OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., February 24, 2026 – The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) today announced that applications are now open for the inaugural GTIA Innovate Awards, which will recognize IT service providers (ITSPs) this year who have successfully deployed innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions with real, measurable business impact for their customers or their own organizations.
“Leveraging AI is perhaps the biggest opportunity today for ITSPs, but identifying and implementing real-world solutions has been a challenge," said Dan Wensley, CEO at GTIA. "Through the GTIA Innovate Awards, our goal is to recognize ITSPs that are already achieving measurable results with AI, provide them with a platform to share their success stories, and furnish the wider community with credible, peer-validated proof points for learning and development as this technology continues to mature."
ChannelCon 2026 is where AI Innovation will Take Center Stage
The 2026 GTIA Innovate Awards program features two categories: best internal AI solution for an ITSP and the best customer-facing AI solution.
In both categories, the GTIA Innovate Awards highlight ITSPs whose AI innovations are deployed and in production—not conceptual or experimental; validated with real evidence of business impact; designed and delivered by ITSPs solving real problems; and driving customer value, efficiency, or new revenue.
Finalists in the GTIA Innovate Awards will have the opportunity to present their solutions live at ChannelCon 2026, taking place August 3-5 in San Diego. Winners will be selected through a combination of expert evaluation and peer validation through attendee voting to ensure recognition is credible, unbiased, and grounded in real-world application.
In addition to showcasing their solutions, finalists will receive recognition through GTIA announcements and media coverage, as well as increased visibility among peers, partners, and industry leaders. They will benefit from exposure across the GTIA and prestigious ChannelCon platforms, serving as evidence of the efficacy of their AI investments. Being designated as a finalist can also enhance ITSPs’ marketing, sales, and recruitment initiatives. Furthermore, finalists will be invited to attend the GTIA Board Chair’s Dinner at ChannelCon 2026.
Winners in each category will receive a $20,000 cash award, the opportunity to present at a future ChannelCon event, and GTIA-produced digital content regarding their AI solution, complemented by GTIA promotional support and official winner designation for marketing, sales, and recruitment purposes.
Both GTIA members and non‑member ITSPs are eligible to enter the GTIA Innovate Awards. More information is available at https://gtia.org/innovate-awards. Applications will be accepted through April 21, 2026. For non-members, an entry fee of $195 includes participation in the Innovate Awards and a one-year GTIA ITSP membership, which provides immediate access to GTIA business resources, a community dedicated to ITSP success, and free registration to ChannelCon 2026.
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 more than 2,500 ITSPs, vendors, distributors and other companies serving the IT channel.
For more information, visit gtia.org.
Media contact:
Suzanne Collier
WhiteFox Marketing for GTIA