FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘Channel Leaders’ Peer Group Transforms into Channel Sales Association for Professionals Driving Partner Revenue

Built by channel sales professionals, CSA launches with membership, programming, resources and support for partner-led growth

DALLAS – April 9, 2026 – Channel Leaders, a private peer group for channel sales professionals, today announced its transformation into the Channel Sales Association (CSA), a new organization created to support professionals responsible for driving revenue through partners.

CSA’s Co-Founders Kimber Garrett, Paul Laferriere and Kathryn Rose, said the transition from Channel Leaders to the Channel Sales Association reflects the maturation of both the community and the profession. The goal is not simply to rename a group, but to establish a professional organization that supports channel sales practitioners throughout their careers.

“Channel sales professionals drive enormous value for their organizations, yet they have never had formal support infrastructure built specifically for them,” said Garrett. “We created the Channel Sales Association to provide structure, standards and a true professional home for the people who drive revenue through partners.”

CSA is designed exclusively for professionals who drive partner-led revenue inside IT, technology, telecom, cybersecurity, cloud and software organizations. Members include channel account managers, channel sales managers, directors and vice presidents of channel sales, partner development leaders, and channel-focused RevOps and enablement professionals.

Six Years in the Making: CSA’s Origin Story

CSA’s origins date back to 2020 when the COVID pandemic paused conferences and in-person gatherings, cutting off channel sales professionals from their primary source for real conversations, deal collaboration and peer problem-solving.

Recognizing that gap, Garrett and Laferriere, both seasoned channel executives and channel vice presidents with decades of experience leading partner revenue teams, launched Channel Leaders as a place for channel professionals to connect in real time.

Channel Leaders started as group Slack workspace but quickly became a community of more than 1,000 members globally. Channel sales pros turned to the group for candid conversations, tactical problem-solving and practical guidance around deal registration conflicts, compensation structures, co-sell execution, partner accountability and indirect revenue strategy. More importantly, it became a place where real business happened. Collaborations formed, opportunities were shared and deals were influenced through trusted peer relationships.

When live events resumed more than a year later, the need for the Channel Leaders community didn’t disappear. Channel sales pros grew busier, with more conferences, more travel and more meetings, yet less structured time for meaningful peer collaboration. Honest conversation and shared problem-solving became difficult to sustain. Soon, it became clear that the channel sales profession needed more support than the Slack group could offer; it needed durable infrastructure.

“We have all benefited from conversations at industry events and trusted peer relationships, but those moments are temporary,” said Laferriere. “Our goal is to build something consistent and enduring. Channel leaders deserve professional infrastructure that supports them every day, not just a few times a year.”

Building a Stronger Foundation: People and Programs

To help build the foundation, Garrett and Laferriere invited Rose, a longtime channel veteran and Co-Founder of the Channel Marketing Association, to join as CSA Co-Founder.

“Channel sales and channel marketing operate side by side in every technology organization,” said Rose. “As co-founder of the Channel Marketing Association, aligning these professional communities makes sense. Together, we strengthen the collaboration between revenue and marketing leaders who jointly support partner growth.”

CSA also invited Michelle Accardi, CEO of Liongard, to serve as the group’s first Strategic Advisor.

“Channel sales leaders sit at the center of growth for modern technology companies,” said Accardi. “They manage complexity across partners, internal teams and revenue targets. The Channel Sales Association is building infrastructure that reflects the scale and importance of that responsibility. I am proud to support this effort.”

The new organization offers a structured membership model with tiered access levels for individuals and corporate teams. Members gain access to a vetted peer community, a growing resource library, advanced working sessions, regional events for channel account managers (CAMs) and access to the ChannelGTM.ai AI-powered tool for channel go-to-market execution.

CSA will roll out expanded programming in the second quarter of 2026, including regional CAM Connects, structured peer roundtables, research initiatives such as a State of Channel Sales report and an annual Channel Sales Excellence Awards program.

Membership is now open to professionals who drive revenue through partners. Join at https://channelsalesassociation.com/.

About Channel Sales Association

The Channel Sales Association (CSA) is a professional organization for the people who drive revenue through partners. Built by and for channel sales professionals, CSA offers membership, programming, resources, peer connection and tools designed to support partner-led growth across IT, technology, telecom, cybersecurity, cloud and software organizations. CSA is dedicated to advancing the channel sales profession through collaboration, insight and ongoing support. For more information, visit https://channelsalesassociation.com/.

Media Contact

Kathryn Rose

Co-Founder

Channel Sales Association

kathryn@channelsalesassociation.com