Build IT LIVE Through the Years: Key Takeaways from One of the Top MSP Leadership Conferences in the US

Rita Hayre
March 12, 2025

So, what’s the difference between a good leader and a world-class leader?

We asked our last year’s attendees.

‘A good leader makes you feel that he or she loves the whole world. A world-class leader makes you aware that you too love the whole world.’ Everyone agreed to it.

It’s an analogy shared by Dr. Brilliant. He was sitting with his Guru in India when he realized that he had a world class leader in front of him. The guru told Dr. Brilliant to go to the United Nations. He needed to work there. This was the moment that Dr. Larry Brilliant decided to eradicate smallpox. By the way, 2 million people a year were dying from smallpox when Dr. Brilliant started. Today, smallpox has been eradicated from Earth. That’s the power of impact-driven leadership.

With the aim of creating leaders that drive change, Build IT LIVE is a premier leadership education and business training conference for MSP businesses. This top MSP Leadership conference in the US has been the ultimate destination for managed service providers looking to gain game-changing insights, forge powerful connections, and future-proof their businesses.

Over the years, this MSP conference has evolved and offered

Strategies to cater to changing needs of the industry
Delivering expert-led sessions
Providing AI-driven learning experiences
Offering networking opportunities amongst channel experts.

Build IT LIVE is returning to Jersey City, NJ this year, promising an even bigger and more impactful experience for MSPs, industry leaders, and technology innovators.

Let’s take a look at the defining moments and biggest takeaways from the last five editions of this MSP Leadership summit in the US.

2020: Adapting to the New Normal

When the world shifted overnight, MSP businesses had to pivot fast. Through Build IT LIVE, we tackled the urgent challenges of the Covid pandemic in 2020, offering expert guidance on:

Managing remote teams effectively— We promoted strategies for keeping productivity and morale high in a distributed workforce.
Cybersecurity in a remote world—When the world went remote, as the leading MSP Leadership summit in US, we offered best practices to safeguard your MSP business clients from rising threats and increasingly vulnerable remote landscape.
Client retention in uncertain times— Especially for the unforeseen tough times, such as the pandemic, Build IT LIVE reinforced the value of proactive communication and service adaptability to keep the MSP operations going.

With a strong focus on resilience and agility, 2020 laid the foundation for how MSPs could emerge stronger from a global crisis.

2021: The Year of Digital Acceleration

As businesses moved beyond survival mode, Build IT LIVE 2021 was all about digital transformation and innovation. As the world rapidly moved into a technological era, complex processes that take numerous hours were automated and made possible more quickly. Hence, it became imperative for businesses to jump on the trend of digital transformation or get left behind. As one of the top MSP Leadership conferences in the world, attendees at Build IT LIVE 20201 explored:

Automation and AI— We discussed how to optimize workflows and enhance operational efficiency.
Cloud-first business models—Why cloud technology is important to scalability and seamless service delivery.
Data-driven strategies—Attendees unlocked business growth through analytics and intelligence.

With hands-on workshops and expert panels in this MSP Leadership summit in the US, MSPs walked away equipped to harness cutting-edge technology for long-term success.

2022: The Hybrid Revolution

The return to in-person events brought a renewed focus on connection and collaboration across Jersey City, NJ. That year, we hosted more than 500 attendees representing 200 unique MSP practices and 40 sponsors in an in-person affair, making it one of the biggest IT MSP Leadership Conferences in the US.

Additionally, the attendees gained insights to arduous challenges that their MSP businesses are facing, especially regarding acquiring talent in a tough hiring market and the persistent threat of cyberattacks.

Build IT LIVE 2022 took engagement to the next level with:

Hybrid event innovations—Delivering an interactive experience for both in-person and virtual attendees.
Global networking opportunities—Connecting MSPs with industry leaders, vendors, and potential partners from around the world.
Sustainable business practices—Integrating eco-conscious strategies into IT operations and service delivery.

With powerful keynote sessions and forward-thinking discussions, 2022 solidified the importance of adaptability in a rapidly evolving industry.

2023: Leadership, Culture & Team Dynamics

In 2023, the spotlight shifted to people and leadership, recognizing that strong teams drive successful businesses and shaping transformational leaders. Key themes in Build IT LIVE 2023 included:

A culture-first approach—We discussed fostering a workplace that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Service excellence through process optimization—Explored how robust systems and processes ensure quality service delivery.
Elevating the customer and employee experience—The impact of treating customers as guests and employees as cast members.

Through thought-provoking panels and hands-on leadership workshops, attendees in this MSP tech networking event gained the tools to build high-performing teams and resilient organizations.

2024: The Knowledge Marathon

Fast forward to the next year—Build IT LIVE 2024 was the ultimate learning experience, packed with dynamic discussions, industry insights, and breakthrough strategies. Some of the biggest highlights included:

Building winning teams—Identifying and maximizing individual strengths for business success.
The role of AI in MSPs—Utilizing artificial intelligence while mitigating risks and ethical concerns.
The evolving M&A landscape—Attendees also gained insights on deal structures, valuation trends, and future opportunities.

The year proved once again why Build IT LIVE is a Top MSP Leadership conferences in the US.

What’s Next for the Top MSP Leadership conference in the US?

Year after year, Build IT LIVE continues to set the standard for innovation, leadership, and industry excellence. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of market trends, refine your business strategies, or forge meaningful partnerships, this MSP conference delivers the insights and connections that matter most.

Missed out in 2024? Don’t let another year pass you by. Build IT LIVE 2025 is set to be our most transformative IT MSP Leadership Conference in the US yet—more insights, more connections, and more opportunities to elevate your MSP business.

We’ll see you at Build IT LIVE 2025!