ChannelCon Highlights + GTIA’s Core 4: A Culture in Motion

👋 Welcome to the grind

I’m John Harden, and after years in the MSP world, I’ve got a few thoughts—and I’m not shy about sharing them. You might’ve seen me breaking things down on LinkedIn. This newsletter is where I connect the dots: fresh posts, honest takes on what’s really going on in the industry, and clips from recent webinars and livestreams. If you're building an MSP, navigating change, or just want a voice that gets it, you're in good company here.

Coffee Chats Recap: Breaking Down GTIA’s Core Values: Member First, Growth Minded, Build Together & Share the Vibe

GTIA’s top leaders brought infectious energy and candid stories to our webinar as they dug deep into the four core values shaping our community’s next chapter. Get inspired by the principles that are redefining what it means to be part of something bigger in tech—here’s what each value truly means in practice

(Watch the episode)

🔍 What we learned:

This week’s Coffee Chat brought together GTIA leaders Dan Wensley (CEO), MJ Shoer (Chief Community Officer), and Matt Lee (Board Member and community powerhouse) for a high-energy, no-fluff breakdown of the four core values guiding GTIA’s next chapter. Together, they unpacked what it means to lead with Member First, stay Growth Minded, Build Together across a global network, and Share the Vibe in everything we do. Each leader brought their own perspective—Dan on sustainable growth and reinvestment, MJ on community collaboration at scale, and Matt on keeping members at the heart of every decision. These values aren’t just slogans—they’re shaping how GTIA shows up, builds trust, and delivers real impact across the channel.

💡Biggest Takeaways:

1. Member First: Prioritizing People Above All

   “Remembering that you have to serve the community that you have,” as Matt Lee put it, is the cornerstone of GTIA. Member First means every initiative, meeting, or innovation starts by asking, “Does this serve our members?” This value is about ensuring inclusivity for both legacy members and new faces in every region. From adapting events for global communities to embracing new voices and needs, this principle keeps GTIA grounded as it scales. The message is clear: without unwavering focus on members’ needs, none of our ambitions would hold up.

2. Growth Minded: Always Advancing, Always Adding Value

   Dan emphasized, “If we're not moving forward, if we're not advancing… we're not delivering value for members.” Growth Minded isn’t just about numbers or revenue because it's about bringing in more voices, evolving resources, and innovating for everyone’s benefit. Empowered by a strong endowment, GTIA is uniquely positioned to reinvest in the member experience instead of just organizational coffers. Growth is about possibility: more connection, more knowledge, and more opportunities for everyone in the community.

3. Build Together: Global Reach, Local Impact

   For MJ, Build Together means harnessing the collective creativity and energy of a truly global membership while ensuring relevance and impact at a local level. “We are the only organization in the channel that can pull that together that way,” he shared. Whether it’s translating content for specific regions or organizing community-driven philanthropic initiatives, this value is about co-creating resources, knowledge, and change side by side, across continents, adapting to local languages and needs, all powered by the dedication of members.

4. Share the Vibe: Creating & Sustaining Positive Momentum

   As Dan described, this value “had to be fun” and capture momentum, making GTIA a place people genuinely want to be. Sharing the vibe energizes teams, attracts new members, fosters collaboration, and circles back to supporting our members at every turn. It’s about enjoying the journey, being open, and celebrating wins, big and small, together.

✅ Recommendations:

• New members: Take the first step by reaching out to leaders listed on the website, joining a working group, and soaking up the energy.

• Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back: everyone started as a newcomer. Join, observe, learn, and when ready, contribute.

• Apply “Member First” to your daily work by asking how your actions uplift the broader community.

A huge thank you to Dan, MJ, and Matt for bringing honesty, laughter, and vision to this conversation. If you’re looking for a community led by purpose and energy, GTIA is growing, building, and vibing like never before so get involved! Stay tuned for more Coffee Chats episodes and keep the momentum going.

ChannelCon 2025 Was a Full-Throttle Ride and I’m Still Catching My Breath

Before the conference even officially kicked off, I was already in awe. If preday was any indication, I knew ChannelCon 2025 was about to deliver big—and wow, did it ever.

CTF Initiation: I’m Hooked

It all started with my very first Capture The Flag (CTF). Huge thanks to Jason Slagle, Matt Lee, and Natalie Suarez for pulling that together. I’m now a certified CTF addict. Next time, I’m definitely teaming up with Ashley Cooper. I can only imagine our “Team Red Potatoes & Duck Duck Zero” combo will be too good.

