Informa Channel Partners

What Informa Channel Partners does

Informa Channel Partners is an event, media, and programs business serving technology and telecommunications channel professionals, operated by Informa Connect, a division of Informa PLC (LSE:INF). Its flagship offerings are the Channel Partners Conference & Expo — established in 1995 and now in its 30th year — and the co-located MSP Summit, both anchored at marquee US venues (The Venetian Las Vegas; Loews Royal Pacific Orlando). The portfolio combines large-scale in-person events with year-round digital content (newsletters, white papers, Channel Partners TV video interviews) delivered via Informa's proprietary digital infrastructure including the Streamly video platform, partneringONE/partneringONEplus B2B networking platforms, and the SwapCard-based mobile event app.

The business monetizes through three primary streams: paid attendee registration across tiered passes (Expo+Keynote, Standard, Premium); sponsorship and exhibitor fees from 350+ vendors including flagship Official Technology Sponsors such as AT&T Business, T-Mobile, Vonage, Lumen, Aura, and Fidium; and recurring digital content subscriptions including newsletters, e-books, and white papers. The company serves multiple channel segments — Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Technology Advisors/Agents, telecom carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon), VARs/systems integrators, and vendor sponsors/exhibitors — and operates multiple award programs (MSP 501, Circle of Excellence, Next Generation, Tech Advisor Thought Leaders, Preferred Vendor Awards, MSPs to Watch) that function as year-round community anchors.

The 2026 edition of the Channel Partners Conference & Expo was reported as the largest event in its history. The business is currently extending its content surface with a new CEO Track and AI Symposium Track and, in collaboration with IAMCP and Microsoft, launching an industry-first AI Monetization Event Series (in-person symposium at Microsoft's NYC Times Square headquarters on December 9, 2026, plus a three-part web series running August–November 2026) targeting the 2026-2027 enterprise AI spending cycle.

Name

Informa Channel Partners

Legal name

Informa PLC

Website

https://channelpartnersconference.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Informa Channel Partners operates the Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit — co-located annual events for technology channel professionals, MSPs, technology advisors, and telecom carriers — drawing 7,800+ attendees and 350+ sponsors, as a division of Informa PLC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technology Channel Events

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Partner, Channel & Vendor Conferences (MPAGAGAL)

Keywords

• Channel partner events
• MSP conferences
• Telecom channel media
• Technology trade shows
• IT channel networking

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from attendee registrations for Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit events. Pass types include Expo + Keynote Pass, Standard passes, and Premium passes with varying levels of access to sessions, workshops, and networking events.
2. Sponsorship & Exhibitor Fees: Revenue from sponsors and exhibitors (350+ vendors) who purchase booth space, speaking slots, and visibility packages at events. Includes Official Technology Sponsor packages (AT&T Business, T-Mobile, Vonage, Lumen, Aura, Fidium).
3. Digital Content & Subscriptions: Newsletter subscriptions, digital resources, e-books, and white papers on channel insights delivered throughout the year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Informa Channel Partners produces large-scale in-person events for the technology and telecommunications channel, primarily the annual Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit (co-located). It also runs industry award programs (MSP 501, Circle of Excellence, Tech Advisor Thought Leaders Award) and year-round digital media including newsletters, white papers, and video content. The portfolio targets MSPs, technology advisors, telecom carriers, and vendor sponsors across the indirect IT/communications channel.

Product overview

Informa Channel Partners operates a portfolio of event-based and digital products for the technology and telecommunications channel. The core offerings are Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit — two co-located annual in-person conferences that serve as the channel's premier gathering events. These are complemented by multiple award programs including MSP 501 (the MSP ranking), Circle of Excellence, and the Tech Advisor Thought Leaders Award. Year-round digital products include Channel Partners News/Newsletters, Channel Partners TV video content, and the Streamly video streaming platform for on-demand event content. The portfolio also includes the SwapCard-based mobile app for attendee networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MSP 501: The world's first, largest and most comprehensive survey and ranking of managed service providers in the technology channel.
• Circle of Excellence
• Next Generation

