ChannelCon 2026 is GTIA's flagship annual conference, taking place August 3–5 in San Diego, California. The event brings together MSPs, solution providers, vendors, distributors and channel partners for three days of education, networking and peer-driven insight across AI strategy, cybersecurity, business operations and partner program development.
We've broken down the must-see sessions by track so you can start planning where to spend your time. Whether you're an MSP owner, a channel manager or a vendor building out your partner program, there's something here that will change how you work when you get back home.
>> View the ChannelCon 2026 agenda
AI Sessions That Cut Through the Hype
AI isn't slowing down—and neither is the pressure on ITSPs to figure out what it means for their business. These five ChannelCon sessions cut through the hype and get practical, giving attendees a clear-eyed look at what it takes to adopt AI profitably, govern it responsibly and build the organizational foundations to make it stick. Walk away with frameworks, real-world peer insights and an actionable roadmap you can put to work the moment you get home.
AI Readiness for TSPs: What Actually Matters
Before you automate anything, you need the right foundation. Presented by Dava Cava, owner, PeopleSharp, this session breaks down the organizational building blocks—from leadership mindset and profitability to data strategy and vertical focus—that separate MSPs who thrive with AI from those who get disrupted by it.
MSP AI Evolution: Moving from Prompts to Profit
Three MSP leaders who've moved well beyond experimentation share what's working, what failed and how they've turned AI into real revenue. Moderated by Renee McCloden, global senior director of vendor strategy and programs, Pax8, this panel covers the full arc from first steps to operational transformation.
AI Regret: Chasing the Hype is Setting You Back Years
More pilots, more tools, less progress—sound familiar? Jason Kemsley, CRO, Uptime Global, unpacks why early AI adoption often creates more drag than results and shares a practical framework for identifying which AI bets are worth making and which problems need fixing first.
My AI Journey: Practical AI Adoption for MSPs
John Dobbin, cybersecurity solutions architect, Pileus Technologies, shares his personal AI adoption story—from first steps to real-world use cases—and demystifies the path forward for MSPs who feel behind. Expect grounded, approachable takeaways for both technical and non-technical leaders.
The Ultimate AI Rules for MSPs: Policies, People and Proof
AI without guardrails is a liability. Presented by Brad Gross, president, Law Office of Bradley Gross, PA, this session delivers a practical governance framework covering the policies, leadership roles and client communication strategies MSPs need to deploy AI as a controlled business advantage, not an uncontrolled risk.
Security Isn't Optional Anymore. Here's What to Do About It.
Security is only getting more complex—and the pressure on ITSPs to get it right, for themselves and their clients, has never been higher. These three ChannelCon sessions bring it back to what's practical and actionable. Walk away with concrete frameworks, honest lessons from the field and the confidence to lead smarter security conversations starting day one back at the office.
1% Better Every Day: Building a Real Security Culture at Small Businesses (When Nobody Has Time for It)
William Kapes, director of technical operations, Integritek, shows MSPs how to drive meaningful, incremental security improvements at small clients—the kind that compound over time without overwhelming anyone—and how to get buy-in from the whole staff, not just your main point of contact.
Practice What You Protect: What Our Own GTIA Cybersecurity Trustmark Journey Taught Us (and What Most MSPs Are Missing)
Ann Westerheim, president, Ekaru, walks through one organization's real experience pursuing the GTIA Cybersecurity Trustmark certification—the wins, the gaps and the wake-up call around documentation and consistency. If you haven't assessed your own security posture, this session will show you why you should.
Trusting the Free Stuff: How MSPs Assess Risk in Open Source Tools
Jared Casner, co-founder, Blacksmith InfoSec, gives MSPs a practical, repeatable framework for evaluating open source risk—covering project health, supply chain exposure and security practices—so you can make confident, defensible decisions for your clients without flying blind.
