MGCI 2026 Is in Motion 🚀

Training. Platform Growth. Spotlight Opportunities. And We Need You.

If you’ve been thinking, “How can I get more involved this year?” this is your invitation.

We have a full year of training planned, major improvements happening on CommunityDays.org, and new opportunities for your events to be featured globally.  Let’s walk through what’s coming.

For email updates on the latest, join our mailing list: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP

🌎MGCI Regional Leader Application Update

🚀 Wow - thank you! A huge thank‑you to everyone who applied to become an MGCI Regional Leader. The response was incredible, and we’re currently reviewing applications. We’re so excited to announce our new Regional Leaders in April, stay tuned!

🎓 2026 Training: Built for Event Leaders

Whether you’re organizing your first event or your fifteenth, this year’s training lineup is designed to help you level up.

We’re focusing on the things that actually move events forward:

• Sponsorship
• Speaker selection
• Run of show
• Marketing
• Branding
• Even FOOD (because yes, it matters!)

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Check out all upcoming and past calls and events

Got an idea for a session you’d love to see? This is community-built training - your input shapes it. 
Submit your idea here 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCI-EventOrganizerFeedback 

🌐 CommunityDays.org Is Getting Better (Because of You)

Communitydays.org Features Recently Rolled Out

⚡ Page, image, code, and database optimizations
⚡ Performance improvements

Communitydays.org Features Coming Soon

• Save / Reuse / Copy Sponsor Applications
• Postpone / Cancel Events
• Region-aware event listings
• ICS / calendar sharing

These updates aren’t random. They’re coming directly from community feedback.  If you’ve ever submitted a suggestion - thank you. We’re listening.

👥 We Need Volunteers for Event Review & Approvals

CommunityDays.org continues to grow. More events. More submissions. More global visibility.

And that means we need help.  We are actively looking for:

👉 Volunteers to support Community Days Event Approval

This isn’t just admin work. It’s influence.  You’ll help:

• Maintain quality standards
• Support new organizers
• Ensure consistent global experience
• Shape how Community Days evolves

Sign up here 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCI/CDOTechSignUp
(See updated Question #4)

If you care about community quality and want to contribute at a higher level - this is your opportunity.

🎤 MGCI General Sessions: A New Energy

We’re shifting General Sessions to be more community-facing, more impactful, and more promotional for you.

What’s Changing?

• TED-style format
• 3–4 slide focused presentations
• Community Days highlights
• Event previews & recaps
• Practical lessons from organizers

Same cadence:
✔ Third Tuesday of every month
✔ Two global time slots
✔ Recorded for on-demand viewing

📅 General Sessions

Check out all upcoming and past calls and events

And here’s where you come in…

🌟 Want Your Event Spotlighted?

We are actively looking for Community Events to feature in upcoming General Sessions.

That means:

• Share your story
• Highlight your event
• Talk about lessons learned
• Promote what’s coming next
• Inspire other organizers

If you want to be featured, fill out this form:

👉 https://aka.ms/GeneralSessionGuest

We are scheduling speakers now.  If you’ve built something you’re proud of - let’s amplify it.

💖 #CommunityLuv Spotlight

This month, we’re showing some #CommunityLuv to SharePoint! More than features or announcements. It's about the community, the makers, the advocates, and the teams who have poured their hearts into this product for 25 years.

Watch parties were held all over and the celebration reminded us why this community is the best community in Tech!

SharePoint Product Team Watch PartyTwin Cities User Group Watch Party

🎉 Dive into the celebration - community stories, a must‑watch short film, a fresh blog, and ways to get involved, including the upcoming SharePoint Hackathon for builders and innovators.

👉https://aka.ms/Spat25

🎶 Bonus: a special birthday playlist. to keep the vibes going.

#SPat25 #CommunityLuv

💜Celebrating Women's History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, join us for a special MGCI General Session spotlighting the incredible impact of Women in Tech and Allies communities across the Microsoft ecosystem. Hear from inspiring leaders including Nihinlola Adeyemi (TechStylers), Lara Ajijola (TechStylers), Christine Bongard (WIT Network), Femke Cornelissen‑de Bruin and Melissa Ballesteros (Rockstar Women in AI & Security), Sravani Seethi (Women in Power), Sharon Smith (The Mentoring Hub), Rachel Sullivan (Women in M365), Olajumoke Toriola (TechStylers),Sharon Weaver (Women in M365), and Chaitra Vedulla (Women in Cloud) as they share real stories of mentorship, allyship, and building inclusive, empowering tech communities. Whether you lead a group, support one, or want to activate allies in your own community, this session offers practical insights and inspiration.

 

📅 Mar 17 | ⏰ 8:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 Mar 17 | ⏰ 5:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

 

Looking to spotlight more amazing women speakers?

The Microsoft Solutions Women in Tech speaker directory on Sessionize is a go‑to resource for discovering talented women across the Microsoft ecosystem—and you can be part of it too. Browse, share, or create a profile to help amplify diverse voices and strengthen inclusive tech communities. 💜

💡 Why This Year Matters

MGCI is not a program you watch.  It’s a program you participate in.

And the best part? So many of you already are.

• Every event organized
• Every speaker coached
• Every sponsor secured
• Every new attendee welcomed at check-in

That’s community in action.  MGCI is special because it’s powered by people - organizers, volunteers, presenters, leaders - who believe in bringing others together to learn and grow.

This year, we’re building even more support around that energy:

• More structured training
• Better tools on CommunityDays.org
• Clearer processes
• Spotlight opportunities to amplify your work
• New ways to connect globally

Not because something is missing but because what you’re already doing is worth investing in.

When you share a lesson learned, you help someone else avoid a mistake.
When you spotlight your event, you inspire another region.
When you volunteer, you strengthen the experience for everyone.

That ripple effect is powerful.

The opportunity is powerful!

Opportunity to:

• Grow as a leader
• Elevate your local community
• Connect with peers across the world
• Build something meaningful

If you want to lean in this year, there’s space for you.  If you’re already contributing, thank you. You’re shaping something bigger than any one event. The strength of MGCI isn’t just in the platform or the program. It’s in the people who care about community. And if the response to Regional Leader applications is any indication, this community is more energized than ever - excited to share what’s next in April.

All of this is worth celebrating.