Channel Live will return to Birmingham’s NEC later this month to bring together the channel community to discuss the key trends and challenges shaping the industry. The two-day event includes an exhibition, conference programme, and a new one-to-one meetings tool. It will be held between Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th March.
Phil Glover, exhibition manager, Channel Live discussed his plans for this year’s event. He said, “The sector asked, and we listened! With valuable input from our advisory board and partners, we have refocused Channel Live into a community networking event.
“At the heart of this is our brand-new meeting service. Ahead of the show visitors can browse the exhibitors and speakers and have the power to accept, decline and request as many one-to-one meetings as they like. The Channel is all about connections and building relationships, and this tool places that power in the hands of our attendees.”
This year’s edition, Glover explained, will include a new networking lounge, The 19th Hole. This new area will provide a less formal way for attendees and exhibitors to catch up and will be the ideal place to meet new people, relax, test your swing on the golf simulator and enjoy a drink from the bar.
Glover added, “We’ve evolved the show to ensure that we’re providing the best event experience. Channel Live is the place where you come to connect, collaborate, and thrive.”
Vorboss is a fibre network and internet service provider built to meet the connectivity needs of businesses in London. The provider is the headline sponsor of this year’s edition of Channel Live, and the team will be on-hand to meet attendees and discuss partnership opportunities.
Cedric Rubenstein, head of channel, Vorboss, commented, “Channel Live has firmly established itself as a must-attend event in the channel partners’ calendar, and we’re thrilled to be part of it. We’re excited to connect with new and existing partners, and demonstrate how we can empower them with the products, support and agility they need to stand out with their customer base.”
Speaker’s corner
The event will include an conference programme that has been designed to bring the Channel together to discuss challenges and opportunities for the industry in 2025 and beyond.
Dr. Jane Watson, conference producer, Channel Live, explained, “We’ve lined up our best programme to date with research and expert input from our incredible 27-strong advisory board. We will offer attendees sessions packed with the best advice on how to stay ahead and generate new business. Our two-day programme is hosted across two theatres alongside discussion roundtables. We can’t wait to provide an invaluable platform for MSPs, network operators, resellers, vendors, distributors and service providers.”
Watson discussed the key themes and focus at this year’s show. In the conference theatre, attendees can hear about channel strategies, the market outlook and growth opportunities. The workshop theatre will feature training, education, partner updates and knowledge sharing to help the channel community grow together. Key topics range from connectivity and convergence, through to customer experience and AI.
Visitors can find out more about preparations for the retirement of the Public Switched Telephone Network. There will be representation from government, with Griff Jones, head of telecommunications modernisation team at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, joining a panel discussion alongside Openreach, Daisy Partner Business, Virgin Media O2 and BT.
A separate panel session will dive into what this means for channel companies, with Comms Business hosting a discussion between Avire, CSL Group, Gradwell Communications, Larato, Telecom Resource and Openreach.
There will be insight into work and careers in the Channel, with sessions looking at diversity, apprenticeships and tackling the skills gap. The agenda will also dive into the threats and opportunities for MSPs, resellers, partners and entrepreneurs.
The packed agenda will also examine the challenges and barriers faced by women looking to grow their careers in the telecoms and IT industry, as well as broader hiring, training and retaining challenges.
Watson added, “We have a busy agenda and plenty of experts on hand, so get your questions ready for our speakers at companies including: Boldyn Networks, BT, Charterhouse Group, Comms Business, Comms Council UK, CSL Group, CyberLab, Daisy Partner Business, Evolution Capital, the FCS, Fit To Switch, Freedom Fibre, Focus Group, Giacom, Gradwell Communications, the ITP, Jola, Larato, Magrathea, Openreach, ProVu Communications, Virgin Media O2, Vonage, Vorboss, Xelion, and Zen Internet.”
A vibrant exhibition
The heart of Channel Live is in the exhibition and this year’s edition will bring together wholesalers, distributors, vendors, trade associations and network operators to showcase the latest innovations available to resellers, MSPs and the wider channel community. The show floor will offer visitors plenty of opportunity to catch up with partners, colleagues and friends.
A trio of trade associations will spotlight the critical work these organisations do to champion the industry and push forward progress.
First is Comms Council UK, a membership-led organisation that both represents and supports telecommunications companies that provide services to business and residential customers in the UK. Visitors to the stand can find out about the work Comms Council UK carries out on behalf of members from organisations including network operators, service providers, resellers, suppliers and consultancies.
Comms Council UK was set up 20 years ago, with the Women in Telecoms group established in 2022. At the event, the organisation will spotlight how men and women in telecoms can together break the barriers to enable a united growth. Men and women can be united in the workplace, mentor and support each other confidently without prejudice and continue to create an environment where both can strive in their careers.
Second is the Federation of Communication Services (FCS), a not-for-profit industry association for companies that deliver professional voice and data communications solutions to business and public sector customers in the UK. The organisation will be sharing more about its mission to champion and defend the role of the communications providers in the converging marketplace.
The FCS represents dealers, manufacturers and resellers, and support industries with 3,000 specialist businesses dedicated to equipping private- and public-sector clients with the communications services they need. Attendees can find out more about the work the FCS is doing to make sure everyone – citizens, consumers, business people, regulators and policy-makers – understands and values the unique contribution communications makes to national life and the UK’s international competitiveness.
