XChange MSP: Q&A with Jenny Latimer, head of alliances & operations at Highgate IT
'it is not death by PowerPoint, or being stuck in the same room for the two days, it's all about being able to interact and learn,' Latimer advises attendees at XChange MSP
XChange MSP is fast approaching.
As the final XChange conference of the year hosted by CRN UK, the one-day event will take place on October 1 at Sofitel St James in London.
This gathering is a great chance to connect with industry peers and dive into important discussions about the future of channel businesses.
For more information or to book your place at XChange MSP, click here.
Leading up to the event, we're chatting with key figures in the IT sector who also serve on CRN's advisory board.
These leaders help shape the content and format of CRN events with their expertise.
In this edition, we sit down with Jenny Latimer, head of alliances and operations at Highgate IT Solutions (pictured), as she shares her thoughts on what makes XChange special and offers some practical tips on getting the most out of the conference.
CRN: What is the most rewarding part of your role as a member of the XChange advisory board?
JL: Seeing an XChange event come to life! We spend a lot of time tweaking ideas and suggestions, moulding the event into the unmissable occasion. So to see the delegates enjoying themselves, learning and developing, it's very rewarding.
CRN: Why XChange? How do these events differ, in your opinion, from other channel conferences?
JL: XChange is very varied – it is not death by PowerPoint, or being stuck in the same room for the two days, it's all about being able to interact and learn. In addition, the peer-to-peer networking opportunities are quite unique. It's not often you are able to speak to peers from other organisations, in a neutral setting.
CRN: What advice would you give to a first-time attendee to make the most of an XChange conference?
JL: Immerse yourself. Block out the two days in your diary, attend all the sessions, speak to your peers, and the partners that are there. Whilst you miss two days of ‘normal' work, the benefit you will get from XChange will have a positive impact in your day-to-day going forward.
CRN: As an AB member, you regularly find yourself chairing boardrooms at the conferences. How do these discussions inform the rest of your work?
JL: The partners that present to you have been hand-picked as appropriate to your kind of business. Meaning you have the opportunity to find out about new technologies that you can take away and introduce in your organisation, creating new revenue streams.
CRN: What has been your most memorable XChange so far? Why?
JL: I have been luck enough to make some industry friends as a result of the XChange events I have attended. We are now in regular contact, we pick each other's brains and support one another through challenges. Who knows if we'd have met without XChange!