Quick answer: During the ChannelCon 2026 executive keynote in San Diego, GTIA leadership announced six major initiatives: GTIA Local Chapters for in-person, member-led networking; a new AI Essentials Library training benefit; a partnership with the United Nations to host "AI for Good" events in the U.S. and UK; the Consortium for Responsible IT Services, working toward a self-regulatory standard for the profession; the Managed Intelligence Alliance, a new standards initiative for responsible AI delivery; and confirmation that GTIA members are directing $5 million this year to nonprofits and schools worldwide.
Today at ChannelCon 2026, GTIA CEO Dan Wensley took the stage with chief operating officer Kelly Ricker, chief community officer MJ Shoer, and chief channel officer Nancy Hammervik to lay out where the association—and the channel—is headed next. The theme: The Channel Effect, the idea that the industry moves faster and further when members build it together.
Here's what was announced, and what it means for your business.
What Are GTIA Local Chapters?
GTIA is launching local chapters—member-led, member-run groups that create space for in-person networking and collaboration close to home. Sixteen chapters are already forming globally, with four already holding first meetings in Tempe, Arizona; Toronto, Ontario; and Adelaide and Sydney, Australia.
Chapters are fully funded by GTIA, so there's no added cost to participate. The goal is simple: Give members more ways to connect with peers who understand exactly what they're dealing with, whether that's at ChannelCon, a Community Forum, or a chapter meetup a few miles from the office.
Want to get involved? Connect with the GTIA Community team to find a chapter near you or start one.
What Is the GTIA AI Essentials Library?
GTIA has partnered with CompTIA to give every member organization access to the AI Essentials Library—a practical training benefit covering AI fundamentals for every role, from technical teams to sales, marketing and leadership. It includes CompTIA competency certificates that validate real skills, not just completion.
The benefit launched at ChannelCon and is included in membership at no additional cost, so your whole team can build AI fluency together. According to Hammervik, this directly addresses a gap GTIA identified across the industry: Most IT service providers are already using AI internally, but few have formal governance or a revenue strategy built around it. The library gives members a structured way to close that gap.
What Is GTIA's Role in the UN's "AI for Good" Initiative?
GTIA has been selected by the United Nations to host "AI for Good" in both the United States and UK—a global initiative focused on responsible AI innovation. GTIA accepted the opportunity because it lines up directly with the association's mission: Driving responsible innovation, driving technical standards, expanding digital access and advancing AI solutions that improve lives and communities.
Members can expect three virtual and hybrid AI-focused events each year in the U.S. and UK, each with an open call for innovative solutions. Winners in each market will have the chance to compete on the world stage at the UN "AI for Good" annual global summit in Geneva next July. It's a level of visibility most organizations couldn't access on their own—and it's built into GTIA membership.
What Is the Consortium for Responsible IT Services?
GTIA and Texas A&M's Global Cyber Research Institute have formed the Consortium for Responsible IT Services to build a self-regulatory organization (SRO) for the IT services profession—the first broadly accepted set of standards for what it means to be an IT service provider. Why now? “Nearly one in three IT service providers has experienced a successful cyberattack, and customer trust increasingly depends on providers meeting consistent standards for cybersecurity, operations and governance,” Shoer said.
GTIA members get visibility into the Consortium's work and early access to its outputs as the standards take shape. The Consortium's first meeting takes place alongside the Texas A&M Global Cyber Research Institute Summit this October, and members can learn more directly from Consortium executive director Cole Knuth in a session this week at ChannelCon.
What Is the Managed Intelligence Alliance?
The Managed Intelligence Alliance is a new GTIA program created to establish standards for how managed intelligence—AI delivered as a managed service—should work. “Right now, there's no common framework for what ‘good’ looks like in this space,” Shoer said.
The Alliance's mission is to make the delivery of managed intelligence repeatable, governable and trustworthy at scale. GTIA is inviting additional organizations from across the channel to join and help shape the standards while the category is still being defined.
Both the Consortium and the Alliance will be supported by a new AI & Cyber Resource Center in the Member Portal, launching by the end of the year.
How Much Is GTIA Giving Directing to Charity This Year?
Ricker announced that GTIA members are collectively directing $5 million this year to nonprofits and schools using technology as a force for good—more than double last year's total. The GTIA Board has already approved grants supporting more than 50 nonprofits and schools worldwide, all referred by member companies, and separate member-voted programs are supporting another 20 organizations globally.
The research GTIA cited backs up why this matters for business, not just community impact: Most B2B buyers say they're more likely to buy from purpose-driven companies, and most companies report that nonprofit partnerships strengthen their competitive edge. “GTIA Giving gives members a real, specific answer when customers, employees or partners ask how they give back,” Ricker said. Members can stop by the Think & Drink Lounge at ChannelCon this week to learn more about getting involved.
The Bottom Line
Every announcement today points to the same idea: The channel builds its own future faster together than any single company can build it alone. Whether that's a local chapter down the street, a seat at the table defining AI standards or a training benefit already included in your membership, GTIA is putting the resources in members' hands now.
Claim your seat at the table. Explore your member benefits in the Member Portal.
FAQ
When were these announcements made? All six initiatives were announced during the GTIA executive keynote at ChannelCon 2026 in San Diego on August 3.
Is the AI Essentials Library available now? Yes. It launched at ChannelCon and is included in GTIA membership at no additional cost.
How can my organization join the Consortium for Responsible IT Services or the Managed Intelligence Alliance? Contact your GTIA Community team to learn about participation, including funding-partner opportunities for the Consortium.
Where can I find a GTIA Local Chapter near me? Sixteen chapters are currently forming worldwide. Connect with the Community team at ChannelCon to learn more.
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