FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2025



Riverton, UT — The Channel Marketing Association (CMA), the leading industry association for channel marketing professionals, proudly announces the recipients of the 2025 Channel Marketing Excellence Awards. These prestigious honors recognize outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication across the channel marketing ecosystem.

Now in its third year, the CMA Awards continue to elevate the visibility of the individuals and teams driving partner success, innovation, and engagement in the IT and telecom channel. This year, CMA took a bold stand against the traditional “Pay-to-Play” model common in many award programs.

Play-to-Pay: Awards with Purpose

In a unique twist, CMA introduced the Play-to-Pay model—where every nomination or application triggered a $10 donation to Tech4Change, a nonprofit organization empowering underrepresented students to pursue careers in technology. This initiative allowed the channel community to not only celebrate excellence—but to give back and drive impact beyond the industry.

“Channel marketers are the unsung heroes of the channel,” said Amy Bailey, Co-Founder of the Channel Marketing Association. “They’re the ones working tirelessly behind the scenes to help partners succeed. This year’s awards not only spotlight their contributions, but also support future changemakers in tech through our partnership with Tech4Change.”

Celebrating Excellence Across the Channel

The 2025 CMA Awards recognized professionals in five core categories:

Icon Award

Honoring titans of channel marketing whose vision, leadership, and influence have shaped the industry over time.

Visionary Marketer Award

Recognizing professionals who bring bold, forward-thinking strategies to life and lead the way in marketing innovation.

Rising Star Award

Celebrating emerging leaders making a major impact early in their careers with fresh ideas and strategic execution.

Connector Award

Highlighting individuals—often outside of marketing roles—who bridge gaps, build alignment, and foster collaboration across the channel.

CMA Excellence List

A curated list of high-performing channel marketers who demonstrate creativity, execution, and influence in their roles and organizations.

See the full list of winners here - https://www.channelmarketingassociation.com/2025-excellence-awards-names 

“We are proud to celebrate the marketers and collaborators who make the channel such a vibrant and innovative place,” said Kathryn Rose, Co-Founder of the Channel Marketing Association. “Their creativity and leadership continue to raise the bar for what’s possible.”

About the Channel Marketing Association

Founded by and for channel marketers, the Channel Marketing Association is a professional community dedicated to education, connection, and celebration of those working at the intersection of marketing, sales, and technology in the IT and telecom industries.

To learn more about CMA: https://www.channelmarketingassociation.com

To register for the 2026 CMA Summit in Houston: https://www.channelmarketingassociation.com/marketing-summit-2026

Media Contact:

Kathryn Rose

Co-Founder, Channel Marketing Association

📧 kathryn@channelmarketingassociation.com

📞 203-644-0219