2:00pm - 5:30pm

Welcome to Impact 2026

WatchGuard CMO Michelle Welch kicks off IMPACT with a view of what to expect for the week and how to get the most out of the experience.

What’s New, What’s Next: Innovation in the Age of AI

The AI era is reshaping cybersecurity and creating the biggest channel opportunity in years. In this keynote, WatchGuard CEO Joe Smolarski will lay out the threat, the opportunity, and the playbook for partners to thrive. From AI-powered attacks and growing SMB demand to WatchGuard’s next-generation platform innovation, Rai AI workforce, and new cloud security capabilities, this session will show how MSPs and resellers can scale services, protect customers, increase profitability, and make a greater impact in 2026 and beyond.

The Future of Security, Built for Partner Growth

WatchGuard’s new Chief Product Officer, Vince Hwang, brings a fresh product vision to IMPACT 2026, one focused on faster innovation, smarter security, and new ways for partners to grow. In this keynote, Vince will spotlight the latest announcements and product enhancements across network security management, AI-powered capabilities, Shadow AI detection, and enhanced MDR. Attendees will get a first look at what’s new, what’s next, and how WatchGuard’s product strategy is evolving to help MSPs simplify operations, improve visibility, strengthen protection, and turn innovation into real business momentum.

Security at the Speed of AI

AI has changed the rules of cybersecurity, and attackers are moving fast. In this provocative keynote, WatchGuard CSO Corey Nachreiner explores the rise of agentic AI, frontier models, and the real-world threat landscape now taking shape. Drawing from WatchGuard’s own internal AI security applications and research, Corey will challenge partners to think differently about what AI makes possible for both defenders and adversaries, and what it will take to stay ahead when security moves at machine speed.

IMPACT Starts Now

WatchGuard CRO HoJin closes day one with new opportunities for you to turn action into IMPACT.

6:30pm - 9:00pm

Welcome Reception & Demo Expo

Kick off IMPACT with an interactive reception built for MSP superheroes. Connect with fellow partners, meet the WatchGuard engineers behind the security, and get hands-on with the latest demos, tools, and innovations designed to help you protect customers, simplify operations, and grow your business. This is your chance to go beyond the presentations, ask real questions, see the technology in action, and discover what’s possible when the people building security team up with the partners delivering it.

7:00am

Networking Breakfast

Start the day by connecting with peers and WatchGuardians over breakfast.

8:30am

Business IMPACT

The IMPACT Business track helps MSP leaders drive revenue and differentiation with clear session outcomes, practical guidance, and impactful demos designed to inspire action today.

Technical IMPACT

For MSP engineers and technical leaders who want to turn strong security architecture into real operational impact. Each session focuses on how to design, deploy, and operationalize modern security in ways that reduce risk, simplify operations, and support scalable, profitable growth.

Proving MSP ROI with the Power of the Right Platform

Scaling security and operations is critical for MSP success—and the right platform makes it possible. This session shows how WatchGuard delivers measurable ROI through stronger security, simplified operations, and built-in scalability, with insights from partner peers on what works in the real world. Learn practical ways to position platform value, drive cross-sell, accelerate growth, and see what’s next. 

Agentic Attackers are Here? How MSPs Win Endpoint and MDR in this new world.  

Endpoint protection and 24/7 MDR are no longer just about reacting to threats; they are about controlling risk exposure. This technical session will cover the new integrated vulnerability scanning and groundbreaking application risk visualization. Learn how MSPs can now pinpoint, prioritize, and neutralize software vulnerabilities before attackers strike. Attendees will gain technical insights into EDR and MDR workflows, detection and response strategy, deployment considerations, and the product roadmap. 

Agentic Attackers are Here? How MSPs Win Endpoint and MDR in this new world.  

Endpoint protection and 24/7 MDR are no longer just about reacting to threats; they are about controlling risk exposure. With the launch of integrated vulnerability scanning and groundbreaking application risk visualization, MSPs can now pinpoint, prioritize, and neutralize software vulnerabilities before attackers strike and sell customers on the real threat of AI apps running in their environment.  

Proving MSP ROI with the Power of the Right Platform

Scaling security and operations is critical for MSP success—and the right platform makes it possible. This technical session will examine how WatchGuard’s platform architecture helps MSPs improve visibility, streamline policy management, automate response workflows, and scale security services across customer environments. Attendees will gain technical insights into platform capabilities, integration points, deployment considerations, and the product roadmap shaping what comes next. 

