Valentine’s Day 2026: Why The Channel’s Real Love Story Is Community

‘What I love most about working in the IT channel is the genuine mindshare we create together. It’s a community built on trust, where one phone call can quickly turn into real collaboration and better outcomes for customers. I’ve made lasting real friendships here, and I admire how the channel rewards integrity, experience and follow-through,’ says Joe Ussia, president and CEO, Infinite IT Solutions

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about love. In 2026, it’s also a reminder that you can love your work, especially when it’s rooted in community.

For those working in the channel, the best part of the job isn’t always the title or the paycheck. It’s the relationships. And in a year defined by AI acceleration, cybersecurity threats and constant change, what stands out most isn’t just innovation, it’s collaboration.

Dan Tomaszewski, executive vice president of channel at Miami-based vendor Kaseya, said that foundation of trust is what makes the ecosystem different.

“I love working in the channel and with MSPs because it’s built on real relationships, trust and people who genuinely show up for each other,” he said. “MSPs are some of the most resilient, gritty and execution-focused leaders out there.”

That resilience has been critical as partners help navigate AI adoption, regulatory shifts and a relentless threat landscape. But no one is doing it alone.

Michelle Accardi, CEO of Houston-based Liongard, sees the channel as a force multiplier.

“What I love about the channel is it brings people, technology and processes together around innovations like AI to create meaningful outcomes that improve lives and business,” she said. “The channel ecosystem has the power to align all the parts together to 10x an opportunity and make it reality.”

Even in competitive situations, MSPs routinely share what’s working, and what’s not. Tim Guim, CEO of PCH Technologies, called it the “multiplier effect.”

“If one partner figures out a better way to deliver a service or secure customers, that idea doesn’t stay isolated, it spreads quickly across the ecosystem,” he said. “That speed of shared learning is something you just don’t see in most industries.”

For many, those shared lessons turn into lasting friendships, spanning years.

“The channel members have become my family and friends,” said Melvin Williams, CEO of M&N Communications. “There is no other group that loves to learn to earn like we do.”

Pax8’s Cynthia Schreiner echoed that sentiment: “The channel is a welcoming community where you can connect, grow and build lasting relationships. I’ve made lifelong friends here who feel like family.”

In 2026, the tools may be powered by AI and automation, but the foundation is still human. Behind every platform integration and security deployment is a network of people sharing knowledge, answering calls and solving problems together.

This Valentine’s Day, the channel isn’t just celebrating growth or innovation, it’s celebrating the relationships that make both possible. In an industry built on technology, community remains the real love story.

Here’s what your peers say they love about working in the channel.

Michelle Accardi, CEO, Liongard

What I love about the channel is it brings people, technology and processes together around innovations like AI to create meaningful outcomes that improve lives and business. The channel ecosystem has the power to align all the parts together to 10x an opportunity and make it reality.

Joe Alapat, founder and chief strategy officer, Liongard

The top reason I love the channel is because it gives us 10x superpowers! Driving outcomes jointly with the ecosystem to deliver amazing outcomes for end customers is truly powerful! It reminds me of a famous proverb. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Leila Amiralai, senior manager, enterprise and channel engagement, AlertOps

The channel is where execution still matters more than talk. Even working in enterprise environments, the strongest partnerships still carry that channel mindset. Collaboration, trust and grit are what make this ecosystem different from the rest of tech, and why this space has my heart.

Jennifer Anaya, SVP, global marketing, Ingram Micro

I absolutely love the camaraderie and community that lives and thrives in the channel.

Myra Austin, account director, WhiteFox Marketing Inc.

I love how in the channel, people take care of each other. There is a deep-rooted camaraderie that sets it apart from other industries.

Tim Barton-Wines, executive, Halo

What makes the IT channel truly lovable isn’t the deals we close, the products we sell, or even the awards we chase, it’s the people we meet along the way. In this industry, colleagues become friends, competitors become collaborators and shared passion becomes community. That’s the real heart of the channel.

