web02.fireside.fm Tue, 21 Apr 2026 22:42:18 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) CX without the BS - Episodes Tagged with “Channel Event Review” https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/tags/channel%20event%20review Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:00:00 -0400 CX without the BS is a refreshingly honest and engaging podcast that dives deep into the world of Customer Experience (CX). Hosted by industry veterans Tom Milligan and Brian Nichols, the show aims to cut through the jargon and hype to deliver real, actionable insights for CX professionals and business leaders. Each episode features candid conversations with CX experts, thought leaders, and practitioners who share their experiences, challenges, and successes in the field. The hosts and guests discuss a wide range of topics, from emerging technologies like AI and automation to the human elements of empathy, creativity, and problem-solving that are essential to delivering exceptional customer experiences. What sets CX without the BS apart is its commitment to authenticity and practicality. Tom and Brian aren't afraid to call out the "BS" in the industry - the buzzwords, the fads, and the overhyped solutions that don't deliver real value. Instead, they focus on strategies and tactics that have been proven to work in the real world, drawing on their own extensive experience as well as the insights of their guests. Whether you're a seasoned CX professional or just starting out in the field, CX without the BS offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice to help you navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of customer experience. With its engaging hosts, expert guests, and no-nonsense approach, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional experiences to their customers. en-us episodic CX without the BS is a no-nonsense podcast that cuts through the jargon to deliver real insights into the Customer Experience (CX) industry. Each episode features candid conversations with industry experts, focusing on practical solutions and honest discussions about the latest trends and challenges in CX. Brian Nichols CX without the BS is a refreshingly honest and engaging podcast that dives deep into the world of Customer Experience (CX). Hosted by industry veterans Tom Milligan and Brian Nichols, the show aims to cut through the jargon and hype to deliver real, actionable insights for CX professionals and business leaders. Each episode features candid conversations with CX experts, thought leaders, and practitioners who share their experiences, challenges, and successes in the field. The hosts and guests discuss a wide range of topics, from emerging technologies like AI and automation to the human elements of empathy, creativity, and problem-solving that are essential to delivering exceptional customer experiences. What sets CX without the BS apart is its commitment to authenticity and practicality. Tom and Brian aren't afraid to call out the "BS" in the industry - the buzzwords, the fads, and the overhyped solutions that don't deliver real value. Instead, they focus on strategies and tactics that have been proven to work in the real world, drawing on their own extensive experience as well as the insights of their guests. Whether you're a seasoned CX professional or just starting out in the field, CX without the BS offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice to help you navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of customer experience. With its engaging hosts, expert guests, and no-nonsense approach, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional experiences to their customers. yes CX podcast, customer experience, CX industry, CX trends, CX best practices, CX strategies, CX technology, CX analytics, CX metrics, CX optimization, CX automation, CX AI, CX chatbots, CX omnichannel, CX digital transformation, CX cloud, CX contact center, CX as a service, CX software, CX platform, CX solutions, CX innovation, CX thought leadership, CX experts, CX interviews, CX case studies, CX success stories, CX challenges, CX pain points, CX journey mapping, CX personalization, CX employee experience, CX voice of the customer, CX customer feedback, CX customer loyalty, CX customer retention, CX customer satisfaction, CX customer engagement, CX customer service, CX call center, CX workforce management, CX quality assurance, CX compliance, CX security, CX privacy, CX integration, CX implementation, CX adoption, CX ROI, CX budgeting, CX vendor selection, CX partner ecosystem, CX community, CX events, CX webinars, CX training, CX certification, CX career development, CX jobs, CX hiring, CX diversity and inclusion, CX leadership, CX management, CX coaching, CX mentoring, CX networking Brian Nichols brian@briannicholsconsulting.com Channel Partners 2026 REVIEW | The Half-Empty Room And What It Told Me About The Channel https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/channelpartners2026reviewthehalf c04c28b0-317f-4b8d-9a3f-f2f85ce555de Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Brian Nichols full Brian Nichols My honest review of Channel Partners 2026 - Robert Irvine keynote, a half-empty room, and every reason the Old Guard channel model just cracked wide open in Vegas. 