The GTIA Communities & Councils Forum (CCF) has long been a great opportunity for the association’s most engaged members—and the IT channel’s elite leaders—to come together for learning, collaboration and fun. But this year was particularly special.CCF 2025 is the first North American event we’ve hosted as the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA). And if that isn’t enough, it was our most well-attended CCF ever! The excitement around our new, singular focus on our membership is contagious—and that’s something to be proud of.
If you couldn’t make it to Chicago this year, here are 10 things you missed. Make sure you plan to attend one of our upcoming events and help us shape the future of GTIA.
1. How MSPs Can Use AI Right Now
At CCF, MSPs learned how they can utilize AI right now. With the hype cycle behind us, adoption of AI is here. But where do you start? The GTIA AI Advisory Council launched two new quick start guides at CCF detailing AI best practices for MSPs, including: How to Use a Custom LLM Writing Engine and Developing Usage Policies and Guidelines. Both quick start guides are available for download on our Resources page. There's plenty more to come on AI, so stayed tuned!
>> Download: How to Use a Custom LLM Writing Engine quick start guide
>> Download: Developing Usage Policies and Guidelines quick start guide
2. Congratulations North America Spotlight Award Winners
The GTIA 2025 North America Spotlight Awards were announced at CCF, recognizing winners that have shown outstanding passion and commitment in advancing and improving the entire technology industry. Winners include:
- - Hannah Allpress, sales account executive, The 20, received the Future Leader Award.
- - Victoria Bruns, principal product marketing manager, ecosystems, ConnectWise, received the Advisory Council Leadership Award.
- - Brook Lee, VP of community and channel, Liongard, received the Advancing Women in Technology Leadership Award.
- - Jason Slagle, CEO, CNWR, received the Cybersecurity Leadership Award.
- - Henry Timm, CEO, Phantom Technology Solutions, received the Community Leadership Award.
- - Encore Strategic was awarded the Associate Member Award.
- - Logically was awarded the MSP/Solution Provider Award.
- - Moovila was awarded the Innovative Vendor Award.
- - OITVOIP was awarded the Advancing Diversity in Technology Leadership Award.
- - TD Synnex was awarded the Innovative Distributor Award.
3. Newly Released GTIA State of the Channel 2025 Report Insights
Carolyn April, vice president of industry research, GTIA, shared highlights from the GTIA State of the Channel 2025 research report, which details new dynamics and trends in the global market for technology products and services. Among the findings:
- - AI technology is up across the channel, notably in revenue-driving activities.
- - Nearly 6 in 10 companies surveyed see technology’s growing complexity as the top factor driving customer demand for the channel’s expertise.
- - Global IT spending is predicted to rise by 9.8% from 2024, reaching an estimated $5.61 trillion this year.
- - Spending on IT services is also expected to increase by 9% worldwide, reaching $1.73 trillion.
- - 30% of U.S. channel firms say they are ahead of pace for business goals and financial health this year, while a narrow majority at - 53% say they are on target.
>> Read: State of the Channel 2025: Complexity Keeps Customers Coming
>> Download: GTIA State of the Channel 2025
4. Advancing DEI&B in IT: Challenges, Trends and the Association's Role
The Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Interest Group met at CCF to discuss the common trends and challenges that IT providers face when building or expanding their DEI&B initiatives.
Participants had an open discussion to share experiences and best practices, identify specific areas where GTIA can offer resources to support those efforts and walked through the GTIA DEI&B Guidebook—a comprehensive resource crafted to help MSPs and IT professionals implement effective DEI&B strategies.
>> Read: GTIA Interest Groups Take Center Stage at CCF
>> Download : GTIA DEI&B Guidebook: A Plan for MSP and Other Tech Businesses
5. The MSP Growth Blueprint: Strategies, Stories and Solutions
Success isn’t always linear. The Managed Services Interest Group gathered at CCF to explore detailed stories of triumphs and personal anecdotes about failures, offering valuable lessons learned. Participants split into breakout groups to deep dive into growth strategies, leadership and process adaptation, and technical and strategic focus.
