Channel Partners Conference 2026 draws record 7,900 attendees as satellite tech and AI reshape IT reseller market

Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit 2026 wrapped in Las Vegas with 7,900+ registered IT and communications professionals—the largest attendance on record for this vendor-neutral industry event. Notably, 40% of attendees were first-time participants, signaling rapid expansion of the channel partner ecosystem.

The conference highlighted four key industry trends driven by satellite technology and AI integration. These emerging areas are reshaping how resellers, managed service providers (MSPs—companies that manage IT systems for other businesses), and channel partners structure their service offerings and competitive positioning.

For IT resellers and MSPs, this signals a market inflection: satellite-based connectivity and AI tools are moving from niche offerings to mainstream revenue streams. Companies that historically focused on on-premise IT support and cloud migration are now expected to competitively bid on satellite connectivity bundles and AI-powered automation services—requiring new certifications, training, and vendor partnerships to remain relevant.