DIA 2026 Annual Conference
Driven by a strong community spirit, the DIA is committed to working together to advance the dental industry.
Join us for the 2026 DIA Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee! This dynamic event focuses on the intersection of technology and business within the dental industry.
Reclaiming Control: From Reactive Operations to Intentional Leadership
This year’s DIA conversation focuses on reclaiming control over how you run your business, how you work with clients, and how you spend your time. As MSPs grow, operations often become reactive and leadership becomes centralized by default. Reclaiming control means designing the business intentionally, building leadership beyond the owner, setting clearer boundaries with clients, and making decisions that reduce dependency instead of reinforcing it. This conference centers on real experiences and practical insights for MSP leaders who want their business to support long-term growth and sustainability.
We can’t wait to see you in Nashville!
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2026 SPEAKER LINEUP
Karl W. Palachuk
Karl W. Palachuk has been an IT Consultant since 1995 and is one of the pioneers of the managed services business model. He is the author of more than twenty-five books, most of which are focused on running a successful IT consulting practice.
Karl founded IT Service Provider University in 2013 and the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community in 2018. He blogs at Small Biz Thoughts and Relax Focus Succeed. In 2021, Karl founded the National Society of IT Service Providers where he now serves on the Board of Directors.
Karl has bought, sold, and owned several businesses, including two very successful Managed Service companies in Sacramento, CA. He received his first Microsoft certification in 1995 and his first MCSE in 1999. He now provides executive coaching and consulting services to IT professionals of all sizes. He can always be reached at karl@karlpalachuk.com.
Dave Cava, PeopleSharp
Building the Leadership Bench: How MSPs Identify, Develop, and Retain Their Next Leaders
Dave Cava is the owner of PeopleSharp, a company focused on helping MSPs scale by getting the right people in the right seats through consultative outsourced recruiting services. Previously, Dave co-owned Encore Strategic, a firm that does MSP coaching and peer groups. Prior to that, Dave co-owned Proactive Technologies, a NYC-based MSP. Dave served as COO/CFO from their 2007 inception until their acquisition in 2019. Proactive made the INC 5000 seven times during that period. Dave is the co-author of The Pumpkin Plan for MSPs, released in February of 2024. Dave has been a featured speaker at IT Nation Connect, BuildIT, The Big BIG, Halo PSA Orbit, GTIA ChannelCon, and multiple business incubators.
Reed Warren, IT Valuations
Reed Warren, our CEO and Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), brings over 30 years of experience in the IT services and technology industry to our organization. Throughout his distinguished career, Reed has provided strategic business consulting and M&A services, successfully completing over 100 transactions, consulting with over 400 companies across 19 countries.
Reed’s journey began in software development, but his career quickly evolved to encompass roles in recruiting, sales, operations, and executive leadership. His extensive knowledge of the technology sector, combined with his in-depth understanding of organizational dynamics, has made him a trusted advisor and a recognized author and speaker in his field.
Known for his exceptional negotiation skills, Reed has a unique ability to guide all parties toward mutually beneficial solutions, regardless of the challenges. His strengths in collaboration and ideation have earned him a reputation for being creative, agile, and seasoned—attributes that are invaluable during valuation and strategic planning processes.
Patrick Jacobwith, Sunset Technologies
Patrick Jacobwith, JD, is the CEO/General Counsel and partner at Sunset Technologies, which specializes in technology integration, security, and compliance for their dental customers. Sunset Technologies is one of the largest dental focused MSPs in the United States. Sunset provides services on a national level, with more than 100 employees.
During his 35 year plus career, Patrick has developed extensive leadership, strategy, and management skills. His approach to becoming a better leader has included taking roles that encompass all areas of a business. Patrick also speaks nationally on topics ranging from developing company culture, leadership and management development, cyber security, and HIPAA compliance.
In addition to Patrick’s business experience, he holds a B.S. in economics, is a certified HIPAA professional, and is a licensed attorney.
Patrick has developed his career in large organizations, including United Healthcare, SmithKline Beecham, Express Scripts, and SHPS, as well as smaller companies. Most recently, he has helped Sunset evolve into a national organization and assisted several other businesses in their growth process.
As General Counsel, Patrick utilizes his legal skills and knowledge in areas that include contracting, risk management, compliance, employment law, and mergers and acquisitions.
OUR 2026 PARTNERS
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