If you want to see us on video, head over to Channel Futures: https://www.channelfutures.com/podcasts/coffee-with-craig-james-episode-118-bridgepointe-technologies

It only took 117 episodes of the Channel Futures podcast for Craig and James to make their video debut together. In this premiere Channel Futures TV episode of Coffee with Craig and James, we welcome Cato Networks leader Frank Rauch. He was one of the biggest newsmakers of the past week, just joining the SASE provider on Jan. 10. The guys also give you a sneak preview of the keynote retired astronaut Capt. Scott Kelly will deliver at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo, May 1-4, at the Venetian in Las Vegas. All that, plus a recap of some of the biggest news so far this month.

Craig and James are back to celebrate the holiday season with you, Nitel and Opex Technologies. First up is Jim Glackin, channel leader with Nitel, the next-gen technology services provider. It's been a big year for the company. The guys dig into the state of aggregation in the channel and have a conversation with Glackin about cost center vs. profit center. Later in the show, we get to know more about Opex Technologies. It's a well-known firm in the agent channel, but there's a whole lot you don't know. For instance, some think of Opex as a research firm of sorts? We'll dig into all of that and get some market insight straight from a partner's mouth. Of course, we would be remiss if we didn't look back on the year that was at Channel Futures. Craig and James will discuss some of the biggest stories of the year. They'll also recap the successful Channel Partners Conference & Expo and this past fall's Leadership Summit. And if you haven't heard the dates for our 2023 shows, we've got 'em.

Craig and James are here to get you pumped up for this week's MSP Summit and Channel Partners Leadership Summit. The first-of-its-kind of event will bring more than 100 sponsors and exhibitors together with the partner community. The guys will break it all down, from the education to the networking. Speaking of events, it's the return of the popular segment, "Where in the World is Edward Gately?" Our intrepid reporter checks in from the road to deliver big cybersecurity interview with Darktrace.

The Coffee with Craig and James podcast is back with a pair of big interviews. First up is Lynn Tinney, SVP of global partners at Zayo. The company has been making big strides in the channel as of late. She tackles industry trends and the company's recent M&A. Zayo has a message to share as it really bounces back in the channel. Then, James details his travels to Salt Lake City for the Telarus Partner Summit. He got a chance to sit down with co-founder Patrick Oborn to talk about how the constantly evolving industry is impacting partners. Of course, it wouldn't be a Channel Futures podcast without a preview of the upcoming MSP Summit. And Craig tortures James with a game of "Which would you rather." Will James choose to teach the channel to kids, or stand on his head? Live on a desert island only with work email? Develop a PowerPoint to convince the brass he's worth his salt?

The dog days of summer have arrived. So why not sit back with a cold glass of lemonade, and a Channel Futures podcast? We've got two of the biggest names in the channel -- Telarus and Cisco. Let's start with Telarus, whose summer got off to a hot start with the acquisition of TCG. What does this move hold for the future of tech distribution? James asked Telarus CEO Adam Edwards in a one-on-one interview. Then, James lands an interview with Cisco VP Alexandra Zagury. She describes how the company is going after the entire channel with a series of programs and new products. Where was Craig, you ask? On vacation. Or just passing the hard work off to James. Meantime, the guys will put a bow on the recently concluded Channel Partners Europe, Furthermore, they'll offer up a preview of the upcoming MSP Summit in Orlando. We just happen to be colocating it with the brand-new Channel Partners Leadership Summit. You'll learn about the event that has something for agents, VARs, MSPs and all partner types.

Craig and James beg for your forgiveness as the podcast has been on hiatus for a while. But with guests like Bluewave Technology Group and Vodia, like Die Hard 3, they are back with a vengeance. Well-known channel figures Curt Allen and Eric Brooker are new to Bluewave, but not the channel. These gents talk with the guys about the unique business model the company offers and the flood of investment money coming into the industry. Next up is Christian Stredicke, president and CEO of Vodia Networks. You might know him best as the founder of Snom. Stredicke will discuss WebRTC and other technologies impacting the IP PBX market. And it wouldn't be a podcast without a discussion of Channel Partners events. We'll have a preview of Channel Evolution Europe, less than two weeks away. Moreover, the MSP Summit in September will be here before we know it. And we're introducing the inaugural Channel Partners Leadership Summit that we are co-locating with the event. All that plus the 2022 MSP 501 reveal is almost here. We'll get you excited for that and tell you about a webinar where you can get a sneak peak of the top winners.

