Event Recap - TechCon Seattle 2026
TL;DR TechCon 365, PWRCON and DATACON Seattle 2026 August 24–28. Five days. Three thriving technology communities. One shared destination for learning, innovation, and connection. TechCon 365, PWRCON, and DATACON Seattle 2026 brought together Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Microsoft Data professionals for an immersive week of expert-led content, hands-on training, and meaningful networking opportunities. Hosted at the Seattle Convention Center, the event featured 255 sessions and workshops, 36 hands-on training experiences, 131 industry experts and community leaders, and two keynote presentations exploring the future of AI, productivity, business applications, and data. Attendees had direct access to Microsoft product specialists, MVPs, and community experts through technical sessions, Ask the Experts panels, community meetups, and inclusive networking experiences designed to help every participant learn, connect, and grow. If the player doesn’t load, open the video in a new window: Open video Introduction TechCon 365, PWRCON and DATACON Seattle brought together technology leaders, IT professionals, developers, architects, and innovators to the Pacific Northwest and beyond for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Attendees explored the latest advancements in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, workplace productivity, and emerging technologies through expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, and engaging keynote presentations. More than just a conference, TechCon Seattle served as a hub for meaningful conversations, new connections, and practical insights that attendees can take back to their organizations. As we look back on this year's event, we're excited to share some of the highlights, key takeaways, and memorable moments that made TechCon Seattle an unforgettable experience. Event facts Where: Seattle Convention Center, Summit Building, 900 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101 255 sessions and workshops, including 36 hands-on workshops; 131 speakers; 15 sponsors; 2 keynotes 1,010 registrations; 984 onsite attendees; 67% first-time attendees; 16 countries #techcon365 and #CommunityLuv In a Nutshell Microsoft’s presence was impossible to miss. Sixteen Microsoft-led, 70-minute sessions across two conference days gave attendees direct access to the people shaping the products, while two keynotes set the strategic tone. Microsoft supplied 47 of the event’s 131 speakers, representing 36% of the faculty. Beyond that core lineup, 255 sessions and workshops, including 36 hands-on workshops, let participants build an agenda around technical depth, product direction, live demos, and practical peer insight. Why it mattered TechCon 365, PWRCON, and DATACON Seattle brought together the professionals who drive digital transformation in organizations of every size, including IT administrators, developers, makers, architects, data specialists, business leaders, Microsoft MVPs, and community experts. The event created a unique opportunity for attendees to gain practical skills, explore emerging technologies, connect with peers facing similar challenges, and engage directly with product experts and industry thought leaders. The audience reflected the broad impact of today's technology landscape, with strong participation from large enterprises, government organizations, and a diverse mix of technical and business roles. For many attendees, the event represented their first experience with the TechCon community, creating new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth. By bringing together three complementary technology communities under one roof, the event fostered cross-disciplinary conversations and helped attendees discover new ideas, solutions, and connections they can bring back to their organizations and teams. Key Content & Highlights Microsoft keynotes Building What’s Next for Work with Jason Moore | Wednesday, August 26, 8:30–9:40 AM Jason Moore, Vice President of Product Management for Copilot Studio, opened the conference with a keynote on what becomes possible when Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Cowork, Power Platform, and Copilot Studio are used together at scale. The session connected personal productivity, business-process transformation, agents, live demonstrations, customer stories, and enterprise governance. From Databases to Agents: Building the Data Foundation for the Agentic Enterprise with Shireesh Thota | Thursday, August 27, 8:30–9:40 AM Shireesh Thota, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, focused the Data keynote on the foundation required for agentic enterprise applications. The session connected operational data, real-time context, memory, analytics, governance, and security across Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Azure Managed Redis, Horizon DB, Microsoft Fabric and OneLake, and Rayfin. Microsoft-led sessions The event featured 40 70-minute sessions: 15 focused on Microsoft 365, five on Power Platform, and 20 on Data. Of these, 16 were led by Microsoft. Microsoft-led sessions. All sessions from Microsoft and community are here: All Sessions & Workshops - Microsoft 365, DATA & Power Platform Conference Ask the Experts Ask the Experts was scheduled in the Expo Hall on Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27. The area brought together Microsoft speakers, MVPs, and community leaders for direct, product-specific conversations with attendees. Microsoft Community and networking The Microsoft Community space in the Expo Hall served as the hub for meet-and-greets, community discussions, and calls to action for MGCI. The space brought together Microsoft product experts, MVPs, and community leaders to connect directly with attendees, answer questions, share resources, and discuss the latest innovations across Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Data, and AI. Designed as a welcoming community lounge, the booth offered opportunities for meet-and-greets, expert conversations, and hands-on discussions that helped attendees turn new ideas into practical solutions. 85 individual attendees were scanned in and attended the community space. Community programming also included a Women in Tech & Allies lunch meet up session on Wednesday and a full panel "Women in Tech: Lifting as we Climb" with Rie Merritt, Karen Lopez, Mehrsa Golestaneh and Heather Cook, an MGCI meetup during lunch on Thursday led by Heather Cook & Bryan Hart, a speaker reception on Tuesday, an Expo reception, and an attendee “Luau” reception at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. Thank you to all who provided their expertise while staffing this year’s community space. What the program achieved TechCon 365, PWRCON and DATACON Seattle 2026 brought three technical audiences together around a 255-session-and-workshop program. Microsoft anchored that experience with two executive keynotes, 16 Microsoft-led sessions, Ask the Experts, community programming, and sustained Expo Hall engagement. The event combined scale and specialization: 984 attendees, 255 sessions and workshops, and 36 hands-on workshops across three co-located communities. Microsoft’s footprint was broad and visible, with 47 speakers, both keynotes, 40 company-led sessions, direct expert access, and 183 registrations attributed to Microsoft channels. Thank you to the Microsoft production team - Microsoft Exec Producer Heather Cook, Content Lead Bryan Wofford and our partners Stephanie Lawson, Rie Merritt, and to TechCon producers Sharon Toler, David Wilhelm, Ashley Wilhelm, Liz Sundet and team for their terrific supporting the Seattle event, and to the 47 Microsoft speakers and 50 Microsoft MVPs who helped and always shape the program. Till next year - One City, One TechCon - one event all together in TechCon in Atlanta, September 13-17, 2027Event Recap - TechCon Chicago 2026
