Some of the best moments at a conference happen outside the traditional breakout room.
They happen when you meet someone working through the same challenge you are. When a quick conversation with a Microsoft MVP turns into a new idea. When you sit down with a product expert, join a meetup, or find a community that keeps the learning going long after the event ends.
That spirit of connection will be a big part of ESPC Microsoft 365 and AI Conference 2026, taking place November 30 through December 3 at the RAI Amsterdam. Microsoft is taking part as a headline sponsor, with presence spanning keynotes, sessions, hands-on learning, community meetups, networking, and the Microsoft Innovation Hub.
Whether you're an MVP, community leader, IT professional, developer, partner, adoption specialist, or simply looking to meet more people who share your interests, here are some of the ways you can connect with the Microsoft community in Amsterdam.
Make the Microsoft Innovation Hub your home base
The Microsoft Innovation Hub will be Microsoft's home on the ESPC expo floor and a place where learning becomes much more interactive.
Attendees will be able to connect with product makers and experts through lightning talks on the Innovation Stage, product demo stations, a Microsoft Surface and AI skilling activation, and an Ideation Lab designed around collaboration and hands-on workshops. Programming will cover Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio and Agents, SharePoint and OneDrive, and adoption-focused experiences.
The Innovation Stage will bring together lightning talks, live demos, and presentations from Microsoft engineers, product makers, and MVPs. The Ideation Lab will go a step further, creating opportunities to collaborate, explore ideas, and help shape conversations around what's next. Dona Sarkar, Principal CX Program Manager, Microsoft will lead a prompt-a-thon-style learning workshop, bringing an interactive dimension to the Hub experience, and April Dunnam, Principal Cloud Advocate, Microsoft will be running an agent building workshop. Instead of simply hearing about innovation, the goal is to give you places to experience it, talk about it, and learn directly with the people behind it.
Connect through Women in Tech & Allies
Women in Tech & Allies will have several opportunities for attendees to meet, learn, and build connections throughout ESPC. Programming currently includes:
- Community Lounge meetup on Tuesday, December 1.
- Inspire Stage session and lunch on Wednesday, December 2.
- Innovation Hub roundtable on Thursday, December 3.
The Tuesday meetup is intentionally casual: pick up lunch, find the Women in Tech & Allies tables in the Community Lounge, and meet someone new It's a simple way to connect and make a large technology conference feel more personal. Be sure to add the Women in Tech & Allies sessions to your agenda in the event app so you don't miss these opportunities to connect!
Meet the people powering community around the world
ESPC will also create opportunities to connect with the Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) and the people building and supporting local technical communities.
A MGCI Community Lounge Lunch Meetup is scheduled for Thursday, December 3 from 12:45 PM in the Community Lounge. The meetup is designed as an informal opportunity for MGCI Regional Leaders, community members, and anyone interested in MGCI to meet face-to-face, make connections, and learn more about the initiative.
For community organizers, volunteers, speakers, or anyone interested in getting more involved locally, these conversations can be just as valuable as a formal session.
Meet and learn alongside Microsoft MVPs
Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals have always been an important part of the ESPC community, and they will again be part of both the content and the community experience in Amsterdam.
MVPs can expect:
- MVP meetup
- MVP photo
- Community gathering opportunities during the end of day reception on Tuesday
MVPs are also being incorporated into the wider Microsoft presence through Innovation Hub staffing, lightning talks, demonstrations, community programming, and other attendee experiences. So, if there's an MVP whose blogs, videos, sessions, or community contributions you've followed online, ESPC may be your chance to finally say hello in person.
Join conversations, not just presentations
One of the most exciting additions being developed for the Innovation Hub is a set of smaller roundtable conversations. The community-focused concepts include discussions around Women in Tech & Allies, growing sustainable local communities through MGCI, scaling Copilot adoption through champions and adoption specialists, and an MVP exchange focused on customer feedback. There will also be product- and industry-focused roundtable discussions.
That's an important distinction from a traditional breakout session. These experiences are being developed around conversation and participation, giving attendees an opportunity to bring their own experiences and questions into the room.
Find your community in the Community Lounge
Not every meaningful interaction needs slides, a speaker, or a formal agenda. The Community Lounge will provide a dedicated place inside the expo experience for community meetups and connections.
Throughout the week, look for opportunities to connect with diverse community groups represented at the event. Take a seat. Introduce yourself. Ask someone what they are learning. Tell them what brought you to Amsterdam. You never know where that conversation might lead!
Come for technology. Stay for the community.
ESPC brings together IT professionals, business leaders, developers, architects, partners, MVPs, community leaders, and Microsoft experts to explore what's next across Microsoft 365, Copilot, Teams, SharePoint, Power Platform, Security, Fabric, Azure, and AI.
The value of ESPC isn't limited to what happens on stage.
It is also the conversations between sessions, the shared ideas around a table, the introductions made in the Community Lounge, the questions asked at the Innovation Hub, and the connections that continue when everyone goes home.
Join us November 30 through December 3 at RAI Amsterdam and experience the Microsoft community at ESPC 2026.
Microsoft