Scene's From Autotask's Community Live! Conference

Autotask held its first user conference in Nashville, Tenn., this week, Autotask Community Live!, an event that attracted 400 VARs and MSPs to hear what's coming next from the Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform developer.

The event was held at the Gaylord Opryland resort in Nashville, Tenn., a popular event spot that features a large dome-like atrium. Attendees can spend the whole event indoors with the feeling that they're outside.

Autotask CEO Bob Godgart makes a red carpet entrance to the event.

Three people network at the sponsor showcase, which featured booths from about 20 Autotask technology partners.

Shari Godgart, sister of CEO Bob Godgart, shows that professional services can be a hair-raising experience. Actually, Autotask had a photo booth with costumes where attendees could transform into rockers.

Rick Boyle, left, and Grant Boyle, center, of Computer Network Inc., and Autotask's Logan Stone, are all smiles while talking about professional services automation, no doubt.

Autotask's Kristi Harbers, left, and Shari Godgart, are also all smiles as they gear up for a busy week.

Autotask's Steve Noel, professional services consultant, clearly believes blondes have more fun.

In the vendor showcase, Shannon Dugan, left, and Chris Bryan, center, explain OnForce's services marketplace platform offerings to Larry Baum, CEO of The Computing Center.

At left, Sheldon Waters, CEO of itControl Suite, talks with Autotask's Steve Luby at a booth itControls Suite shared with Synnex, with whom it has a partnership.

An unidentified VAR shares a laugh with Autotask senior vice president of professional services Leonard DiCostanzo, right, a former VAR himself.

The vendor showcase was a popular spot for solution providers to hear from Autotask's partners.

Xerox's Lisa Jenkins explains her company's managed print services offering to Fred Reck, president of InnoTek Computer Consulting.

Keynote speaker Vincent Everts holds up a $100 bill, which he challenged attendees to come and get. Edwards, a new media trend-watcher, burst into the room riding a Segway. Edwards advised solution providers to build a better communications strategy for their companies that includes Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Corporations are far too slow to adopt that technology, while consumers are demanding it, he said.

Everts is chased by James Wirth, owner of Computer and Network Solutions, who's trying to take the $100 bill.

Everts was finally taken down by two VARs, one of whom tackled him while the other grabbed the $100 bill. The VAR that got the money took a $50 bill out of his pocket and gave it to his partner.

Level Platforms' Dan Wensley, in leather jacket, talks managed services at a crowded booth.

Adam Stewart, vice president of engineering for Autotask, takes the Segway for a spin. Lots of attendees got to take a test drive.

Autotask's Jake Carroll, vice president of channel sales, explains the company's new TaskFire co-managed service desk platform.

Autotask presented MVP awards to five solution providers for their work in the last year.

The MVP award winners were, from left, Mark Crall, founder and CEO of Tech Care Team; Michael Drake, CEO of MasterIT; Ian James, president of Red Square Systems; Amy Luby, CEO of MSP Services Network; and Craig Tribuno, CFO and vice president of Systems Engineering. The group also participated in a roundtable about best practices in their services businesses.