Georgette Fraser-Moore and ChannelCon

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studio in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for Atlanta Business Radio, brought to you by Kennesaw State University’s Executive MBA program, the accelerated degree program for working professionals looking to advance their career and enhance their leadership skills. And now here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, another episode of Atlanta Business Radio. And this is going to be a good one. But before we get started, it’s important to recognize our sponsor, CSU’s executive MBA program. Without them, we couldn’t be sharing these important stories. Today on Atlanta Business Radio, we have Doctor Georgette Fraser Moore. She’s the CEO of Transformation Lead. But we’re here to talk about ChannelCon. Welcome.

Georgette FraserMoore: Hello. Thank you for having me.

Lee Kantor: I am so excited to learn about ChannelCon. Can you tell us a little bit about what it is and why we should be paying attention to it?

Georgette FraserMoore: For sure. So ChannelCon is brought on by CompTIA. Comptia is actually the leading voice in advocate for like five for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem. So they’re one of the largest IT trade associations in the world. And they support tech professionals as well as companies and organizations and help drive the workforce around technology. So this is the first time the channel con is coming to the city of Atlanta. And Channel Con is a three day conference. It features, um, collaborative sessions where basically leading technology business executives and technologists will offer insightful information about what’s happening in technology today. What are these emerging things that are that that are coming in technology, as well as some of those hot topics like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence? Um, it’s going to be we’ll have vendors there from all, all of the different technology companies, as well as managed service providers that help support businesses with their technology, information and systems.

Lee Kantor: So when this event is not going on, is there a CompTIA chapter here in Atlanta or is that how it works? They have chapters around the country.

Georgette FraserMoore: No, there are no chapters. So the membership consists of vendors like Microsoft and Amazon and Google and all of the technology vendors out there that provide products and services like as well as like the HP and stuff like that. It also includes distributors. So those are the companies that distribute technology across the world, as well as IT solution providers and managed service providers. So there are no chapters there, just there’s membership.

Lee Kantor: And then what do you for being a member like what are some of the reasons someone would be a member of this?

Georgette FraserMoore: Um, well, companies become members one because they get access to a lot of information. So being the largest, one of the largest IT trade associations in the world, CompTIA does a lot of research around technology, and we give that to the technology community. And they’re part of the research itself. But they’re also able to feed off and leverage these this research. So that’s everything from the state of technology and state of cybersecurity to workforce research and data as well, because there’s this ecosystem of vendors and providers and distributors and resellers where they’re able to network together, share information, be able to connect with each other, to be able to support the businesses from a technology perspective and share information.

Lee Kantor: But, uh, but this event here in Atlanta, that’s an in-person event, which is kind of unusual because most of this is all done online.

Georgette FraserMoore: No. So every year we have an in-person event called Channel Con. Um, Channel Con brings together those resellers, those technology companies, the vendors, distributors. And what what they’re doing is having those collaborative sessions I mentioned where they’re talking about the newest things that are happening in technology so that the providers, the people that are offering technology like our company does, um, we work with large corporations and the government to provide them their IT products and their IT services. Um, panel con helps us be able to stay on top of what’s new, what’s upcoming as as well as the vendors and providers and connect us together to be able to provide the best services for businesses.

Lee Kantor: Yeah, when I said it’s unusual, it’s unusual to be in person in Atlanta, right. That’s unusual. That’s the first time that this occurred.

Georgette FraserMoore: Okay. So yes, this is the first time channel con is in Atlanta, but it’s been um, last year it was in Las Vegas. Um, it’s been in multiple I mean, um, CompTIA has been around for I want for over 30 years. So each year we have channel con in a different state or a different place. And then we also have a conference call, EMEA con um, that happens in the UK every year as well.

Lee Kantor: So the reason Atlanta has been chosen is because it is such a good, um, tech hub here in the southeast. Is that part of the decision to have it here?

Georgette FraserMoore: I would I wasn’t part of the decision making process. So I don’t really there’s a but there’s a lot of things as to why Atlanta. So and I know your audience definitely knows why Atlanta is amazing right. But I’m excited I’m personally excited about it being in Atlanta because technology, Atlanta specifically has a huge tech ecosystem. So most of the major technology companies have a presence here. So you know, Microsoft has has has a huge corporate office here. Um, Amazon, um, Google has an office here in downtown Atlanta because we have those amazing universities like Georgia Tech, where we have great engineers and technologists coming out of it, as well as Atlanta being a hub for the world. Having having the the largest and busiest airport out of Atlanta, it allows for a lot of tech. Some you know, it’s built a lot of, um, to it’s become a home for a lot of technology companies. And in addition to the technology companies overall, if you’re thinking about the larger ones, Atlanta has also been recognized as a place to start, a great place to start a small business and small business, small businesses, they usually they usually require help in their managed services and their technology. So Atlanta is actually a place where managed service providers are, which are the companies that help support businesses with their technology. Um, where it’s a great place for them to, to be established as well as grow their businesses to support those small and midsize businesses.

