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Some companies, like Datto, have chosen to go virtual with their conferences.
Channel companies are taking different approaches to event planning as COVID-19 cases rise with the delta variant.
Some event hosts have postponed their fall events, others have moved them to a virtual format and still others are keeping their in-person plans in place. Channel partners are putting their fall travel plans together as positive coronavirus tests rise and the federal government mulls vaccine mandates.
We wanted to know what our partners think of President Biden’s proposed vaccine mandate. Get their thoughts in our gallery. https://t.co/5Wil7lGH0M pic.twitter.com/5mfpSLmbO7
— Channel Futures (@ChannelFutures) September 10, 2021
The national 7-day average dropped as low as 11,237 in June according to the New York Times, but that number has skyrocketed in August and September due to the highly transmissible nature of the delta variant. The national 7-day average reached 166,105 on Sept. 1, the highest number. Although the current number of cases dwarfs in comparison to last fall and winter (and also appears to be dropping), it has risen high enough to worry event promoters.
Source: New York Times: Coronavirus in the United States: Latest Map and Case Count
Intelisys surprised the agent channel earlier this week with the announcement that it would postpone its Channel Connect event. The services distributor would have held the event in Oct. 11 through Oct. 14 in Monterey California. California is currently sitting at a 7-day positive case average of 10,071.
“The fluid state of the COVID pandemic and regulations in the State of California precludes us from hosting an event with pure enjoyment at the size and scale we need, absent of any fear or worry,” Intelisys said in a statement. “The health and safety of our partners, suppliers and employees is our number one priority. While we were planning to implement protocols to mitigate potential health issues, the risk associated with just one person becoming dangerously ill or possibly worse currently eclipses the benefits of getting together in person.”
Intelisys has not decided on a new date. Intelisys President John DeLozier said the event will reconvene in the future “at the best, earliest, convenient time.”
Chicago-based competitor competitor TBI has officially postponed its Oct. 6 Big Event. Their team reported “increasing concerns of COVID-19’s delta variant.” They will monitor state and federal guidelines to set a new date. The new event will take place in the spring, according to the event website.
“This was not a decision we have taken lightly, and our primary concern is always the responsibility we feel towards our partners and our provider sponsors, who fund the event,” TBI said in a statement.
On the other hand, two tech services distributor events are continuing as usual. Sandler Partners is hosting its National Summit Sept. 13 in Huntington Beach. In addition, Avant will host its Special Forces Summit in Austin, Texas Sept. 27-29.
Furthermore, the Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit will take place Nov. 1-4. We previewed the show in an article today.
Rad-Info’s Peter Radizeski
Peter Radizeski, founder and president of Rad-Info, does not travel to as many events as the average agent.
“There is a section of the channel, of the market, that is eager to get back out there. Back to the hustle and bustle, meeting people face to face and schmoozing. I have always been remote. I rarely meet my clients face to face. So for me it has been business close to usual,” he told Channel Futures.
He said for him the risk of attending shows in 2021 still…
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