SMB Nation has released the final results of the 2013 SMB 150 contest, currently available at www.smb150.com. The SMB 150, a collaboration of SMB Nation and SMB Technology Network, recognizes the top 150 influencers within the worldwide SMB technology channel. Influencers include IT consultants, analysts, VARs, MSPs, channel consultants, vendor and distributor executives, members of the media and community leaders.
"This year's SMB 150 has been a whirlwind experience," said Harry Brelsford, Founder and Chairman of SMB Nation. "It’s been an exciting ride, and it’s especially unique for us in that this year, for the first time, the winners will be honored at a gala awards dinner during our classic annual spring event.”
“In reviewing this year’s SMB 150 list, I was struck by the diversity of the winners, not only because they hail from a variety of specialties, but also because of the unique qualities that each brings to the table to continually promote the value and reputation of our industry,” said Josh Freifield, President of the SMB Technology Network. “By utilizing a voting system in conjunction with an esteemed panel of judges consisting of Harry Brelsford, Karl Palachuk, Josh Peterson, Dave Seibert and Dan Wensley, we’ve been able to honor people based on the contributions they have made to promote and enhance the SMB community.”
A three-part process determined this year's list of SMB 150 influencers. The competition began in December 2012 with an open nominating process, followed by the SMB IT community voting on the nominees at www.smb150.com. In addition to the community vote, the industry experts panel judged each nominee based on a variety of relevant areas. The community vote accounted for 40% of each nominee's overall rating, with the expert panel's decision contributing the remaining 60%.
The 150 winners will also be invited to join SMB Nation and SMBTN at a gala awards dinner, which will be held during SMB Nation’s Spring Conference at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond, WA on May 4, 2013. Each winner will receive a complimentary ticket to the awards dinner as well as a complimentary pass to attend the spring conference. In addition, winners will be entitled to media coverage, a personalized awards plaque, and recognition in the SMB Nation magazine, To top off the event, BlackBerry®, the title sponsor of the SMB 150 gala awards dinner, has generously offered to provide each winner with a complimentary new BlackBerry® Z10 smartphone.
"I encourage everyone in the SMB channel community to join with me in recognizing and celebrating the winners of this year’s SMB 150," said Brelsford. "Each individual whose name appears on this esteemed list has strived to ensure that our SMB community is one that will continue to thrive and succeed. I am beyond excited to toast them at the awards dinner on May 4 in Redmond."
The SMB 150 is a joint effort between SMB Technology Network (SMBTN) and SMB Nation. This is an annual event, in which we acknowledge those in our industry for their accomplishments and leadership.
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