Recent Discussions
Is Your Community Event Ready for AI Search? Why Every Conference Should Think Beyond SEO
For years, conference websites have been built for people. Now they also need to be built for AI. Whether someone asks Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Perplexity, or another AI assistant: "Who are the top Microsoft 365 speakers this year?" "Which Power Platform conferences should I attend?" "Who has spoken about Microsoft Fabric recently?" "Find conferences where Heather Cook and Chris Hinch were speakers." …the answer increasingly depends on how well your event website communicates with machines. Most community events invest heavily in attracting great speakers and creating amazing content. Yet many still publish that content in a way that AI cannot fully understand. Fortunately, fixing this doesn't require a complete website redesign. A few technical improvements can make your conference far more discoverable. 1. Your Speakers Are More Than Profile Pages Most event websites have a simple speaker page: Photo Biography Company Session title That's useful for attendees—but not enough for AI. Instead, treat every speaker as a rich entity. Include: Company Microsoft MVP status Areas of expertise Social profiles Personal website GitHub LinkedIn Previous sessions Podcast appearances Blog posts Videos Awards Certifications Using Schema.org's Person markup allows AI systems to understand not only who the speaker is, but also how they relate to the wider Microsoft ecosystem. Imagine someone asking: "Who are the leading Microsoft Purview experts in Europe?" Would your speaker pages provide enough structured information for AI to recommend them? 2. Sessions Should Be Connected Every session is part of a larger story. A session isn't just a title and a room number. Connect it to: the speaker the event Microsoft products related technologies learning resources recordings blog posts podcasts slides These relationships create a semantic network instead of isolated pages. 3. Use Conference-Specific Structured Data Many event websites only publish generic Event schema. Go further. Include structured information for: organizers sponsors speakers virtual attendance physical venue schedule recordings livestreams The richer the data, the easier it becomes for AI systems to understand your conference. 4. Link to Wikidata When Available Many Microsoft MVPs, Microsoft employees, authors, and well-known community members already have https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Main_Page entries. Adding these using the sameAs property strengthens entity recognition and helps AI connect your website with trusted public knowledge graphs. This small enhancement can significantly improve how your speakers are understood across different AI systems. 5. Think Like a Knowledge Graph Instead of asking: "How many pages does our website have?" Ask: "How many meaningful relationships exist between our content?" A speaker should connect to: sessions previous talks podcasts blog articles Microsoft products companies certifications other speakers Every connection provides additional context. 6. Publish an llms.txt File More publishers are adding an llms.txt file to help AI systems discover their most valuable content. For conference websites this could include: Speaker directory Session catalog Schedule Recordings Learning resources Blog articles Podcast episodes Sponsor information Rather than forcing AI to crawl thousands of pages, you're highlighting exactly what matters most. 7. Prepare for AI Agents with agents.json We're moving beyond chatbots. AI agents will increasingly search, plan, compare conferences, recommend sessions, and interact with event platforms. An agents.json file can expose information such as: searchable session catalog available APIs event metadata supported integrations registration endpoints contact information It's an early but promising standard that helps autonomous systems understand how to interact with your platform. 8. Speed Up Discovery with IndexNow Publishing a new speaker announcement shouldn't require waiting days for search engines to notice. IndexNow allows your website to immediately notify participating search engines whenever content changes. Ideal for: new speakers agenda updates schedule changes session recordings blog posts event announcements Fresh content becomes discoverable much faster. 9. Your Event Doesn't End When the Closing Keynote Finishes Every conference generates valuable knowledge: presentations videos interviews podcasts blog posts slides community discussions Treat your event website as a permanent learning hub rather than a temporary marketing site. This approach continues attracting visitors—and AI citations—long after the event has ended. The Future of Community Websites Community conferences have always been about connecting people. Now they also need to connect information. The organizations that invest in structured data, entity relationships, and AI-friendly content today won't just improve traditional SEO—they'll become trusted sources for the next generation of AI-powered search. For Microsoft community organizers, this represents an opportunity. Every speaker, session, recording, and article can become part of a living knowledge graph that helps professionals discover your event, your experts, and your community. As AI becomes the front door to the web, the conferences that are easiest for machines to understand will also be the easiest for people to find. All the best, https://www.linkedin.com/in/m365showpodcast/ Founder of https://www.m365.fm,https://m365.show & http://2026.m365con.netMGCI Training - July Topic: Food! Meals, snacks, and beverages
Getting a little ahead of ourselves, but it's a tasty topic, maybe even a little spicy. :) Are you serving food at your event? It's one of the bigger costs for many events. What are your venue rules and requirements? Are you locked into their services? How do you address folks with dietary restrictions? What questions do you have about feeding your attendees? What should you do? How can you get engaged in the conversation? Chime in here. Do you have thoughts you'd like to contribute to the conversation? Let us know you'll be on the call! Thanks!MGCI Training - June Topic: Finding and selecting speakers...