TechCon 365 Chicago is part of the TechCon series of regional Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Azure data conferences — one of the most widely attended community-run Microsoft conference series in North America. For FY26, the Chicago edition was focused on Microsoft 365, Collaboration, Microsoft 365 Copilot and Power Platform. Dates: June 15–19, 2026 Venue: McCormick Place South, 2301 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616 Reach: 650+ attendees | 43 US states | 14 countries Event website: Home - Microsoft TechCon365 Chicago - A Microsoft 365 Conference & Copilot Conference In a Nutshell TechCon 365 Chicago 2026 delivered: A full-stage, 90-minute keynote anchored by Microsoft leaders, using a baseball playbook metaphor to frame the AI + Microsoft 365 transformation story 20+ Microsoft-led and 100+ Community-led sessions spanning Copilot adoption, AI in SharePoint, Power Platform, governance, and community engagement A dedicated Microsoft Community Zone (Expo Hall) for face-to-face engagement, demos, and community resource sign-ups Multiple Ask the Experts slots giving attendees direct access to product experts The Women in Tech and Allies Discussion, building on the MGCI community inclusion agenda Microsoft / Team Involvement Microsoft was a principal sponsor of TechCon 365 Chicago 2026, with the SCALE Microsoft Community Team leading the Microsoft engagement from planning through execution. Microsoft Production Team Heather Cook, Principal PM, SCALE Team — Production Lead & Keynote/Session Speaker Bryan Wofford, Principal PM, SCALE Team — Production PM & Session Speaker, MVP Lead Jonathan Jones – Program Manager, SCALE Team - Booth & Community Emily Hove — Event Logistics, SCALE Team Event Producers (TechCon side) David Wilhelm Sharon Toler Ashley Wilhelm Liz Sundet Key Content & Highlights Keynote “Stepping Up to the Plate: Winning Strategies to Empower Your Team” | Wed, June 17 | 8:30–9:40 AM | Stage S105bcd The 90-minute keynote used a baseball lens to map the Microsoft 365 + AI + Power Platform transformation journey, organizing the message into four “bases”: First Base: AI in Action – From Promise to Real Work (Copilot as leadoff hitter) Second Base: The Foundation Matters – Governance, Security, and Readiness Third Base: Adoption Is the Hard Part – coaching, culture, and confidence Home Plate: Building the Platform – Extensibility and What's Next with Power Platform The keynote brought together Microsoft and community voices on the same stage, reinforcing the message that AI transformation is a team sport. Speakers included Heather Cook, Bryan Wofford, Charles Lakes II, Liam Clearly, Julie Turner, Shannon Lindsay, and Mark Kashman. We may have had a seventh inning stretch to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". Named Microsoft Sessions 20+ Microsoft-led sessions were delivered across the five days, spanning beginner to advanced levels. Microsoft Led Breakout Sessions (Times are in Central Time (CT)) Building Enterprise AI Agents: From Low‑Code Copilot Studio to GitHub Copilot Integration with Minhaj Sahibzada (Wednesday 11:30 AM to 12:40 PM) Backstage event production with Microsoft 365 Copilot with Heather Cook and Bryan Wofford (Wednesday 11:30 AM to 12:40 PM) Secure and Govern AI and Agents with Microsoft & Agent 365 with Craig Jahnke and Sophie Ke (Wednesday 11:30 AM to 12:40 PM) Driving productivity with Power BI and M365 with Lada Hill and Lauren Faber (Wednesday 1:40 PM to 2:50 PM) Engage Everywhere: Communities, Events, and Storylines in Teams, Powered by AI with Steve Nguyen (Wednesday 1:40pm - 2:50 pm) How to Get What You Want: The Art of Prompt Engineering for Copilot with Michelle Gilbert (Wednesday 1:40pm - 2:50 pm) Avoiding the “Go-Live Hangover”: Battle-Tested Best Practices for Contact Center Implementations with Vinoth Balasubramanian (Wednesday 3:30 PM to 4:40 PM) Setup M365 for Education: Copilot. Teams & More with Max Fritz (Wednesday 3:30 PM to 4:40 PM) Beyond Compliance: How Accessibility Improves Productivity in Microsoft 365 with Max Fritz (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) From Hocus Pocus to Focus: Contextualize Your Power BI Data with Stephanie Bruno and Shannon Lindsay (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) Introduction to Vibing with the M365 Tools Frontier Agents and Power Platform with Ralph Rivas and Craig Jahnke (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) Work Smarter with OneDrive: AI-Enhanced Productivity Across Microsoft 365 with Vishal Lodha (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) The Next Generation of Community Storytelling: Powered by AI with Jonathan Jones (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) AI Ready - An Evolutive Approach with Juan Carlos Chipi (Thursday 10:40 AM to 11:50 PM) Accessibility by Design: Building Inclusive Experiences with Microsoft 365 and Copilot with Darryl Rowe and Laurie Allen (Thursday 10:40 AM to 11:50 PM) Engage, Learn, Lead: Maximizing Impact with the Microsoft Tech Community with Josh Leporati (Thursday 12:50 PM to 2:00 PM) The Rise of AI Agents: Designing the Platforms That Power Enterprise AI with Marco Salas Robles and Kevin Leal (Thursday 12:50 PM to 2:00 PM) Voice Bots That Work: Designing AI Conversations Customers Don’t Hang Up On with Vinoth Balasubramanian (Thursday 2:10 PM to 3:20 PM) From Data Chaos to Copilot Confidence: Building a Secure Foundation with Purview & SAM with Bryan Wofford (Thursday 4:00 PM to 5:10 PM) Extending Copilot with Connectors: Powering Intelligent Agents with Your Data with AJ Goldie (Thursday 4:00 PM to 5:10 PM) Why Power BI Copilot Works (and When It Doesn’t) with Sanjay Raut and Dan English (Thursday 4:00 PM to 5:10 PM) Your Copilot Adoption Playbook: Getting Started with Microsoft Adoption Resources with Gina Hoffman and Bryan Wofford (MCAG) (Friday 9:00 AM to10:10 AM) What’s New in the Microsoft 365 Copilot App: Your AI Command Center for Work with Michael Goad (Friday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) AI in SharePoint in Action with Bryan Wofford (Friday 10:20 AM to 11:30 AM) Building Smarter Agents: What’s New in Agent Builder and What’s Coming Next with AJ Goldie (Friday 12:30 PM to 1:40 PM) For all community sessions and the overall agenda from this show: https://aka.ms/TechCon365/2026/Sessions Thank you to all the Microsoft speakers who gave terrific sessions and staffed our Microsoft Community Lounge: AJ Goldie, Allison Michels, April Delsing, Bryan Wofford, Carrie White, Craig Jahnke, Dan English, Darryl Rowe, Gina Hoffman, Jonathan Jones, Juan Carlos Chipi, Lada Hill, Lauren Faber, Marco Salas Robles, Max Fritz, Michael Goad, Michelle Gilbert, Minhaj Sahibzada, Nisaini Rexach, Sanjay Raut, Sophie Ke, Steve Nguyen, Vinoth Balasubramanian, Vishal Lodha. Thank you to all community speakers for bringing your awesomeness to this show, so many repeat speakers bringing their A game and welcome to all of the first timers!! You Rock! Ask the Experts Microsoft experts participated in open drop-in Ask the Experts sessions in the Expo Hall / South Concourse Lobby, giving attendees direct access for one-on-one Q&A and guidance. Microsoft Community Zone (Expo Hall) The Microsoft Community Zone served as the hub for community engagement throughout the event — featuring branded resources, QR code sign-up stations for MGCI and Microsoft Tech Community, and staffed meet-and-greet hours with Microsoft speakers and experts. Microsoft MVPs at TechCon A big thank you to all the Microsoft MVPs who spoke and staffed the event: Andrew Hess, Anna Bordioug, Antonio Maio, Asif Rehmani, Brian Alderman, Cathy Dew, Charles Lakes II, Chris McNulty, Christian Buckley, David Drever, Derek Cash-Peterson, Don Kirkham, Drew Madelung, Galen Keene, Geetha Sivasailam, Gokan Ozcifci, Heidi Jordan, Jared Matfess, John Kerski, John White, Joy Apple, Julie Turner, Karinne Bessette, Lindsay Shelton, Luc Labelle, Marc D Anderson, Mark Kashman, Mark Rackley, Mike Maadarani, Norm Young, Paul Papanek Stork, Prashant G Bhoyar, Ralph Rivas, Ryan Schouten, Samir Makwana, Sarah Haase, Scott Shearer, Shari Oswald, Stephanie Bruno, Susan Hanley, Tiffany Songvilay, Treb Gatte, Vlad Catrinescu, Wes Preston, and William Huneycutt. Women in Tech and Allies Discussion Heather Cook led a collaborative discussion alongside Nisaini Rexach, April Delsing, Carrie White all from Microsoft and Kelly Fernandez, Executive Director of TedXChicago bringing together women in tech and allies to share perspectives, experiences, and inspiration. The session is part of Microsoft's ongoing Women in M365 community initiative. Sponsors A big thank you to all the sponsors What Attendees Valued Most When asked what they valued most, attendees consistently cited five themes: Networking — the #1 answer: meeting peers with shared challenges and forming lasting connections Workshops & hands-on demos — live, participatory sessions cited as highlights by both new and returning attendees Direct access to MVPs & experts — one-on-one conversations with speakers and subject matter experts Copilot & AI sessions — practical, applicable Copilot and AI implementation content Overall session quality — well-paced sessions with actionable takeaways and strong speaker insight Wrap-Up Summary TechCon 365 Chicago 2026 was a clear success and a strong validation of Microsoft's investment in community-run, practitioner-focused technical events. A Big THANK YOU to the TechCon producers David Wilhelm, Sharon Toler, Ashley Wilhelm, Liz Sundet and the entire team for an outstanding event.Event Recap - Microsoft at the Digital Workplace Conference Australia 2026
