Sean Lardo, better known around the channel as Mr. IT Nation, joined me for a special conversation following the announcement of the IT Nation PitchIT 2026 finalists: Lemhi, Synthreo, and Blacksmith InfoSec. After a 16-week competitive cohort built around coaching, refinement, and practice, these three companies are now preparing to take the stage at IT Nation Connect Global in Orlando.=== Chapters00:23 PitchIT 2026 Finalists Announcement01:47 Meet Sean Lardo of IT Nation03:07 Behind the PitchIT Finalist Reveal06:01 How PitchIT Vendors Refine Their Message08:40 Uncle Marv’s PitchIT Rankings and Prize Debate11:12 MSP Feedback on PitchIT Vendor Interviews13:22 Preparing Vendors for Real Sales Conversations14:14 The Best Questions MSPs Should Ask Vendors17:04 Evaluating Vendor Fit Beyond Price19:12 What to Expect at PitchIT Orlando21:09 Finalist Congratulations and IT Nation Connect Closing=== Guest: Sean Lardo, ConnectWise / The IT NationWebsite: https://www.connectwise.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanlardo=== Companies / Vendors / Products / BooksConnectWise: https://www.connectwise.com/The IT Nation: https://itnation.connectwise.com/PitchIT: https://itnation.connectwise.com/pitchitIT Nation Connect Global: https://itnation.connectwise.com/connect-globalLemhi: https://lemhi.com/Synthreo: https://synthreo.ai/Blacksmith InfoSec: https://blacksmithinfosec.com/=== SPONSORS:Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoipTravel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugridDigital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready=== SHOW MUSIC:Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoItem URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UETAuthor Username: AlexanderRufireItem License Code: 7X9F52DNML === Connect with Uncle Marv🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/🎙 Host: Marvin Bee🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcastIf you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

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