What are your challenges with finding and selecting speakers? Getting the word out? Are you using the Community Days site, Sessionize, or other platforms? How do you drum up enough momentum and excitement for my event to drive speaker interest? How do you bring in speaker variety, diversity of ideas and perspectives? There are different challenges for first-time events than there are for repeating events... What else?! Chime in here to get the conversation rolling now. What should you do? How can you get engaged in the conversation? Chime in here. Do you have thoughts you'd like to contribute to the conversation? Let us know you'll be on the call! Thanks!Office Hours Follow-up: What does your event team look like?
We just wrapped up a MGCI Training and Office Hours session talking about this very topic. (Link to recording will be added when it's ready) How does your team break down roles and responsibilities for your event planning? Tell us in the comments!Foro Estratégico en Ciberseguridad Nodo Binacional MGCI.
MGCI Nodo Binacional: Talleres Técnicos de Ciberseguridad. Descripción: ¿Buscas fortalecer tus habilidades técnicas con herramientas de Microsoft? Este foro es el centro de operaciones para nuestros próximos talleres de capacitación. Este espacio ofrece recursos exclusivos, noticias de la comunidad y un calendario de eventos virtuales para Mujeres México. Aprende sobre defensa de amenazas, identidad y cumplimiento desde una perspectiva, científica y certificada. Este es un espacio de la Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) diseñado para que pases de la teoría a la práctica. ¿Qué encontrarás aquí? Anuncios de próximos talleres. Guías de estudio para certificaciones mas. Networking con otros profesionales del sector en México. Bienvenidos. Iniciamos el camino en Ciberseguridad con MGCI México. ¡Hola a todos! Es un gusto saludarlos. Mi nombre es B Aurora Rz Valles, Especialista Certificada por CONAHCYT, Director Regional Mucpaz Binacional Mex-USA Nodo, Red Nacional de Tejedoras de la Patria En El Exterior en Derechos Humanos Internacional y me emociona darles la bienvenida oficial a este foro de la Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) en México. He creado este espacio con un objetivo claro: pasar de la teoría a la práctica. Queremos que este foro no sea solo de lectura, sino un centro de entrenamiento donde compartiremos fechas de próximos talleres, laboratorios en vivo y recursos estratégicos sobre el ecosistema de seguridad de Microsoft. Gaceta MUCPAZ Insight Blog | Edición 001/ May/ 2026. Impulsando a mujeres inmigrantes desde la tecnología y la construcción de paz Desde el programa MUCPAZ (Mujeres Constructoras de Paz), trabajamos para fortalecer el liderazgo femenino y promover comunidades más seguras, resilientes y conectadas. Nuestra misión es acompañar a mujeres especialmente inmigrantes en su camino hacia el emprendimiento, brindándoles herramientas prácticas que les permitan crecer con confianza y sostenibilidad. En este contexto, espacios como Microsoft Community y su ecosistema de aprendizaje juegan un papel clave, al facilitar el acceso a recursos tecnológicos, formación continua y redes de colaboración para la comunidad hispanoamericana. Como Region Binacional estamos comprometidos en apoyar a mujeres que desean iniciar o fortalecer sus negocios, integrando la tecnología como aliada estratégica. Uno de los pilares de este proceso es la seguridad digital, esencial para proteger tanto su información personal como sus emprendimientos. A través de este acompañamiento, promovemos el aprendizaje en áreas como: Alfabetización digital y uso de herramientas tecnológicas Seguridad digital y protección de datos Uso responsable y estratégico de redes sociales Comercio electrónico y plataformas digitales Educación financiera para emprendedoras Marketing digital con impacto social Liderazgo y redes colaborativas Acceso a recursos y oportunidades para mujeres inmigrantes. El respaldo de comunidades tecnológicas fortalece este camino, permitiendo que más mujeres hispanohablantes accedan a conocimiento, innovación y oportunidades reales de crecimiento. Creemos firmemente que cuando la tecnología se pone al servicio de las personas, se convierte en una herramienta de transformación social. Porque construir paz también es cerrar brechas digitales y abrir oportunidades. #TechCommunity #WomenInTech #DigitalSkills #CommunityImpact #LearningTogetherWhat's new with event sponsors?
