XChange MSP: Q&A with Katie Sloan, marketing director at Core Technology Systems
Ahead of CRN's XChange MSP conference on October 1, we sat down with advisory board member and Core marketing director Katie Sloan, to talk about her best and most memorable XChange experiences.
As of mid-August, prep for XChange MSP is in full swing. The last of CRN UK''s XChange conferences for the year, XChange MSP will take place on October 1 at Sofitel St James, London.
For your opportunity to network with a selected group of peers and take part in valuable discussions about the future of channel businesses, register here.
Ahead of the event, we're running a series of interviews with members of CRN's advisory board - prominent leaders in the IT industry, who regularly give up their time to help shape the content and format of CRN events.
This latest instalment features Katie Sloan, marketing director at Core Technology Systems. Sitting down to discuss her experience at XChange, Sloan shares some of her highlights and top tips for making the most out of your time at the conference.
CRN: What is the most rewarding part of your role as a member of the XChange advisory board?
KS: The most rewarding part of my role is the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders and share ideas that drive growth and innovation in the UK IT sector. It's incredibly fulfilling to contribute to discussions that shape the future of our industry, and to see tangible results from our collective efforts.
CRN: Why XChange? How do these events differ, in your opinion, from other channel conferences?
KS: XChange events are unique because they foster an intimate environment where meaningful connections and in-depth discussions can occur. Unlike larger conferences, XChange focuses on creating a collaborative atmosphere that encourages genuine interaction and the exchange of actionable insights. I appreciate all of the work by the CRN team prior to the events, to engage the CRN Advisory Board and ensure we have agendas, topics, speakers and frameworks that take into account feedback from previous events, and the desired outcomes for attendees. They're also in great venues that work really well for building new relationships and fostering meaningful discussions, and the CRN team do a great job of securing wonderful guest and keynote speakers.
CRN: What advice would you give to a first-time attendee to make the most of an XChange conference?
KS: My advice would be to actively participate in the entire event, attend all main speaker and panel sessions, participate in the boardroom presentation discussions and ask questions, and generally, just network as much as possible. Approach the event with an open mind, and be ready to share your experiences and learn from others. Engaging with the community will maximise the value you get from the conference.
CRN: As an AB member, you regularly find yourself chairing boardrooms at the conferences. How do these discussions inform the rest of your work?
KS: Chairing boardroom sessions allows me to hear firsthand the challenges and opportunities that different companies are facing. These discussions provide valuable insights that I can bring back to my own organisation, helping us to stay ahead of industry trends and implement best practices. I really appreciate when people are candid about the challenges they've faced in their business, as well as the successes they've had, and sharing ideas for how we can all improve. As I'm working on enhancing our partner program, it's great to hear more from other organisations about what they are looking for in potential partners and suppliers, and these boardroom discussions are often very useful for that.
CRN: What has been your most memorable XChange so far? Why?
KS: My most memorable XChange was the XChange UK event in March 2024. This was my first XChange conference as an advisory board member rather than a delegate, and I had the opportunity to ‘adopt-a-sponsor' and help them with their presentation and pointers to maximise their event experience. I really enjoyed the networking with familiar faces, meeting plenty of new ones, and it was held in a lovely venue. I'm really looking forward to XChange MSP in October, where I also have the opportunity to be a speaker on a panel.