20:06 no Brian Nichols reviews Channel Partners 2026 and reveals why the biggest technology channel event of the year felt half-empty - and what that means for Technology Advisors, vendors, and TSDs heading into the rest of the year. This Channel Partners Conference & Expo review covers everything from the Robert Irvine keynote at The Venetian in Las Vegas, to the quieter expo hall with 350+ vendors, to the honest feedback from advisors and PDMs who said the real value had already moved off-campus. Brian breaks down what worked, what didn't, and why TSD events like Telarus Partner Summit (1,800+ attendees) and AVANT Special Forces are now pulling advisors away from the flagship Vegas show. Plus the brutal trade show economics - 94% of B2B marketers can't convert event leads, and only 14% of Fortune 500 companies see real ROI on trade show spend. We expose the reality of what Channel Partners 2026 actually delivered versus what it promised - and why the Old Guard "massive booth equals channel wins" model is quietly falling apart. You need to hear this honest blueprint for how Technology Advisors should pick their 2026 events, how vendors should be rethinking their $250,000 booth checks, and what every PDM should be fighting for internally if they want their partners to actually produce. This is the Channel Partners review you won't get from the sponsored recap posts. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro: The Half-Empty Robert Irvine Keynote 0:49 - First Impressions: What Channel Partners 2026 Felt Like 2:24 - The Expo Floor Review: Smaller, Quieter, Flatter 4:07 - Where The Real Value Actually Happened (The BS Vendors Keep Selling) 6:34 - The Numbers Behind The Decline 9:09 - TSD Summits vs Channel Partners: The Honest Comparison 11:23 - The MDF Trap & The Fishing Boat With No Bait 13:51 - The 2026 Channel Prescription 17:57 - Final Verdict: The Room That's Quietly Moving Somewhere Else Sources & References From This Review: Channel Partners Conference & Expo 2026 Official Announcement: https://channelpartnersconference.com/article/channel-partners-conference-expomsp-summit-2026-sets-agenda-for-next-era-of-the-technology-channel/ Channel Partners Conference & Expo Main Site: https://channelpartnersconference.com/ Channel Partners Sponsor & Exhibit Opportunities: https://channelpartnersconference.com/why-exhibit/ Cvent - 47 Trade Show Statistics Shaping 2025 and Beyond: https://www.cvent.com/en/blog/events/trade-show-statistics Giant Printing - 2025 Trade Show Statistics: https://giantprinting.com/trade-show-statistics/ Trade Show Labs - 150+ Trade Show Statistics for 2026: https://www.tradeshowlabs.com/blog/trade-show-stats Telarus Partner Summit 2025 Recap: https://www.telarus.com/news/technology-advisors-take-center-stage-at-telarus-partner-summit-2025/ SIPPIO - Telarus Partner Summit 2025: https://www.sippio.io/event/telarus-partner-summit-2025/ CBTS - AVANT Special Forces Summit 2025: https://www.cbts.com/events/avant-special-forces-summit-sept-15-18-2025/ Channel Dive - Top Channel Conferences in 2026: https://www.channeldive.com/news/top-channel-partner-conferences-2026/806165/ Intelligent Tech Channels - What Do Channel Partners Really Want From Vendors in 2026: https://www.intelligenttechchannels.com/2025/12/12/what-do-channel-partners-really-want-from-vendors-in-2026/ Channel Partners 2026 review,Channel Partners review,Channel Partners Conference review,Channel Partners Expo review,Channel Partners 2026,Channel Partners Vegas,Technology Advisors,channel sales,channel partners,channel marketing,UCaaS,CCaaS,CX,customer experience,Telarus,Telarus Partner Summit,AVANT,AVANT Special Forces,TSD,MSP Summit,channel futures,channel vendor review,sales enablement,lead generation,Informa,channel event review,2026 channel trends Brian Nichols reviews Channel Partners 2026 and reveals why the biggest technology channel event of the year felt half-empty - and what that means for Technology Advisors, vendors, and TSDs heading into the rest of the year. This Channel Partners Conference & Expo review covers everything from the Robert Irvine keynote at The Venetian in Las Vegas, to the quieter expo hall with 350+ vendors, to the honest feedback from advisors and PDMs who said the real value had already moved off-campus. Brian breaks down what worked, what didn't, and why TSD events like Telarus Partner Summit (1,800+ attendees) and AVANT Special Forces are now pulling advisors away from the flagship Vegas show. Plus the brutal trade show economics - 94% of B2B marketers can't convert event leads, and only 14% of Fortune 500 companies see real ROI on trade show spend.

