As HP’s global CEO was announcing massive job cuts, price rises and falling profits, his local execs were partying at the company’s annual awards.

While HP headquarters grappled with shrinking margins and a restructure that will see up to 6,000 staff axed globally, the mood at Sydney’s W Hotel on Wednesday night was anything but subdued as its Australia division celebrated its 2025 Partner Awards in front of more than 250 channel partners, distributors and resellers.

Across 20 categories, HP recognised partners driving hybrid work, AI-ready deployments and more sustainable IT solutions, even as the company prepares to increase notebook prices and cut memory configurations in response to rising component costs.

Senior Director of Commercial Channel Chris Hewlett told attendees the local channel remained central to HP’s performance.

“Our partners are at the heart of HP’s success in Australia,” he said. “They understand their customers, they know the local market, and they bring HP innovation to life in ways that make a real difference to how people work.”

ASI Solutions dominated the night, taking both Education Partner of the Year and PC Partner of the Year.

CompNow also featured strongly with three accolades, including One HP Partner of the Year and Partner Sales Rep of the Year for Frank Coppa.

Ingram Micro and Dicker Data split multiple wins across distribution, with Ingram collecting Print Distributor of the Year and Marketing Excellence, while Dicker Data secured Distribution Specialist of the Year, Poly Distribution Partner of the Year and Distribution Impact Influencer of the Year via David Gase.

A standout moment came as Data#3’s Paula Fountain was inducted into the HP Hall of Fame, recognising her long-term leadership across the channel.

For now, despite global turbulence, HP’s Australian channel is still in celebration mode.