Rivergate Marketing joined system integrators, industry partners, and marketing leaders in Baltimore for CSIA 2026. From AI-driven search and marketing strategy to meaningful industry connections, the week was filled with insights, collaboration, and opportunities to help integrators navigate change.
The theme of the 2026 CSIA Conference was simple but timely: Navigating Change.
For system integrators, change is no longer something to prepare for—it’s something to adapt to every day. Buyer expectations are evolving. AI is reshaping how prospects find information. Economic uncertainty continues to influence decision-making. And companies are working to attract, develop, and retain talent while positioning themselves for future growth.
These challenges—and the opportunities they create—were at the center of conversations throughout this year’s CSIA 2026 Marketing Workshop and Conference in Baltimore.
For Rivergate Marketing, the week was an opportunity not only to learn alongside industry peers, but also to contribute to the conversations helping integrators prepare for what’s next.
A Strong Showing at the CSIA 2026 Marketing Workshop
Before the main conference began, Rivergate played an active role in the annual CSIA Marketing Workshop, a one-day event built specifically for marketers and business development professionals in the system integration industry.
The workshop featured real-world case studies, peer-led discussions, and practical marketing strategies tailored to the unique challenges system integrators face every day. Unlike generic marketing conferences, every session focused on lessons learned within the automation and integration space.
Rivergate’s Lauren Maranda and Brittany Smist presented From Search to Discovery: How System Integrators Stay Visible in an AI-Driven World, a session exploring how AI-powered search tools are changing the way buyers discover potential partners and what integrators can do today to maintain visibility in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.
As AI-driven search tools continue to reshape how prospects research vendors and solutions, the session focused on helping integrators understand what is changing, what isn’t, and how to prioritize marketing efforts without chasing every new trend.
Christine McQuilkin participated as a panel presenter during the interactive KPI and marketing measurement discussions, helping attendees tackle one of the industry’s most persistent questions: which metrics actually matter and how should marketing success be measured?
Rivergate’s involvement extended beyond the presentations themselves. Georgia Whalen served as Co-Chair of the CSIA Marketing Committee, while Christine McQuilkin contributed as a committee member, helping shape the workshop’s content, speakers, and direction throughout the year.
The result was one of the most successful workshops in recent years. Attendees awarded the event a Net Promoter Score of 90 and shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about the practical content, collaborative atmosphere, and valuable peer-to-peer conversations.
For Christine McQuilkin, Vice President of Account Services at Rivergate Marketing, the workshop’s value extends beyond the presentations:
“One of my favorite parts of the Marketing Workshop is reconnecting with the incredible community of marketers and business leaders in the CSIA network. We had the opportunity to catch up with longtime friends, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. There’s a genuine willingness to share what’s working and help each other succeed.”
That spirit of collaboration was evident throughout the day, with attendees discussing everything from marketing strategy and KPI tracking to sales alignment and emerging technologies.
Several attendees highlighted the workshop’s sense of community, while others praised the actionable takeaways and willingness of participants to openly share both successes and challenges. One attendee described it as their “favorite part of the CSIA 2026 conference.” But the learning didn’t stop when the workshop ended.
Common Challenges, Shared Solutions
While presentations are an important part of CSIA, some of the most valuable moments happen between sessions.
Throughout the week, our team had the opportunity to sit down with integrators from across North America to discuss the marketing challenges they’re facing today. From AI and search visibility to lead generation, content strategy, sales alignment, and recruiting, the conversations reinforced how quickly the marketing landscape continues to evolve.
Several themes surfaced repeatedly throughout the week. Integrators are evaluating how AI will impact marketing and business operations. Teams are looking for better ways to align sales and marketing efforts. And many organizations continue to focus on attracting and retaining talent while preparing for future growth.
These conversations help us stay connected to the real-world challenges our clients face every day and ensure our strategies remain grounded in the realities of the system integration industry.
Reconnecting with Friends and Building New Relationships
CSIA has always been more than an educational event.
For a remote team like Rivergate, CSIA provides something that’s increasingly rare: uninterrupted time with the people we serve. Beyond the educational sessions, we were able to reconnect with longtime clients, exchange ideas with fellow marketers, and meet prospective clients facing many of the same challenges discussed throughout the conference.
This year’s conference felt especially energizing as we strengthened relationships with existing clients, exchanged ideas with industry peers, and connected with prospective clients looking for practical guidance as they tackle evolving marketing challenges. Those conversations reinforced something we’ve long believed: even in a rapidly changing industry, relationships remain one of the most valuable assets a company can build.
A New Chapter for CSIA
This year’s conference also highlighted an exciting transition for the association. Under the leadership of CEO Adrienne Meyer, CSIA is entering a new chapter while continuing to build on the strong foundation established by former CEO Jose Rivera.
Having worked closely with CSIA leadership through her role as Marketing Committee Co-Chair, Georgia Whalen has seen that transition up close:
“We’ll always appreciate everything Jose contributed to the CSIA community, but it was exciting to see the energy Adrienne is bringing to the organization. There’s a real sense of optimism about where CSIA is headed next.”
That optimism was evident throughout the week—in the workshop sessions, hallway conversations, and conference presentations. As the industry continues to adapt to change, the willingness of CSIA members to share knowledge, support one another, and embrace new opportunities remains one of the community’s greatest strengths.
Navigating What’s Next
If there was one takeaway from Baltimore, it’s that the system integration industry continues to embrace change with curiosity, collaboration, and optimism.
We left CSIA 2026 inspired by the conversations we had, grateful for the relationships we’ve built, and excited about the opportunities ahead.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Marketing Workshop, participated in discussions, stopped by to connect, or shared their experiences with us throughout the week. We’re proud to be part of such a collaborative community and look forward to helping integrators navigate whatever comes next.