We expose the reality of what Channel Partners 2026 actually delivered versus what it promised - and why the Old Guard "massive booth equals channel wins" model is quietly falling apart. You need to hear this honest blueprint for how Technology Advisors should pick their 2026 events, how vendors should be rethinking their $250,000 booth checks, and what every PDM should be fighting for internally if they want their partners to actually produce. This is the Channel Partners review you won't get from the sponsored recap posts.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro: The Half-Empty Robert Irvine Keynote
0:49 - First Impressions: What Channel Partners 2026 Felt Like
2:24 - The Expo Floor Review: Smaller, Quieter, Flatter
4:07 - Where The Real Value Actually Happened (The BS Vendors Keep Selling)
6:34 - The Numbers Behind The Decline
9:09 - TSD Summits vs Channel Partners: The Honest Comparison
11:23 - The MDF Trap & The Fishing Boat With No Bait
13:51 - The 2026 Channel Prescription
17:57 - Final Verdict: The Room That's Quietly Moving Somewhere Else

Sources & References From This Review:

Channel Partners Conference & Expo 2026 Official Announcement: https://channelpartnersconference.com/article/channel-partners-conference-expomsp-summit-2026-sets-agenda-for-next-era-of-the-technology-channel/
Channel Partners Conference & Expo Main Site: https://channelpartnersconference.com/
Channel Partners Sponsor & Exhibit Opportunities: https://channelpartnersconference.com/why-exhibit/
Cvent - 47 Trade Show Statistics Shaping 2025 and Beyond: https://www.cvent.com/en/blog/events/trade-show-statistics
Giant Printing - 2025 Trade Show Statistics: https://giantprinting.com/trade-show-statistics/
Trade Show Labs - 150+ Trade Show Statistics for 2026: https://www.tradeshowlabs.com/blog/trade-show-stats
Telarus Partner Summit 2025 Recap: https://www.telarus.com/news/technology-advisors-take-center-stage-at-telarus-partner-summit-2025/
SIPPIO - Telarus Partner Summit 2025: https://www.sippio.io/event/telarus-partner-summit-2025/
CBTS - AVANT Special Forces Summit 2025: https://www.cbts.com/events/avant-special-forces-summit-sept-15-18-2025/
Channel Dive - Top Channel Conferences in 2026: https://www.channeldive.com/news/top-channel-partner-conferences-2026/806165/
Intelligent Tech Channels - What Do Channel Partners Really Want From Vendors in 2026: https://www.intelligenttechchannels.com/2025/12/12/what-do-channel-partners-really-want-from-vendors-in-2026/

]]> Brian Nichols reviews Channel Partners 2026 and reveals why the biggest technology channel event of the year felt half-empty - and what that means for Technology Advisors, vendors, and TSDs heading into the rest of the year. This Channel Partners Conference & Expo review covers everything from the Robert Irvine keynote at The Venetian in Las Vegas, to the quieter expo hall with 350+ vendors, to the honest feedback from advisors and PDMs who said the real value had already moved off-campus. Brian breaks down what worked, what didn't, and why TSD events like Telarus Partner Summit (1,800+ attendees) and AVANT Special Forces are now pulling advisors away from the flagship Vegas show. Plus the brutal trade show economics - 94% of B2B marketers can't convert event leads, and only 14% of Fortune 500 companies see real ROI on trade show spend.

We expose the reality of what Channel Partners 2026 actually delivered versus what it promised - and why the Old Guard "massive booth equals channel wins" model is quietly falling apart. You need to hear this honest blueprint for how Technology Advisors should pick their 2026 events, how vendors should be rethinking their $250,000 booth checks, and what every PDM should be fighting for internally if they want their partners to actually produce. This is the Channel Partners review you won't get from the sponsored recap posts.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro: The Half-Empty Robert Irvine Keynote
0:49 - First Impressions: What Channel Partners 2026 Felt Like
2:24 - The Expo Floor Review: Smaller, Quieter, Flatter
4:07 - Where The Real Value Actually Happened (The BS Vendors Keep Selling)
6:34 - The Numbers Behind The Decline
9:09 - TSD Summits vs Channel Partners: The Honest Comparison
11:23 - The MDF Trap & The Fishing Boat With No Bait
13:51 - The 2026 Channel Prescription
17:57 - Final Verdict: The Room That's Quietly Moving Somewhere Else

Sources & References From This Review:

Channel Partners Conference & Expo 2026 Official Announcement: https://channelpartnersconference.com/article/channel-partners-conference-expomsp-summit-2026-sets-agenda-for-next-era-of-the-technology-channel/
Channel Partners Conference & Expo Main Site: https://channelpartnersconference.com/
Channel Partners Sponsor & Exhibit Opportunities: https://channelpartnersconference.com/why-exhibit/
Cvent - 47 Trade Show Statistics Shaping 2025 and Beyond: https://www.cvent.com/en/blog/events/trade-show-statistics
Giant Printing - 2025 Trade Show Statistics: https://giantprinting.com/trade-show-statistics/
Trade Show Labs - 150+ Trade Show Statistics for 2026: https://www.tradeshowlabs.com/blog/trade-show-stats
Telarus Partner Summit 2025 Recap: https://www.telarus.com/news/technology-advisors-take-center-stage-at-telarus-partner-summit-2025/
SIPPIO - Telarus Partner Summit 2025: https://www.sippio.io/event/telarus-partner-summit-2025/
CBTS - AVANT Special Forces Summit 2025: https://www.cbts.com/events/avant-special-forces-summit-sept-15-18-2025/
Channel Dive - Top Channel Conferences in 2026: https://www.channeldive.com/news/top-channel-partner-conferences-2026/806165/
Intelligent Tech Channels - What Do Channel Partners Really Want From Vendors in 2026: https://www.intelligenttechchannels.com/2025/12/12/what-do-channel-partners-really-want-from-vendors-in-2026/

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