Beyond Distribution with GTDC

Distribution’s Evolution and Future. Insight from Top Executives at GTDC Summit NA

Rapid change deeply impacts the channel, and IT distributors are orchestrating those transformations. In episode 51, Frank Vitagliano moderates an insightful conversation on that topic with a panel of the top distribution executives in North America, recorded live at the February GTDC Summit NA in Oceanside, CA. The group touches on a number of critical channel topics, including upstream and downstream advances with AI and collaboration opportunities with hyperscalers, and discuss the challenges of the current global environment. Frank’s guests include:    
Sean Kerins, President and CEO, Arrow Electronics  
Dan Schwab, Co-President, D&H 
Paul Bay, CEO, Ingram Micro 
Patrick Zammit - CEO, TD SYNNEX  
 What can channel expect from distributors in the future? How will AI impact sales, marketing, support and other operations? Check out this special episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC to hear their answers.  

Global Policy Shifts and Financial Outlook with Emily Mansfield of the EIU

Geopolitical changes are creating uncertainties across the globe, from new policies and tariffs to potentially temporary supply chain moves. Despite those reservations, the IT industry have several reasons to be optimistic this year, suggests Emily Mansfield, Regional Director, Europe, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The 2025 GTDC Summit EMEA speaker joins host Frank Vitagliano for an interactive discussion on European and worldwide concerns and factors that could boost (or impede) IT spending in episode 52 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC. 
How will tariff threats, the Ukrainian conflict and other political uncertainties affect markets and buying capabilities? What impact could positive trends in inflation and interest rates have on consumers and businesses?  
Hear the answers to those questions in this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC. 
 Visit the GTDC Knowledge Hub for access to additional podcast episodes and other valued industry resources.   

European Distribution Leaders Look to the Future at GTDC Summit EMEA

Despite global economic uncertainty, the value of ICT distribution continues to strengthen with new technologies, services and platform investments. In episode 53 of Beyond Distribution, host Frank Vitagliano moderates an insightful conversation on what the future holds for the channel as well as its rapidly changing ecosystem with a panel of European distribution executives. This session was recorded live at the recent GTDC Summit EMEA event in Madrid, Spain. From expanding portfolios and digital platforms to incorporating AI everywhere, the group touched on a number of critical channel topics, including the opportunities and challenges of operating in today’s disruptive global environment.   
The executive panel included:     
 Ali Baghdadi, SVP & Chief Country Executive, Ingram Micro (MEA focus) 
Nick Bannister, President ECS EMEA, Arrow Electronics 
Alessandro Cattani, CEO, Esprinet 
Frank Salmon, CEO, CMS Distribution Ltd. 
Where are distributors investing their resources? How will innovation spur their sales and support capabilities? Listen to this extraordinary episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC to find out.   

Building a Trusted Channel Services Aggregator: A Conversation with Jason Beal and Andrew Warren of Exclusive Networks

While the industry has long embraced the IT distributor model, today the term channel services aggregator provides a more accurate description of what these organizations do for vendors and solution providers, suggests Jason Beal, President of North America for Exclusive Networks. In this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, Beal and his VP of Sales and Marketing Andrew Warren share their insights on the industry’s transformation, the rapid rise of cybersecurity and other noteworthy topics with host Frank Vitagliano. The trio also touched on the increasing role of AI in data protection, the importance of personal relationships in the channel and what lies ahead for Exclusive Networks’ enhanced North American operations.  
How will AI and automation enhance the customer experience and affect the personal touch channel partners expect from distributors?
What can distributors do to build trust and strengthen engagement with partners, vendors and other stakeholders?
Listen to this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for those answers and more.    
 Also, check out the GTDC Knowledge Hub to enjoy the video or audio versions of all 54 episodes of the podcast and access a wide array of other valued industry resources.   

Building a Successful AI Strategy: A Summit EMEA Expert Panel Discussion

Organizations are increasingly dependent on technologies that streamline and automate operations, and AI allows channel partners to deliver in both areas for their clients. That is just one of the benefits of artificial intelligence that are discussed with a panel of industry experts in this episode of Beyond Distribution, which was recorded live at GTDC Summit EMEA in Madrid. Moderated by IT Channel Consultant Alex Tatham, the group share their firsthand experiences and unique insight into the solutions and business use cases that are helping to generate interest and actual revenue streams across the ICT community. 
Which industries are adopting AI the fastest? How can channel companies collaborate to deliver more valuable solutions to their end customers? The experts joining Tatham to answer those questions and add other insightful anecdotes include:   
Jelle Acda, CEO, Acda Consultancy  
Zu Khoja, SVP Architecture & Innovation Nielsen IQ  
Justo Oreja Vega, Director Specialist, Microsoft  
David Watt, CEO, CI Group 
If you missed this year’s event, watch for the save the date for GTTDC Summit EMEA 2026! Also, be sure to check out our 2025 Summit Recap details on all the insightful sessions and activities.    

