The Business Technology Association (BTA) will hold its 2024 Gateway to Success event, co-hosted by BTA Mid-America and BTA East, Sept. 24-25 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. Open to office technology dealers from across the country, the event will feature: five main stage sessions presented by industry leaders, including three dealer panel discussions; breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including two-part sales and service management breakouts; sales and service management round-table discussions; time to network with peers and exhibiting sponsors; and a networking reception on Sept. 24.
Gateway to Success will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, with breakfast, followed by opening comments and first main stage session — a dealer panel titled “Leveraging AI for Enhanced Business Efficiency & Growth.” The panelists will include Anthony DelGrosso of Milner Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia; Bob Doucette of Smart Technologies of Florida, Daytona Beach, Florida; and Keven Ellison of AIS, North Las Vegas, Nevada. After the panel, a break will be held, giving attendees a chance to visit with their peers and exhibiting sponsors.
Following the break, attendees can choose from one of three breakout sessions:
- Sales Management Track Part 1 — “A Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Sales Culture Where Activities Drive Results,” presented by Derek Shebby of Modern Sales Training
- Service Management Track Part 1 — “Setting the Pace in Service Automation,” presented by Deborah Hawkins of Keypoint Intelligence and Ken Edmonds of 22nd Century Management
- “Profiting From the AI Revolution as a Dealer,” presented by Steve Cunningham of Simple AI
Lunch will be held after the breakouts. After lunch, the second main stage session will be held. “Preparing for Economic Shifts: Insights for the Upcoming Months,” will be presented by John Beriau of Morgan Stanley. Exhibit time and the second set of breakouts will follow. The second set of breakouts will include:
- Sales Management Track Part 2 — “A Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Sales Culture Where Activities Drive Results,” presented by Derek Shebby of Modern Sales Training
- Service Management Track Part 2 — “Setting the Pace in Managing the Technical Workforce,” presented by Deborah Hawkins of Keypoint Intelligence and Ken Edmonds of 22nd Century Management
- “Practical AI & ChatGPT Applications for Quick SOP Documentation,” presented by Mark Spears, Amplified Solutions
After the breakouts, sales and service management can attend round-table discussions while the third main stage session — a dealer panel titled “Strategic Insights & Steps for Successful Acquisitions” — is held. The panelists will include Thomas Fimian of Levifi, Charleston, South Carolina; Bill Patsouras of Function4, Sugar Land, Texas; and Rich Simons of EDGE Business Systems, Roswell, Georgia.
The first day will wrap up with a networking reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. After the reception, attendees can enjoy the San Antonio River Walk and its local restaurants.
The second day of Gateway to Success will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, with breakfast, followed by opening comments and the fourth main stage session, a dealer panel titled “Strategies for Selling Cybersecurity Services.” The panelists will include Pamela Feld of Triumph Technology Group, Tustin, California; Keith Johnson of Obivam, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Davis Tran of C3 Tech, Santa Ana, California. Exhibit time and the final main stage session, “What’s Happenin’ in the Imaging Industry,” led by Andy Slawetsky of Industry Analysts Inc., will follow. The event will conclude with closing comments and exhibitor prize drawings until 12:15 p.m.
The exhibiting sponsors: ACDI, AgentDealer, ARCOA, Brother, Crexendo, DLL, ECI Software Solutions, eGoldFax, Epson, FP Mailing Solutions, GreatAmerica, IBPI, Intermedia, Keypoint Intelligence, LEAF, Miramar Copies, MPS Monitor, NA Trading and Technology, NEXERA, PEAC Solutions, Quench, Sharp (breaks sponsor), Source Technologies, Square 9, Static Control, Toshiba, Xerox (lunch sponsor) and Zultys (reception sponsor).
BTA member dealers receive 2-for-1 registration to Gateway to Success. BTA member dealer registration is $199, which includes the Tuesday and Wednesday educational sessions; Tuesday breakfast, lunch and reception; and Wednesday breakfast. An additional attendee from the same member dealership is $99. Non-member dealer registration is $249 per person.