The Digital Workplace Conference 2026 (DWC AU) proved to be an unforgettable two days at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins from 28–29 May 2026. Australia's premier in-person event for Microsoft 365 professionals brought together power users, business leaders, IT pros, and adoption and change managers from across the region under this year's theme — One Change. Big Impact. With deep focus on Microsoft 365, AI and Copilot, SharePoint, governance, and real-world adoption, attendees were treated to a packed programme of community-led learning, customer stories, and the kind of practical, take-home guidance that makes DWC such a standout on the Australian tech calendar. DWC in a nutshell 30+ speakers from 5 countries 247+ years of combined digital workplace experience represented on stage 3 parallel tracks across 2 days — Productivity, AI & Copilot, and Customer Journeys Microsoft as a sponsor, with our team on the keynote stage and on the floor Post-event attendee survey across roles, industries, states, and countries captured (full breakdown in the Attendee Insights section below) Give a read to the DW Results recap as well: Digital Workplace Conference Australia: What We Learned About AI, Governance, and Why People Still Matter - DW Results Opening Keynote From AI Hype to Everyday Impact Thursday 28 May, 9:00 AM, Grand Ballroom (90 minutes) Panelists: Heather Cook (Microsoft), Debbie Ireland (DWR), and Brett Gilbertson (ASI Solutions). The opening keynote set the tone for the two days — cutting through AI hype and grounding the conversation in what is actually working inside Australian organisations today. The panel landed honest stories about where Copilot is delivering value, where adoption is getting stuck, and how the right single change — well chosen and well executed — really can have an outsized impact. The energy carried straight into the first round of breakouts and shaped the customer conversations that followed across both days. Breakout Sessions Overview DWC 2026 ran three parallel tracks across two days, anchored on the official conference themes: Productivity Sessions in this track focused on getting more ROI from the Microsoft 365 tools customers already own — practical patterns to work smarter, not harder, and the unlocks people did not know they had. AI and Copilot This was the dominant theme — sessions ran the full lifecycle from governance and security through implementation to adoption, with a strong focus on moving teams from novice to nimble with Copilot prompts, agents, and Copilot Studio. Customer Journeys Real-world case studies from organisations who have shipped — the trials, the tribulations, and the lessons. Customer Journeys remains the track attendees consistently rate as the most valuable. Featured sessions and speakers Build Your Own M365 Copilot Reporting Dashboard — Loryan Strant (Avanade, Microsoft MVP) Adoption & Change Management for AI: The People Side — Troy Waller (ASI Solutions) From SharePoint Foundations to AI Agents: The Blackmores Journey — Sujith Sukumaran and Liza Tinker (Blackmores) Data Security Considerations for M365 Copilot and Agents — Andrew O'Young (Microsoft MVP) Not Just Slop: How AI Agents Run Our Managed Services Helpdesk — Mark Rhodes (Rapid Circle) Novice to Nimble: Mastering Microsoft 365 Copilot Prompts — Kirsty McGrath (OnPoint Solutions) (Microsoft MVP) Side by Side with Copilot Cowork: Reimagining Collaboration with AI — Lisa Crosbie (Akkodis, Microsoft MVP) The Copilot Mirror: Why AI Isn't the Problem, Your Governance is — Alpesh Nakar (EDUC4TE) and James Milne (FrontRow Technologies) Making AI, SharePoint and Intranets work well together — Natalie Ryan (Step Two) Keepin' it real: Lessons from the trenches — Debbie Ireland (DWR) (Microsoft RD) and Shannon Donovan (DWR) Gone but not forgotten: Lifecycle and retention — Jenn Jones (Datacom) Reaching Every Employee: Strategic Decisions Behind High Impact Employee Platforms— Benoit Rabreaud (LumApps ANZ) and Carolyn Coon Unshackled: Forge Your AI Personalised AI-Powered Digital Workplace — Emily Hughes (Circle T) The PowerPoint hacks every M365 user should know — Sharon Connolly (Microsoft MVP) Deliver more, govern better: Practical M365 governance — Peter Varitimidis, Connor Martin (Orchestry), and Louie Newlove (Rapid Circle) From Copilot Pilots to Business Impact: Turning AI Hype into Measurable Workplace Value — Daniel Brown (Archon Gnosis) (Microsoft MVP) You Have No Idea What Copilot Can Do Now — Daniel Anderson (Microsoft MVP) The Future of Intranets: AI Meets SharePoint — Steve Knutson, Stratos Technology Partners (Microsoft RD & MVP) Who Am I Now? Evolving Roles in the Modern Digital Workplace — Megan Strant, Kirsty McGrath, Bec Gallen, Jacob Laurence and Mathew Gilbertson Microsoft on the agenda Beyond the opening keynote, our Microsoft team carried sessions across both days. The Microsoft-led sessions at DWC 2026: From AI Hype to Everyday Impact (Opening Keynote panel) — Heather Cook, with Debbie Ireland (DWR) and Brett Gilbertson (ASI Solutions) — Thursday 28 May, Grand Ballroom Cultivating Trust and Leadership Excellence: Strategies for Respect and Empathy in the Workplace — Heather Cook — Friday 29 May, 9:00 AM, Sydney Room Why do my services keep breaking? — Elaine van Bergen, Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Azure Reliability — Friday 29 May, 9:00 AM, Brisbane Room Agent 365 — the why, what and how? — Jian Sun, Principal Program Manager — Friday 29 May, 12:45 PM, Brisbane Room Microsoft MVPs and Regional Directors Microsoft MVPs and Regional Directors were a huge part of the DWC programme this year — across SharePoint, Microsoft 365 Apps, Business Applications, AI Platform, and Copilot. The MVPs and RD on stage and in the community spaces at DWC 2026: Andrew O'Young Daniel Anderson Daniel Brown Debbie Ireland Kirsty McGrath Lisa Crosbie Liza Tinker Loryan Strant Matthew Gilbertson Brett Gilbertson Megan Strant Sharon Connolly Steve Knutson Their contributions, alongside customers, partner consultants, and DWR community leaders, reinforced exactly what makes DWC valuable — the community in this room shines, and they came ready to share what works and their experiences. Community Highlights DWC has always been a community-first event, and 2026 was no different. A few moments that stood out: The opening keynote panel — a packed Grand Ballroom and a lively Q&A that ran right up to the morning tea bell Thursday Networking Drinks in the Exhibition Area — two hours of unstructured time where the best conversations of the conference happened Customer-led case study sessions that drew standing-room-only crowds Recognition for Debbie Ireland and the DWR team for 35+ events across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia since 2009 Exhibition Area and the Microsoft booth The Exhibition Area was the centre of gravity for both days — morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and Thursday's networking drinks all happened in the same space, which meant the Microsoft booth had a steady stream of attendees and a constant flow of conversations across both days. Microsoft on-site: Ana Maria Suarez — Cloud Solution Architect Ashish Trivedi – Sr Program Manager, FastTrack Eddie Chua — Sr Program Manager Elaine van Bergen — Principal Site Reliability Engineer, Azure Reliability Garrett White — Biz Apps STU Heather Cook — Principal PM, M365 Customer Advocacy Group Jian Sun — Principal Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation Paul Mineo – Sr Solution Engineer Conversations at the Microsoft booth ran throughout the two days alongside sponsor and partner check-ins — see the attendee insights