Partner Advisory Council Recap: Building Vendasta’s Future Together

At the end of August, we hosted our Partner Advisory Council, bringing together some of our top partners for an inspiring day of discussion, insight-sharing, and collaboration.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended and shared their expertise, passion, and vision for the future. Your input is invaluable in helping us shape Vendasta’s roadmap in a way that supports your growth and success. Thank you!

Thank You for an Incredible Experience

We’re so grateful for all that you shared, and that you made your way out to our HQ in the Canadian prairies to do it. Saskatoon is amazing, but we know the flight options aren’t 😅. 

This home of unending skies and a horizon that stretches from mountain to ocean. Vendasta is proud to be founded and maintained here on the prairies. Some people think we’re in the middle of nowhere, but we tell them we’re at the center of everything.

Saskatchewanians are a people of extremes—the hottest summers and the coldest winters; months of drought and epic, light-up-the-night thunderstorms; the kindest neighborly smiles and roll up your sleeves, grind it out ‘til it’s done grit. This is the place Vendasta will always call home, despite the magnetism of San Francisco or Boston or any other metropolis. Thank you for joining us, here.

What We Learned

Was that only two days? Wow. Here’s a recap of the key insights and themes that emerged from our conversations:

1. AI-Driven Innovation

Agencies are embracing AI to streamline operations, enhance client experiences, and drive results. As Simon Papadopoulos—who can play a pretty good game of cornhole — (Social Ordeals) highlighted, AI tools like chatbots and review response assistants are transforming the way agencies operate. We’re committed to advancing our AI capabilities, including onboarding and reporting tools, to help you deliver even more value to your clients. 

2. Diversifying Revenue Streams Beyond Social Media

Social media used to be a steady revenue driver for agencies, but shifts in client needs mean that it’s time to broaden our service offerings. Candice Cohen (CēSuite Digital Agency) shared her experience in diversifying her services, and it’s clear that offering comprehensive digital marketing packages is the path to sustained growth. We’re exploring more ways to make it easy for you to bundle services like websites, SEO, and digital ads to offer complete solutions that keep clients coming back.

3. Seamless Platform Integration

Managing multiple tools is a significant pain point for agencies. We’re focused on creating an integrated experience within the Vendasta platform, so everything from invoicing to client management happens in one place. As George Leith (Harvard Media) noted, seamless operations are essential for efficient agency management, and we’re here to simplify it.

4. Insight-Driven Client Value with Snapshot Reports

Agencies emphasized the importance of data-driven insights to showcase their value to clients. The Snapshot Report allows you to highlight strengths, reveal opportunities, and make data-backed recommendations. Cheryl O’Hern (Spin Markket + Digital) reminded us that this tool can be pivotal in helping clients see the bigger picture and invest in solutions that drive real results.

5. Meeting Evolving Client Expectations

Today’s clients expect faster and more seamless service. Simon Papadopoulos pointed out that clients want to know what’s happening behind the scenes and how it impacts their goals. Vendasta’s tools can help you provide real-time updates, deliver quick responses, and set clear expectations, so your clients always feel informed and supported.

What’s Next?

Thanks to your feedback, we’ve already made some exciting changes:

• Monthly release schedule: We’ve switched to a monthly release schedule to deliver updates and new features more frequently. 
• Enhanced AI tools: We’re expanding our AI capabilities with new tools designed to automate routine tasks, drive customer insights, and help you deliver exceptional client service. 

We’re thrilled to incorporate your insights as we work together to shape the future of Vendasta. Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you once again for your partnership. Together, we’re building a platform that brings AI to mainstreet. 

Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.