ChannelPro kicked off the month by bringing IT channel Midwesterners together for two days packed with business-building insights, deep technical knowledge, and meaningful peer connections. ChannelPro LIVE: Chicago in Schaumburg, IL, on April 1-2, was the third among ChannelPro’s in-person conferences tailored for IT service providers, MSPs, system integrators, and VARs.
The MSP conference featured interactive presentations and panels led by some of the channel’s leading practitioners, consultants, and renowned strategists. The goal was to empower MSPs, while also allowing them opportunities to network with key vendors and other regional service providers.
“IT consultants are being pulled in a thousand directions. Our mission is to make these two days as impactful as possible,” said ChannelPro President Kelly Kocher. “We’re not just here to talk about the future — our tech events will help you build it.”
New MSP Services Took Center Stage on Day 1
The event opened with a welcome from ChannelPro Founder and Publisher Michael Siggins, followed by a series of fast-paced panels, tactical sessions, and expert-led discussions.
In New Services You Aren’t Offering (But Should!), Ronnie Parisella of DataBit and Nate Sheen of Astoria took the stage to spotlight high-margin services MSPs often overlook. From automation and AI services to compliance-as-a-service and physical security, their advice: There’s more revenue on the table than most MSPs realize.
Attendees also took in a solo presentation by IT Assurance’s Zac Cramer titled 10 Tips for Using AI to Streamline Your MSP’s Operations. The quick hits presentation covered practical ways MSPs can harness AI to enhance internal efficiency and build profitability.
Lori Tisinai
Celebrating a Channel Champion
A highlight of the first day was the ChannelPro Partner in Excellence Award presentation. This award recognizes a local MSP, peer group leader, or consultant for going above and beyond to support the channel community.
The Chicago-area honoree was Lori Tisnai, founder of Computer Concepts USA. Tisnai is a champion of MSP growth and collaboration whose work in fostering peer networks and mentoring emerging business owners has made a lasting impact across the channel.
Throughout her illustrious career, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to empowering MSPs, creating strategic alliances, and delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to the needs of modern businesses. From leading tech events to serving as a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the channel, Tisnai’s impact has been profound and far-reaching.
MSP March Madness
Matt Whitlock hosts MSPs on stage for March Madness
ChannelPro’s Tech Editor Matt Whitlock hosted a new game on Day 1, MSP March Madness. Eight brave volunteers faced off in a bracket-style tournament to see who could provide the smartest answers to our security-focused prompts. Some of the answers were a little ridiculous, but that didn’t prevent them from getting votes from the MSP audience.
Tremendous Exhibit Hall Energy
During the high-energy cocktail reception, attendees explored the exhibit hall. Attendees connected with vendors, checked out product demos, and talked shop with their peers and event presenters.
Day 2: Local Issues and Operational Excellence
The second day opened with breakfast and peer networking, followed by a busy schedule of educational content. The first panel of the day, featuring EMPIST CEO John Kampas and AMS Unlimited CEO AnnMarie Santamarina, focused on the biggest issues facing Illinois MSPs in 2025. Kampas also emphasized the importance of “coopetition,” the spirit of collaborating with competitors.
The next topic, Building the Perfect AI-Powered MSP, provided key AI implementation insights across people, process, and technology. The featured experts were Kelly Stone of Ironstone Strategy, a return to the stage from Parisella, and Corey Kirkendoll of 5K Technical Services.
Networking on a packed expo hall floor
Attendees then had another opportunity to network and browse vendor offerings during lunch in the Expo Hall.
Later, Kirkendoll and Cramer came back to share expert advice during the Windows 10 EOL: Don’t Squander the Opportunity panel. That conversation helped MSPs frame refresh lifecycle upgrades as revenue-generating investments — not just technical tasks.
In the final panel of the day, Santamarina and Stone teamed up for Bad Blood: How to Turn Client Offboarding into a Win, a session about ending difficult client relationships on a professional note.
To wrap up the educational content for the day, the ChannelPro audience took in a special presentation. Wei Chen Lin, CISA cybersecurity advisor for the Illinois region, delivered a powerful closing keynote on how MSPs can partner with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to improve client security and make more money. At the conclusion of his presentation, Lin welcomed questions from the audience in a lively, interactive conversation.
And let’s not forget the fun. Attendees had multiple opportunities to win prizes, from both on-site games, vendor giveaways, and more.
Recognizing the Top Vendors
Before closing, ChannelPro LIVE: Chicago concluded with the Recognizing Vendor Excellence awards, where attendees voted for standout sponsors in several categories. Here’s a full list of the winners:
- Best Add-on Product: Galactic Advisors
- Best Cloud Solution: SysCloud
- Best Distributor: TDSynnex
- Best Expo Hall Presentation (Premium Sponsors): NUSO
- Best Expo Hall Presentation (Silver Sponsors): TechGrid
- Best Hardware Solution: Carbon Systems
- Best New Solution: Alta Labs
- Best On-stage Presentation: Kaseya IT Complete
- Best Product or Platform: ThreatLocker
- Best Revenue Booster: ChannelHunters
- Best Security Solution: ThreatLocker
- Best Software Solution: SaaSAssure
- Most Exciting Solution: Judy Security
- ROI Lightning Round Winner: Galactic Advisors
- Editor’s Choice: MSP Hub
- ChannelPro Community Award: QuoteWerks
- Best in Show: NUSO / Kaseya IT Complete (tie)
Sponsors Make It Happen
On behalf of our attendees, a sincere thank you to all the incredible sponsors who make MSP tech events like ChannelPro LIVE: Chicago possible.
What’s Next for ChannelPro?
Coming up in ChannelPro’s event series are three major in-person summits:
- ChannelPro LIVE: New Jersey: May 13-14, featuring a dedicated AI Focus Workshop
- ChannelPro DEFEND East: Boston, Aug. 11-12
- ChannelPro LIVE: Atlanta: Sept. 9-10
Plus online events and webinars you can attend without leaving your desk. ChannelPro events are designed to be highly interactive, solutions-focused, and full of insights you can leverage right away. Don’t miss your chance to join us!
Jonathan Browning contributed to this article.