David Bellini, CEO, CyberFox

I’ve spent 35 years in this industry, and what I still love about the channel is that it rewards the people who actually solve problems. Not the ones with the flashiest pitch or the biggest marketing budget, but the ones whose stuff works on a Tuesday afternoon when something breaks. The channel has a built-in honesty filter. MSPs talk to each other. They share what’s real. You can’t fake your way through that for very long. The relationships are earned, not bought.

Roddy Bergeron, cybersecurity fellow, Sherweb

What I love about the channel is how open and willing we are to help each other out. There’s no lines drawn around vertical, vendor or territory that prevents us from being kind and helpful humans.

Atul Bhagat, president and CEO, Base Solutions

Even in an environment where it’s easy to view one another as competitors, I’ve realized that the channel is filled with people who truly show up for each other, both in challenging moments and to help each other grow!

Bill Blum, founder and CEO, Alpine Business Systems Inc.

My favorite thing about the channel is that it is filled with great value-based people. I found the more open I am, sharing my thoughts, ideas and experiences (good and bad) with my vendors, distributors and peers, I always get back a lot more than I give.

Jennifer Bodell, CVP of marketing, Pax8

What I love most about the channel ecosystem is the people. This community is built on trust, shared wins and a willingness to show up for each other year after year. Over the past 20-plus years, I’ve built friendships here that are real, loyal and lasting; the kind that go far beyond business. There’s an openness to collaboration that makes this space not just productive, but genuinely fun. In an industry that’s constantly changing, that sense of connection is what makes the channel ecosystem so special.

Dustin Bolander, managing partner and founder, Clear Guidance Partners

I love how many great ideas come from the MSPs themselves. Most industries you see vendors pushing all the advancement, it’s the opposite in this channel. The people doing the work share and collaborate, and then the whole industry follows.

Tiffani Bova, chief strategy and research officer, Futurum

I love seeing the channel evolve and grow. With every wave of technological disruption, partners have the opportunity to move beyond selling and adoption and really lead the market by turning innovation into business outcomes.

Tim Bowers, director, Halo

I love the passion you see in the channel. Business owners working together to figure it all out, willing to put so much time and effort into the shared community even when we don’t all share the same values and principles. "A rising tide lifts all boats" kind of mentality!

Bill Brandel, executive vice president and president, North America, Ingram Micro

I love seeing our customers achieve things they never thought possible because of their partnership with Ingram Micro. That is the power of the channel. When we come together, we

unlock growth that no one could do alone.

MacKenzie Brown, VP of threat intelligence strategy, Cynet Security

One of the things I love most about working in the channel is the brutal honesty. People say what they think. There’s no fluff, no corporate filter… just real conversations. And because of that, I’ve built some of my closest friendships across vendors and MSPs. I have their numbers in my phone, and if I’m wrestling with something or need perspective, I can just pick up the phone and call them. We can shoot the breeze, sure, but we can also get into the real stuff.

That’s what makes it different.

When I worked at the enterprise level, even at a company like Microsoft, you could build relationships, but you were still confined to that organization. In the channel, those walls don’t really exist. MSPs don’t care what logo is on your badge. If I text or call someone prominent in the space, I know they’ll respond. Not just to talk but to give real insight, sometimes unbiased, sometimes opinionated, but always honest. That sense of community, that access, that willingness to share candid feedback, that’s what makes the channel special.

Bill Campbell, CEO, BalanceLogic

What I love about the channel is the people and the shared mindset. This is a community where collaboration beats competition, relationships matter and success is built together. That energy — showing up for each other, learning fast and pushing the industry forward — is what makes the channel unstoppable.

Dan Candee, CEO, Cork Cyber

Colorful chaos! Because we are humans-first: helping, hustling, hurting and breaking everything. This community is the coolest because when it crumbles, we build it back stronger, faster and always with higher-horsepower and better stickers on the laptop. We don’t just patch servers; we patch people’s worst days. My mantra is that success results from love and performance because you can’t have one without the other in this race. Now if we could just get folks to stop clicking the wrong links.

