CVxEXPO26 puts AI and cybersecurity at the center of its education agenda

CVxEXPO26 returns to Arizona on Nov. 17-18 with a breakout schedule built around cybersecurity, AI certification and sales training for IT advisors and MSPs. The conference in Phoenix also features more than 120 business IT providers, networking events and a registration waiver code for attendees.

Why it matters: - CVxEXPO26 is aiming to give IT advisors and managed service providers practical training they can use to sell more, sharpen security offerings and improve customer outcomes. - The event positions AI and cybersecurity as two of the biggest opportunity areas in the channel right now. - The conference is also designed to connect advisors with vendors, MSPs, distributors and other channel players in one place.

What happened: - CVxEXPO26 will take place Nov. 17-18 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz. - The event released its breakout session schedule for the business technology conference and expo. - Cybersecurity, AI product certification and sales training are the main themes of the educational agenda. - The conference returns with two days of keynotes and concurrent breakout sessions. - Palomarr will host its AI Academy certification series during the event. - Ronnell Richards and MeiLee Langley will lead a two-part sales and marketing workshop called “Stop Guessing, Start Selling.”

The details: - CVxEXPO26 is describing its educational content as curated, pitch-free and focused on real-world advice for IT advisors. - Martin Vilaboy, editorial director for CVxEXPO, said the program is built to help advisors and MSPs boost sales and move customers toward business outcomes. - Palomarr’s AI Academy will offer 1.5-hour classes focused on specific AI CX and AI cybersecurity technologies and solutions. - Each AI Academy class will be led by expert instructors and end with online testing for certification. - Aarde Cosseboom, founder of Palomarr, said the sessions will be interactive and hands-on. - “Stop Guessing, Start Selling” is designed to help technology advisors move from scattered sales and marketing efforts to a targeted strategy around the markets, buyers and opportunities they are most likely to win. - Richards said attendees will leave the workshop with a smarter sales and marketing strategy. - Additional breakout sessions will cover cybersecurity talent, AI marketing, SASE, mergers and acquisitions in the CX value chain, Microsoft Security sales, the trusted advisor model, managed-user revenue, wireless connectivity as a managed service, allyship and complex CX sales. - The confirmed sessions include presentations or moderation by Glendale Community College’s Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, Ian Richardson of Fox & Crow Group, Mike Chase of Spectrotel, Q Advisors, Jake Smallwood of SilverSky, Chris Torbit and Stephen Hancock, Rick Mancinelli of C3 Complete, Rebecca Stone of KORE, the Alliance of Channel Women and Peter Radizeski of RAD-INFO, Inc. - The expo hall will include more than 120 providers of business IT solutions. - Attendees will also have access to complimentary meals, happy hours, receptions and entertainment-based networking events. - The event will include opportunities to meet representatives from managed service providers, technology advisory firms and IT services distributors. - Registration fee can be waived with promo code CVx26. - More information is available on CVxEXPO’s LinkedIn page.

Between the lines: - The mix of certification, sales training and security content suggests CVxEXPO is trying to be more than a trade-show floor. - The agenda leans into practical skill-building, which can help attendees justify the trip as a revenue and capability investment. - AI certification classes may appeal to advisors looking to signal expertise in a fast-moving market where buyers are asking harder questions.

What's next: - CVxEXPO26 will open registration for attendees ahead of the November event. - More conference activity is expected to build around the breakout schedule, certification classes and expo hall meetings as the date approaches. - Organizers are likely to use the event to reinforce CVxEXPO’s role as a Southwest hub for the IT advisor channel.

The bottom line: - CVxEXPO26 is putting education first, with AI, cybersecurity and sales training at the center of its pitch to IT advisors and MSPs.