and themes sections below for what came out of those conversations. Who Was in the Room — Attendee Insights DWR shared post-event demographics from their attendee survey (approximately 64 responses). The room was a genuine cross-section of the Australian and New Zealand digital workplace community: Geography: Attendees came from across Australian states and territories — Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and beyond — plus international guests from New Zealand and further afield Roles: Business Analysts, Change Managers, Developers, Information Architects, IT Management, Knowledge Managers, and Site Administrators and Power Users Industries: Banking and Finance, Government, Education, Health, Professional Services, Technology, Energy, NFP, Defence, Manufacturing, Retail, Transport, and more What attendees told us — four themes from DWR's post-event feedback The pace of AI is real — but no one has it fully figured out. People spoke openly about how hard it is to stay on top of how fast things are moving. There was genuine relief in hearing that even experts are working through it in real time. Foundations matter more than ever. One of the strongest signals: AI isn't the starting point. Good data, clear ownership, and solid governance still underpin everything — without that, even the most advanced tools struggle to deliver value. The biggest challenge is helping people change how they work. Even in a conference heavily focused on AI, the strongest recurring message wasn't about tools — it was about people. Supporting teams through change is still the hardest and most important part. Learning happens faster when we do it together. Again and again, attendees called out the value of being in the room — the informal conversations between sessions, shared experiences, and honest exchanges that are impossible to replicate online. Customer Conversations at the Microsoft Booth Customer conversations at the Microsoft booth throughout DWC 2026 were highly productive. These weren't formal meetings — they were the organic, drop-by conversations that happen when you're in the room — and they clustered around adoption, governance, and what's next for AI in the Australian enterprise. Top themes surfaced Microsoft 365 Copilot — adoption, ROI measurement, governance, agent extensibility, and moving teams from "I tried it once" to embedded daily use Copilot Studio and Agents — where to start, who should build, how to govern citizen-built agents, and how to keep them healthy in production SharePoint as the knowledge platform — search accuracy, information architecture, archive and retention, and getting the foundations right so Copilot actually returns useful answers Data security and Purview for AI — label rollout, sensitivity handling, and what "governance done right" looks like before scaling Copilot organisation-wide Adoption and change management — the people side keeps being named as the gap that determines whether AI investment pays off Intranet modernisation and employee experience — practical stories from customers building production-grade intranets quickly, with AI features layered on top Australian customers consistently asked for sharper guidance on moving Copilot beyond basic tasks toward creative, workflow-specific use cases — and reinforced that internal champions, structured adoption stages, and embedded security and compliance are critical to success. Public sector and federal government attendees raised human-centred digital practice and Australian-specific compliance considerations as recurring themes. Thank You A huge thank you to every attendee, speaker, sponsor, and volunteer who helped bring DWC 2026 to life. Your passion, curiosity, and commitment made this year's event genuinely exceptional. DW Results and Debbie Ireland Special thanks to event founder and producer Debbie Ireland and the entire team at Digital Workplace Results. DWR has delivered 35+ events across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia since 2009 — and the welcoming home you create for this industry each year is a big part of why Microsoft is proud to sponsor and show up the way we do. Microsoft MVPs, customers, and community speakers Thank you to the MVPs, Regional Director, customers, partners, and community speakers who carried the bulk of this year's programme. The full DWC 2026 speaker roster: Alpesh Nakar, Andrew O'Young, Andrew Pope, Annabel Hay, Benoit Rabreaud, Brett Gilbertson, Cairo Walker, Carolyn Coon, Connor Martin, Daniel Anderson, Daniel Brown, David Mitchell, Debbie Ireland, Elaine van Bergen, Emily Hughes, James Milne, Jan Krist, Jemma Hirst, Jenn Jones, Kirsty McGrath, Jian Sun, Lisa Crosbie, Liza Tinker, Loryan Strant, Louie Newlove, Mark Rhodes, Mathew Gilbertson, Megan Strant, Mel Finnigan, Mia Tait, Natalie Ryan, Peter Varitimidis, Shannon Donovan, Sharon Connolly, Shelley Van Hoos, Steve Knutson, Sujith Sukumaran, Sutter Schumacher, and Troy Waller. The community in this region keeps showing up with sharp, practical content — thank you for the time, the prep, and the generosity of sharing what you've learned. Sponsors Microsoft is proud to be part of the DWC 2026 sponsor community. Thank you to: Platinum: ASI Solutions Gold: Rapid Circle, Orchestry, Ideagen Silver: Athentra, LumApps, EDUC4TE, Audio Visual Distributors / Barco ClickShare, Microsoft, Datacom, Circle T, DW Results Bronze: Step Two, Technomancy Whether it was your first DWC or you've been with us since the early years, your presence helped create an inspiring and unforgettable experience. What's Next? The journey continues. Watch the dwcau.com.au and DWR channels for the 2027 dates and venue announcement — and in the meantime, keep the momentum going on the customer follow-ups and adoption commitments that came out of this week's conversations. Until then, let's keep the energy alive. Continue exploring, innovating, and collaborating with this community. The Australian M365 ecosystem is one of the strongest and most generous in the world, and DWC 2026 was a reminder of exactly why. #DWCAU | One Change. Big ImpactEvent Recap - European Collab Summit 2026 - Cologne Germany
From May 5 to 7, 2026, the global Microsoft community came together in Cologne, Germany for the European Collaboration Summit 2026, a gathering of innovators, builders, and leaders shaping the future of work. With over 275 sessions spanning the European Collaboration, AI & Cloud, and BizApps Summits, Microsoft’s presence was both expansive and impactful, bringing together product leaders, engineers, and community voices to explore what’s next across Microsoft 365, Copilot, and AI-powered collaboration. ECS By the Numbers 2,800+ attendees 275+ sessions across three co-located conferences 248 speakers from 29 countries across 5 continents 58 Microsoft speakers, 11 Microsoft Regional Directors, and 106 Microsoft MVPs 51 Microsoft-led breakout sessions 3 Microsoft keynotes A Strong Microsoft Presence Across Every Track Microsoft played a central role at this year’s summit with: 3 keynote sessions 50+ Microsoft sessions across all conference tracks These sessions were delivered by product leaders, our community team, and engineering teams, providing both strategic direction and hands-on guidance for organizations navigating AI transformation. From collaboration to cloud to business applications, Microsoft content was woven throughout the event, ensuring attendees could connect insights across the entire modern work ecosystem. Key Themes: AI, Copilot, and the Era of Intelligent Work Across Microsoft’s sessions and keynotes, several core themes stood out. Copilot and AI Agents Take Center Stage From deep dives into Copilot extensibility to real-world scenarios with AI agents, sessions highlighted how organizations can move from experimentation to scale. Attendees explored how Copilot orchestrates information, integrates across Microsoft 365, and enables entirely new ways of working. Microsoft 365 as the Platform for Modern Work Sessions across Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive reinforced how the Microsoft 365 ecosystem continues to evolve into a unified platform, connecting communication, content, and workflows with AI built in. From Productivity to Transformation Keynotes from Microsoft leaders focused on how AI is fundamentally reshaping collaboration, content, and knowledge at scale, grounded in real customer scenarios and practical