Editor’s Note: If you don’t mind, a little boasting, the Midsize Enterprise Summit would like to share some of the feedback we received from the MES Fall conference. The comments below were submitted by fellow IT leaders who provided these responses via our Survey Monkey post-event survey along with emails we received from attendees.
If you are reading this and have not attended an MES Conference, reach out to one of those listed below or log on to our web site and register for the next event. The next event takes place April 30-May 2 in Nashville, Tenn. https://www.thechannelco.com/events/mess17/about
“I was pleasantly surprised by every aspect of this conference: from the leaders and professionals that were brought together, to the presentations and content quality, to the vendors, conversations, atmosphere of innovation, and even the accommodations. Great job Channel Co!” – Joshua Berry, Director of Information Technology, Highland Community College
“This conference provides a great range of topics and vendors directed at mid-sized companies specifically, and an incredible networking opportunity.”– Vickie Torregrossa, IS Director, Food for the Poor
“At first, I wasn't sure if my company and my situation would translate well to MES. Once I started networking with my peers at the summit, I found many others in almost identical business situations and facing the same issues I deal with--getting proper IT budget, how to efficiently manage a small IT workforce - and exchanging knowledge with them was invaluable.” – Robert Vinagray, CIO, Burma Bibas
“This is the best event to attend for the year for any IT leader. If you can only attend 1 major event, I highly recommend making the time sacrifice for this event. Initially I felt the length of event was going to make this a tough one to attend but the amount of information, materials, networking, etc. was invaluable and well worth it. Definitely my new favorite and one I hope to be able to attend year after year. Thanks to the MES team for putting this great event together!” – Nick Alexander, Director of IT, Cumming Corporation
“MES provides a uniquely valuable opportunity for IT leaders to meet with their peers and key midmarket vendors in an intimate setting. New relationships are forged and existing relationships are strengthened through casual and formal settings. I have learned so much over the years through this conference, that I considerate a requirement to attend at least every other year.” – William McConville, CIO, Bowman and Brooke
“MES provides me with exposure to technology solutions that I would not otherwise have access to or may have considered. I get a chance to validate strategy with my peers while learning about their challenges and approaches. Having direct access to Gartner industry insights is awesome. One of the best shows I get an opportunity to attend.” – Brian Celardo, IT Director, Birch Family Services
“This was the best use of my time over the course of three days. I was able to get information about vendors and solutions that could have some impact on my organization without being inundated with too much marketing/sales gimmicks. I loved being able to network with other IT leaders to hear about technology and processes that worked or failed and share in our common need for IT to help our organizations innovate and grow.” Robert James, IT Director, City of Woodbury
“This conference is one of the best and most efficient ways to be introduced to many quality vendors that focus on my size organization. In addition, the boardroom format provides a great forum to not only meet the vendors but also hear the feedback and testimonials from other attendees and network with peers that have similar issues and challenges.” – Tamara Barr, IS VP/CIO Continental Mills and MES Board member
“This is an event I plan on attending once every 18 to 24 months. This is the only event I use to reach out to vendors and it has been exceptionally helpful. As other professionals in our role I do not accept cold calls or pursue email solicitations outside of this event. Great Job MES.” – Michael Fontes, MIS Director, Blue Beacon International
In addition to those comments, we selected a few others that provide some insight into the event.
“I truly enjoyed the ability to see 100 plus vendors at one time and networking with peers.”
“By far the highest ROI of my time of any conference I attended in the past five years.”
“I find the time spent at an MES event to be some of the most valuable, minute for minute, of any event I attend. The networking and long-term relationships that are created, new ideas identified, and the use of time are all outstanding.”
“This was the best Conference I have attended that introduced me to vendors I may never have looked at previously or had no knowledge.”
“MES [Fall] was a great event. I went to interact with vendors and see emerging technology, but what I walked away with was professional development and a clearer 2-5 year out vision.”
“MES is an event that you can count on for value added and long lasting peer networking by way of the boardroom sessions. You get a chance to get acquainted to each person’s individual personality and business challenges, and enough face time both in and out the meeting rooms to conduct real engaging and informative peer discussions.”
Great value for my time spent, which allowed me to interact with potential new vendors and products, in a neutral environment.
“MES provides me with exposure to technology solutions that I would not otherwise have access to or may have considered. I get a chance to validate strategy with my peers while learning about their challenges and approaches. Having direct access to Gartner industry insights is awesome as our company (as a non-profit) is financially challenged to purchase a full Gartner subscription. One of the best shows I get an opportunity to attend.
“MES remains one of the best ways for me to see and evaluate technology vendors while learning things that will help me be more successful in my IT leadership role.”