Kyle Christensen, co-founder, Empath

After working with two MSPs, a consulting firm and now creating Empath, if I didn’t genuinely love the channel, you could call me a masochist.

Suzanne Collier, media relations and content development, WhiteFox Marketing Inc.

The channel holds a special place in my heart, and for me the word ‘channel’ itself signifies ‘community.’ I’ve made wonderful friends here, and the camaraderie and willingness to help one another create a true sense that we are all working together toward a shared goal.

Steve Copeland, founder and CEO, Rythmz Network

Real channel love isn’t a once-a-year thing, it’s showing up for your MSP partners every single day, especially at 3 a.m. That’s the relationship we build at Rythmz, and that’s what makes this industry worth being in.

Lori Cornmesser, VP channel and alliance sales, 1Password

I love the channel not because of what we sell but because of what we stand for: community, courage and creativity. It’s a place where people bring their full selves where differences are strengths, and where our shared mission is bigger than any one company or title.

Kevin Damghani, founder and CEO, ITPartners+

What I love most about working in the channel is the people and the community we build together. We don’t just solve tech problems, we help each other grow, learn and succeed side by side.

Michael DePalma, VP of business development, OpenText

I love the relationships I’ve made over the years, but more specifically seeing partners grow. There’s nothing better than meeting an MSP who is just starting out, and then see them a few years later standing on stage sharing their story of how they grew their business.

John Douglass, president, Pileus Technologies LLC

The channel is all about building relationships, whether it be with vendors or other solution providers. It is a place where we can all come together and get help, or help others better care for their clients.

Mike Estep, chief client officer, Blackpoint Cyber

Working with the channel is fundamentally about caring for our partners, because they deeply care about their employees and their clients. Every day, our partners show up with the goal of making things better for the people they serve. In that way, they embody the very best of what Valentine’s Day represents: care, commitment and putting others first.

Joe Ferla, head nerd, N-able

One thing I love about working in the channel is the education/collaboration. I have worked in numerous industries and none come close to the channel in willingness to help others succeed and grow, no question or cry for help will go unanswered. On top of that, the thing I love most is the friends and family I have met in the channel!

Dale Foster, CEO, Climb Channel Solutions

What I still love about working in the channel 30-plus years is old school relationship building. Building good relationships is what sets Climb apart from our competitors time and time again.

The closer and deeper relationships you have with your vendors and sales reps the faster everything moves. We’re in the business of selling speed so this is critical.

The vendors we engage with are shocked when I tell them I will catch the next flight to meet their field rep who can then take me to meet some of the resellers they work with. These vendors simply wouldn’t get that service from any of our competitors.

No matter how sophisticated AI becomes, it will never match human connection, and I love that.

Eric Fourrier, CEO, GitGuardian

This Valentine’s Day is a good reminder: I genuinely love working with our channel partners. You help us show up stronger for customers creating pipeline, accelerating deals and delivering outcomes faster. That’s exactly what channel-first is about.

Craig Fulton, M&A advisor, Evergreen Services Group

Dear Channel, be my Valentine! You provided a chance for me to meet my longtime hero Tony Hawk…and actually landed that kickflip! I love the friendships I’ve made and the impact we’ve made on so many people’s lives.

Christine Gassman, global director of partner success, OpenText

Working in the channel is one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I love the way it brings people together—partners, peers and teams—each relationship built on trust, shared goals and a genuine desire to support one another. There’s something truly special about how we lift each other up, celebrate wins together and step in without hesitation when someone needs a hand. The channel isn’t just a network, it’s a community. And being part of a community that collaborates, grows and thrives together is what inspires me every single day.

Michael George, CEO, Syncro

What I love about the MSP channel is the rare balance it strikes between competition and community. We compete hard because we have to. That competition fuels innovation, raises standards and constantly pushes us to get better for our customers. But at the same time, there’s a deep, almost unspoken understanding that a rising tide truly does lift all boats.

There is an underlying belief that cooperation doesn’t weaken competition, it strengthens it. The result is co-opetition at its best: an ecosystem where rivalry drives progress and community sustains it.

