IT Nation Connect 2019 recap

With another successful IT Nation Connect in the books, I am delighted at the community-driven spirit of The IT Nation. These exciting three days were filled with inspiring keynotes, informative breakout sessions, networking, and plenty of opportunity to kick back and have a good time with thousands of your IT friends!

We had 3,772 attendees join us in Orlando this past week, marking this year as our biggest IT Nation Connect in history! Let’s explore some of the successes of this year’s remarkable event.

Opening keynote

On Wednesday evening, IT Nation Connect opened with a noteworthy keynote, providing an introduction to the 2019 conference. The keynote was full of exciting announcements—ConnectWise has acquired Continuum and ITBoost, and has launched ConnectWise Engage in partnership with Webinfinity.

The keynote opened as ConnectWise Chief Customer Officer Craig Fulton took the stage, kicking off the exciting future of The IT Nation in a grand unveiling of the new theming of The IT Nation as a whole: “Wise Together. Rise Together.”

I welcomed co-founder of ConnectWise Arnie Bellini to the stage to talk about the history of ConnectWise leading to our new and exciting announcements, as well as to introduce TSP-ISAO: an independent organization that provides real time bi-directional intelligence sharing, coordinated countermeasure solutions, cybersecurity best practices, access to research, trends, and role-based education.

ConnectWise made three major announcements during this keynote—any one of which would have been revolutionary. All of us at The IT Nation are so excited to see what the future holds as we work together to reach new heights in the IT Industry.

Torch Talk – The Trailblazers

Led by panel host Joe Panettieri, Torch Talk - The Trailblazers provided an inspiring and engaging opening to Thursday’s events. This unique mainstage event provided insight from some of the most experienced individuals in the industry, including co-founder of ConnectWise Arnie Bellini, founder of HTG Peer Groups Arlin Sorensen, founder of Kaseya Gerald Blackie, founder of Inacom Laurie Benson, and founder of Continuum Michael George.

Joe began the event by asking the question, “What could these five individuals possibly have in common with every one of you in the audience?” The answer was that all business owners have had overcome the same three challenges—navigating through the business’s launch stage, the crucial pivot in the business, and, finally the exit—the point in which you’re no longer involved in your business. These industry heavyweights laid out some of the best advice given throughout the panel on navigating through the stages of owning a business.

Arnie closed out this amazing panel by leaving the audience with the knowledge that the TSPs are the heroes here in the industry. The industry is maturing, and the root of it all is that all of the panelists and companies involved have built their roadmap on the same goal—helping TSPs find business success.

Keynote speaker Daniel Pink

On Friday morning, IT Nation Connect attendees got to experience a real treat—an enlightening keynote from best-selling author and inspirational speaker Daniel Pink. Daniel shared insightful tips from his latest best-seller When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, as well as breaking down the body language and communication tactics that are most likely to lead to positive interactions when making sales.

The keynote explored the cognizance of human nature in terms of personality type, physicality, and natural inclinations leading to trust, rendering his presentation an informative session for anyone, not just sales leaders.

IT Nation Gives

IT Nation Connect wouldn’t be the same without our wonderful IT Nation Gives charity events. Each year, members of The IT Nation including ConnectWise partners and colleagues spend a day giving back to the Orlando community. IT Nation Gives spent a day volunteering at Orlando Day Nursery this year. This childcare center is committed to helping children achieve future success in their education by providing opportunity to engage in high-quality educational programming.

We are proud to have had 20 of our own volunteer, either working to improve the grounds or doing projects with the four to six year old children. The spirit of embracing knowledge and education is what The IT Nation is all about, and were so humbled to have been able to help give back to our future leaders of the community.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ theme park

IT Nation Connect embraces the spirit of community—both in work, and in play! This year The IT Nation took over The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Hogsmeade™, Jurassic Park, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. The party was a great opportunity for everyone to kick back, relax, and make new memories with their IT peers. The magic and excitement in the air was the perfect way to celebrate the end to another wonderful IT Nation Connect.

As we reflect on another successful event, we would like to thank our partners for making IT Nation Connect 2019 our best event yet! We are wise together, and we will rise together.

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s19) Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park River Adventure TM Universal Studios/Amblin. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2019 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.