The guys are back with their second pre-show edition of the podcast in the past five months. That's because the Channel Partners Conference & Expo is just a week away! Craig and James will break down some of the biggest can't-miss events of the show; plus, speaking of CP Expo, James will present an entertaining review of some beloved channel event stereotypes. The "attender vendor"? The "social butterfly?" The "sponge"? Then, the lineup of great guests continues. Craig and James talk to Ashley Rowland, founder of partner firm Adaptiv Advisors. She shares some tricks of the trade and explains why she started a second business -- one that trains fellow agents on, well, the tricks of the trade.

It's a "blockbuster" new episode of the Channel Futures podcast in more ways than one. This edition of Coffee with Craig and James focuses on the huge awards programs that Channel Futures offers. For instance, the massive MSP 501, the world's largest and most comprehensive survey of managed service providers worldwide. The application recently opened, and we've got everything you need to know to throw your hat into the ring. Furthermore, to help recognize the MSP 501, we pulled in Eric Kohl, VP of security and networking for Ingram Micro, sponsor of the program. He sits down with MSP 501 lead Allison Francis for an interview. Moreover, we released the 2022 Channel Futures Channel Influencers list since our last podcast. We'll break it down. Also, last but not least, we introduce you to the CP 101, an award for the agent community. All that, plus the return of the Coffee with Craig and James "Movie Night." The guys will take part in a movie-like trailer to promote the podcast that you won't want to miss.

Cable takes center stage in this episode as the guys sit down with the Spectrum Enterprise channel chief. Did you know how core cybersecurity is to Spectrum's business? Michelle Kadlacek, vice president and channel chief at Spectrum, shares a story about bailing out a school that had an issue with an "overachieving" student who decided to challenge its security defenses. We'll also look both backward and forward. Kadlacek describes some successes from last year and what partners can expect in 2022. Plus, the agenda for the Channel Partners Conference & Expo is taking shape; Craig and James look at the latest hot sessions added to the schedule. Finally, James takes Craig through a trivia contest involving channel news. (Let's hope he does well since he edits the Channel Futures website, after all.) We bet you'll learn something and be entertained at the same time.

The podcast is back for a new year! Craig and James are going even bigger with the guests this year. First up is Dave Dyson, CEO of Eclipse Telecom, one of the best-known agent businesses in the channel. Dyson, who never pulls punches, engages with the guys in a wide-ranging conversation. M&A? Check. Customer experience? Check? Even blockchain? You know it. He has some ideas on how all of those topics are impacting the channel and will in the years to come. Then there's Brian Gilman of IntelePeer. The company's chief marketing officer explains the increasing role of artificial intelligence in the contact center. And if you're not that familiar with the CPaaS acronym, he describes how IntelePeer recently landed in our list of "20 Top CPaaS Providers." Gilman also gets us up to speed on the latest happenings in the IntelePeer partner program. Plus, don't forget. The next Channel Partners Conference & Expo is just two-and-a-half months away. Craig and James tell you about a couple of things that are already on the agenda.

We're breaking out the Coffee with Craig and James stockings to celebrate the holidays! It's our final Channel Futures podcast of 2021, but we didn't skimp. James nabbed a big partner interview with Resourcive. This Mt. Vernon, New York-based company is working hard to employ military veterans. They also have a unique business model. While many companies are taking money from private equity firms, Resourcive actually provides services to them. But that's far from all. The guys will break down what's been an incredible year in the channel. Furthermore, you'll hear about some of the highlights at Channel Futures over the course of the year. And we wouldn't let you depart for your eggnog without a little holiday fun. James offers up some coal-based trivia (you read that right). And Craig dedicates a spin on a familiar song to his podcast co-host. We hope you enjoy and then return for more episodes of Coffee with Craig and James in 2022!

Thanksgiving is here and Craig and James have an aural feast for you! Just as good as turkey, am I right? First up is our latest edition of "Where in the World is Edward Gately?" Our intrepid reporter talks with industry analyst Jon Arnold about how rampant copper retirement is impacting the channel. Later in the show, James catches up with Jim Campbell, managing partner at Opkalla, an agent partner. Campbell describes what it was like to set up his business and offers advice to peers. All that plus Craig and James take a look back at the recently concluded Channel Partners Conference & Expo. Then, a look forward at next year's events. Finally, Craig challenges James to some channel trivia that goes back to his pre-teen years. Don't worry, he doesn't get embarrassed too badly.

We're not sure we could've packed any more channel goodness into this episode of the podcast. It's the pre-show edition as we put the final touches on the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. First up, we hear from one of the speakers at the show, John Iannarelli, retired FBI special agent. He's going to take us inside the mind of a cybercriminal. Furthermore, he'll offer tips to business and partners on how to protect themselves. Next, we follow that up with a "lightning round" that runs down every keynote and conference session you won't want to miss. Then we roll James' interview with Ian Keininger, Avant CEO and co-founder. He talks about numerous trends in the agent channel and offers advice to partners looking to grow their businesses. The team at Coffee with Craig & James can't wait to see you in Las Vegas, Nov. 1-4.

