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CRN Kickstarter

This winter, techpartner.news invites you to step into something out of the ordinary.

The Winter Ball featuring the 2026 Impact Awards.

Building on a decade of celebrating excellence through the Impact Awards, the Winter Ball marks the first standalone evolution of the event, transforming recognition into an immersive industry celebration. On August 13th, the evening will bring partners, vendors and distributors together for a prestigious night to celebrate the channels projects and people in true style.

Think winter formal, black tie, and industry icons.

13 August 2026
Ivy Ballroom - Sydney CBD
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The Impact Awards

At the heart of the night are the Impact Awards, now in their 10th year, recognising the organisations and individuals delivering measurable impact across the partner ecosystem.

These awards spotlight those actively shaping the future of the channel through innovation, leadership, and collaboration.

Inclusions
Sponsorship
  • Sponsorship of the CRN Kickstarter report and hub for 1 year
  • Sponsorship of the CRN Kickstarter breakfast event

Event
  • 2 tickets to the breakfast launch with 30 partners in attendance
  • Opportunity to purchase a spot for a representative to sit on a panel at the event for an additional $2500.

Content
  • Opportunity to provide comments for the report

Reach
  • 1 video interview showcasing sponsors work within the MSP area where they became a MSP Champion
  • Video will be created by CRN video production team and can be used as an internal asset once published by CRN. Video features a member of sponsors team answering questions posed by CRN.

Reach
  • Sponsor logo to be included in the report and all promotional assets
  • 20,000 ROS leader board impressions
  • Social tile created for the sponsor to share with their own network

Data
  • Data of 25 readers (business card details) who have accessed the Kickstarter report

2026 Partner Awards Categories

Partner Project Awards
Partner People Awards

  • Customer Experience Partner of the Year

  • Employee Experience Partner of the year

  • Social Impact Partner of the Year

  • Infrastructure Partner of the Year

  • Networking Partner of the Year

  • Data Partner of the Year

  • AI Partner of the Year

  • Enterprise Applications Partner of the Year

  • Managed Services Partner of the Year

  • Security Partner of the Year

  • Project of the Year

  • Business Leader of the Year

  • Sales Leader of the Year

  • Marketing Leader of the Year

  • Technology Leader of the Year

  • Emerging Leader of the Year

  • Community Leader of the Year

  • Technical Specialist of the Year

  • Leader of the Year

Distribution and vendor categories to be announced soon

Charity Auction: Impact Beyond the Industry

Extending the spirit of the evening beyond business, the Winter Ball will feature a charity auction supporting the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter.

Guests will have the opportunity to bid on exclusive experiences and items, with proceeds contributing directly to programs that support women and families in need - reinforcing the industry’s commitment to community as well as commercial impact.  

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A Flagship Moment

The Winter Ball featuring the Impact Awards represents a new chapter for the techpartner.news community - one that balances credibility with celebration, and recognition with connection.

It’s a night to acknowledge achievement, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate the people and organisations shaping what comes next.

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A social event with CRN, iTnews and Digital Nation 

27th February 2025
Establishment, 252 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
6:00pm - 9:00pm
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Following the Kickstarter event, Nextmedia will host an exclusive party to map out the year ahead for our B2B brands CRN, iTnews and Digital Nation. 

Please join us for networking, food and beverages and to hear about exciting opportunities and offerings available for channel partners and sponsors. You will have the chance to hear from our editorial teams and learn about opportunities to reach our end user and channel audiences. 

This event promises to mark a transformative shift for our business, bringing fresh initiatives and a renewed focus to help you capitalise on the changing landscape of 2025.

Impact Awards Premium Sponsor
 This package suits organisations wanting to support the industry and nominated finalists, while also maximising the engagement with partners through the event, and leveraging the nationwide digital coverage of the awards on techpartner.news  

Inclusions

  • One table of 10 to Impacts Awards Dinner, filled with 2 sponsor reps and 8 partners
    • Partners can be allocated by techpartner.news or sponsor can invite their own partner
    • Presentation of one Impact Awards on stage
       
  • 3 x 1-on-1 partner meetings - held prior to the evening event
  • Logo branding incorporated into event av, and digital promotion labelled as an Impact Awards Premium Sponsor
  • Post event data-share of the Partner Awards finalists - (Business Card contact details)
  • 1 x Solus EDM to techpartner.news database

 

Investment - $12,500+ GST

Supporting Partner
This package suits organisations attending to support to the industry and colleagues / partners who are nominated as finalists  

Inclusions

  • One table of 10 to Impacts Awards Dinner
  • Provides access for 10 individuals to Awards Dinner and networking drinks
    • Minimum 2 must be representatives of channel partner businesses – (MSPs, Resellers, Systems Integrators etc)

 

Investment - $6,000+ GST

Premium Sponsor Add-Ons
Additional Table - Bring more of your team

Inclusions

  • Provides access for 10 individuals to Awards Dinner and networking dinner
    • Minimum 2 must be representatives of channel partner businesses – (MSPs, Resellers, Systems Integrators etc)

 

Investment - $3,500+ GST

 

techpartner.news Sales Team

Reach out to our friendly sales team to sponsor the best channel content.

1674987389890

Steven McDonald

Commercial Director

Ph: (02) 9901 6365
M: 0468 430 161
E: smcdonald@nextmedia.com.au

1516902482677

Ryan Coombs

Strategic Partnerships Director

M: 0449 671 738
E: rcoombs@nextmedia.com.au
1655268347032-Nov-07-2024-04-05-25-8994-AM

Joanne Ross

Strategic Partnerships Director

Ph: +61 2 9901 6334
M:+61 405024113

E: JRoss@nextmedia.com.au 

1517626558436

Dominic Tusa

Account Manager

Ph: (02) 9901 6193
M: 0420 200 386
E: dtusa@nextmedia.com.au

1571943054263

Luke Dehaan

Account Manager

Ph: (02) 9901 6339
M: 0410 742 526
E: ldehaan@nextmedia.com.au

1674508349514

Alby Giles

Business Development Manager

Ph: (02) 9901 6159
M: 0421 060 063
E: agiles@nextmedia.com.au

1674508349514

Alby Giles

Business Development Manager

Ph: (02) 9901 6159
M: 0421 060 063
E: agiles@nextmedia.com.au