adoption strategies. Microsoft Keynotes: The Evolution of Agents at Microsoft and Everywhere - Marco Casalaina, Vice President of Products, Microsoft Azure AI Marco set the stage for how Microsoft is pushing the boundaries of AI — from foundation models to production-ready AI at scale — and how organizations can harness Azure AI to drive real business outcomes. The Age of the Agent: AI That Works for You - Julie Koesmarno, Principal Group Product Manager, Microsoft Julie explored how the age of the agent is here today — how AI is moving from a tool we use to a teammate we collaborate with — with live demos by Scott Durow. The Future of AI is Already Here - Adam Harmetz, Vice President of PM, Collaborative Apps & Platforms Adam closed out the Microsoft keynote series, walking attendees through the latest in Microsoft 365 Copilot, SharePoint, OneDrive, and the broader collaboration platform — with demos by Dan Holme, Erica Toelle, and Vesa Juvonen. Breakout Sessions: Practical, Technical, and Actionable CollabSummit sessions focused on preparing organizations to fully capitalize on Microsoft 365 Copilot — from technical readiness and adoption frameworks to ROI measurement, governance, and agent extensibility. Sessions dove deep into SharePoint as the knowledge platform for Copilot and agents, OneDrive innovations, Teams as an AI-driven work hub, and the latest Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities. AI & Cloud Summit sessions gave professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses a chance to explore opportunities with Azure, Copilot, OpenAI, and Microsoft Foundry — with a clear focus on the impact of cloud adoption and Responsible AI. BizApps Summit sessions spotlighted the Microsoft Power Platform, Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, Dynamics 365, and citizen development — helping attendees understand how low-code/no-code business applications and unified data are accelerating enterprise transformation. Highlights included: Copilot orchestration and extensibility AI-powered collaboration experiences in Teams SharePoint agents and content management innovation Enterprise AI development and automation scenarios These sessions provided both strategic guidance and hands-on techniques, helping attendees turn emerging AI capabilities into real business impact. Microsoft MVPs and Regional Directors 106 MVPs and 11 Regional Directors led sessions, lightning talks, and Innovation Hub experiences — sharing expertise on Copilot Studio, Microsoft 365 Copilot, SharePoint, Power Platform, Azure AI, and more. Their contributions enriched the community experience and reinforced the spirit of shared learning that defines ECS. Expo City: Where Innovation Came to Life At the heart of the event, Expo City brought Microsoft technologies to life through live demos, partner solutions, and hands-on experiences across Copilot, Teams, SharePoint, and Power Platform. At the Microsoft booth, attendees experienced: A central collaboration hub for 1:1 developer conversations and architecture deep dives The Microsoft Foundry Information Tower, showcasing the Agent Factory and production-ready AI at scale The Microsoft Lounge for deeper conversations on building with Microsoft AI A digital engagement screen with live demos and platform walkthroughs A Community-Driven Experience Beyond the sessions, what truly defined the European Collaboration Summit was its community. With thousands of attendees, from IT leaders and developers to MVPs and students, the event fostered meaningful conversations, knowledge-sharing, and lasting connections. From the opening keynote to the closing ceremony, ECS 2026 thrived on the energy of its community. The atmosphere was alive with enthusiasm, collaboration, and genuine camaraderie. Evening gatherings and the attendee party at Wartesaal am Dom — a vibrant mix of fun and networking with great music and local flavors. Community Panel — “So You Want to Run a CollabDays?” presented by Rodrigo Pinto, Thomas Goelles, Paul Hunt, and Thomas Vochten, giving the community a playbook for running successful local events. Women in Tech and Allies Panel — hosted by Heather Cook with Karuana Gatimu, Laura Dark, and community members Isidora Katanic and Michelle Okwudiafor. AI Competition Finals on the FutureMakers Stage — startup finalists pitched AI-focused products live, with the winning team taking home a bronze package for ECS 2027. Citroën Ami Giveaway — one lucky attendee drove away with an actual brand-new Citroën Ami, making the closing ceremony a packed, can’t-miss Thank You A huge thank you to every attendee, speaker, sponsor, and volunteer who helped bring ECS 2026 to life. Your passion, curiosity, and commitment made this year’s event truly exceptional — and a special thanks to Adis Jugo, Mustafa Toroman, Waldek Mastykarz, Garry Trinder, Brett Lonsdale, Margit Jugo, and the outstanding teams of volunteers and sponsors who continue to make this vision a reality. Looking Ahead The European Collaboration Summit 2026 once again proved why it remains a cornerstone event for the Microsoft ecosystem. The journey continues as the team looks towards ECS 2027 in Düsseldorf, Germany — May 18–20, 2027, already shaping another year of world-class sessions, community moments, and opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. As organizations continue to navigate the shift toward AI-powered work, the insights shared across Microsoft’s sessions — from Copilot to Teams to SharePoint — offered a clear takeaway: the future of collaboration is intelligent, connected, and community-driven. Until then — keep exploring, innovating, and collaborating. The future is bright, and together we’re redefining the way the world works. #CollabSummit | #ECS2026 | Come Curious. Leave Inspired.Event Guide - Microsoft at TechCon Chicago 2026
Join us in Chicago for TechCon 365! A premier Microsoft 365 and Power Platform training event featuring expert-led keynotes and sessions across Copilot, AI, Teams, Power Platform, Azure, SharePoint, Purview, and more. Whether you’re new to the platform or a seasoned admin, developer, or power user, you’ll find practical learning tailored to your role and goals. Shoutout to incredible event producers, Sharon Toler and David Wilhelm. Thank you for the partnership, your passion for supporting technical skilling and the community. Microsoft is happy to be a sponsor of this fantastic event. Thank you to the additional sponsors who participate. We’re grateful for everyone in this community who brings their energy and expertise, making this conference a can’t-miss highlight on the tech calendar each year. 101 on TechCon 365 in Chicago What: Microsoft 365 & Power Platform Conference Where: Chicago, IL - McCormick Place South When: June 15 to 19, 2026 Presenters: 130+ sessions, 25 workshops, 2 optional days of workshops to deepen your learning throughout the week. Cost: Register by May 29, 2026, and SAVE $200 of a 5-Day Pass! Price: $850 to $2,995 (there’s something for every budget, check ticket options!) Register today! Registration Savings: Use code MSCMTY to take $200 USD off your registration X & LinkedIn: @TechCon365 | TechCon365 Be Part of What’s Next Get ready for what’s next and learn what you can put into action today. With Microsoft MVPs, MCMs, Microsoft Program Managers, Microsoft Engineers, MCTs, and Microsoft Regional Directors all in one place for the week. Choose from over 150 sessions led by the experts who built the tools and solutions you use every day. TechCon 365 is an event designed to fit your experience level and area of interest. Make It Memorable From inspiring community spaces to special events (yes, including exclusive swag), this is more than a conference, it’s a full experience. Take advantage of Chicago flair and dedicated Community Meetups throughout the week to connect, recharge, and share perspectives with peers who are as passionate as you are. Register today | Note: Use the MSCMTY discount code to save $200 USD off registration. Building Connections Building connections at TechCon 365 Chicago is at the heart of the experience, bringing together a dynamic community of professionals passionate about Microsoft 365 and the future of work. Whether you’re engaging in conversations on the Expo floor or connecting during sessions and meetups, every interaction is an opportunity to learn from peers, exchange ideas, and expand your network. From