Dynamics Communities Biz Apps Partner Podcast

Biz Apps Partner Podcast: Joe Corigliano Shares His 'Top 10' Highlights at Biz Apps Partner Executive Summit

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Biz Apps Partner Podcast, Joe Corigliano joins John Siefert to discuss the top 10 things he's looking forward to about the upcoming Biz Apps Partner Executive Summit.

Episode Notes

Key Takeaways

• Day 1 keynote: Satish Thomas, CVP, Microsoft Business & Industry Solutions, Microsoft, is leading the opening keynote, "How AI Is Redefining Microsoft Business Applications," on Day 1 of the event. "If you're a partner... you have to understand the strategic direction of Microsoft engineering efforts... especially now, when Biz Apps are changing so radically, and it reshapes the product roadmap and all the partner opportunities," explains Joe.
• Partner roundtable: Terry Petrzelka will lead a partner roundtable with various partners, "How AI is Redefining the Partner Business Model." Joe explains he's excited for this session because "it's just a critical time for partner executives to hear from their peers about how they're adapting business models to AI and to see where they stand on a maturity curve." Panelists include:
  • Robbie Morrison, CEO, Velosio
  • Brian Tenney, CEO, JourneyTeam
  • Mike Gillis, Principal, RSM
  • Mark Douglas, Business Applications Practice Lead, Avanade
  • John Scandar, SVP, Microsoft Practice, Alithya
  • Greg Kaupp, Partner, ArcherPoint by Cherry Bekaert
  • Tom Patterson, Principal, BDO
• GTM session: "Go-to-market strategies have to evolve with AI partners... marketing isn't just about messaging, it's about the mindset. I think this session is really going to help reframe how you show up with purpose and precision in the AI era," notes Joe while discussing the session, "Setting an AI-First Go-to-Market Strategy in FY26." This session will be led by Lori Borg, Vice President GTM, GPS, Microsoft.
• Networking opportunities: Networking opportunities have been integrated into the event's agenda for both days, and Joe notes that "who you meet at this event could change your year, and that's why we built, built intentional networking time." Specifically, networking opportunities include:
  • Wednesday, 7/23 
    • 11:30 AM, Networking Luncheon underwritten by BDO
    • 2:30 PM, Coffee break sponsored by Staedean
    • 4:15, Bar is Open sponsored by ServiceNow
    • 6:30 PM, Dinner & Networking underwritten by BDO
  • Thursday, 7/24
    • 7:00 AM, Breakfast sponsored by Stratos Cloud
    • 10:00 AM, Coffee break sponsored by Staedean
    • 12:30 PM, Closing Keynote & Lunch underwritten by BDO
• Unmanaged partner panel: Mary Madrigal, Sr. Partner Development Manager, Microsoft, is leading a panel discussion "Partnering with Microsoft as an Unmanaged Partner," with Yuanming Chu of AlphaVariance Solutions, C5 Insight's Geoff Ables, Simran Chaudhry of Creospark, and Root16's Jeff Meister. "Most partners in the Microsoft ecosystem are just unmanaged, that's the reality. This session is actually a rare opportunity to get tactical on how to succeed as an unmanaged partner without a dedicated rep," explains Joe.
• FY26 revenue strategies: Marty Priest, Global Leader, AI, CRM and ERP Modernization, Microsoft, and Barry Schwartz, Global Leader, CRM and ERP Modernization, Microsoft, will lead an SI Partner Breakout Session, "FY26 Revenue Strategies & Support." Joe explains the value of this session because "you need to know the programs and how to access the dollars. You need to know where Microsoft is spending, where they're placing bets. And this session is going to help you align with all of that."
• Day 2 keynote: "This is the keynote that I think ties everything together: business model, the partner opportunity, the capacity issues that partners need to develop, and the customer journey," notes Joe when discussing Cecilia Flombaum's keynote session on Day 2 of the event, "AI Innovation Changes the Way Partners Sell, Build Capacity & Drive Customer Success."
• MAICPP updates: Steve Thomas, Director, Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, will lead a session, "How to Grow Your Business with the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program." Joe notes that "you really can't execute as a partner if you don't understand [that], so I'm really excited about this opportunity for partners to get updated so that they can act fast."
• ISV keynote: "The ISV model is shifting...this session is going to give a blueprint to partners on getting smarter with Microsoft in this area," explains Joe when discussing Heather Deggan's FY26 ISV Keynote session.
• Closing keynote: Bas Brekelmans, CTO, Copilot Studio, Microsoft, will close out the event with his keynote. "Copilot Studio is central to the AI opportunities for both SIs and ISVs and this is really the keynote to show you how to turn it into revenue and differentiation," adds Joe in closing.