For over 44 years, Connection has built its reputation on one simple promise: helping customers navigate technology with confidence. This year at Cisco Live 2026, we’re not just attending—we’re stepping onto the floor as a named sponsor, and that distinction means everything.
Cisco Live is the premier event in the Cisco ecosystem. It’s where customers come to learn what’s next, where partners come to demonstrate their depth, and where the broader Cisco community connects around shared goals. For Connection, sponsoring this event is a natural extension of who we are and the investments we continue to make in our Cisco practice.
A New Level of Presence
Our team has shown up to Cisco Live before—and shown up strong. But this year is different. As a sponsor, we have the platform to tell our story in a bigger, more intentional way.
“We’re thrilled to see Connection have such a strong presence at Cisco Live this year,” said our Partner Account Executive at Cisco. “It’s an opportunity for their team to really show who they are as a partner and why customers choose them—and why they’ve continued to choose Cisco. It’s going to be refreshing to see the outcomes and impact of the Connection team showing up in this new way, compared to past years where the team had a large presence but weren’t named sponsors.”
That evolution is intentional. The Cisco practice at Connection has grown meaningfully, and Cisco Live 2026 is our moment to make that growth visible.
What We’re Bringing to the Booth
We’re not just showing up—we’re bringing substance. As Director of Product Management for the Cisco practice, I will be leading a series of focused, in-booth engagements designed to give customers real insight into our strategic direction. These short tech talks will focus on the technologies we’re investing in and will also showcase our unique tools and capabilities that create extended value for our customers and help them realize business outcomes faster. We’ve designed these mini info sessions to be practical and direct—no fluff, just meaningful conversations about technology strategy, Cisco alignment, and the Connection difference.
More Than Customers: A Moment for the Ecosystem
Cisco Live also brings together Cisco’s own field teams, product management leaders, and executive stakeholders, and Connection is ready for that audience too. Our organization is known within Cisco’s ecosystem, but I think there’s a real opportunity for us to show why we stand out. Whether you’re a current Connection customer, a prospective one, or part of the Cisco team, we want to connect.
Leadership Perspective
“Sponsoring Cisco Live 2026 reflects our commitment to the Cisco partnership and to the customers who trust us with their most critical technology decisions,” said our Senior Vice President of Operations. “This is a proud moment for our team, and I’m fully confident in the value and impact we’ll bring to the show floor.”
Come Find Us
If you’re attending Cisco Live 2026, stop by the Connection booth. Grab a seat at one of our tech talks, meet the team, and see firsthand why Connection has been a trusted technology partner for more than four decades.
We’ll see you there.
Samotria Holmes
Samotria Holmes is a Channel and Alliances Leader with more than 17 years of experience building and scaling partner ecosystems across Point of Sale, Cybersecurity, Cloud, CX, and AI technologies. She specializes in developing profitable practices and alliance strategies that align vendor priorities with real customer outcomes—translating complex programs, certifications, and go-to-market motions into clear, repeatable playbooks that drive pipeline, margin, and measurable value. Throughout her career, Samotria has grown partner communities, designed, and operationalized partner programs, and led cross-functional teams spanning Sales, Marketing, Product, and Services. Her work with Cisco and other global technology providers has helped organizations navigate strategic certification requirements and successfully transition to service-led, recurring revenue models. Beyond the technology world, Samotria brings a distinctly entrepreneurial perspective—as the founder of an award-winning specialty food brand, she developed a deep passion for brand-building, operations, and end-to-end customer experience that informs how she approaches partnerships today.