Third is the ITP, with the telecoms industry membership body spotlighting how it champions and transforms the sector and its workforce. The organisation will also share how it helps employers develop talent and inspire the next generation through apprenticeships, mentoring and training. Visitors to the ITP stand can find out how it works with employers, individuals and industry.
Cybersecurity continues to provide huge opportunities to resellers and MSPs, and attendees will be able to find out more about solutions that can help protect their customers. WatchGuard Technologies is returning to Channel Live.
Toby Jones, the company’s senior marketing manager, Northern Europe, said, “Visit our stand to find out more about our award-winning partner programme and how to grow your revenue by partnering with the right cybersecurity vendor. The WatchGuard team will be discussing the benefits of adopting a unified approach to cybersecurity and the revenue opportunities. Talk to us to find out more about how we are working with our channel partner and MSP community to simplify cybersecurity.”
CyberLab will be showcasing its range of cybersecurity products that have been developed for the Channel. The solutions are designed to help resellers and MSPs to diversify their product offering, provide added value to their base, increase revenue per-user and improve retention rates.
Ryan Bradbury, CTO, CyberLab, commented, “It’s CyberLab’s first time at Channel Live since we launched our partner programme. At our stand we’ll be showcasing our flagship security platform and suite of white label solutions that can provide your customers with all they need to improve their level of cyber-readiness and reduce cyber risk. It covers everything from training and phishing simulations to vulnerability scanning and dark web monitoring.
“Join us for a chat or a coffee, and see first-hand how the CyberLab Partner Programme could improve your bottom line by plugging your numbers into our Partner Profit Calculator. If you’re looking to expand your offering with cybersecurity, make sure to stop by.”
Business communications is another significant technology for the Channel and there will be plenty of organisations to guide visitors through their options. Wildix will showcase its unified communications (UC) solutions designed to help MSPs grow their business. The company’s secure, WebRTC-based technology aims to simplify deployment and maximise profitability.
A Wildix spokesperson said, “At Channel Live 2025, we’ll showcase our solutions, share industry insights and connect with partners looking to drive success in the evolving UC&C market. Visitors can explore live demonstrations, speak with our experts and learn how Wildix supports MSPs with cutting-edge solutions tailored for the Channel.
“Whether you’re seeking a reliable UC&C partner or new ways to add to your portfolio, visit us to discover opportunities and insights designed to help your business thrive.”
Sangoma will also be in attendance, with the UC provider showcasing how its technologies can help businesses simplify the way they communicate and collaborate. Shaan Sood, head of international marketing, Sangoma, said, “Don’t miss your chance to stand out in the crowded market. Visit us and discover what Sangoma can do for you – starting with free UC until 2026! Sangoma won’t charge you a penny – and you can keep the profit, or pass it on to your customers.
“We’re also unveiling our new SMB initiative. With 5.5 million small businesses in the UK, the opportunity is massive. Every business – no matter how small – needs flawless call handling. SMBs are looking for affordable, powerful solutions, and with Sangoma, be the partner that provides it all. Don’t leave revenue on the table!”
Another business communications vendor in attendance will be Xelion. In October, the company unveiled a new look, including an updated user interface for its communications platform, new branding and a revamped website. At Channel Live, Xelion will be showcasing the new user interface for its platform, which is now live to all users.
Dave Reynolds, managing director, Xelion UK, explained, “This is an incredibly exciting step for us to take as a business, and it will have direct benefits for our brilliant UK partner network. The interface looks amazing, and it’s not just about appearances – it makes the user experience even better and will help our partners keep winning more customers. We’re as committed as ever to our partners and to providing the most feature-rich, resilient platform possible.”
Vonage will be spotlighting its communications platform, with visitors able to find out more about how the programmable platform can integrate video, voice, chat, messaging, AI and verification into existing products, workflows and systems. The company’s unified communications, contact centre and conversational commerce applications allow companies to transform their communications.
Elsewhere, visitors can hear how Tech Channel Ambassadors is looking to tackle the IT skills gap. The community interest company was established in 2024 and is raising awareness of career opportunities across the Channel to those in education, those returning to employment and those looking to change career.
Wendy Shore, a spokesperson for the organisation, said, “The Channel is a multi-billion-pound industry that no one has heard of, and there are also not enough people entering the Channel. Maybe there is some correlation there? What’s your backstory? Did you have a career plan from an early age to enter the Channel? Or more likely did you, like the vast majority of your peers, stumble upon this world by good fortune?
“Come and find us to hear how to volunteer a couple of hours in a year to change the lives of kids. Children self-exclude from age 12 upwards from entering our world because they don’t do IT. Tell them your experience, how you got into the Channel, what the career opportunities are and how to get into it. Become a Tech Channel Ambassador.”
Attendees will also be able to find out how to improve their marketing efforts, with Sharper B2B Marketing exhibiting for the first time. Russ Powell, the company’s founder and managing director, said, “We’re buzzing for Channel Live 2025 and giving everyone the low down on how we deliver fresh ideas and firepower to make your B2B marketing sharper.
“We’ll also be running an on-stand competition with some excellent giveaways for those whose skills are up to par… as well as challenging people to games of B2B marketing Top Trumps and recording some episodes of our new podcast – Channel Marketing Champs – live at the event.”
Register for your free ticket on the Channel Live website.