It's been a busy few weeks for Craig and James who are prepping for the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. As usual, CP Expo is front and center on their podcast agenda. The guys outline some of the big sessions you won't want to miss. But the guests once again bring the heat. Father and son team Ted and Jake Schuman of PlanetOne describe a new tool for partners that they say is revolutionizing the channel. Then we'll hear from Mobolaji Sokunbi of Dell Expert Network. He'll dive into trends his partner community is seeing and give us the nitty-gritty of what's happening at the tech giant. The company is also a sponsor of our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Channel Futures. Sokunbi will explain why DE&I is such a priority for Dell.

Craig and James are back with a vengeance after a bit of a summer vacation. And they return with some powerhouse guests. First up is Dave Young, new channel chief at Lumen. He talks about how partners might be impacted by the company's huge ILEC sale. It was one of the biggest news stories of the summer. You'll also get insight into new initiatives in the Lumen channel program and other aspects of the business he's taking on. Then we'll stay in the agent channel by talking to a couple of partners to get their perspectives on a number of issues. Want to spin up a contact center practice? Kathleen Waters, founder and CEO of Creekview Group, and David Wright, founder and CEO of Disruptive Innovations, have some advice. We'll also ask them how business has changed for partners in the past year. Furthermore, it wouldn't be an episode of Coffee with Craig and James without mentioning CP Expo. Co-located with the new MSP Summit, we're announcing a series of celebrity guests at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo who all attendees can see at no additional charge.

A couple of more great guests as Telarus CEO Adam Edwards and Marc Monday of Citrix join the show. First up is Edwards. Craig was on the road at the Telarus Partner Summit last week, catching up with him at one of the channel's biggest live events since the pandemic began. We discuss the growth of the service distributor's partners over the past year and planning the Summit during the pandemic. Also, we feel better about Mondays now after our interview with Marc Monday! In a fun chat, he covers everything from softball questions about coffee to some hardballs about perceived channel conflict at the software company. We'll also learn about the evolution of the desktop to the workspace. Craig and James also preview the upcoming MSP Summit, which we are collocating with the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. Moreover, they make a plea to the channel so COVID-19 restrictions at future channel events will remain at a minimum.

Channel Futures is getting ready to release its first-ever DE&I 101 list. So it seemed like a great time to catch up with two people who are driving diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the channel. Kelli McMillan of Five9 and Jamaal Savwoir of 8x8, founding members of the Xposure Diversity & Inclusion Council join the show. They discuss the group's new membership drive and tackle the controversy surrounding the term "master agent." Also joining the guys is the team from Jenne, the value-added distributor. The company's VP of vendor management and director of cloud solutions talk about Jenne's important Avaya relationship. They also discuss what it's like to serve both the traditional IT and telecom channels. Furthermore, Craig and James will get you caught up on the latest Channel Partners Conference & Expo prep. Plus, with a "space" theme, we've got a podcast that's out of this world.

We couldn't be more excited for this edition of the Coffee with Craig and James podcast. We're celebrating our 100th episode! We're notching episode No. 100 with a pair of huge channel guests. First up is Chris Jones, chief revenue officer at Fuze, the enterprise cloud communications and collaboration provider. Jones discusses his company's new partner-first initiative. He also touches on how Fuze goes to battle in the competitive UCaaS industry. Then, Joyce Mullen, a channel legend from her days with Dell's channel, joins the show. Now president of Insight North America, she reflects on her company landing the top spot on the 2021 MSP 501 list. Mullen also tackles the partner opportunity as "as a service" takes off in the industry. Speaking of guests, Craig and James have some cameos from the entertainment world wishing them well on their milestone. All that, plus the latest on the fast-growing agenda for the Channel Partners Conference & Expo and collocated MSP Summit.

Craig got a little summer R&R, meaning a bit longer of a break than usual between podcasts. But we think it'll be worth the wait. First up is Ken Presti, the stats guru at Avant Analytics. He's out with a new report that takes a deep dive into contact center as a service. Presti uncovered some interesting trends that partners should know before their next customer conversation. Then we hear from Jon Groves, CEO of Logicalis, the IT service provider. He offers insight into what it's like to become chief executive of a tech company the same month that a pandemic breaks out. He'll also dive into important industry trends impacting our managed service provider friends. Speaking of MSPs, Channel Futures released our annual MSP 501 list since we last spoke. We'll break it down. And the agenda is starting to take shape for the Channel Partners Conference & Expo in November. We promise a great lineup for the channel's biggest in-person bash in two years. Finally, we'll tell you what's coming next time in our 100th episode extravaganza.