All about midsize enterprise summit in 2025

Mark your calendars! The Midsize Enterprise Summit (MES) 2025 is around the corner, promising an information-packed experience tailored for the needs of midsize enterprise technology leaders. 

As the Channel Company’s flagship midmarket CIO conference, MES 2025 will bring together hundreds of IT leaders in an immersive, collaborative setting. Over three days, attendees will engage in keynotes, workshops, and networking geared specifically toward the challenges and opportunities in midmarket IT​

MES details

Dates: September 14–16, 2025 (Sunday through Tuesday)​

Location: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas​ – a luxury venue nestled in 600 acres of scenic hill country,

Registration: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=815439# 

<registration does not guarantee attendance> 

What to expect at Midsize Enterprise Summit 2025

MES 2025 is designed to inform and inspire, with a rich mix of sessions and activities. Here’s what attendees can look forward to: 

1. Expect deep dives into digital transformation strategies, cloud and infrastructure modernization, and the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity (a perennial priority – 67% of past MES attendees cited cybersecurity as a top concern. 
2. In addition, data analytics, IT cost optimization, and hybrid work solutions are likely on the agenda, aligning with midmarket CIOs’ top priorities in 2024. 
3. Attendees will hear from industry thought leaders and seasoned analysts throughout the event. Adam Dennison (Vice President of Midsize Enterprise Services at The Channel Company) and Tracy Fischer (VP of Audience and Communities) will be your hosts and community leads, kicking off the summit and moderating key sessions​. 
4.  One hallmark of MES is its interactive format. In addition to traditional keynotes, the summit uses a “boardroom” style for many sessions​. 

What truly sets MES apart is that every session is tailored to midsize enterprise IT. Unlike large generic IT conferences, MES zeroes in on issues relevant to resource-constrained IT teams and midmarket business environments. For example, expect advice on “doing more with less”, strategies for leading small IT teams, and technologies that deliver high ROI for medium-sized organizations. 

The content is vetted by an advisory board of midmarket CIOs and by The Channel Company’s MES team to ensure it hits the sweet spot for this audience.  

Benefits of Attending Midsize Enterprise Summit 2025

Simply put, this summit provides tremendous value to IT leaders and professionals in the midmarket space. Here are some key benefits and takeaways you can expect:

Peer networking & collaboration

MES is a who’s who of midmarket IT – you’ll be networking with hundreds of IT directors, CIOs, VPs, and senior IT managers from companies of similar size and challenges. The event’s structure actively facilitates meeting new peers (through boardrooms, peer breakout groups, and social events). 

(In fact, 89% of MES attendees plan to set up follow-up meetings with a vendor or peer contact they met at the event​)

Learning from experts  

MES 2025 is a crash course in midmarket IT leadership. Analysts and keynote speakers will provide expert insights on current IT trends and future predictions​. Gartner’s keynote, for example, will arm you with research data and benchmarks specific to midsize enterprises, helping you validate your strategy or spark new ideas. 

The breakout sessions and workshops provide skill-building opportunities, whether it’s honing your cybersecurity strategy, improving cloud cost management, or refining your approach to talent retention.

High ROI and executive alignment 

 It can be challenging to justify time away from the office, but MES delivers a clear return on investment for attendees. Past participants rate the event extremely highly – 96% of survey attendees said MES was “Excellent” or “Very Good”​. 

In summary, attending MES 2025 can yield actionable knowledge, useful partnerships, and tangible solutions for your organization’s IT challenges. It’s a focused investment of time that can pay off through better strategy, smarter tech investments, and a stronger professional network.

2024 MES – A look back 

Last year’s events were full of insights that midmarket IT leaders carried home. Here are some highlights of what was learned and discussed at MES 2024:

1. A centerpiece of MES 2024 was Gartner’s “State of the Midmarket” research presentation. According to this report, the top concerns for midmarket IT executives in 2024 were data governance, modernization, security, and AI​ In fact, 25% of midmarket IT leaders cited cybersecurity and data privacy as their #1 priority, with AI/ML and automation coming next, and IT cost optimization closely following​. 
2. MES 2024 showcased numerous case studies and expert sessions on driving innovation in midmarket firms. One trend was the push towards leveraging data for business innovation – midmarket companies shared how they’re using analytics and business intelligence to create new products or improve processes. 
3.  Given that security topped priorities, MES 2024 had robust content around cybersecurity trends and best practices. In a dedicated MES IT Security segment (held as a special track in 2024), attendees participated in interactive workshops, including a mock cyber incident simulation where IT leaders teamed up to respond to a fictional breach scenario. 
4. Beyond tech topics, MES 2024 delved into the human and leadership aspects of running IT in a midsize enterprise. One standout session was a keynote on mental resilience for IT leaders – essentially treating the CIO role as an “athlete” who needs mental strength training.

FAQs

What technology trends will be covered at the Midsize Enterprise Summit 2025?

The summit will explore emerging technology trends shaping midmarket enterprises, including AI-driven automation, cybersecurity advancements, cloud modernization, and data analytics. Attendees will gain expert insights into how these technologies can support business goals, optimize IT operations, and drive competitive advantage.

How does the boardroom format enhance networking and learning at MES 2025?

Unlike traditional conferences, MES 2025 uses a boardroom format, where IT leaders and solution providers engage in small, interactive discussions. This setting allows attendees to explore potential solutions to their IT challenges, exchange insights with peers, and build unmatched connections with technology partners who understand the unique needs of midmarket organizations.

Why is MES 2025 beneficial for organizations aligning IT with business goals?

MES 2025 is designed to help IT executives align their strategic initiatives with broader business goals. The event features expert-led sessions and peer discussions on optimizing IT spending, implementing scalable solutions, and leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency—critical for midmarket IT leaders looking to drive measurable business impact.

Does attending MES 2025 help improve an organization’s security posture?

Cybersecurity is a top priority for midmarket enterprises, and MES 2025 provides actionable insights on strengthening your security posture. The agenda includes expert panels on risk management, hands-on workshops on threat mitigation, and vendor showcases featuring cutting-edge security solutions, ensuring attendees leave with strategies to enhance their organization’s cyber resilience.

What opportunities does MES 2025 provide for IT leaders seeking potential solutions for their strategic initiatives?

MES 2025 connects IT leaders with innovative technology providers, industry analysts, and experienced peers who can offer potential solutions tailored to midmarket needs. Whether you’re exploring cloud migration, compliance automation, or digital transformation, the event’s boardroom format, networking sessions, and solution showcases provide a unique opportunity to discover tools and strategies that align with your strategic initiatives.