Distributors play critical role in the future of IT ecosystem, says GTDC leader

On April 3, 2025, the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) hosted the 14th annual GTDC Summit EMEA in Madrid, Spain. The conference focused on the rapid transformations in the technology community and the increasing importance of ICT distribution. Key discussions highlighted the responsibilities of global distributors in providing essential tools and programs to their vendor and ICT partners. The event's speakers explored the impending complexities related to advanced technologies like AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain while emphasizing the growing expectations from channel partners to adapt to these changes. During the opening remarks, Frank Vitagliano, CEO of the GTDC, pointed out the indispensable roles that distributors have been performing, which are expected to expand significantly as IT solutions become more intricate. He mentioned that traditional services such as logistics, billing, and credit remain crucial and cannot be easily replicated. Additionally, investments in cloud marketplaces and platforms were discussed as vital for enhancing engagement between solution providers and vendor partners. A collaboration between Frank Vitagliano and Dave O’Callaghan, founding partner of Vation Ventures, also took place, where the two discussed insights from the newly introduced GTDC Tech Distribution 2030 report. This report underscores the evolving nature of channel demands influenced by cloud technologies and variant business models. Participants recognized that as complexity escalates in AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain technologies, distributors must utilize unique skill sets to orchestrate successful outcomes for vendors and solution providers. Moreover, the summit saw discussions led by NielsenIQ’s Antonio Hurtado and Zu Khoja, who clarified how AI had evolved since its inception to modern generative models, underscoring its potential for informed decision-making and enhanced business strategies. Concerns about global conditions such as political volatility and economic uncertainties were also raised by Emily Mansfield of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The GTDC Summit EMEA revealed a nuanced understanding of how strategic distribution partnerships are pivotal for adapting to a fast-changing technological landscape and prepared their members for future challenges.