Products and services

• Channel Partners Conference & Expo The flagship annual in-person technology and telecommunications channel event bringing together channel partners, MSPs, technology advisors, carriers, and vendor sponsors for networking, education, and business development. Held at The Venetian Las Vegas (March 15-18, 2027).
• MSP Summit Premier managed service provider conference co-located with Channel Partners Conference & Expo, featuring educational sessions, networking, and the MSP 501 Awards program. Held at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando (September 28-30, 2026).
• MSP 501 Ranking Program Annual ranking and awards program described as the world's first, largest, and most comprehensive survey and ranking of managed service providers globally, with an annual awards gala (held September 17, 2025 in Orlando).
• Circle of Excellence Award Annual award presented to industry leaders who embody channel excellence, honoring executives for vision, innovation, and advocacy of the indirect technology and communications channel.
• Channel Partners Tech Advisor Thought Leaders Award Award program recognizing visionaries and innovators shaping the technology advisory industry, honoring TA thought leaders, trailblazers, and change-makers who deliver exceptional client value. Inaugural cohort recognized 50+ TA Thought Leaders with a Top 20 elite group.
• Channel Partners News & Newsletters Year-round digital subscription content including industry news articles, Channel Partners TV video interviews, white papers, e-books, and email newsletters delivering channel insights and breaking news to channel professionals.
• Streamly Video Streaming Platform Informa's on-demand video streaming service hosting recordings of Channel Partners Conference & Expo sessions and other non-event multimedia content for registered attendees.
• AI Monetization Event Series Industry-first event series for channel partners and managed service providers, combining an in-person symposium on December 9, 2026 at Microsoft's NYC Times Square Headquarters with a three-part web series running August through November 2026, organized in collaboration with IAMCP.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7,800+ channel professionals attending events
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2026IAMCP is collaborating with MSP Summit on the industry-first AI monetization event series, featuring an in-person symposium on December 9, 2026 at Microsoft's NYC Times Square Headquarters and a three-part web series running August through November 2026. Industry leaders including Microsoft Director Jason Jones are confirmed as speakers.
• AT&T BusinessflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial CP Conference Sponsor delivering ultra-fast, reliable fiber and 5G connectivity with built-in security. AT&T has doubled and tripled channel investments, reducing closed accounts and opening more accounts for partners.
• T-Mobile for BusinessflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial 5G Sponsor leveraging the nation's largest 5G network to help organizations work smarter with innovative solutions and world-class support.
• VonagecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial AI Symposium Sponsor with world-leading unified communications, contact centers, and communications APIs under one roof, creating the world's most flexible cloud communications platform.
• Lumen TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial AI Technology Sponsor providing networking, edge cloud, collaboration, cybersecurity solutions and managed services. Lumen operates one of the industry's largest optical networks.
• AuracoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial MSP Conference Sponsor delivering modern BYOD security solutions protecting clients from today's threats while empowering businesses to work smarter.
• Fidium PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial Event App Sponsor delivering lightning-fast, reliable fiber connections backed by a dense metro network across 20+ states with 20k+ on-net and near-net buildings.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSP Summit AI Monetization symposium venue host at Microsoft's New York City Times Square Headquarters. Microsoft Director Jason Jones confirmed as speaker.
• Data Center WorldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister event within Informa network providing access to influential technology buyers and users in the industry.
• Enterprise ConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister event within Informa network giving access to influential technology buyers and users in the industry.
• Alliance of Channel WomenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversity and inclusion partner organization supported by Channel Partners Conference & Expo with commitment to partnerships in the channel.
• Cloud GirlsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversity and inclusion partner organization supported by Channel Partners Conference & Expo.
• CompTIAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner organization supported by Channel Partners Conference & Expo with commitment to partnerships in the channel.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cisco Live: Flagship vendor-led event from Cisco that draws a large portion of channel partners. Comparable because it competes for the same channel partner time and sponsorships within the broader IT ecosystem.
• Dell Technologies World: Vendor-led event from Dell that draws solution providers and channel partners. Comparable as competing for partner attendance, sponsor dollars, and AI/cloud messaging across the IT channel.
• CompTIA: Industry association for the IT channel that runs its own conferences, membership programs, and channel communities. Comparable because CompTIA serves overlapping MSP and partner audiences with events, training, and certification programs.
• Microsoft Ignite: Microsoft's flagship partner and IT pro event. Comparable because it draws the same MSP and channel partner audience, especially for AI-related content that Channel Partners is now targeting.

Emerging players

• ASCII Group: MSP community and event organization running regional summits for IT solution providers. Comparable as a community-led channel event competitor focused on the same MSP and advisor audience.
• Channelnomics: Research and media firm focused on channel strategy, partner programs, and indirect sales. Comparable as an analyst-driven voice competing for channel mindshare and sponsor attention.

Direct peers

• CRN (The Channel Company): Channel-focused media brand that runs the XChange conference series and channel awards. Directly comparable as a competitor for sponsor attention and channel community engagement among MSPs and solution providers.
• Enterprise Connect: Sister Informa event targeting enterprise communications and IT buyers. Comparable as a co-located or adjacent Informa Connect event serving overlapping vendor buyers and sponsors.
• ITEXPO: Long-running business technology conference covering UC, VoIP, MSP, and channel topics. Comparable as a competing conference brand for channel partner attendance and telecom/UC sponsorships.
• Channel Futures / Informa Tech (sister brands): Sibling media brand within Informa's tech portfolio covering the channel with editorial, awards, and events. Closest comparable in audience and content focus, sharing the same corporate parent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Channel_Expo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoOHHA_7c5cbKNqOX4Dw_Fg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChannelPartnersExpo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/channel-partners-events
• Instagraminstagram.com/channel_expo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Informa Channel Partners