It’s a beautiful tension. And it’s what makes the MSP industry not just more resilient, but more human and ultimately, better for everyone involved.

Luis Giraldo, chief evangelist, ScalePad

I love the channel because it feels like home. A place where relationships matter, where trust matters and where people genuinely want to help each other win. In a fractured world, this kind of belonging is exactly what we need.

Tim Guim, CEO, PCH Technologies

What I love most about the channel is the depth of relationships. It’s a community where peer learning and partnerships are not just buzzwords. Whether I’m speaking, catching up with old friends or forging new partnerships, I always leave feeling supported and full of new ideas. That cycle of teaching, learning and connecting is what keeps me energized.

Nancy Hammervik, chief channel officer, GTIA

What I love most about the channel is its camaraderie. With trusted partnerships at its very core, there’s a great, genuine spirit of collaboration, sharing and helping each other grow. And that spirit spurs innovation, and constant, exciting evolution.

Stefanie Hammond, head nerd, N-able

What I love most about working in the channel and the MSP industry is the remarkable sense of support and community that exists here. This space is filled with incredibly smart, generous people and I feel privileged to continually learn from them as I grow my own professional skill set. Not a day goes by where I’m not absorbing something new - often because someone took the time to share their advice, experience or expertise.

Even though we may compete in the market, it never comes at the expense of giving back to one another. As my longtime mentor Mike Cullen used to say, ‘A rising tide floats all boats,’ and this industry truly embodies that spirit. The connectedness, the camaraderie and the genuine desire to help each other improve are what make this community so special.

Os Haque, vice president of global channels, CyberFox

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
No matter the tech,
I still believe in you.

Cyber or automation,
AI, data, or cloud,
Different tools, different markets,
But one thing stands out loud:

It’s the channel I love,
The partners, the trust,
Across borders and cultures,
Built strong, not just lust.

From handshakes to Zoom calls,
From local to global ties,
Relationships are the magic
That no platform can buy.

So here’s to the ecosystem,
The people, the glue,
Valentine or not,
I’m all in… with you

Janette Hausler, CMO, Rewst

I love working in the channel because it’s a relationship-first business where outcomes really matter. Partners have an entrepreneurial mindset and a pulse on what customers need. When you pair that with AI and automation, the impact goes far beyond internal partner operations and shows up in how customers experience the business every day. That compounding effect is what makes working in the channel so rewarding.

Nick Heddy, president and chief commerce officer, Pax8

I love the channel because it’s like conducting an orchestra—partners, vendors and platform all coming in at the right moment to make something bigger than any solo act. The connected platform turns complexity into clarity, so more people can play in tune. And yes, sometimes it’s jazz… but that’s half the fun.

Jennifer Houlihan, Pax8 Studios live senior producer, Pax8

What I love about the channel right now is the speed of iteration. The joy of “what if?” followed by “let’s try it.” It’s going to be exciting to see how AI amplifies human creativity instead of replacing it (when used right).

Antwine Jackson, president and founder, Enitech

The thing I love the most about working in the channel is the sense of community from the vendors and MSP peers. They are always willing to share knowledge, resources and personal experiences to help each other thrive.

Danielle Kostadinovich, community and events director, CyberFox.

What I love most about working in the channel is the people. It’s a community that shows up for each other, shares wins and lessons and genuinely wants to see everyone succeed.

Peter Kujawa, EVP and GM, IT Nation and Service Leadership, ConnectWise

I love the “go-giver” mentality in the channel. I’ve never seen genuine collaboration and giving selflessly to others in the business world like we have. At ConnectWise, our IT Nation Evolve groups and Connect events are built on the “go-giver” mindset, it is fun to be a part of.

Amanda Lee, vice president, marketing-analyst and public relations, DDN

The IT channel is my Valentine because we’re better together. It is more than business- it’s an ecosystem built on trust, partnership and relationships that last.

Ben Lee, head nerd, N-able

I love working with the channel because I get to work with organizations of all shapes, sizes and sectors. The variety of challenges, and working to solve them with the wider community, is what makes each day different. Some days that’s great, some days less so, but it’s certainly never dull!

