Computer Products, Value-Added Resellers Trade Associations

Association for High Technology Distribution (AHTD)

A U.S.-based association for industrial automation distributors and manufacturers. Offers peer networking, benchmarking, and biannual conferences that help automation-focused VARs expand vendor relationships and improve go-to-market performance.

https://www.ahtd.org/ Membership: 300

ASCDI – Association of Service, Communication, Data & ITAD Providers

Global nonprofit for companies that buy, sell, service, and recycle computer/telecom equipment. Supports secondary market VARs and ITAD providers with ethics standards, trading forums, and advocacy on right-to-repair and resale.

https://www.ascdi.com/ Membership: 360

AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association)

International AV trade association (producer of InfoComm) with integrators, dealers, and distributors among its members. Provides standards, certifications, training, market intelligence, and events valuable to AV/IT VARs.

https://www.avixa.org/ Membership: 11,400

BICSI

Professional association for the information and communications technology (ICT) cabling industry. Serves designers, installers, integrators, and related VARs with standards, credentials, and conferences.

https://www.bicsi.org/ Membership: 26,000

Business Technology Association (BTA)

U.S. association for office technology dealers and resellers (print/MFP, workflow, and related IT). Offers education, legal resources, and peer groups to help VARs grow dealership revenue. Membership directory lists 600+ entries.

https://www.bta.org/ Membership: 600

CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association)

Leading IT industry association supporting the channel with communities, training, certifications, advocacy, and research. Corporate membership includes vendors, distributors, and solution providers/VARs.

https://www.comptia.org/ Membership: 2,100

CEDIA (Association for Smart Home Professionals)

Global smart home technology association for integrators, manufacturers, and distributors. Provides education, certifications, standards, and advocacy—useful for residential/commercial AV and home automation VARs.

https://cedia.org/ Membership: 30,000

Electronic Security Association (ESA)

U.S. trade association for electronic security and life-safety companies. Supports security VARs/integrators with training (NTS), advocacy, networking, and member benefits.

https://esaweb.org/ Membership: 2,500

Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC)

Industry council representing the world’s leading IT distributors. Distributors collectively support vast VAR ecosystems; GTDC provides research and events that strengthen vendor–distributor–partner collaboration. Membership currently includes 22 distributors worldwide.

https://gtdc.org/ Membership: 22

IAMCP (International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners)

Microsoft partner association with 100+ chapters globally. Helps Microsoft-focused solution providers and VARs partner, co-sell, and engage with Microsoft field teams.

https://www.iamcp.org/ Membership: 2,000

ITServe Alliance

U.S. association of IT services and consulting firms. Chapters provide advocacy, procurement guidance, and peer networking that benefit channel-led VARs/MSPs; recent communications cite 2,300+ member companies.

https://www.itserve.org/ Membership: 2,300

Managed Print Services Association (MPSA)

Nonprofit for managed print services providers, dealers, and vendors. Offers best practices, education, and standards to help print-focused VARs evolve into services-led models. Reports approximately 200 members.

https://yourmpsa.org/ Membership: 200

MSPAlliance (International Association of Cloud & Managed Service Providers)

Global industry association and accreditation body for MSPs. Provides standards (e.g., MSP/Cloud Verify), audits, and community programs that help services-led VARs mature operations. Cites 30,000+ corporate members worldwide.

https://www.mspalliance.com/ Membership: 30,000

National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA)

U.S. nonprofit representing commercial systems integrators (AV, security, life safety). Offers training, benchmarking, advocacy, and peer networking for project-based VARs. Membership exceeds 800 companies.

https://www.nsca.org/ Membership: 800

PSA Security Network

North America’s largest consortium of professional security and AV systems integrators. Provides buying power, training, and vendor programs that strengthen member VARs’ competitiveness.

https://psasecurity.com/ Membership: 200

Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)

North America’s largest community of retail and restaurant tech providers—VARs, ISVs, vendors, and distributors. Delivers education, legal resources, and channel networking; total membership is approaching 750 companies.

https://www.gorspa.org/ Membership: 750

Security Industry Association (SIA)

Trade association for global security solution providers, including integrators and distributors. Offers standards, training, advocacy, and events that support security-focused VARs. Over 1,500 member companies.

https://www.securityindustry.org/ Membership: 1,500

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)

U.S. ICT standards and advocacy association whose members include manufacturers, distributors, systems integrators, and service providers. Useful for VARs engaged in telecom/networking products and certifications. Represents 400+ companies.

https://tiaonline.org/ Membership: 400

The ASCII Group

One of North America’s oldest and largest communities of MSPs, MSSPs, and solution providers/VARs. Provides peer networking, vendor programs, and marketing/education to grow channel businesses. Over 1,300 members across the U.S. and Canada.

https://www.ascii.com/ Membership: 1,300

Wi‑Fi Alliance

Global industry consortium that certifies Wi‑Fi products and convenes hundreds of vendors, component makers, and solution providers. Valuable for networking vendors/VARs in connectivity, edge, and device ecosystems. Estimated 900+ member companies.

https://www.wi-fi.org/ Membership: 900