TECH ADVISOR THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Andy Torres • April 3, 2026

Informa’s Channel Partners Group Celebrates 50+ Outstanding Individuals with the Inaugural Technology Advisor Thought Leaders Awards

Recognizing Exceptional Thought Leadership, Innovation, and Industry Impact in the Technology Advisory Space

April 2, 2026 — Informa’s Channel Partners Group is proud to announce the winners of the first-ever Technology Advisor Thought Leaders Awards, honoring 50+ remarkable individuals for their outstanding contributions to the technology advisory profession. This groundbreaking award program is designed to elevate the role, impact, and influence of today’s technology advisors, agents, and professionals selling communications solutions.

The awards celebrate the people behind the innovation, recognizing their leadership and influence across five key categories: Sales Leadership, Industry Influence and Advocacy, Innovation and Vision, Customer/Client Impact, and Thought Leadership. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing the channel industry and driving meaningful change within their organizations and the broader ecosystem.

Robert DeMarzo, Sr. Director, Informa Channels, emphasized the importance of spotlighting individual achievements:

"The Channel Partners Technology Advisor Thought Leaders Awards are about celebrating the people who are shaping the future of the channel. These 50+ individuals represent the best of the best—leaders who are driving innovation, inspiring their peers, and making a profound impact on their clients and the industry as a whole. This award is the first of its kind, and we are proud to honor their achievements and elevate the critical role of technology advisors in today’s business landscape."

The winners were selected by a panel of esteemed industry leaders, who evaluated nominees based on the strength of their applications and their measurable impact on the channel community. Each nominee submitted an extensive application where they had to document their contributions in those five categories.

By recognizing these trailblazers, Informa’s Channel Partners Group aims to inspire continued innovation and collaboration within the channel partner industry while Information Classification: General highlighting the vital contributions of technology advisors, agents, and solution providers.

“Being recognized as a Technology Advisor Thought Leader is a tremendous honor. Our industry continues to evolve rapidly, and technology advisors play a critical role in helping businesses make informed, strategic technology decisions. I’m grateful to be part of a community that is driving innovation, advocacy, and meaningful impact for our clients and the industry as a whole.” Andy Torres

This year’s winners will be highlighted and recognized during the Channel Partners Conference & Expo, the world’s largest independent gathering of the entire channel ecosystem. A select group of thought leaders will appear on the main stage of the CPLV conference on Wednesday, April 15, to discuss the importance of thought leadership in differentiating their organizations. The CP LV Expo Hall Theater will feature a panel discussion with some of the winners along with a special Champagne toast for the charter members of this year’s list.

About Informa’s Channel Partners Group

Informa’s Channel Partners Group is a leading resource for the technology channel community, providing insights, events, and platforms that connect and empower channel professionals. Through its flagship events, publications, and awards programs, the Channel Partners Group drives innovation and collaboration across the channel ecosystem.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Empowering a Non-Profit with Modern Communications

By Andy Torres • April 27, 2026

San Mateo County Bar Association

Stabilizing Costs and Modernizing Legacy Telecom

By Andy Torres • April 20, 2026

When Metro Electric began experiencing escalating telecom costs and ongoing billing challenges, it became clear their legacy infrastructure and AT&T account issues required immediate attention. Aging POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines and unresolved billing discrepancies were creating both financial strain and operational uncertainty. Referred to Cloud9 by AT&T, Metro Electric partnered with our team to bring stability and a path forward. Working closely with AT&T, we quickly identified that legacy analog services were a major contributor to excessive costs. To stop the financial “bleeding,” we transitioned their POTS lines to AT&T Business Voice, a modern solution designed to reduce costs while preparing for the industry-wide phase-out of copper lines. From day one, Cloud9 served as more than just a service provider, we became a trusted advocate. In addition to implementing VoIP, we are actively working alongside AT&T to investigate and resolve ongoing billing discrepancies. Our hands-on, responsive approach ensures Metro Electric has expert representation navigating complex carrier challenges while their internal team stays focused on core operations. Today, Metro Electric benefits from significantly reduced monthly telecom expenses , a modernized communications foundation, and ongoing support from Cloud9 as we continue driving toward full billing resolution. Customer Perspective “Cloud9 stepped in at a critical time for us. They didn’t just recommend a solution, they took action to reduce our costs immediately and have been working tirelessly with AT&T to help resolve our billing issues. Having them as our advocate has made a huge difference.” — Mark Pellegrini, IT Director, Metro Electrical Construction The Cloud9 Difference At Cloud9 Technology Consulting, we combine deep carrier expertise with a customer-first mindset. Whether it’s stabilizing costs, modernizing legacy systems, or advocating on behalf of our clients, our goal is to deliver immediate impact while building long-term value.