Brook Lee, senior director of community, Rev.io

Why I love the channel, let me count the ways.

It’s the relationships forged through events and not just days.

It’s messy and opinionated and unapologetically real.

Built on trust, not tactics. On people, not deals.

It’s more than shiny objects or the next big thing.

It’s shining faces, familiar names and phones that still ring.

The ones who show up, step in and actually care.

Who win together, lose together and are always there.

Happy Valentines Day to the Channel!

Matt Lee, senior director of security and compliance, Pax8

I love the channel. It is unique in that it is the only hope millions of business have to meet their dreams, scale and protect their business and livelihood, yet most themselves live below the same cybersecurity and technology poverty line as their clients. Despite or because of this, we share, teach, learn, fail, and succeed, together.

Victor Lopez, co-founder and CEO, FlexPoint

The community is second to none. It’s always fun catching up with partners at in-person events and watching the growth in their businesses year after year.

Stanley Louissaint, president and founder, Fluid Designs

The channel is a supportive place for all those who participate. That support is what is a great thing as the owner of an MSP. It is great to feel that you are not alone and that others are in your corner, if and when you need them. The channel has been a great support system for me and I am grateful that I get the ability to be one piece of the puzzle.

Sandy McGrath, president, MIPGlobal.ai

I love working in the channel for the community of support aimed and the mutual success of both parties. The amazing friends I have made that is truly a treat when I get to see them a few times a year leads to memorable moments in my life I’ll have forever.

Larry Meador, channel chief, Cavelo

What do I adore about the Channel? Literally everything! This has to be the most unique ecosystem in existence. Name another industry where competitors gladly help each other out in times of need. Doesn’t matter if it’s an MSP or a vendor, it seems we all have each other’s backs when needed. Ultimately, it’s the people. I’ve made hundreds of incredible friends over the years and it’s those friendships that I will forever cherish.

James Mignacca, CEO, Cavelo

Real community isn’t built on competition, it’s built with real people who care. What I love about the MSP world is the collaboration, the generosity and the belief that there’s enough success for everyone.

Personally, the relationships I’ve gained here have made me a better business leader but most importantly a better person.

At Cavelo, we believe in the same thing: trust over transactions, partnership over quick wins and growing together for the long term.

Jen Morrison, marketing manager, Climb Channel Solutions

What I love about the channel is the incredible sense of community. It truly feels like everyone is rooting for each other. Every person I’ve met has become someone I know I can turn to for help support or guidance whenever I need it.

Keith Nelson, CEO, Vistem Solutions Inc.

The best part of the IT channel has always been our people. The people who view success as a vehicle for service. This year what I’ve loved most about IT has been growth. Growth in who we are becoming. Growth in the friendships we have cultivated. Growth in the number of lives we can touch. When we grow, we gain more than just profit. We gain time. Time with family. Time to show up for our communities. Time to ensure our work creates tangible opportunities for others. That’s what makes this channel feel like home. It’s a community of change-makers.

John Pagliuca, CEO, N-able

If small and medium-sized businesses are the heartbeat of the global economy, then the trusted channel solution partners supporting them are the healthcare providers keeping that heartbeat strong. What I love about working in the channel is engaging with MSPs and VARs who are deeply committed to delivering business resilience to the millions of people who rely on SMBs every day. Their dedication, innovation and impact are what make this ecosystem so powerful, and it’s a privilege to champion the partners who help these businesses thrive.

Justin Patrick, partner advocacy manager, Pax8

What I love about the channel is that while everything we do centers around technology, it’s all built on relationships. Behind every platform, integration or solution is a network of people collaborating, problem-solving and growing together. The real foundation is our trust and partnerships with one another, and that’s what makes it so rewarding to be part of.

Brad Powell, co-founder and captain of revenue, ThreatCaptain

What I love about the channel is the shared journey. We are all navigating growth, risk and opportunity together. When partners win, customers win. More trust, more collaboration, more impact for customers. That’s what I love about it.

