We are the IT channel community.
About Us
The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is the only vendor-neutral, non-profit membership community connecting and representing the worldwide IT channel. We set our members up for success by providing benefits that include trusted resources and networking opportunities. In addition, the association sets industry standards that enable companies to build sustainable, secure and profitable businesses in an ever-changing technology landscape. Internationally, GTIA represents tens of thousands of professionals from more than 2,000 MSPs, solution providers, vendors, distributors, and other companies serving the channel.
We were formerly known as the CompTIA Community (the membership arm of CompTIA). The association was renamed as GTIA in 2025, but that’s not where our story begins. Our association has a long history of serving businesses in the IT channel and technology professionals.
Our Story
In 1982, a group of hardware and software vendors formed the Association of Better Computer Dealers, known as ABCD, to encourage collaboration between vendors and the people who purchased their products. As the computer industry grew and evolved over the following decade there was an increased need for qualified tech support. However, that type of training just did not exist.
In response to this need, Compaq Computer partnered with ABCD to develop a certification program for tech support professionals. In 1993, ABCD rebranded as the Computing Technology Industry Association—CompTIA—and released the CompTIA A+ certification. This was the first standardized certification that employers could rely on to ensure the individuals they hired had the requisite knowledge and skills for the job.
Through education, training, certifications, philanthropy and market research, CompTIA continued to promote industry growth through both its membership trade association targeting IT channel businesses and its training and certification business targeting academic and workforce partners and individual IT pros.
In 2025, the CompTIA brand, along with its training and certification business was sold to operate as a for-profit company. As a result, our existing membership-based association (formerly known as the CompTIA Community) was separated from CompTIA and will continue its mission of service to the IT industry as the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA).
GTIA Leadership
The GTIA board of directors and executive committee is made up of top executives and thought leaders within the IT channel.