GTIA Announces Finalists for 2026 ANZ Spotlight Awards

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. - The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2026 ANZ Spotlight Awards, which honour member individuals and organisations for their commitment, dedication and leadership in advancing the IT channel.

For the first time, the GTIA ANZ Spotlight Awards will be held as part of a combined event with CRN Australia - the CRN Channel Awards Australia 2026 together with the GTIA ANZ Spotlight Awards - taking place 17 September 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. Award winners in nine categories will be announced at the event and celebrated afterward at a reception and dinner.

"We're proud to honour our finalists for their contributions to GTIA and the IT channel this year, chosen by a selection committee of fellow members from around the world," said MJ Shoer, chief community officer of GTIA. "Congratulations to all - I can't wait to celebrate with everyone in Sydney."

The ANZ Spotlight Award finalists are:

The Future Leader Award is given to a young professional at an active GTIA member organisation who has shown success or originality as an entrepreneur or has made an industry impact in some other demonstrable way.

The Advancing Women in Technology Leadership Award recognises an active GTIA member who is a leader in the industry, an advocate for women in technology, and a role model for others who has made a positive impact on individuals as well as their organisation.

The Community Leadership Award recognises an individual from an active GTIA member organisation who, in the prior 12 months, demonstrated outstanding service and impact through their commitment, passion, professionalism and leadership in assisting GTIA as it advances the IT industry.

The Cybersecurity Leadership Award recognises a GTIA member who has spent the past 12 months demonstrating exceptional dedication, expertise and leadership in strengthening the cybersecurity resilience of the GTIA community. This award highlights an individual whose passion, professionalism and engagement have elevated awareness, deepened member participation and driven meaningful progress in cybersecurity across the IT channel.

The Advancing Diversity in Technology Leadership Award is earned by a GTIA member organisation that is actively advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the industry and has a positive impact on the lives and careers of others. The organisation is a change maker, transforming lives and/or organisations through a sustained commitment to DEI values.

The Associate Member Award is given to an active GTIA member organisation that provides services to the tech ecosystem, such as financial, legal, sales, marketing, business consulting firms, academia, training organisations, media and other not-for-profit technology organisations. The winner also actively participates in GTIA activities and has had a positive impact on the lives and careers of others.

The Innovative Distributor Award is earned by an active GTIA member company that best demonstrates an innovation or innovative approach that has transformed the organisation or the wider industry. This award recognises a distributor that successfully applied any form of innovation, celebrating the ideas that have had the greatest impact on an organisation, company or industry.

The Innovative Vendor Award is given to an active GTIA member company that best demonstrates an innovation or innovative approach that has transformed the organisation or the wider industry. This award recognises a vendor that successfully applied any form of innovation, celebrating the ideas that have had the greatest impact on an organisation, company or industry.

The IT Service Provider Award is given to an active GTIA member organisation operating as a solution provider, MSP or other business that offers technology services and solutions to end customers. Nominees must demonstrate leadership, excellence and innovation toward their organisation and clients. The nominee should serve as a trusted advisor to their clients, offering proactive and ongoing support to optimize technology infrastructure, enhance productivity and address various IT needs.

All nominees were evaluated by a judging panel for having a positive impact on the tech industry; contributions that support GTIA's mission to empower IT channel professionals and organisations; and actions and initiatives that demonstrated leadership in their respective award category. Executive council members from Benelux, North America, and UK & Ireland Regions, along with members of GTIA Advisory Councils served as judges for the ANZ Spotlight Awards to help ensure the integrity and objectivity of the selection process.

GTIA represents hundreds of thousands of professionals from nearly 3,000 ITSPs, vendors, distributors and other companies globally that comprise the IT channel. To learn more, visit www.gtia.org/membership.

About the Global Technology Industry Association

The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is the only vendor-neutral, 501(c)(6) nonprofit 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 hundreds of thousands of professionals from nearly 3,000 ITSPs, vendors, distributors and other companies serving the IT channel.

For more information, visit gtia.org.

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