The Global Technology Industry Association’s acquisition of The ASCII Group brings together two organizations with long histories in the IT channel and deep ties to MSPs and other technology service providers.
The deal, announced Sept. 15, makes ASCII part of GTIA while preserving its brand, events and peer-driven community model. ASCII members also will gain GTIA membership at no additional cost, giving them access to additional research, education, cybersecurity resources and industry events.
GTIA CEO Dan Wensley sat down with ChannelPro to discuss why the timing made sense, what will change for ASCII members and where GTIA sees the biggest opportunities ahead.
Why was now the right time for GTIA to make this move, and what made the timing work for both sides?
Wensley: GTIA and ASCII have been partners for years, collaborating on research, sharing keynote stages and investing in the same channel ecosystem. This acquisition deepens a relationship that was already built on shared values and outcomes. GTIA’s board recognized the value of ASCII’s 40-year community and the importance of carrying Alan Weinberger’s legacy forward, and approved the investment to make it happen.
The timing also reflects a broader moment of consolidation and scale across the channel. GTIA saw an opportunity to strengthen the full spectrum of the industry, from early-stage MSPs to large, strategic operators, under one roof.
Dan Wensley
What does GTIA like about the ASCII model, and what improvements do you anticipate making?
Wensley: GTIA has long respected how ASCII members show up for each other. There is a level of trust and mutual support within the community that is difficult to manufacture. That trust is exactly what GTIA wants to invest in and grow, which is part of why the people who built that culture are staying on to lead it.
Jerry Koutavas has joined GTIA as vice president, Community ASCII; Jessie Devine is now director, Industry Partnerships; and Jessica Turner is manager, Digital Engagement. All three bring deep institutional knowledge of the ASCII community. Alysia Vetter, who previously served as chief marketing officer at ASCII, is now GTIA’s director of PR and Communications.
On the improvement side, GTIA plans to put more resources behind ASCII Edge events to raise their caliber. We are also exploring whether the ASCII model could expand into international markets, building on ASCII’s own early work exploring a global footprint and GTIA’s existing network of local chapters.
Will the ASCII brand continue, or will it eventually be fully merged into GTIA?
Wensley: ASCII continues as “ASCII, a GTIA Community.” Its brand, events, peer culture and member experience remain fully intact. We have made clear that ASCII is not folding into GTIA. The two organizations are coming together to be stronger while preserving the identity that makes ASCII valuable to its members.
Will ASCII events continue as standalone events? How do you anticipate them changing over time?
Wensley: Yes. ASCII Edge events will continue in the same regional, peer-driven format members already know, including the Chicago and San Antonio events this fall.
The direction is bigger and better: more investment behind the events, with an eye toward higher-caliber programming and potentially expanding into new markets over time. No reduction in scope or frequency is planned.
What has the general feedback been from ASCII members?
Wensley: Early feedback from members on both sides has been largely positive. ASCII members have welcomed the move as a way to secure the organization’s future and preserve the peer relationships at its core. Some have noted that joining a larger, more resourced organization comes at a meaningful moment following the loss of ASCII’s founder. There is also a shared hope that the tight-knit camaraderie ASCII is known for continues to deepen.
On the GTIA side, members have pointed to what ASCII’s community brings to the table, particularly its smaller, more intimate regional events, and have expressed optimism about what a combined, expanded footprint could mean for the broader IT channel.
Will all ASCII members be enrolled automatically into GTIA? How will that work?
Wensley: Yes. ASCII members are automatically added to the GTIA member roster at no additional cost.
That means immediate access to GTIA’s industry research and insights, training and education for their entire team, cybersecurity resources through the GTIA ISAO, and free registration to ChannelCon and every GTIA community meeting and event. Once added, members can create a login at my.gtia.org using their company email address and the “Reset Password” option to access the GTIA member portal.
What trends in technology and business strategy will be most impactful for MSPs in 2027 and beyond?
AI will be top of mind across the channel in the year ahead and well beyond. In 2026, our research zeroed in on the AI maturity gap among ITSPs. Nearly every company uses AI in some form, but few have formalized a strategy around it, including governance, policy, controls and dedicated leadership. Without those operating principles, most ITSPs will struggle to generate revenue they can attribute to AI.
How will GTIA help MSPs prepare for what comes next?
In the year ahead, GTIA will conduct research and design member education courses to help companies close that AI maturity gap. That work will cover everything from new pricing models and sales and marketing strategies to cybersecurity implications and customer insights.
The increasing complexity of technology consistently ranks as the top tailwind in our research for growth in the channel. GTIA’s goal is to give members the research, thought leadership, and business and technical training that provide an expert edge in this fast-moving environment.
Jonathan Browning is executive director of content and engagement for The ChannelPro Network. He has been a leader in the IT channel for close to a decade. He’s an avid fan and early adopter of technology. He believes that the managed services industry is the most important driver of economic growth and human innovation in today’s world.