The Transformation of Distribution is Just Getting Started: A Conversation with Ingram Micro’s Bill Brandel

While distribution has evolved significantly over the past few years, AI and the movement towards proactive and consultative services and will bring even greater benefits to channel partners and their customers, according to Bill Brandel, EVP and President of North America for Ingram Micro. In this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, he and host Frank Vitagliano discuss some of those inflection points, the rapid transformation of the industry and take a long look at the opportunities ahead for the IT industry.  
How will digital platforms augment the procurement process and the partner experience? What tools will help vendors escalate their sales and integration capabilities? Listen in to this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for those details (and more)!     
Looking for additional insight on the channel’s future direction? Download your free copy of new GTDC Tech Distribution 2030 report today! 
 

The Cloud Movement is a Journey, Not a Destination: A Conversation with IDC’s Frank Della Rosa

Digital transformation has come a long way with investment in that area projected to reach $4 trillion dollars by 2028, and that shift shows no signs of abating, says Frank Della Rosa, Research Vice President of SaaS, Business Platforms and Ecosystems at IDC. He joins host Frank Vitagliano in episode 58 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC to discuss the latest trends in the cloud marketplace and the evolving role of distribution in the cloud ecosystem.  
How will the digital landscape change in the future? What impact will AI have on hiring and the workforce? Where will hyperscalers fit in this evolving cloud ecosystem? What percentage of digital transformation investments involve hardware?   
Check out this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for answers to those questions and even more insight on the global cloud movement from IDC.      
Get another look at what lies ahead for the IT channel. Download your free copy of new GTDC Tech Distribution 2030 report today! 

No Longer the Channel’s Best Kept Secret: a Conversation with GTIA’s New CEO, Dan Wensley

With the tech industry innovating faster than ever, channel organizations need as much support as possible, and that’s where GTIA — formerly the CompTIA member community — shines. In episode 59 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, newly appointed GTIA CEO Dan Wensley discusses the organization's past and future journey with host Frank Vitagliano. Their conversation touches on Wensley’s 30-year IT industry journey, including his leadership role in the early days of managed services, as well as the continuing evolution of technology and business models.  
How will GTIA help channel professionals navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead?
What are his priorities around research, resources and programs?  
Check out this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for answers to those questions, as well as a deep look into the future of the IT industry.  

Empowering Channel Excellence: A Conversation with Reyna Thompson and Jessica McDowell from TD SYNNEX

From cloud procurement and enablement to managing relationships with hyperscalers, distributors have become masters of the digital realm for their vendor and solution provider partners. In episode 59 of the Beyond Distribution with GTDC podcast, TD SYNNEX executives Reyna Thompson, President of North America, and Jessica McDowell, Senior Vice President, North America Marketing & Digital Customer Success share insight on that critical topic with host Frank Vitagliano.  
The trio discuss the tools and programs that enable the channel today, including the latest digital platforms. How can distributors help their vendor and solution provider partners overcome the complexities of innovation? Which investments will ensure end-users enjoy more successful and secure technology journeys? 
Get the answers to those questions (and more) in this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC. Then download a free copy of the new GTDC Tech Distribution 2030 report to see what comes next.  

From Channel Chief to CRO, Distribution Remains a Top Priority: A Discussion with Ken Marks

After serving in a channel chief role for several prominent companies over the years, Ken Marks, former CRO of Cynomi, (this episode was recorded prior to his departure) validates a philosophy he’s held for many years: top-down support is critical to channel success. He shares his thoughts on his new role, C-suite buy in with an indirect GTM and cybersecurity with host Frank Vitagliano in episode 60 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.  
How does Marks leverage distribution to scale sales and solution adoption in the IT community? Which routes to market could serve as coverage and support models for his business? Check out this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for the answers and an insightful conversation on cybersecurity, AI and distribution.  
What trends will have the biggest impact on IT vendors? Download a free copy of new GTDC Tech Distribution 2030 report today to find out!