Rob Rae, corporate vice president of community and partner experience, Pax8

The thing I love most about the MSP channel is the multiplier effect. If one partner figures out a better way to deliver a service or secure customers, that idea doesn’t stay isolated, it spreads quickly across the ecosystem. That speed of shared learning is something you just don’t see in most industries, and it’s why the channel continues to punch way above its weight.

Evan Rice, president and COO Rev.io

It’s a community, right? I think it’s one of the closest-knit groups out there. The way they stick together, how openly they share best practices, it’s different. In a lot of industries, people are closed off. They don’t want to share too much because they’re worried about the competition. You just don’t see that in the channel.

In the channel, people are open. They share what’s good, what’s bad, what’s ugly and what’s great. That community aspect, the willingness to be transparent and help each other, is what I like most about it.

Stefanie Rice, VP SMB marketing, OpenText

What I love most about the channel is the people-first energy on all sides of the ecosystem. As a vendor, there’s nothing more rewarding than working alongside partners who help SMBs navigate complexity, strengthen their security posture and grow with confidence. When vendors and partners truly listen to one another and co-create solutions that work in the real world, everyone wins, especially the customers we serve.

Tiffany Ricks, CEO, HacWare

MSPs are some of my favorite channel partners because they are honest in their feedback and deeply invested in improving security outcomes. Their willingness to test and adopt our innovative solutions helps us build products that actually solve customer security weaknesses.

Matt Rose, co-founder and CEO, Tech Rage IT

While running an MSP is not easy and comes with many challenges, I love the community we have behind us that is always happy to lend a hand or give great advice. I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of people I’d call friends from this community.

Marie Rourke, founder and chief, WhiteFox Marketing Inc.

I love working for, and within, an industry that runs on relationships and results, and a healthy dose of organized chaos.

Wayne Roye, CEO, Troinet

The channel is like the holidays. It brings people together.

Tara Rummer, MSP channel captain, ImmyBot

What I love most about working in the channel has always been the people. While I’ll happily nerd out with others over operations or some shiny new tech gadget, the actual magic comes from the community. It’s one of the few industries where you see collaboration and a genuine excitement to help others. Plus, we’re out here doing cool things with our friends... Who could ask for anything else?

Sanjib Sahoo, president, Global Platform Group, Ingram Micro

I love that the channel isn’t just a story reader, it’s a story maker. Let’s continue to create and write our stories together.

Cynthia Schreiner, senior manager, channel engagement, Pax8

I love believing that the work I do with MSPs has a far wider reach than I could ever know. MSPs support their communities, and we support the MSP community.

Chelsea Skinner, president and CEO, Oversee My IT

The willingness of the channel to support and lift others up. This isn’t a journey to have to take by yourself.

Jack Skinner, co-founder, Oversee My IT

The channel is a welcoming community where you can connect, grow and build lasting relationships. I’ve made lifelong friends here who feel like family. Special thanks to CT Thomas at The Channel Company for her outstanding contributions!

Adam Slutskin, president, CRO and co-founder, CyberFox

What do I love about the channel? The PEOPLE. Full stop. I’ve been in this ecosystem for over 20 years and the MSP community is unlike anything else in tech. These are real business owners who genuinely help each other succeed. They share what’s working, they warn each other about what isn’t, and when you show up and do right by them, they remember. We started CyberFox as a small company with no outside money and have grown to over 4,000 partners worldwide, and that doesn’t happen without a community that actually roots for you. I love that in the channel; trust still matters more than anything. That never gets old.

Wes Spencer, co-founder, Empath

I love that there’s always room for one more. Nothing makes me happier than when I see a new person enter the channel, a new speaker with a fresh perspective, a new project we can all benefit from. The channel needs one more person. One more idea. If you’re reading this, maybe that person is you!

David Stephen, PR manager, Pax8

I love working in the channel because it sits at the center of how technology actually reaches and supports real businesses, even though most people don’t see it. It’s a unique, community-driven ecosystem built on long‑term relationships, trust and shared growth, where partners are genuinely invested in each other’s success rather than just heartless transactions and contentious competition. Helping to bring this largely behind‑the‑scenes industry into the mainstream and connect its impact to broader technology and business conversations is what makes the work in this ecosystem so rewarding to me.