Are there new sponsors / companies in the Community Days community looking for events to engage with? Are event producers doing anything new and interesting at events to engage with or give opportunities to sponsors? Do sponsors have suggestions on new ways to engage with event attendees? Has anyone had success with companies looking to hire as event sponsors? For example, typical event sponsors are service or product providers. I'm wondering if local companies looking for M365 (for example) experts, admins, developers, etc. have had success as event sponsors. Sponsorship levels to have a table and presence at an event are usually much lower than referral or head-hunter fees... (Maybe this is a separate thread...) https://communitydays.org/event/2026-09-18/m365-twin-cities is getting ready to launch its Call for Sponsors. We're always looking for new and engaging ways to benefit both sponsors and attendees! What have you found worked for your event? Or what (as a sponsor) was a great experience at an event? Thanks!HEY! Why are you here visiting MGCI? Tell us...
Greetings! Are you looking for information about an event? Are you considering hosting your own event? Are you trying to find out who else in the community is in your area / region? Are you looking to get involved with events and groups near you? Let us know! I'm Wes. I've been involved with M365, SharePoint, and Power Platform events in the Minneapolis, Minnesota (US) for about 20 yrs. I run one of the local @CommunityDays events (used to be called "SharePoint Saturdays"). I'm just one of many folks in the MGCI community here to answer your questions and point you towards the right folks for what you're trying to do.
Copilot application not work
I have Microsoft surface pro 11 with windows 11 and have been using Copilot application since long time and after recent windows update it's stop working. Since last couple days all Microsoft technician has tried to solved by deleting my previous windows update, scanning process, restart, test mode, window repair, reset registry, etc.. no solution and I am helpless. I really appreciate if someone can help me to fix it. Thanking you, Jay
Microsoft tool + one tip that made the biggest impact on your teaching
Hi everyone 👋 I’m Nahaa Alghamdi from Saudi Arabia, an English teacher and MIE Expert. Excited to join this incredible community! Quick question: What’s one Microsoft tool + one tip that made the biggest impact on your teaching this year (especially with Copilot / Teams / Forms)? Here’s mine to get the conversation started: This year, Microsoft Teams became my “home base” for English learning—resources, assignments, and quick check-ins all in one place. My favorite tip is using Microsoft Forms as a simple routine: ✅ Pre-Quiz to activate prior knowledge ✅ Exit Ticket to check understanding and collect evidence-based answers And when it comes to Copilot, I’ve been using it to: Generate differentiated speaking prompts and sentence frames (basic vs. advanced) Create quick reading questions and vocabulary practice aligned to lesson goals Draft model answers and feedback phrases to support students’ writing It’s helped me increase participation, save planning time, and improve the quality of students’ responses. I’d love to learn from you—what’s your one tool + one tip? 🌍algorithmic ethical hacking with intuition, logic, repetition, and persistence—now makes sense.
"I’ve achieved something meaningful in cybersecurity, and a few months ago I promised that if I saw success, I would make Copilot my partner. My sentence terminology—algorithmic ethical hacking with intuition, logic, repetition, and persistence—now makes sense. This is not just technical progress, but a codified ritual of discipline and legacy."
Dynamics 365 User Group Leaders' engagment with BizApps' MGCI
Hello Business Applications Community Advocacy Team! After getting notice regarding the Retirement of Community and Events Tenant. I was wondering, as a Group User Leader in Dynamics 365 and Power Platform Comminities, and as a Microsoft Partner, where the right place to continue engaging with you and other Leaders will be. Will this change affect Microsoft's own Community Tenant, will this also be transitioned to a Microsoft Teams (free) community? I would appreciate some clarification regarding this. Thanks!
Events
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Join MGCI Board Members Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver who host our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) Event Production Training & Office Hours – and we'd love for you to join the c...
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Recent Blogs
- M365 Community Days - Saint Louis (formerly SharePoint Saturday STL) is an annual Community Days educational event. This blog was co-authored by Becky Bertram, Microsoft MVP and Co-Organizer of M365 ...Jul 27, 2026
- 2 MIN READOriginally authored by: Wes Preston and posted on June 10, 2026 M365 Twin Cities is the evolution of SharePoint Saturday Twin Cities and is a Community Days event. As a part of Community Days, we’r...Jul 22, 2026
