On July 29, 2025, hundreds of IT professionals, service providers, vendors, and thought leaders converged at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville for the kickoff of CompTIA ChannelCon 2025. Now hosted by the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA), formerly known as the CompTIA Community, the three-day event marks a pivotal gathering for those working across the IT channel, offering insights into emerging technologies, business model innovation, and peer-to-peer collaboration.
This year’s conference carries the theme “The Future Is Human,” a statement that underscores the delicate balance between technological advancement and human-centered leadership in the IT industry. It’s a timely focus, as organizations across sectors are not only deploying artificial intelligence tools but also grappling with their implications for culture, ethics, and long-term sustainability.
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Artificial intelligence is, unsurprisingly, the most dominant theme across the event. From keynote sessions to hands-on workshops, discussions revolve around how generative AI can be responsibly deployed to accelerate business outcomes while mitigating risks such as bias, security vulnerabilities, and over-reliance on automation. Noelle Russell, founder and Chief AI Officer at the AI Leadership Institute, delivered one of the opening keynotes with a talk that combined both inspiration and pragmatic strategy. Drawing from her extensive experience leading AI initiatives at companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Amazon, and NPR, Russell highlighted how organizations can move from excitement to execution when integrating AI into their operations. She also introduced key concepts from her newly released book, “Scaling Responsible AI: From Enthusiasm to Execution,” encouraging attendees to prioritize transparency, governance, and cross-functional collaboration when deploying machine learning technologies.
In a complementary keynote, author Kim Scott, best known for her influential book “Radical Candor,” addressed leadership dynamics in a time of rapid digital transformation. She challenged attendees to rethink hierarchical models in favor of feedback-rich, collaborative workplaces where trust and psychological safety are foundational. Her message resonated with attendees navigating the dual pressures of technological change and workforce retention in a competitive IT talent market.
While keynote addresses drew considerable attention, ChannelCon is equally known for its hands-on educational tracks, which this year are focused on key business imperatives for managed service providers (MSPs) and IT solution providers (ITSPs). One track centers on the evolution of the MSP business model, with sessions exploring everything from SMB buyer behaviors to marketing automation using AI. In one workshop, attendees learned how to use AI tools to optimize appointment setting, lead scoring, and customer retention strategies.
Cybersecurity also features prominently in the event agenda, reflecting growing concerns about data breaches, ransomware, and supply chain vulnerabilities. One particularly well-attended session, “Cybersecurity for Main Street,” provided practical frameworks for small and mid-sized businesses to assess risk, implement best practices, and achieve compliance without incurring unsustainable costs. Attendees shared experiences around adopting zero-trust architectures and building cybersecurity awareness among non-technical staff.
Vendor-distributor alignment and channel engagement strategies round out the event’s core educational offerings. With increasing pressure to demonstrate value and customer outcomes, channel leaders are seeking innovative approaches to partner programs, training investments, and co-marketing initiatives. Several sessions focused on enhancing the vendor-partner dynamic in a time when customers demand faster delivery cycles, deeper integration, and clearer accountability.
Peer-to-peer collaboration is another hallmark of ChannelCon. This year’s event features numerous community-led panels and open forums where GTIA members can share case studies, troubleshoot challenges, and compare notes on emerging revenue models. Subscription-based services, recurring revenue frameworks, and digital transformation initiatives are key discussion points as MSPs seek predictable growth in volatile markets.
The atmosphere at the event extends beyond formal education. Social events and informal networking opportunities are integral to the ChannelCon experience. From the vendor fair to one-on-one advisory sessions dubbed the “Business Genius Café,” attendees have multiple avenues to form new partnerships, mentor emerging leaders, and explore product innovations. The second night of the conference will feature a community party at Luke’s 32 Bridge in downtown Nashville, with access to a rooftop venue offering live music and city views.
ChannelCon also incorporates a charitable dimension, closing the event with a team-based guitar-building workshop. In this unique session, participants work together to assemble guitars that are later donated to local school music programs—an initiative that blends technical precision with community impact.
This year’s event comes at a transformative moment for the GTIA, which has recently undergone rebranding and realignment following its separation from CompTIA’s certification programs. The organization is now positioning itself as a vendor-neutral, community-driven hub for IT channel development, advocacy, and standards. Leaders at the event are quick to point out that while technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, the channel’s real strength lies in its people—their adaptability, creativity, and commitment to solving complex problems collaboratively.
ChannelCon 2025 not only reflects the challenges facing today’s IT service providers but also illuminates the pathways forward. From adopting responsible AI to navigating the cybersecurity landscape and fostering inclusive leadership, the event offers a 360-degree view of where the channel is headed and how its members can grow in sync with technological and societal change.