RSPA RetailNOW 2024 kicks off this coming weekend at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, and I couldn’t be more excited for a number of reasons:
1Networking
I began covering the retail/restaurant POS channel for Business Solutions magazine back in 2007. My first RetailNOW around that time was eye-opening. I had been to other conventions, but none had the quality of education I experienced at RetailNOW. More importantly, none had the quality of the people I met at RetailNOW. I have built long-lasting friendships within the RSPA. I’ve learned so much from networking with other attendees, whether that’s during a booth visit, a quick chat on the show floor, walking through the hotel/casino space or over a meal. Honestly, the RSPA could eliminate education and I’d still find RetailNOW a valuable show for the networking opportunities alone.
2The Rise of Software Developers
Since DevPro Journal is dedicated to B2B software developers, I’m always interested in events that cater to this group. The RSPA had the foresight to identify software developers as a critical piece of the retail channel’s future and, therefore, has made ISV participation and education a significant part of RetailNOW.
3Relevant Education
Anyone doing business in retail knows how quickly the threats and opportunities change. Therefore, it’s critical to be armed with as much information as possible to stay ahead of the competition. RetailNOW has historically offered a broad range of relevant education topics, and this year looks no different. I’m particularly excited about the following sessions:
- Mission AI: Journey to the Future of Retail and Hospitality (July 29, 2024, 8:00 AM-8:45 AM PT)
- Positioning the Next 5 Years for ISVs (July 29, 2024, 8:00 AM-8:45 AM PT)
- Building a Culture of Candor, Ownership, and Accountability (July 30, 2024, 2:15 PM-3:00 PM PT)
- Beating the Giants: How to Compete Against VC-Backed POS Solutions (July 30, 2024, 3:15 PM-4:00 PM PT) – I’m moderating this one, so I’m a little biased.
4Show Floor
The RetailNOW show floor is seldom quiet or uneventful. It’s the perfect place to see a diverse set of ready-for-market solutions that are all available for IT solutions providers to offer their customers. Contrast that with a show like NRF where many exhibitors are showing off vaporware and prototypes of technology not quite ready for sale. Or, even worse, solutions that are being sold direct as opposed to through the channel. Bottom line, if you’re an IT solution provider, RetailNOW is the best place to see the latest and greatest solutions that can add value to your line card.
5Payments Education
The RSPA noticed early on how important payment processing was becoming to the retail solution landscape. Today, you’ll see many payments-related sponsors and exhibitors and education sessions focused on payments. Even though RetailNOW isn’t a “payments show” per se, I think it’s the best show for software developers interested in payments integrations since all the payments companies in attendance have already shown dedication and investment in ISVs.
6Managed Services
The shift from break-fix to managed services was initially slow within the retail IT channel, but things have changed in recent years. Today, it’s common to see RSPA members selling subscription-based retail solutions. What I’m most interested to see this year is how many reseller members have broadened their solutions by adding more traditional managed IT services. For example, how many are offering remote monitoring, backup and disaster recovery, web application firewalls, video surveillance as a service, and security as a service?
7RSPA Board Election
After 17 years of attending RSPA events, leading education sessions, moderating panels, writing for CONNECT magazine, chairing committees, and championing the association, I’m running for a spot on the RSPA board in the non-software vendor category.
As a writer covering the IT channel, my goal has always been to educate and empower solutions providers. My goal as a board member is the same: to empower the RSPA and its members, to help make connections, and to help the association navigate the challenges ahead to seize the opportunities that exist.
Like many of our members, I’ve grown up as a professional and human being in the RSPA. It’s my hope that the RSPA members believe in me and my ability to help the RSPA enough to earn their vote in this board election, which takes place shortly after RetailNOW.