Lee Kantor: So at this event, there’ll be a lot of opportunity to learn things. Right? I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of experts sharing their wisdom, and that’ll be a great place to maybe see some things that you hadn’t seen before.

Georgette FraserMoore: I both of all of those, um, they’ll be able to learn some things. They’ll be able to see things that they haven’t seen before, but they’re also going to be able to be working directly with those vendors and seeing what’s coming up next. So they’ll see what’s what’s the what are the new things happening in technology? I think one of the for me, one of the biggest benefits of channel con is really the community itself, connecting with other IT professionals, connecting with other um, companies that are doing similar things that you can either partner with, grow from, um, be able to, you know, being able to have that community to, to that that allows you to have a larger reach and be able to, um, expand and grow your business.

Lee Kantor: So what is some can you share some advice on how you would, um, tell maybe somebody who’s new or hasn’t gone to as many as you have, uh, how to kind of wring out the most value in building those relationships. Like how do you do it?

Georgette FraserMoore: Well, for me it’s showing up. So number one, show up to channel con. If you’re a managed service provider or IT solution provider or you’re working in that IT space. Um, it I feel like in business it’s. You do business with people that you like and people that, you know, versus just products and solutions nowadays. So getting out there and actually meeting people is a great way to be able to expand and grow as an individual, as well as if you’re coming in from a business and and company perspective, being able to grow yourself as a company.

Lee Kantor: So meeting people in real life as opposed to online in.

Georgette FraserMoore: Real life.

Georgette FraserMoore: Real life connection, real life, people getting to know their name, being able to call them up later on and, you know, have lunch with them at some point in time maybe, um, you know, I’m actually really tired of those virtual coffees that people had during the pandemic where everybody wanted to have a virtual coffee for about 15 minutes to to connect with people. We’re outside now. We’re ready to get back in person and be able to really see people, really get to know them, put a face with the name and build relationships that can help grow again, your your company as well as grow you as an individual.

Lee Kantor: Now in, um, in technology, are you finding people have a similar outlook as yours, or are they want to meet in person and get to know people personally? Or. It seems like a lot of people in technology kind of like to lean on technology.

Georgette FraserMoore: Well, the thing is, channel con is for the providers. Um, so for when you think about a business, if no one is talking to you, you’re not growing your business. Right? We’re not talking about the people in the background that’s typing and doing the doing the coding in the background. Um, businesses have to sell, right? So we’re selling products and we’re selling services. So you have to actually connect with people to be able to do that and connect to the buyers and providers of those products and services.

Lee Kantor: And this do they have kind of structured, structured ways to network and meet each other, or is this something that you just go there and you just are kind of like you would any other, uh, business networking event where, you know, you just go up to people or you go into their booth and you just start conversations.

Georgette FraserMoore: Well, there’s four tracks. There’s four education tracks throughout, um, channel con. So, so as a attendee, you can choose which track you’d like to attend. Um, and you get to kind of know people along that track. There will be a vendor showcase where vendors get, um, you’re able to go out there and see what new products, all of the different vendors that have out there, as well as being able to test and talk to them about some of their solutions. Um, I there’s also a bunch of networking opportunities. So one of one of them is we’re going to be having a party at the aquarium at the Atlanta, um, the Atlanta Aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium. There’s going to be a really fun. And the events are fun too. So there’ll be a ton of, um, networking, like cocktail parties, um, afterwards, where you can kind of wind down and have a, have a cocktail and network and mingle in a more unstructured environment. But then there’s also the sessions and and the vendor showcase hall as well, and the after hours event that people will have opportunities to connect with.

Lee Kantor: And, um, something you’ve done is take a leadership role in the organization in the past.

Georgette FraserMoore: Yes, I was I was, um, uh, in the past, I was a.

Georgette FraserMoore: Board.

Georgette FraserMoore: Of I.

Georgette FraserMoore: Was on the.

Georgette FraserMoore: Board of directors for CompTIA. Um, and that was actually I wasn’t a member of the organization at that time. But um, but just kind of based on my technology background and, and, um, working, kind of interacting with them over the years when they were looking for new board members to provide insight. Um, I was nominated by someone within the organization and had the opportunity to be on their board for the last four years.

