Partner Days

Marketing Day: Welcome, Registration & Breakfast

Start your conference surrounded by the best Microsoft partner marketers in North America. Settle in, grab a coffee, and kick-off the inaugural Directions North America - Partner Marketing Day with the people who are shaping the future of this ecosystem.

Speakers:

• Rick McCutcheon
• Jason Gumpert
• Adam Berezin

Marketing Day - General Session: FY26 Microsoft Partner Landscape: Strategic Intelligence for Market Leaders

Budget pressure, AI disruption, and evolving co-sell dynamics are forcing Microsoft Partners to rethink how they go to market. In this session, three ecosystem insiders translate fresh benchmarking data and survey research into the strategic clarity you need to compete and win.

Speakers:

• Erica Hakonson
• Jason Gumpert
• Adam Berezin

Marketing Day - General Session: Listing to Lasting Impact - Understanding Microsoft's Marketplaces

Getting listed is table stakes. This panel of seasoned Microsoft Marketplace experts shows how partners win through co‑sell readiness, transactability, private offers, and the evolving Agent Marketplace.

Speaker:

• Samridhi Sharma
• Juhi Saha
• Chuck Kiessling
• Eddie Bader

Marketing Day - General Session: FY26 What's Working in Marketing Now & Analytics That Prove It

Discover what’s effectively generating high-quality leads that convert into closed deals, and the metrics and tools they use to analyze results.

Speakers:

• Anya Ciecierski
• Amanda Sherry
• Kevin Pritchard

Marketing Day - Lunch + Interactive Workshop

The "You’re Not on Mute" Networking Luncheon & Workshop

Inspired by themes from "You’re On Mute", author Marie Wiese will lead an interactive session about sponsorship versus mentorship, and advancing your career in tech. Through guided, small-group conversations, participants will explore what it means to be seen, supported, and championed—and how to do that for others.

Facilitators:

• Rick McCutcheon
• Marie Wiese

Marketing Day - Breakout Session: Webinars, Webcasts & Simulive Web Events: Burnout or Burning Up (The Data Don't Lie)

The data is in about webinars, webcasts, and simulive events. Discover what drives engagements, pipeline, and momentum instead of fatigue.

Speakers:

• Adam Berezin
• Jason Gumpert

Marketing Day - Breakout Session: How ISVs & SIs Can Avoid Building a Frankenstein Marketing Tech Stack

Learn how ISVs and SIs can simplify their marketing tech stack and build a scalable system that supports faster GTM execution.

Speakers: 

• Khaled Nassra
• Jackson Tarrant
• Samridhi Sharma

Marketing Day - Breakout Session: Marketing Programs & Incentives from Microsoft

Get a clear overview of Microsoft marketing incentives that VARs and SIs can leverage to scale marketing and drive growth.

Speakers:

• Karina Nielsen
• Ben Reid

Marketing Day - Breakout Session: Thought Leadership Winning Strategies Case Studies

Real‑world insights and proven strategies from partners winning in the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem.

Speakers: 

• Monica Hoyer
• Tracy Beyer
• Diane Saeger
• Caroline Broms

Marketing Day - Breakout Session: From Local IT Provider to Global Partner of the Year: The Infinity Group Growth Blueprint

Discover how Infinity Group evolved from a $16M MSP into a global $40M Microsoft Partner of the Year in three years.

Speakers:

• Chris Marshall
• Rick McCutcheon

Marketing Day - Breakout Session: Rapid Fire AI-Driven Marketing Case Studies

In this rapid-fire session, two Microsoft Partner Marketing Leaders share real AI-driven case studies from ISVs and SIs showing how to drive pipeline, conversions, and scale.

Speakers:

• Erica Hakonson
• Marie Wiese

Marketing Day - General Session: Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways

Conclude the day with a recap spotlighting the most impactful moments, breakthrough insights, and actionable strategies shared for ISVs, SIs, and VARs.

Speakers:

• Adam Berezin
• Jason Gumpert
• Rick McCutcheon
• Mary Miller

New to Directions

Attend this session if this is your first time at Directions North America, or you are new to the Business Central partner community. Learn about the event and meet new friends who can share their experiences.

Welcome Drinks Reception

When you register onsite and get your badge, stop by the welcome drinks reception and get the conversations started that will continue throughout the event!