EVENT RECAP | ESPC 2024 - Stockholm, Sweden

ESPC 2024 was an unforgettable gathering, hosted in the vibrant city of Stockholm, Sweden, from December 3–5, 2024. Bringing together technology professionals from across the globe, this year’s conference was a true celebration of innovation, learning, and collaboration. With a focus on AI-powered tools, Microsoft 365, Copilot, Power Platform, and so much more, the event offered attendees a glimpse into the future of work and technology. It was a week filled with inspiration, collaboration, and unforgettable moments! Microsoft was the lead sponsor for ESPC once again. 

 

ESPC24 in a nutshell: 

• 1,810 attendees  
• 115 speakers overall – including Microsoft speakers and MVPs  
•  4 keynotes’ | Over 120 sessions
• 41 sponsors and exhibitors   

 

Keynotes 

The event kicked off on day one with great energy as Jeff Teper delved into the transformative potential of collaborative applications and AI in reshaping the modern workplace. Joined by Michel Bouman, Kendra Springer, and Denise Trabona, Jeff and the team highlighted groundbreaking innovations in Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Planner. This dynamic opening set the tone for the event, leaving attendees eager to explore the latest enhancements across Microsoft's key product suite.  

 

Jeff Teper's opening keynote.

On day two, Dona Sarkar reflected on the rapid evolution of AI over the past two years and how we’ve progressed beyond the “Nokia flip phone era” of AI into a stage where its real value is being unlocked by individuals and organizations alike. 

In her talk, Dona explored the milestones of this journey and what lies ahead in the ever-evolving AI landscape. Key highlights included: 

• Decoding the AI hype: How to differentiate between fleeting trends and lasting innovations (a nod to Bitcoin here).
• Becoming an AI Power User: Understanding its potential and harnessing it effectively.
• Assistants and Agents: A look at the next wave of AI technologies and their impact on work and life. 

The session was both thought-provoking and practical, offering attendees valuable insights into how AI is transforming industries and what the future may hold. 

 

Dona Sarkar's day-two keynote.

Breakout Sessions 

ESPC24 delivered a rich program packed with over 120 sessions, featuring insights from more than 115 speakers, including 35+ Microsoft-led presentations. The breakout sessions were marked by outstanding attendee interaction and participation, fostering dynamic discussions and insightful exchanges. Some standout sessions included: 

 

Copilot, Teams, and Viva 

• “Meet AI-powered SharePoint Agreements Solution” with Sesha Mani
• “Copilot agents from SharePoint and OneDrive” with Vishal Lodha and Miranda Jones
• “SharePoint + Teams Better Together with AI Agents and Workflows” with Saira Shariff
• “ Empowering Frontline Workers: Transforming Experiences with Teams and M365” with Irina Parsina and Michael Bohlin
• “Revolutionizing Employee Communications for the AI Era” with Kristi Kelly and Kripal Kavi “Empowering Organizations: Governance, Digital Safety, and AI-Driven Employee Engagement with Viva Engage” with Mike McLean
• “Building and demonstrating a Copilot Declarative Agent using Teams Toolkit” with Fabian Williams
• “Streamline collaboration with the new chats and channels experience in Microsoft Teams” with Roshin Ramesan
• “Empowering executives with Microsoft Teams on iPad” with Upasana Prabhu
• “Accelerating AI Readiness: Seamless Data Migration to Microsoft 365 for the Intelligent Enterprise” with Vishal Lodha and Miranda Jones
• “Data, Security, and compliance practices for Microsoft 365 Copilot” with Bryan Wofford  

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and Adoption  

• “Mentorship and ushering in the next generation of Speakers” with Fabian Williams
• “Power Skills: Own Your Story..., and your Future” with Bryan Wofford
• “Using the Microsoft Scenario Library to Drive AI Business Value” with Bryan Wofford
• “Demystifying the Microsoft MVP Program” with Laurie Pottmeyer
• “Unlocking Career Advancement: Mentorship Strategies and Allyship” with Miranda Jones “Diversity & Inclusion Lunch Keynote with Miranda Jones  

SharePoint, OneDrive, Planner, and Loop  

• “Elevating SharePoint: Building the Beautiful and Flexible Intranet of Tomorrow” with Kripal Kavi and Denise Trabona
• “Transforming SharePoint Content Management in this AI era” with Sanjoyan Mustafi and Sean Squires
• “Copilot Implementation Essentials Overview” with Bryan Wofford
• “Keep business running with fast, reliable backup and recovery with Microsoft 365 Backup” with Sean Squires, Kaustubh Kishore Chaudhary, and Ojas Yadav
• “OneDrive: Powering Tomorrow's Innovation and Collaboration” with Arvind Mishra and Vishal Lodha
• “Planner, Copilot and the Project Manager Agent” with Howard Crow
• “Meet Microsoft Loop” with Rebecca Keys and David Stephens
• “Maximizing your Information Architecture Strategy with Microsoft 365 Content Features for Copilot and Microsoft Search” with Kasper Larsen and Mikael Svenson  

Power Platform and Windows 

• “Top Hidden Features of Custom Connectors to Level up the Maker Experiences!” with Daniel Laskewitz and Mats Necker 
• “The future of Windows in the age of Cloud” with Claus Emrich and Matt Abraham  

Developer 

• “Developer's Guide to Customizing Copilot Agents” with Vesa Juvonen and Fabian Williams “Extending Microsoft 365 Copilot with Copilot Agents: Best practices” with Kendra Springer “SharePoint API Platform: What's New and Coming” with Bert Jansen
• “Building engaging employee experiences with Viva Connections and SharePoint Framework” with Vesa Juvonen
• “Build high performance AI apps using Azure OpenAI & Azure Cosmos DB” with Mark Brown  

 

Microsoft AMA 

The "Ask Microsoft Anything" (AMA) session was lively and engaging, with attendees lining up throughout the hour to discuss a wide range of topics. Some shared valuable feedback, while others sought answers to their pressing questions. The conversations were dynamic and insightful, and in some cases, panel members even invited attendees to join breakout sessions later in the week to dive deeper into their questions and feedback. It was a fantastic opportunity for Microsoft to connect directly with the community, gather real-time input, and foster meaningful conversations. 

