Top Carrier Executives to Discuss Role of Channel

Top executives will gather at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo to discuss the changing competitive landscape, carrier channel engagement strategies and expectations for the evolving role for the channel.

The Carrier Roundtable will be held March 4 from 2:10 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.

Senior executives, including Michael Hassett, senior vice president of business solutions sales for the Retail Markets Group at Verizon Communications Inc.; Jim Delis, president of business services sales of XO Communications Inc.; Dennis Kyle, senior vice president of indirect channels of Level 3 Communications Inc.; and Steve Rowley, vice president of indirect partner channels for Sprint Nextel Corp., are scheduled to participate.

"Although the competitive and channel landscape is changing, one thing remains certain: carriers understand that channel partners are the key in helping them build relationships with high-value customers," said consultant John Macario, president of Savatar Inc. and moderator of the roundtable discussion.

Macario intends to cover a wide range of topics, including:

• How channel partners are helping carriers crack the market for new products

• How carriers see industry consolidation changing their partner programs

• How they are addressing channel integration

• What they are doing to engender loyalty from partners

• What carriers need from partners

Also from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 4, you’re invited to join the TMC/Channel Partners 10-year Agent Celebration. TMC Communications and the Channel Partners Conference & Expo both are celebrating a decade of supporting the agent channel.

Visit the PHONE+ (310-312) and TMC (314-316) booths for cake and champagne. Get there early to receive a commemorative 10th Anniversary champagne flute.

The Channel Partners Conference & Expo is set for March 4-6 at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. The spring event is expected to draw more than 3,000 participants and more than 140 exhibitors.