Lee Kantor: And for somebody who is in this space, you find taking leadership roles in organizations like this is something that has been beneficial for you and your career.

Georgette FraserMoore: Um.

Georgette FraserMoore: I think taking a leadership role in any organization is a great thing for people that are trying to grow their career. Um, I know corporate board roles are something that most people don’t get an opportunity to opportunity to do, but um, within CompTIA we have a ton of opportunities or a ton of areas where people in the tech industry can get involved. So we have committees and we have councils where they have people that are working on specific areas in technology. So we have for example, we have a cybersecurity council, we have a workforce council, we have an AI council where they’re looking at, um, and where, um, people that are working within that space get together and take leadership roles within those communities and or councils to help drive some of the vision and the research and being able to help move some of those areas forward.

Lee Kantor: Now with, with the technology, um, kind of landscape changing so dramatically, it seems every I mean, it’s probably day to day for people that are in in that space. Um, how do you keep up is going to a channel con? Is that one of the ways that some folks just keep up with all that’s going on, because it’s impossible for an individual to follow all this stuff?

Georgette FraserMoore: Yeah. It’s really I mean, think about the about technology in general. The internet started in 1983. That’s that’s 40 years ago. And look at how much it’s evolved since then. Um, because CompTIA has been around just about as long as the internet. Um, one of the reasons why anyone would want to be connected with a trade or industry association is because they’re staying in front of the technology versus hearing about it afterwards. So because we’re connected with the companies that are creating the new technologies, we’re the first to be able to share that with our communities. Um, because we’re connected with the the people that are leading the leading the way in cybersecurity. We’re able to share that with our communities. So, um, not being connected kind of keeps you in the dark a lot more because we have a ton of resources and information, as well as up to date information that we share with our communities on a regular basis.

Lee Kantor: So out of all the business groups that you’re, uh, probably affiliated with in some way, shape or form, uh, CompTIA is kind of a must, must have industry association as part of kind of the work that you’re doing. Like this isn’t a nice to have. This is a must have.

Georgette FraserMoore: If you’re a managed service provider or IT solution provider or a vendor in technology and you’re not part of CompTIA, yes, you’re definitely missing out. So it’s a must have for those organizations.

Lee Kantor: And then for people who have never attended, um, what how would you attack it?

Georgette FraserMoore: Um, expound a little bit on that question for me.

Lee Kantor: Like, say you’ve been a member, but you’ve never gone to a channel con, how would you, for a veteran of multiple comm, uh, channel cons, how would you kind of approach an event like this? Because I would think it could be overwhelming because there’s so much going on and there are so many ways to, uh, kind of manage your time there. And.

Georgette FraserMoore: Well, the wonderful thing about Channel Con is it has an app. There’s an app for that. Right. So, um, before the before the conference, it’s up actually up. Now the agenda is put out there for everyone to act, kind of start planning how they want to navigate channel con. So you’re able to choose your from your sessions, right from your phone. You’re able to do it from your computer as well. Be able to see what’s coming up, what you’re also what’s coming up where you would like to attend, where you need to be. There’s also ways to connect with other people in the app, so you can see other attendees, see what companies they represent and reach out to them and set up times to meet with them. Um, there’s also another great opportunity that I didn’t mention was they have, um, at Channel Con, you have the opportunity to have sessions with experts. So we have a corner where you can set up time to meet with any particular expert and get there. And, um, they’ll sit with you for, I think, 15 or 30 minutes and be able to help you or educate you on any particular area.

Lee Kantor: And, and like you mentioned, all the areas cover pretty much the gamut of what’s happening in tech, right? So if somebody wants to learn more, uh, where should they go? What’s the coordinates at Ordnance?

Georgette FraserMoore: That’s a really good question, but I would go ahead and send you to connect.com to org backslash channel con. And then you’ll be able to find out all the information about registering. If you’re a managed service provider and you’re a member if you’re a part of the community already, it’s completely free to register. Um, if you have if you are a managed service provider but a nonmember and you’re attending for the first time, they also have a you can also attend for free. Um, if you if you’re a managed service provider as well, and you just want to come and check us out for the first time.

Lee Kantor: And the website for the organization is connect CompTIA. Org. And then from there they can navigate to Channel.com.

Georgette FraserMoore: Com that.

Georgette FraserMoore: Is correct.

Lee Kantor: Well uh thank you so much for sharing your story today. You’re doing such important work and we appreciate you.

Georgette FraserMoore: Well thank you so much.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor. We’ll see you all next time on Atlanta Business Radio.