Clients across every industry are investing in digital capabilities. They are taking agile approaches to creating innovative and disruptive solutions to outperform the competition. IBM is leading the way, powering business with cognitive capabilities and cloud platform services. This creates a huge opportunity for IBM and our Business Partner ecosystem. Together, we can help clients create knowledge from data to solve problems in ways never before imagined. I invite you to learn how to unleash your company’s cognitive potential at IBM World of Watson 2016 from October 23 – 27 in Las Vegas. You’ll be able to personally experience cognitive solutions, and hear how these capabilities are being integrated into every aspect of the world around us.

IBM World of Watson provides the perfect opportunity to get started on your journey. Join us on Sunday, October 23 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM for the IBM Business Partner Cognitive Summit, where you’ll hear IBM executives, peer Business Partners and analysts describe how to identify new business opportunities and build your roadmap to take advantage of them. You’ll receive a confidential update on IBM trends and directions across cognitive solutions and the cloud platform—and get a sneak peek at new Business Partner incentives and program updates for 2017. Plan to stay for the Business Partner Networking Reception and Awards Ceremony from 5:30 – 7:30 directly following the program. The Awards will recognize a number of Business Partners for their commitment to deliver both innovative solutions to their clients and mutual success in the market. Space is limited, so please register today.

Summit speakers include:

• Stephen Gold, CMO, Watson & Vice President, Business Development
• Neil Isford, General Manager, IBM Global Industry Solutions, Cognitive Solutions
• Ray Wang, Principal Analyst, Founder & Chairman of Silicon Valley-based Constellation Research, Inc.
• Laurie Evans, VP, Worldwide Business Partner Sales, IBM Business Analytics
• Jamie Mendez, Director, IBM PartnerWorld
• Amy Lewis, Director, Worldwide IBM Business Partner Sales and Ecosystem Development for Cognitive Solutions
• Nancy Henry-Serra, Vice President Channel Management Software and SaaS

 World of Watson provides an unparalleled opportunity for you to network and grow your skills. Capitalize on the opportunity to meet with IBM executives throughout the week. Explore the rich conference curriculum, consisting of 1,500 business and technical sessions. Interested in becoming more digital? Our Digital Marketing workshop on Monday, October 24 will show you how to use various digital marketing tools, build your brand through social marketing and apply the latest digital techniques to your campaigns. Register for this no-charge workshop today—space is limited!

I’m also happy to announce the all-new Cognitive Concourse at World of Watson—an innovative, cutting-edge experience that features IBM activations, Business Partner build-outs, networking lounges, theaters and more. Apply to be a sponsor and invest in the Cognitive Concourse to increase your visibility and cultivate new leads. Network with our sales and marketing teams and other Business Partners at the Ecosystem Café, or use it for your client meetings. It’s open to all IBM Business Partners.

Learn more about the PartnerWorld Program by visiting the PartnerWorld portal ibm.com/partnerworld/go and if you aren't currently working with IBM, call 800-426-9990 to speak to a representative to discuss becoming an IBM Business Partner.