12:30pm

Lunch and Demo Expo

Enjoy lunch while exploring the Demo Expo, meeting WatchGuard experts, and seeing the latest solutions in action.

Beyond the Firewall: Securing the Modern Hybrid Workforce 

Firebox has long been the foundation of your customers' security. But as users, applications, and data have moved beyond the network, so have the risks. Shadow AI, SaaS sprawl, compromised identities, and remote work have created security gaps that perimeter security alone can't address. Discover how CloudDR uncovers cloud and identity risks while FireCloud extends secure remote access without the complexity of legacy VPNs. Learn how to expand every Firebox deployment into a hybrid security service that protects today's workforce while creating new recurring revenue opportunities.

Network Next: Visibility, Control, and Protection for the Modern Network

Network security is evolving quickly, and WatchGuard is advancing the architecture, visibility, and control that MSPs need to secure modern customer environments. This technical session will review upcoming enhancements across WatchGuard network security, including Network Management, new bundling options for Fireware, NDR, and next-generation hardware. Attendees will gain technical insight into how these capabilities improve detection, policy control, service automation, and operational scale—along with a forward-looking roadmap. 

Keynotes & Awards

4:00pm

Industry Icons: The Future of the MSP

Hear directly from some of the industry’s most influential MSP leaders on where the market is headed, what is changing fastest, and how service providers are adapting in real time. WatchGuard’s Chief MSP Officer and industry icons will share candid perspectives on AI, security services, profitability, customer expectations, and the business moves that will define tomorrow’s MSP winners. Expect practical insight from leaders shaping the future of the channel—not just talking about it.

WatchGuard Chief MSP Officer & Special Guests from the MSP Industry

4:30pm

The IMPACT Awards

Celebrate the partners making the biggest IMPACT in 2025, recognizing standout growth, innovation, and customer success across the WatchGuard community.

6:30pm

IMPACT Live: A Night in Nashville

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, entertainment, great food, and even better company in the heart of downtown Nashville. We'll make our way to Nashville Live, where a signature IMPACT welcome cocktail and live music set the tone for a night built around connection, celebration, and community. Explore interactive Southern-inspired food, take part uniquely Nashville-style activities, live entertainment, dancing, and plenty of opportunities to relax, reconnect, and celebrate with peers from across the MSP community.

7:30am

Breakfast

Start the day by connecting with peers and WatchGuardians over breakfast.

8:30am

Business IMPACT

Technical IMPACT

Network Next: Visibility, Control, and Protection for the Modern Network 

Network security is evolving fast, and WatchGuard is bringing partners new ways to see more, do more, and protect more. This session will spotlight what’s new across WatchGuard network security, including WatchGuard Network Management, the new Prime Security Services bundle for Firebox, NDR, new hardware, Threat Lab insights, and the Idea Portal. Partners will get a forward-looking view of the latest enhancements, what’s coming next, and how these innovations can help simplify operations, improve visibility, strengthen customer protection, and unlock new service opportunities. 

Beyond the Firewall: Securing the Modern Hybrid Workforce 

As users, applications, and data have moved beyond the network, so have the risks. Shadow AI, SaaS sprawl, compromised identities, and remote work have created security gaps that perimeter security alone can't address. This technical session will explain how CloudDR uncovers cloud and identity risks while FireCloud extends secure remote access without the complexity of legacy VPNs. We’ll provide insight into the risks and ways to get better visibility, control, and protection. Attendees will learn about the newest enhancements and product roadmap.  

Closing Keynotes

10:30am

IMPACT Unscripted

Join our Executive Leadership Team for an open, unscripted conversation tackling your most important questions. Submit questions in advance through the event app and be part of a transparent, real-time discussion.

WatchGuard Executive Leadership

Time to Make a Security IMPACT

Join Corey and Marc for the closing keynote as they share the MSP threat landscape and final insights, key takeaways, and a forward-looking perspective on the future of cybersecurity.

Final IMPACT

A final thank-you to close IMPACT, announcement of the final Deal Desk and Expo winners.

12:00pm

Lunch & Last Chance Expo

Grab lunch, connect in one-on-ones, and make your final stop at the Last Chance Expo and Deal Desk.