How IAMCP Canada's Relaunch is Strengthening the Microsoft Partner Community
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
Intended Audience: Microsoft Partners
The most valuable opportunities in the Microsoft ecosystem often begin with a conversation.
Whether it’s an introduction to a Microsoft Partner, an insight shared by a peer, or a new collaboration opportunity, relationships continue to play a critical role in how Partners learn, grow, and succeed.
That’s why the relaunch of IAMCP Canada marks an exciting new chapter for Microsoft’s Canadian Partner community.
By bringing together Partners from coast to coast to coast, IAMCP Canada is creating a national platform for connection, education, business development, and community-building. Through in-person events, virtual sessions, networking opportunities, and access to a global ecosystem of Microsoft Partners, the chapter is helping organizations discover new opportunities to collaborate and grow together.
What Is IAMCP Canada?
IAMCP, the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners, is a Partner association focused on connection, education, and business development within the Microsoft ecosystem.
The global organization includes more than 5,500 members, representing over 1,750 companies, and hosts more than 250 events annually. IAMCP Canada brings that global network to Microsoft Partners across the country.
The relaunched chapter gives Partners opportunities to:
- Meet organizations with complementary capabilities
- Learn from Microsoft, industry leaders, and peers
- Build visibility within the Canadian Microsoft Partner community
- Exchange referrals and trusted introductions
- Explore joint go-to-market and P2P collaboration opportunities
IAMCP Canada creates a consistent national platform for learning and relationship-building to help Partners connect beyond their established networks.
How Do IAMCP Communities Support P2P Collaboration?
Microsoft Partner communities help organizations learn from peers, build ecosystem credibility, and form relationships that may lead to referrals and joint opportunities.
According to the 2026 Microsoft Partner Global Benchmark & Success Index:
- 76% of surveyed Microsoft Partners participate in at least one Microsoft-sponsored association.
- 60% of surveyed IAMCP members cite community groups as a top lead source.
- 44% of surveyed Partners rank Partner referrals among their top lead sources.
P2P collaboration can include referrals, joint campaigns, bundled solutions, shared delivery, Co-Sell, and Marketplace opportunities. IAMCP Canada gives Partners a place to identify where a valuable fit may exist.
What Are the Benefits of Joining IAMCP Canada?
IAMCP Canada membership connects Partners with a coast-to-coast community and the wider global IAMCP network.
Membership benefits include:
- Business growth and partnership opportunities
- Community-building and networking
- Education and professional development
- Exclusive member discounts
- Early awareness of upcoming chapter events
How Is IAMCP Canada Connecting Partners Through Events?
The 2026 Partner Success Index found that 85% of surveyed Microsoft Partners attend at least one in-person event annually, reinforcing the continued value of face-to-face relationship-building.
Since relaunching, IAMCP Canada has hosted educational and networking events both virtually and in person, at Microsoft’s Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver offices. Sessions have covered Solutions Partner designations, Microsoft Partner benchmarks, Copilot opportunities for SMB customers, security updates, funding, incentives, and P2P collaboration.
By pairing practical education with peer networking, IAMCP Canada events help Partners exchange ideas, build relationships, and explore where their capabilities may align.
Learning From Expertise Across the IAMCP Network
One of the advantages of IAMCP membership is access to knowledge and expertise shared by Partners throughout the global community.
Across IAMCP chapters, industry leaders regularly contribute educational sessions, research, and real-world insights to help fellow Partners stay informed about changes across the Microsoft ecosystem.
For example, IAMCP Canada Membership Chair, Erica Hakonson, has delivered presentations for several IAMCP chapters, sharing research and insights related to Microsoft Partner growth, marketing, ecosystem trends, and go-to-market strategies.
Recent presentations have included:
- IAMCP International Chapter: Inside the 2026 Microsoft Partner Success Index: Data, Trends & Winning Moves
- IAMCP SoCal and Philadelphia Chapters: Advance Your Microsoft Partner Marketing in FY26 with AEO & Multi-Channel AI
- IAMCP New Jersey Chapter: Shift Happens – Over 300 Microsoft Partners Shared Their Insight
These types of contributions highlight the collaborative nature of IAMCP, where members share practical expertise and experiences to help strengthen the broader Partner ecosystem.
Meet the Leaders Supporting IAMCP Canada's Growth
The chapter’s momentum is being driven by a dedicated group of board members, sponsors, and community advocates who believe in the value of a connected Microsoft Partner ecosystem.
The IAMCP Canada board brings together leaders from across the Microsoft community who are committed to helping Partners:
- Build stronger professional networks
- Discover collaboration opportunities
- Access educational resources
- Strengthen the Canadian Microsoft ecosystem
Through their collective efforts, the chapter continues to expand opportunities for members while helping ensure that the community remains welcoming, collaborative, and valuable for Partners of all sizes. Meet the powerful group of leaders rebuilding the Canada Chapter:
- Taylor McAlear, President
- Erica Hakonson, Membership Chair
- Samridhi Sharma, Secretary & MarCom Chair
- Susan Tommy, Learning & Development Chair
- Paul Sweeney, Treasurer
- Logan Guest, Co-Sponsorship Chair
- Kanwal Khipple, Co-Sponsorship Chair
What IAMCP Canada Events Are Coming Up in 2026?
IAMCP Canada’s upcoming calendar continues to bring engagement opportunities across Canadian cities:
- September 9: Microsoft Calgary
- October 22: Microsoft Toronto
- November: Microsoft Ignite San Francisco Social Event
- December: Holiday socials in Toronto and Vancouver
Partners can view upcoming IAMCP events or follow IAMCP Canada on LinkedIn for current chapter updates.
How to Join IAMCP Canada
IAMCP offers individual and corporate memberships. Corporate memberships provide a 25% discount for teams of five or more, while individual memberships provide access to the global network and professional resources.
The current offer provides membership for $1 for the first 90 days and identifies $2,490 in immediate member value.
How Can Organizations Sponsor IAMCP Canada?
IAMCP Canada’s continued growth is supported by sponsors that invest in communications, events, and community-building.
A thriving community requires investment.
IAMCP Canada’s continued growth is made possible through the support of sponsors that are committed to strengthening the Microsoft Partner ecosystem across Canada.
Current sponsors include:
- Elite Founding Sponsor – Sherweb
- Platinum Annual Sponsors – Companial, ShareGate, Arrow
- Meeting Sponsors – CiraSync, EnvisionIT, Frontier Tech Partners
Their support helps enable educational programming, networking opportunities, chapter communications, and community initiatives that benefit Partners nationwide
Sponsorship gives organizations an opportunity to build visibility within the Canadian Microsoft Partner community while supporting the chapter’s continued growth.
Organizations can support IAMCP Canada through Elite Founding, Platinum Annual, Chapter Meeting, or Chapter Social Networking sponsorships. Depending on the level, benefits may include brand visibility, speaking opportunities, event participation, newsletter features, and chapter promotion. Sponsorship funds support marketing, event production, operations, and sustainable chapter growth.
Reach out to americas.canada@iamcp.org for more information.
Join the IAMCP Canada Microsoft Partner Community
IAMCP Canada is building new momentum by giving Microsoft Partners more ways to learn, connect, and collaborate across the country.
Whether you want to expand your network, strengthen your peer-to-peer marketing, or explore P2P collaboration, IAMCP Canada can help you make your next valuable Partner connection.
IAMCP is a global association with chapters around the world. If you’re located outside Canada, explore other IAMCP chapters to find the community that’s right for you.