Kim Stevens, CMO, Climb Channel Solutions

What I love most about the channel is that it didn’t put me on a predefined career path, it gave me the freedom to design one. Channel expertise allows you to lead from your strengths, evolve with the market and build a career that isn’t limited by titles or traditional lanes. At its core, the channel is built on relationships—earned over time, grounded in trust and strengthened through collaboration. It challenges you to think differently and create value well beyond a single transaction. For me, being a channel professional has meant defining success, and my career, on my own terms.

Dan Tomaszewski, EVP of channel, Kaseya

I love working in the channel and with MSPs because it’s built on real relationships, trust and people who genuinely show up for each other. MSPs are some of the most resilient, gritty and execution-focused leaders out there, and being able to help them grow, win and build something meaningful alongside their teams is what fires me up every day.

Charlie Tomeo, CRO, Rewst

What I love about this community is the partnership mindset. MSPs and vendors don’t just transact—we collaborate, iterate and grow together. They also care about each other personally and not just professionally.

Eric Torres, VP channel and community engagement, Pax8

I love working in the MSP channel because it’s where caffeine, controlled chaos and genuinely brilliant people come together to keep the world’s technology from catching on fire. It’s one of the few industries where collaboration beats competition, everyone has a war story and the mission is always the same: keep businesses running and customers happy… preferably before Monday morning. It’s scrappy, relationship-driven and somehow still fun, even when everything is “urgent.”

John Trent, senior director of relationship communications, Pax8

The channel is a tight-knit community that fosters such strong relationships. I love seeing people move into new positions at different companies and continue growing their careers within our industry. I think it makes us better and delivers more value to the partners we serve.”

Joe Ussia, president and CEO, Infinite IT Solutions

What I love most about working in the IT channel is the genuine mindshare we create together. It’s a community built on trust, where one phone call can quickly turn into real collaboration and better outcomes for customers. I’ve made lasting real friendships here, and I admire how the channel rewards integrity, experience and follow-through. I am especially grateful for a kind of partnership that feels rare in business: people who show up, share the load and genuinely want each other to win. The channel has a lot of heart, and I feel lucky to be part of a community where trust, respect and real relationships are the foundation. After 30 years in the channel, I have clearly fallen in love and adore her a little more every day.

Paul Vedder, co-founder and chief experience officer, VXIT

It’s the people. I love the people and the relationships. That’s where I’ve gotten the most value. I love being surrounded by like-minded people and people who want to better themselves and their community.

Ryan Walsh, chief strategy officer, Pax8

What do I love about the channel? The stories. It’s the stories and the advice that those in the channel tell. It’s like getting directions from a family member who knows the back roads on the way to your destination. “Watch out for the pothole about a mile in, then turn at the red barn, but watch out for Mr. Rae’s cow, she wanders onto the road on occasion." The humanity of the channel means more than ever as we enter the AI agentic inflection point era. There’s a genuine desire to help and pass the ‘gotchas’ forward. What else do I love about the channel? Connection, those who wear crocs, and a good walk-up song!

David Weeks, vice president of enterprise, N-able

I love the channel because it scales ideas, accelerates growth and turns partnerships into powerful outcomes and that means everyone wins!

Dan Wensley, CEO, GTIA

What I love about the channel is simple: it’s the people. This industry thrives because we work together as a community, sharing knowledge, collaborating on solutions and supporting one another. That’s what makes it special.

Melvin Williams, CEO, M&N Communications, LLC

Camaraderie. The channel members have become my family and friends. There is no other group that loves to learn to earn like we do.... and from that comes mutual trust. This is what it means to work in the channel for me.

Ola Witukiewicz, director of community engagement, Pax8

What I love most about working in the MSP channel is that it truly has a heart for people, and the wider community. This channel isn’t just about growth or results; it’s about empowering one another, giving back and using our success as a way to create meaningful impact. That shared purpose is what makes the channel so special!