GTIA preps for first Spotlight awards since rebranding

The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is gearing up for the annual Australia and New Zealand Spotlight Awards event for 2025.

This is the third year of the Spotlight awards in Australia and New Zealand. Registrations are now open for this year’s awards ceremony, which will be held on September 10, 2025, at the Sofitel Sydney in Darling Harbour.

Formerly known as CompTIA, GTIA is a non-profit association for IT solution providers, managed service providers (MSPs), vendors, distributors and other companies operating in the global IT channel.

It offers events, networking opportunities, business resources and cybersecurity certification for members.

This will be the first Spotlight Awards under the GTIA brand since the association changed its name at the start of 2025.

The rebrand was part of a strategic shift toward focusing exclusively on IT channel organisations.

"Our new name better represents who we are and the members we serve—organisations that deliver the technology solutions that power the global economy," M J Shoer, chief community officer at GTIA said when the rebranding was announced.

The GTIA Spotlight Awards recognise “active leadership, outstanding contributions and innovation that have a positive impact on our association and the tech industry around the world,” according to the association’s website.

There are nine awards up for grabs, three for individuals and six for organisations.

Organisational awards are the Cybersecurity Leadership, Advancing Diversity in Technology Leadership, MSP/Solution Provider, Innovative Distributor, Innovative Vendor, and Associate Member awards.

The awards for individuals are the Future Leader, Community Leadership, and Advancing Women in Technology Leadership awards.

More details on all of these awards can be found on the GTIA website.

Advancing Women in Women in Technology group

The Advancing Women in Technology Leadership award inspired a new group within the association, the Advancing Women in Women in Technology (AWIT) group.

It was founded by GTIA members Pax8’s Maria Armstrong, the group’s chair, and Connectwise’s Bec Paior, who is vice chair.

Armstrong said the group’s first meeting was held in May, featuring Merryl Macleod, formerly of First Focus, and attracted 56 attendees.

She said AWIT’s goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment within the industry to advance women.

“This is not a group that’s exclusively for women, it’s for those who want to work together to build a space within our community for women to thrive and advance their careers.”

The next meeting is scheduled for August and there will be an AWIT panel at the community day on September 10 in Sydney.

Late last year, GTIA divested its skills and training arm to two global investment firms, HIG Capital and Thoma Bravo.

At the time of the sale, board chair Scott Barlow said the transaction was to enable the association to expand its industry service while making new commitments to charitable impact.