first-time attendees to seasoned experts, TechCon 365 creates a welcoming environment where meaningful relationships are formed, collaborations take shape, and the community grows stronger together . Key Microsoft Sessions and Activities Keynote: Stepping Up to the Plate: Winning Strategies to Empower Your Team A keynote panel with host Heather Cook and panelists, Bryan Wofford, Charles Lakes II, Liam Cleary, Julie Turner, Shannon Lindsay, Mark Kashman (Wednesday 8:30 AM to 9:40 AM Central Time) In this keynote, you will learn that AI isn’t a solo sport. It’s a team game. It takes communication, trust, shared signals, and a commitment to help the entire lineup succeed. So, whether you’re stepping up to the plate, coaching from the dugout, or helping call the game from the front office, remember: the real power comes when we play as one team. Women in Tech Panel Host: Heather Cook. Panelists: Nisaini Rexach, Carrie White and April Delsing (Wednesday, 1:40 PM CT) All individuals, regardless of gender, are invited to join us to celebrate, talk about our progress, and focus on how we can continue to make the Microsoft ecosystem the best in the world for welcoming, mentoring and supporting women. Additionally, we aim to promote allyship and foster inclusiveness within our industry. Microsoft Led Breakout Sessions (Times are in Central Time (CT)) Building Enterprise AI Agents: From Low‑Code Copilot Studio to GitHub Copilot Integration with Minhaj Sahibzada (Wednesday 11:30 AM to 12:40 PM) Backstage event production with Microsoft 365 Copilot with Heather Cook and Bryan Wofford (Wednesday 11:30 AM to 12:40 PM) Secure and Govern AI and Agents with Microsoft & Agent 365 with Craig Jahnke and Sophie Ke (Wednesday 11:30 AM to 12:40 PM) Driving productivity with Power BI and M365 with Lada Hill and Lauren Faber (Wednesday 1:40 PM to 2:50 PM) Engage Everywhere: Communities, Events, and Storylines in Teams, Powered by AI with Steve Nguyen (Wednesday 1:40pm - 2:50 pm) How to Get What You Want: The Art of Prompt Engineering for Copilot with Michelle Gilbert (Wednesday 1:40pm - 2:50 pm) Avoiding the “Go-Live Hangover”: Battle-Tested Best Practices for Contact Center Implementations with Vinoth Balasubramanian (Wednesday 3:30 PM to 4:40 PM) Setup M365 for Education: Copilot. Teams & More with Max Fritz (Wednesday 3:30 PM to 4:40 PM) Beyond Compliance: How Accessibility Improves Productivity in Microsoft 365 with Max Fritz (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) From Hocus Pocus to Focus: Contextualize Your Power BI Data with Stephanie Bruno and Shannon Lindsay (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) Introduction to Vibing with the M365 Tools Frontier Agents and Power Platform with Ralph Rivas and Craig Jahnke (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) Work Smarter with OneDrive: AI-Enhanced Productivity Across Microsoft 365 with Vishal Lodha (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) The Next Generation of Community Storytelling: Powered by AI with Jonathan Jones (Thursday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) AI Ready - An Evolutive Approach with Juan Carlos Chipi (Thursday 10:40 AM to 11:50 PM) Accessibility by Design: Building Inclusive Experiences with Microsoft 365 and Copilot with Darryl Rowe and Laurie Allen (Thursday 10:40 AM to 11:50 PM) Engage, Learn, Lead: Maximizing Impact with the Microsoft Tech Community with Josh Leporati (Thursday 12:50 PM to 2:00 PM) The Rise of AI Agents: Designing the Platforms That Power Enterprise AI with Marco Salas Robles and Kevin Leal (Thursday 12:50 PM to 2:00 PM) Voice Bots That Work: Designing AI Conversations Customers Don’t Hang Up On with Vinoth Balasubramanian (Thursday 2:10 PM to 3:20 PM) From Data Chaos to Copilot Confidence: Building a Secure Foundation with Purview & SAM with Bryan Wofford (Thursday 4:00 PM to 5:10 PM) Extending Copilot with Connectors: Powering Intelligent Agents with Your Data with AJ Goldie (Thursday 4:00 PM to 5:10 PM) Why Power BI Copilot Works (and When It Doesn’t) with Sanjay Raut and Dan English (Thursday 4:00 PM to 5:10 PM) Your Copilot Adoption Playbook: Getting Started with Microsoft Adoption Resources with Gina Hoffman and Bryan Wofford (MCAG) (Friday 9:00 AM to10:10 AM) What’s New in the Microsoft 365 Copilot App: Your AI Command Center for Work with Michael Goad (Friday 9:00 AM to 10:10 AM) AI in SharePoint in Action with Bryan Wofford (Friday 10:20 AM to 11:30 AM) Building Smarter Agents: What’s New in Agent Builder and What’s Coming Next with AJ Goldie (Friday 12:30 PM to 1:40 PM) There are over 100 sessions being given by our wonderful community of consultants, business owners, Microsoft MVPs, user group leaders and MGCI Board Members and Regional Directors. Session days and times are subject to change, please see the TechCon Chicago website for the full agenda. Community Activities TechCon 365 Chicago offers a dynamic lineup of activities designed to bring the community together and create memorable, hands-on experiences. The Expo Hall serves as the central hub of energy, where attendees can explore solutions, connect with partners, and discover the latest innovations across Microsoft 365. Interactive spaces like Ask the Experts provide direct access to Microsoft specialists and MVPs for real-time guidance and insights. Networking lunches create a relaxed setting to build meaningful connections. Together, these experiences make TechCon 365 a vibrant, connection-driven environment from start to finish. Microsoft Community Booth The Microsoft Community Booth at TechCon 365 Chicago is a space to connect directly with Microsoft product teams and Microsoft MVPs. Pick up some laptop stickers and giveaway. Learn about community programs and enter to win daily prizes. You’ll find the Microsoft Community Booth in the TechCon 365 Expo Hall We’ll host a meetup and photo for members and those curious about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) on Wednesday June 17 th during lunch, get a place and look for the signs, will be close to the Microsoft Community Booth. Join us in the Microsoft Community Booth for a Microsoft MVP photo on Wednesday, June 17 at 1:30pm at the end of lunch. A Few Tips for attendees Review the agenda and map out your must-see sessions Visit the Expo Floor to meet Microsoft teams and partners Join meetups for fresh connections Share your learnings and follow up after the event to keep the networking alive Stay hydrated and dress for comfort Follow TechCon 365 on LinkedIn and X, and use #TechCon365 for updates and community stories. Stay connected on Microsoft channels Microsoft Community LinkedIn Page: https://aka.ms/MSCommunityLinkedin Microsoft Tech Community: https://aka.ms/JoinMTC MSFT Adoption Twitter: https://aka.ms/MSFTAdoptionTwitter Microsoft Adoption Hub: https://aka.ms/AdoptionHub Microsoft Community Learning YouTube: https://aka.ms/community/learning One-Stop Shop for Community Events: https://www.communitydays.org Mondays at Microsoft News Show: https://aka.ms/MondaysatMicrosoft Secure Your Spot! Truly, I hope you’ll join us. Register today and use code MSCMTY for $200 USD off. This is your moment to learn, connect, and be inspired. Mark your calendar for June 15 to 19, 2026 and come make Chicago part of your tech story. We can’t wait to see you there! WOOTWOOT! Chicago is a busy city in the Summer, and there is lots going on that week. The Cubbies are at home, there are tons of musicals, and the Obama Library is opening. 2026 June: Calendar of Chicago's Events | EventGuide Visit Chicago Events from Tuesday, June 16th - Wednesday, June 17th | Choose Chicago Cheers, Heather CookEvent Guide - Digital Workplace Conference 2026 - Melbourne, Australia