A Community That Just Gets It

No glitz, no gimmicks. Just real people showing up for each other. That’s what the Tech Degenerates crew brought to life, thanks to leaders like Dawn Sizer and Henry Timm. It reminded me of what community should look like. No one was chasing clout. We were just there to share, grow, and lift each other up. Honestly? That hit harder than any keynote could.

GTIA GLC Kicks Off

We also kicked off the GTIA Global Leadership Council, connecting dots between councils, communities, and the board. There’s a serious shift happening within GTIA, and I’m so proud to be part of that renewed energy and direction. It feels purposeful, and that’s rare. Council Sessions and Channel Legends Day one hit the ground running with the SaaS-E council. Every time I sit in that room, I walk away more inspired than the last. This group is building something special. We’re using AI, pushing long-term strategies, and doing it all with a shared vision.

Mr Matt Lee of The Year (Member of the Year)

And then came the moment Matt Lee finally got the recognition he deserved. Matt’s the kind of person who’s all heart and no filter in the best possible way. Authentic, generous, and one of the smartest minds in the channel. I’ve learned so much from him over the past five years. Watching him be celebrated by the community he’s helped shape? That was emotional.

Black Lemonade Magic

One of my biggest highlights of the entire event was getting to work with the amazing interns from Black Lemonade. These students were full of curiosity, joy, and serious questions, and the impact went both ways. Mentors were moved, students were inspired, and I left feeling more hopeful than I have in a while. Massive thanks to everyone who made it happen, including Chris Phillips, MJ Shoer, Evan Leonard, and a powerhouse group of mentors who gave their time and energy so generously. And of course, huge gratitude to Kaymi Butler for making this connection possible.

The Honky Tonk That Stole My Heart

Okay, I’m a little biased, I grew up country, but bringing out Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson, and Gary Levox? That’s how you throw a conference party. The vibe was unreal. Dancing, singing, laughing… it was the kind of night that makes you forget you’re technically “at work.”

The Core That Matters Most

Now, let me get serious for a sec. The real heart of ChannelCon 2025 wasn’t in the parties or panels. It was in the core values that GTIA rolled out and fully lived throughout the event. I got to dive into them during an early-morning podcast with Dan Wensley and MJ Shoer, and they stuck with me:

• Member First – Everything revolves around empowering and delivering value to members.

• Growth Minded – Keep learning, adapting, innovating. No standing still.

• Build Together – True collaboration, transparency, and integrity.

• Share the Vibe – Bring energy, joy, and passion into everything we do.

And the best part? These weren’t just buzzwords. You could feel them in every room, in every conversation. GTIA isn’t just talking about change—they’re leading it, together with the community.

So, What Now?

Coming out of ChannelCon 2025, I feel fired up. Not just from the content or the connections, but from the sense of direction and purpose GTIA is driving forward. This wasn’t just a conference… it was a launchpad. And from where I’m sitting, the future of the channel looks brighter than ever. Let’s keep building, growing, and sharing the vibe.

🎙️ I’m Live Next Week

MSP Vendors - How To Talk The Talk and Break the Noise (Thursday July 31, 9am ET)

Learn how MSP vendors can stand out in a sea of sameness with Katie Vreeland of Luminary.

In an industry inundated with pitches and products, cutting through the noise is crucial for success. Join me as I chat with Katie Vreeland, the founder of Luminary, who is renowned for her candid approach to MSP communications. We will dig into the strategies and missteps vendors experience and discuss what truly helps them earn trust and connect with MSPs effectively.

What we’ll cover:

• The State of the MSP "Pitch": Why are so many vendor messages blending together today, and what can we do about it?

• Cutting Through the Static: What unconventional strategies have successfully broken through the vendor noise?

• Beyond Buzzwords: How can vendors build real connections without falling into jargon overload or buzzword traps.

Friday August 8th, 2025 at 9:00 AM EST on LinkedIn Live. Bring your coffee and energy!

Drop your questions in the comments, tag a fellow vendor who needs to hear this, or share what resonates most with your experience!

🎧 Register here 

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📬 Hit Me Back

What part of GTIA’s core values hit you hardest? Got a story where you saw “Member First” in action—or maybe a time you helped Share the Vibe in your own community? I want to hear it. Reply back, drop your thoughts, or better yet, bring it to the next Coffee Chat. Let’s keep building this culture together.