Dive Brief:
- Global Technology Industry Association acquired the ASCII Group, merging two managed services provider communities, GTIA announced Tuesday.
- ASCII will continue to hold its ASCII Edge regional events and its members were automatically admitted to GTIA, according to an FAQ.
- ASCII lists more than 1,300 companies among its members, while GTIA has roughly 2,800. The merger strengthens ASCII’s position globally and GTIA’s position in North America, according to Robin Ody, MSP practice leader at Channel Dive sister company Omdia. “GTIA is in a new phase and looking to expand its base,” Ody said.
Dive Insight:
GTIA and ASCII have worked together for the better part of two decades, dating back to when GTIA was part of certification giant CompTIA. ASCII gave CompTIA a Channel Legacy Partnership Award in 2024. GTIA, which spun off from CompTIA in 2025, presented research onstage at an ASCII event earlier this year in its first formal partnership with the private group.
The acquisition significantly expands GTIA’s membership, which has been a priority for new CEO Dan Wensley.
“We're in triple-digit [membership] growth right now, and that's important,” Wensley told Channel Dive at GTIA’s flagship ChannelCon event in August. “But more importantly, the utilization of the resources and our numbers around bringing members together are all up as well.”
GTIA has offered ASCII members a $350 credit for future membership dues — a show of good faith, Ody said. Total annual costs for ASCII member companies will be $839, compared to approximately $1,200. ASCII members also get free registration to ChannelCon along with access to GTIA resources.
“GTIA says the company will maintain the events, brand and existing culture while also bringing due costs down.” Ody said. “This certainly looks like a win for everyone.”
The organizations bear many similarities and a few key differences, GTIA Chief Channel Officer Nancy Hammervik told Channel Dive in an email. Both formed at approximately the same time — ASCII in 1984 and GTIA’s originator CompTIA in 1982. However, ASCII does not have a membership tier for vendors. Vendors participate as sponsors, and the ASCII’s sponsorship model will continue separately from GTIA’s model, per the FAQ.
“ASCII's members are almost entirely practitioners — MSPs, MSSPs and solution providers,” Hammervik said. “GTIA is broader and global, with members spanning ITSPs/MSPs, vendors, distributors and industry associates.”
The two organizations have had different priorities, too. GTIA has pushed for industrywide initiatives such as AI governance standards while ASCII has maintained a focus on developing individual practitioners, Hammervik said.
IntegraMSP President Jennifer Gilligan — a GTIA member — said she’s encouraged to see the two groups combine.
“We’re at a pivotal point in the MSP journey, with AI reshaping how we operate, serve our clients and define our value,” Gilligan told Channel Dive in a message. “Bringing two respected communities together strengthens the collective knowledge, relationships, resources and voice MSPs will need to navigate this next chapter.”