Join us in Melbourne for the Digital Workplace Conference 2026 — Australia's premier in-person event for Microsoft 365 professionals, business leaders, power users, and technical roles. Across two packed days at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, you'll connect with industry leaders, customers, and peers shaping the future of digital work, with deep dives into Microsoft 365, AI, Copilot, SharePoint, governance, and real-world adoption. Huge shoutout to event founder and producer Debbie Irelandand the team at Digital Workplace Results (DWR). DWR has delivered 35+ events across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia since 2009 — thank you for the partnership, your passion for community, and the welcoming home you create for this industry every year. Microsoft is proud to sponsor this event and join the incredible community of sponsors supporting it. We're grateful for everyone in this community who brings their energy and expertise to make DWC a must-attend highlight on the Australian tech calendar. DWC 2026 at a glance What Digital Workplace Conference 2026 — Australia's premier Microsoft 365 conference Where Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Melbourne, Australia When Thursday 28 and Friday 29 May 2026 Theme One Change. Big Impact Format In-person, 2-day conference with 3 parallel tracks and an exhibition area Speakers 30+ speakers from 5 countries — Microsoft, MVPs, customers, and partners Audience M365 power users, business leaders, IT pros, adoption and change managers Theme: One Change. Big Impact — the idea that the right single change, well chosen and well executed, can transform how an organisation works. Register: https://www.dwcau.com.au/ Follow along: #DWCAU | Digital Workplace Conference Be part of what's next Get ready for what's next and learn what you can put into action today. With Microsoft program managers, Microsoft MVPs, customers, and partners all in one place for two days, you'll choose from sessions and case studies led by the experts who build and implement these tools every day. DWC is sized so that you can actually meet the speakers, ask hard questions, and leave with practical answers. By the numbers: 30+ speakers 247+ combined years of digital workplace experience 5 countries represented • 3 parallel tracks • 2 days • 1 community Three themes shaping the agenda Productivity Using the tools you already have to deliver more ROI. Discover what you didn't know was possible, and learn to work smarter, not harder. AI and Copilot Everything from governance to implementation to adoption. Move from novice to expert and understand the tools, the agents, and the reasons why. Customer Journeys We learn best by hearing how others did it — the trials, the tribulations, and the lessons you can take back to your own projects. Keynote: From AI Hype to Everyday Impact Conference Opening and Welcome: Debbie Ireland reveals how AI is quietly reshaping our behaviour, our workplaces, and even our children. From rising dependency to hidden cognitive shifts, this talk challenges audiences to rethink what it means to stay human in an AI‑saturated world. Heather Cook shares a Humans‑First approach to adopting and using AI, building habits that drive confidence, productivity, and meaningful impact at work. Learn how individuals and teams can turn Microsoft 365 Copilot into a practical, trusted part of their daily workflow. Brett Gilbertson presents a critical look at how AI is reshaping education—and where it falls short. This is a call to prioritize digital skills training focused on human relationships and future needs. For a list of all sessions and the agenda: Agenda Building connections Building connections at DWC is the heart of the experience. Whether you're swapping notes in the Exhibition Area, comparing prompt strategies between sessions, or sharing a drink at the Thursday networking event, every interaction is a chance to learn from peers, exchange ideas, and expand your network. From first-time attendees to seasoned MVPs, DWC is a welcoming environment where meaningful relationships and lasting collaborations begin. #CommunityEvents #CommunityLuv #DWCAU #MelbourneEvent Recap - Experts Live US - New York City
On October 10 2025, Microsoft’s Times Square office hosted Experts Live US in New York City, bringing together IT pros, developers, and community leaders for a full day of insights on Microsoft technologies, AI, and modern workplace strategies. Registered: 178 In attendance: 126 A great start for a brand-new event, first time in the US! Adam Harmetz’s Keynote: The Future of Content Management with AI Adam Harmetz, VP of PM for Collaborative Apps & Platforms at Microsoft, opened the event with a visionary keynote on modernizing SharePoint and driving the next decade of content management innovation through AI and agents. His session highlighted how Copilot and intelligent automation will transform collaboration, making enterprise content smarter and more adaptive to user needs. Adam summarized Microsoft 365 & Copilot's major AI news from the past 60 days - 6 major things you need to know that Microsoft announced and made available in preview or GA. "We are moving faster than ever in the AI build out, partnering with frontier firms to show what's possible as we help orgs of all sizes stay on the forefront of AI. And as I talked about in the keynote, our research shows employees at these frontier firms are significantly more likely to say their orgs are thriving (71% to 31%). I know the pace of change is intimidating - but the payoff is worth it and we are here to help. So try out our latest innovations in Copilot, create an agent or use one of our new ones - and give us feedback. We're listening." – Adam on LinkedIN Panel Discussion: Rising Together—Allyship, Acceleration & Women Who Lead Tech Forward In a time where AI and cybersecurity evolve at breakneck speed, we cannot afford to leave talent behind. This panel explored the critical role of allyship and inclusive leadership in shaping the future of tech. Led by inspiring women in AI and security, the conversation went beyond technical frontiers to examine the structures and support systems that helped them thrive. The data tells the story: women now make up around 28% of the tech workforce, but representation in AI (22%) and cybersecurity (24%) remains far from equal. The stakes are high—studies show diverse teams detect threats 30% faster and build more ethical AI models. This wasn’t just a diversity talk; it was a strategy session. Attendees learned how allies in leadership, policy, and peer networks are accelerating change, and walked away with actionable steps to amplify underrepresented voices and redesign hiring and mentoring structures for the future we want to build. Celebrating three years of CommunityDays.org This year also marked the three-year anniversary of CommunityDays.org, a global platform born from the SharePoint Saturday movement. CommunityDays.org empowers volunteer organizers to host free technical training events worldwide, spanning Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Azure, and more. Its growth reflects the enduring spirit of community-driven learning and collaboration in the Microsoft ecosystem. We posted a longer for article on the Microsoft Tech Community to celebrate. The local volunteer event producers A huge thank you to the incredible team who made Experts Live NYC possible: Anna Bordioug, Dr. Booma Poolan Marikannan, Femke Cornelissen, Jason Rivera, Justine Wolters, Manpreet Singh, Melissa Ballesteros, Micah Heaton, Morten Knudsen, Raae Wolfram, Samir Makwana, Thomas Daly. Gratitude to sponsors Many Microsoft partners are the local, national and worldwide sponsors that help these events year after year - they pay for the food and fun prizes at many of these community events. Join the best community in tech Our CommunityDays events are always looking for speakers, and they’re a fantastic way to hone your speaking skills, get feedback directly from customers, partners, and Microsoft MVPs—and connect into The Best Community in Tech. Find upcoming events at: Community Days | Homepage About Experts Live USA Each year, Experts Live USA organizes a one-day event attended by IT Pros and Developers who come to deepen their knowledge of Microsoft technologies. National and international community experts bring attendees fully up to speed on the latest Microsoft technologies—all in a single day. Over the years, well-known speakers and MVPs have become closely associated with Experts Live. Held on four continents, more than 12 international Experts Live events take place annually, reaching over 5,000 people. Thousands more benefit from our knowledge through Experts Live Café, TV, Radio, and social media. Driven by a vision to empower the IT community worldwide, we continuously expand our reach by adding new Microsoft tech conferences in different continents, countries, and regions. And soon, the Experts Live experience will be spreading across the USA too. Experts Live US supports STEM Kids NYC, helping them bring technical classes, materials, and support to kids in the New York City area. The volunteer team gave the non-profit a check for $2000.00. WOOTWOOT!Introducing the Viva Engage Track at the 2026 Microsoft 365 Conference