Build a Business That Doesn't Run on You
Running a great ITSP takes more than technical chops—it takes financial clarity, sales discipline, cultural self-awareness and the ability to build something that doesn't depend entirely on you. These four ChannelCon sessions tackle the business side of managed services head-on.
The Pint, the Widget, and the MSP: Why a Learner's Mindset Outperforms the Latest Tech
George Smith, community engagement manager, Rewst, uses Guinness's iconic widget as a metaphor to explore how simplifying complexity, designing memorable client experiences and staying genuinely curious can be a bigger differentiator than any tool in your stack.
From Founder-Led to Platform-Ready: Financial and Cultural Lessons From 7 MSP Mergers
After seven MSP mergers and acquisitions, Kevin Damghani, CEO, ITPartners+, breaks down what buyers evaluate—from EBITDA quality to leadership depth—and why cultural alignment often matters more than deal structure when it comes to long-term success.
Financial Mastery for MSPs
Adam Crandall, CEO and founder, Benji Pays, gives MSP owners the tools to understand the real economics of their business—labor, services, cash flow—so every decision feels deliberate instead of risky. Designed for owners who are busy but not sure why growth doesn't feel like progress.
Why MSP Sales Stall and How 7 Touches Can Fix It
Abigail Walsh, CRO, Encore Strategic, presents the 7 Touch Sales Process—a proven, pressure-free framework for moving prospects from first awareness to closed deal by building trust through consistent, intentional touchpoints long before a proposal ever lands.
Better Partnerships Start Here
Great partnerships don't happen by accident—they're built on clarity, trust and a shared commitment to outcomes. These ChannelCon sessions and training tracks tackle the vendor-partner relationship from every angle.
The Messy Middle: Why Most Partner Programs Stall Before the First Real Deal
Kris Blackmon, director of partner marketing, AvePoint, digs into the overlooked stretch between partner sign-up and first real deal, showing channel teams how to stop measuring participation and start measuring behavioral commitment and genuine commercial intent.
How MSPs and Vendors Can Build Profitable Partnerships That Generate New Business
Shawn Freeman, founder, Impactful MSP, draws on experience as both a former MSP owner and current MSP coach to break down what makes partnerships profitable—and gives both MSPs and vendors a framework for building relationships grounded in trust, clarity and shared outcomes rather than discounts and MDF.
CAM 101: Partner Productivity and Ramp Planning
This eight-module bootcamp for channel managers covers partner alignment, productivity acceleration and co-marketing strategy. Attendees leave with actionable ramp plans and out-of-the-box strategies to eliminate bottlenecks and drive indirect sales revenue.
CAM 201: Advanced Channel Management
Building on CAM 101, this advanced bootcamp covers strategic partner planning, recurring revenue strategies and financial acumen. CAM 201 gives channel managers the tools to reimagine how they build partnerships and scale for long-term growth.
Frequently Asked Questions: ChannelCon 2026
What is ChannelCon 2026?
ChannelCon 2026 is GTIA's annual flagship conference for the global IT channel. It brings together MSPs, solution providers, vendors, distributors and channel partners for three days of education, networking and community.
When and where is ChannelCon 2026?
ChannelCon 2026 takes place August 3–5, 2026 in San Diego, California.
Who should attend ChannelCon 2026?
ChannelCon 2026 is designed for MSP owners and operators, channel managers, vendors, distributors and anyone working in or with the IT channel who wants practical, peer-driven education on AI, cybersecurity, business operations and partner strategy.
What topics are covered at ChannelCon 2026?
ChannelCon 2026 sessions cover artificial intelligence adoption for MSPs, cybersecurity best practices, ITSP business operations, sales strategy, mergers and acquisitions, financial management and vendor/partner program development.
Ready to Join Us in San Diego?
The three days you spend at ChannelCon 2026 will pay off all year. Whether you're looking to sharpen your AI strategy, build a more profitable business or strengthen your vendor partnerships, there's a seat at the table for you in San Diego.
ChannelCon 2026 │ August 3–5 │ San Diego │ Register Now
