Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, spoke with Rich Tehrani, Chairman of ITEXPO, about why the longtime South Florida event continues to serve as a critical kickoff for the communications, AI, and business technology industries. Now more than 20 years old, ITEXPO brings together enterprises, MSPs, resellers, vendors, and innovators at a time when budgets are forming and technology decisions can shape organizations for years.

Tehrani described ITEXPO, organized by TMCnet, as less about gadgets and more about outcomes—career growth, profitability, and informed decision-making. “We’re neutral. We don’t favor the large companies or the small ones—we do right by the attendee,” he said, emphasizing that the show’s open, vendor-agnostic format allows attendees to compare solutions side by side and get direct, human answers that are increasingly hard to find online.

A centerpiece of the event is the Tech Super Show model, which co-locates multiple conferences so entire buying teams—AI, communications, cybersecurity, CX, and operations—can attend together. This creates what Tehrani calls a “business technology mall,” where discovery, peer conversations, and partner connections happen organically and quickly, often in minutes rather than weeks.

AI is a major focus for 2026, including new programming around AI agents, the Generative AI Expo, and the evolution from IoT to AIoT, alongside expanded tracks on enterprise communications and cybersecurity. For the channel, MSP Expo remains a standout, with increased emphasis on valuation, margins, and building durable businesses, while the new ITAD Connect brings lifecycle and circular economy considerations into the conversation.

As the event approaches, Tehrani noted strong momentum from exhibitors and attendees alike and highlighted the appeal of Fort Lauderdale as an accessible, cost-effective destination. “This is where the industry comes together to make better decisions—for your company and your career,” he said.

Learn more about ITEXPO at https://www.itexpo.com/east/ and about TMCnet at https://www.tmcnet.com/.