by Darcy Boerio
It’s not every day you attend a conference where ducks parade through a hotel lobby—but that’s just part of the charm of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. At the end of April, I joined fellow members of the Information Technology Alliance (ITA) for the Spring Collaborative, and after attending nearly every semi-annual event over the past decade, I can say this one stood out as one of the best.
From world-class keynotes, powerful workshops, and unforgettable networking moments, here’s a look back at some highlights.
Read more: Ducks, Keynotes, and Connection: Why the ITA Spring Collaborative in Memphis Was One to Remember
🎤 Keynotes That Moved and Motivated
Opening Night: Jia Jiang on Rejection, Resilience, and Reframing Fear
We kicked things off with Jia Jiang, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and yes—the world’s foremost authority on rejection. Jia brought humor, insight, and vulnerability to his message about “The Art of Achieving Ambitious Things.” One theme that especially resonated was the idea of being “system smart” (not just book or street smart). His “100 Days of Rejection” project had the audience laughing, reflecting, and rethinking fear. (You can check out his hilarious and enlightening journey here).
Tuesday Morning: Dr. Rick Rigsby Brings Down the House
Dr. Rick Rigsby, minister, speaker, and author, delivered a keynote that left the room breathless. It’s hard to put his message into words without doing it a disservice. Let’s just say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Many long-time attendees called it the best keynote they’ve ever seen at ITA—surpassing even the legendary “Savannah Bananas guy.” (If you know, you know.)
🧠 Workshops That Were Worth Every Minute
Choosing which four-hour workshop to attend on Monday felt a little like picking your favorite child. (Though as someone with only one, the analogy breaks down quickly!)
Here were the standout options:
- Change Minds in a Changing Landscape with Mark Bowden (Body language, communication, leadership presence)
- Take Center Stage with Misty Megia (Performance and presence)
- Meta-Trends and the Next Economy with Mark Parrott (Economic and business forecasting)
I chose Mark Bowden’s session, and despite the fact that four hours is longer than what I would usually sign up for, I found myself hanging on every word (and gesture). We dove into communication tools and body language techniques that leaders can use to gain trust and stand out, including in today’s ubiquitous virtual meetings.
Everyone I spoke to afterward felt the same way about their session: “I wish I could’ve gone to all three, but mine was amazing!” FOMO was real.
🎷 Networking, Memphis Style
On Sunday night, many of us took a walk down the iconic Beale Street to hear some live blues after the opening reception.
Monday night’s rooftop party was a highlight: local flavor (literally, in the food), live music at just the right volume for conversation, and even a surprise visit from Elvis himself. It was a perfect blend of fun and fellowship.
💬 Meaningful Sessions and Even More Meaningful Conversations
ITA is the only conference I attend where VARs and ISVs are the actual target audience. That alone makes it a must-attend. Sessions covered everything from AI and pricing models to talent retention—topics that matter deeply to our community.
And with the surge of new attendees (we actually ran out of “First-Time Attendee” ribbons!), I had the pleasure of meeting many fresh faces. Every single one echoed the same thing I said ten years ago at my first Collaborative:
“Why didn’t I know about this sooner?”
🎉 A Bittersweet Milestone
This Memphis event marked my final Collaborative wearing a black “Board Member” ribbon. Wrapping up four years of service on the ITA Board is bittersweet—but I’ll always be a raving fan of this unique and unparalleled community.
To those curious about ITA: I’d love to tell you more. If you’re looking for an event where the content, community, and conversations are built just for you—this is it.
🙌 Thanks to the Dream Team
Huge kudos to the incredible ITA team—Geni Whitehouse, Lissa Johnsen, Patty Hanewall, and Barbie Rogers—for pulling off one of the best Collaboratives in ITA history.
Already counting down to the next one. 🦆
Learn more at https://www.italliance.com/.