Peers shared their success and failure stories with the aim of going beyond telling their story to make connections, set direction and roadmap solutions. The MSP interest group will build on these stories in their upcoming meeting to use group think to activate progress and growth.
>> Read: GTIA Interest Groups Take Center Stage at CCF
6. MSP Cybersecurity Missteps: Turning Their Failures into Your Success
Cybersecurity remains a hot topic and it’s the failures that we hear about on the news. CCF participants analyzed real-world MSP cybersecurity failures like theoretical data breaches, credential compromises and other risk scenarios in small groups. The groups worked together to identify mistakes made, propose better solutions and discuss how specific best practices can help to prevent similar issues.
These working groups are essential, especially in the area of cybersecurity where the playing field is never level. Working together, peers can not only learn something new but gain a different perspective from each other.
>> Read: GTIA Interest Groups Take Center Stage at CCF
7. Mentorship: Launching a New Cohort
The third cohort of the GTIA Mentorship Program was officially launched at CCF by North America Mentorship Ambassadors Cynthia Mooney and Eric Torres. The program, in its second year, has successfully paired 68 IT channel professionals to date as both mentors and mentees and is looking for 70 individuals to participate in this cohort.
The mentorship program is focused on sharing knowledge, secrets to success and strategizing how to achieve specific professional goals. This time, the program is welcoming leaders to mentor each other, creating a sounding board for professionals at the same level. This new group of mentors and mentees will kick off on March 31 and run through July 31, culminating in a graduation ceremony at ChannelCon 2025 in Nashville.
>> Sign up for the GTIA Mentorship Program as a mentor or mentee
8. Launching the Next Phase of AWIT
The Advancing Women in Technology Interest Group is becoming Global Women in Tech—a nod to the fact that women have been a part of this industry for quite some time and are here to stay. “We will continue to promote and support diversity, equity and inclusion,” said chair Brook Lee, vice president of channel and community at Liongard said. “No matter what happens anywhere else in the world, that will not change for this group.”
But the evolution of their name isn’t the only action the group is taking. The group is now hosting monthly virtual office hours to provide coaching and support, pushing event organizers to put women thought leaders on expert panels and working on a GTIA Women in Tech Guidebook that will provide resources and direction on how to find, hire and retain women in the tech space.
>> Read: GTIA Interest Groups Take Center Stage at CCF
9. Cybersecurity Trustmark 2.0 - What to Expect
The GTIA Cybersecurity Trustmark can be a valuable addition to an MSP’s business but getting there can be a challenge. Many MSPs need help, insights and advice to avoid getting stuck or bogged down with everyday business needs. To help MSPs better prepare for the Trustmark assessment, GTIA worked with Pax8 on a series of prompts to help through the assessment process.
“This is not something where you say, ‘I want to have the Trustmark in three or four months’—unless you’ve already taken the approach to put a lot of these things already into your environment,” said Wayne R. Selk, vice president of cybersecurity programs. “It depends on your organization’s readiness, how well you ‘can answer the prompts. We’re not asking you to be 100%. Nothing is ever 100%. As long as you identify the challenges and gaps in your organization and have a potential compensating control.”
10. GTIA Gives Back
GTIA partnered with Hearts for Hope to fill and donate 500 care packs of clothing and personal items for the homeless around Chicago. Hearts for Hope was founded by Carolyn Litton with a mission to offer compassion and encouragement to those in need. The organization has donated more than 9,000 care packs since 2019.
On to the next meeting! CCF attendees were among the first to be able to register for ChannelCon 2025. ChannelCon will take place July 29-31 in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. This is the IT channel’s premier event to evolve your business and career. Relationships matter and ChannelCon is where you’ll find your people. Register for ChannelCon 2025.
If you attended CCF, share your photos on social using #GTIACCF, #myGTIA or #WeAreGTIA.
