The ASCII Group announces speaker lineup and agendas for ASCII Edge 2026 conference series

Keynotes include Shipwreck Hunter James Gadomski and GTIA VP Carolyn April in multi-city peer-driven education event.

The ASCII Group, North America's premier vendor-neutral community for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), has unveiled the speaker lineup for its ASCII Edge 2026 conference series. The multi-city event, spanning eight locations across the United States and Canada, is designed to provide MSP business owners with practical, peer-driven education on the most pressing issues facing the channel.

The 2026 series agenda is heavily focused on translating industry buzzwords into actionable business growth, with core themes revolving around AI adoption, revenue diversification, and market differentiation.

Keynote speakers: Insights from the depths and the data

The conference will feature two distinct keynote presentations, blending outside-the-box inspiration with crucial market intelligence:

• James Gadomski (History Channel Personality): The shipwreck treasure hunter and History Channel personality will deliver an inspiring keynote, likely drawing parallels between high-stakes exploration and the risks and rewards of running an MSP business.

• Carolyn April (GTIA VP of Research): Representing the channel's analytical core, the Vice President of Research and Market Intelligence at GTIA (formerly CompTIA) will provide a data-driven look at the future of the MSP landscape, focusing specifically on AI Readiness in the Channel and strategies for MSPs to "Survive, Thrive, or Fade Out."

• Core themes: AI and maximizing marketing spend

• The educational sessions are structured to address immediate operational and growth challenges, featuring practical advice directly from successful MSPs.

• MSP peer sessions: Industry leaders and ASCII members, including Emily Tell of IdeaTilt, Wayne Hunter of AvTek Solutions, and Joe Rojas of Start Grow Manage, will lead sessions rooted in real-world experience, covering how to build sustainable revenue strategies and differentiate services in a crowded market.

• Actionable workshops: A major focus will be a Day 1 workshop, presented by Kaseya, dedicated to helping MSPs strategically leverage underutilized Marketing Development Funds (MDF) and turn them into tangible, measurable pipeline results.

Jerry Koutavas, CEO of The ASCII Group, reiterated the event's core philosophy: “ASCII Edge has always been about bringing the right people into the room. When MSPs come together to share openly and learn from one another, they gain clarity and confidence in the decisions they're making.”

The conference series kicks off in Costa Mesa, CA, in late February 2026 and will conclude in San Antonio, TX, in October 2026.