 

Ask Microsoft Anything (AMA) panelists engaging with attendees and their questions.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals - MVPs 

The MVP experience at ESPC24 included participation in multiple sessions and activities by MVPs. They were involved in the "Ask the Experts" tables, where they shared their expertise on Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and other key areas, fostering dynamic exchanges with attendees. The MVP meetup was a highlight, bringing together MVPs from diverse regions to reconnect, exchange ideas, and celebrate their shared accomplishments. Additionally, MVPs contributed to the event's success by staffing the Microsoft Information Table and participating in NDA roundtables, providing valuable insights and feedback. Overall, the MVPs played a crucial role in enhancing the community's experience at ESPC24. 

 

Community Lounge

A bustling community space in the Expo Hall, offering attendees a chance to engage with Microsoft leaders, explore groundbreaking solutions, and connect with sponsors and peers.

Beyond the sessions and networking, ESPC24 made a meaningful impact by supporting Mimis African Charities (MACONA). With clothing donations collected throughout the event, the ESPC community joined together to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities in Africa and the Greater Baltimore Area. 

 

Vishal Lodha, Miranda Jones, Vesa Juvonen, Laurie Pottmeyer, Bryan Wofford, and Dona Sarkar

Diversity and Inclusion Luncheon 

Miranda Jones’ "Embrace Your Authentic Self: The Power of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace" emphasized that in today’s dynamic work environment, a team’s true strength lies in its diversity. Miranda shared the importance of embracing authenticity by bringing unique experiences and skills to the workplace. Drawing from her personal journey, she explained how authenticity transformed her career, leading to greater satisfaction and success.  

Another highlight during Miranda’s session was a featured video of Jonah Andersson, an Azure MVP and local Swedish community member who shared her story with us at Microsoft Ignite. You can check out her story here on our Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/d88mXBS9sGU 

 

Miranda Jones D&I Luncheon.

Inspire Stage  

The Inspire Stage sessions were a highlight, featuring talks on mentorship and career advancement. Fabian Williams and his daughter Gabrielle shared their journey of growth through mentorship, offering unique insights into the mentor-mentee dynamic and its role in fostering personal and professional development. Miranda Jones also delivered a session on "Unlocking Career Advancement: Mentorship Strategies and Allyship," exploring mentorship’s role in career growth and providing actionable insights.  

Miranda Jones delivered an insightful session on the role of mentorship in career growth. She shared practical strategies for fostering effective relationships, emphasized the importance of active engagement, and demonstrated how allyship can unlock new opportunities. Attendees gained actionable insights to leverage mentorship for personal and professional success. 

Laurie Pottmeyer was joined by three MVPs to shed light on the MVP program. They offered insights into how the program works, from nominations to the award process, and shared their personal experiences. The session aimed to make the MVP program more accessible and transparent by answering audience questions. 

Pieter Op De Beeck, Amanda Sterner, Caroline Kallin, and Laurie Pottmeyer

 

In the final session, Laurie Pottmeyer teamed up with Matt McKenzie to highlight the power of personal storytelling. They explored how embracing and sharing one’s unique journey can fuel career growth and success. This session inspired attendees to leverage their stories for professional impact. 

Matt Makenzie and Lauire Pottmeyer

These sessions provided valuable knowledge and inspiration, helping attendees to advance their careers and make meaningful connections. 

 

Community Reporters  

The Community Reporter Program featured a group of passionate and engaged community members who shared their unique perspectives on the event. They covered various topics, including event content, attendee experiences, and key takeaways, providing an insider’s look through interviews and thoughtful commentary. Their contributions enriched the conversation, captured the event's energy and insights, and fostered connection and engagement among attendees both in person and online. 

Please visit the YouTube channel! 

Community Reporters at ESPC

Microsoft Product Booth

The Microsoft booth at ESPC experienced a tremendous surge in engagement, especially following the keynote. Attendees eagerly visited the booth to connect with Microsoft team members, discuss products and features, and ask questions. They stayed to enjoy the interactive photo wall, skilled baristas serving premium coffee, and stickers galore. The survey and prize giveaways further enhanced the experience, driving participation and excitement around our offerings.

Microsoft Booth at ESPC

Thank You 
A heartfelt thank you to every attendee, speaker, sponsor, and volunteer who brought ESPC24 to life. Your energy, enthusiasm, and dedication made this event a phenomenal success. Whether you joined us for the first time or are a seasoned ESPC attendee, your contributions helped create a truly memorable experience. 

We appreciate the ESPC event producer team - Sarah, Kevin, Pamela, Ella and all who work year-round on terrific community events for the Microsoft ecosystem. 

 

What’s Next? 
We’re already counting down the days to ESPC25! Later this year, ESPC25 will be in Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 1-4. Achieve more with Microsoft 365 and AI. 

Enjoy the event team's ESPC24 showreel to see what you can expect in 2025: 

Until then, let’s keep the momentum going. Continue to explore, innovate, and engage within this incredible community. The future is bright, and together, we are shaping the way the world works. 

 

#ESPC24 | Come Curious. Leave Inspired. 

 

Cheers,  

Heather Cook