Internal communications has never been more complex — or more essential. Whether you’re trying to cut through the noise, connect leaders with employees, or bring clarity to AI-driven change, the role of the modern communicator is evolving fast. At this year’s M365 Community Conference, we’re excited to bring you the Viva Engage Track — a focused learning path designed to help communicators, HR leaders, IT partners, and community champions build connected, informed, and high‑performing workplaces. You’ll get access to Microsoft’s own communications experts, Viva Engage product leaders, and practitioners who run global‑scale comms — all ready to share the patterns, storylines, frameworks, and real‑world playbooks that drive impact. You’ll learn how to inform, inspire, and activate employees in ways that actually work at scale. The sessions are stacked with can’t‑miss moments Across three days, this track walks you through the full modern comms lifecycle — strategy, storytelling, measurement, deployment, AI readiness, and community activation. Whether you’re focused on executive comms, knowledge sharing, community management, or engagement strategy, this is built for you. Today’s communicators are expected to: Navigate more channels than ever Reduce noise while increasing clarity Build trust in an era shaped by AI Move leaders closer to employees Create belonging in hybrid, dispersed organizations Support rapid change and transformation Here’s a closer look at what you’ll learn in the Viva Engage & Communications track: Modern Communications & Strategy How Microsoft Manages Global Employee and Executive Communications Learn from John Cirone, Sr. Director of Communications, how Microsoft orchestrates communications for 200,000+ employees, drives leadership connection, and uses Engage, SharePoint, and Copilot to scale impact. Breaking Through in a World of Information Overload and AI Amy Morris, Director of Communications, will help you reimagine channels and delivery across Engage and SharePoint to reach the right people at the right time—without adding noise. Use data, insights, and employee listening to build your comms strategy How do you measure and define success, and leverage signals from employee engagement and listening to drive business transformation and performance? Join Microsoft communications and product leaders for a practical look at how to build an effective listening system with tools including Engage, Insights, Glint and Pulse. Learn how to empower leaders and change agents with a comprehensive, 360-degree view of employee sentiment. And explore how insights can inform strategies and tactics to achieve your business objectives. Events, Communities & Knowledge Sharing Company-Wide Events—Scaling Innovation with Engage Learn how organizations run high-impact town halls, all-hands, and campaigns using Events, Q&A, Storyline, and Copilot. Product Group experts Dan Holme and Tricia Lybrook will give you the end-to-end experience for creating events your employees will remember! AI-Powered Collaboration: Unlocking Your Employee Knowledge Base See how Engage, Copilot, and intelligent agents help surface expertise and solve problems faster, while keeping people in the loop. See demos and learn directly from product group leaders Allison Michels and Ramya Rajasekhar about making this reality in your own organizations. Governance, Deployment & AI Transformation From Governance to Growth: A Practical Playbook for Viva Engage Deployment Turn governance, readiness, and compliance into a launchpad for adoption and engagement. Hear directly from the Product Group Leaders, Venkat Ayyadevara and Spencer Perry. Community in the Age of AI - Humans at the center of Copilot Adoption Elevate your communications and campaigns through the power of community and peer-to-peer lead learning. Communicators can lead the AI transformation at your company. Learn how AI-powered agents support community managers, but humans drive rituals, events, and engagement. Hear product experts Allison Michels and Sarah Lundy as they take you behind the scenes and showcase some Microsoft employee favorites, like the Copilot Adoption Community, campaigns, Camp Copilot and more. The Communicator’s Guide to Viva Engage Learn how to maintain relevance and authenticity in the age of AI through personalization, targeting, and sequencing that respects how people work. Learn from Product Group expert Sarah Lundy, drawing on her experience at Microsoft Digital Comms, and Product Manager Najla Dadmand as they show how technology and communications can work together. Spotlight Session: Engage Everywhere - The Viva Engage Roadmap One of the most anticipated sessions of the entire track, Engage Everywhere: Communities, Events & Storylines in Teams (Roadmap), offers a first look at what’s coming next. Hear directly from our Product Leadership Team, Jason Mayans, VP of Product, Steve Nguyen, Customer Experience, and Murali Sitaram, CVP Viva Engage. You’ll explore: The deeper native integration of Viva Engage inside Microsoft Teams -making communities, events, campaigns, and storylines feel seamless across devices and workstyles. AI-enhanced capabilities that connect employees to knowledge, leaders, and each other more intuitively and efficiently. New ways organizations can unify communications and engagement across Teams, Engage, Email, and SharePoint. What’s next for Events, Storyline, and Communities as Microsoft continues to converge engagement experiences in one place. This session is designed to help you visualize the future employee communications and engagement ecosystem—and understand how to build toward it today. Key Takeaways: Whether you’re modernizing communications, rolling out Copilot, building communities, or shaping culture, you’ll walk away with: Practical templates, patterns, and playbooks Insights from Microsoft’s own communications experts Guidance for integrating AI responsibly and effectively Clear steps to elevate engagement across your organization The Viva Engage Track brings together the people driving community and connection every day, inside Microsoft and across customers to explore what’s working, what’s changing, and what’s possible. If you want to build stronger community, elevate employee connection, or shape the future of workplace storytelling, this track belongs on your agenda. Join us!Announcing the Microsoft 365 Community Conference 2026
Your front row seat to the future of intelligent work The Microsoft 365 Community Conference is back April 21–23, 2026, at Loews Sapphire Falls and Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Florida. This year’s theme — a beacon for builders, innovators, and icons of intelligent work — reflects the momentum across Microsoft 365 and Copilot as we enter a new era of AI‑powered productivity. Across three days, attendees will gain access to 200+ sessions, 21 workshops, and 200+ Microsoft experts and engineers, making this one of the largest and most comprehensive Microsoft 365 learning events in the world. Whether you're deploying Copilot, modernizing your intranet, securing your environment, elevating communications, or building next-generation apps and automations, there’s content tailored for every role and organization. Learn From the Product Leaders Expect big announcements, deep dives, and roadmap insights from leaders including Jeff Teper, Vasu Jakkal, Charles Lamanna, Rohan Kumar, and Jaime Teevan along with additional guests. Their keynotes will explore the future of collaboration, AI, security, and the Microsoft 365 platform — and how organizations can turn innovation into impact. Hands-On Experiences Attendees can get up close with the latest product capabilities inside the Innovation Hub — our Microsoft booth experience featuring live demos, Copilot workshops, and a full lineup of Lightning Talks throughout the week. The show floor also hosts community spotlights, podcasts, interviews, and creator activations. We’re also celebrating a major milestone: SharePoint’s 25th anniversary, including a special celebration and premiere moment that brings the community together to honor 25 years of innovation. Community at the Center Onsite programming includes the Women in Tech & Allies Luncheon, MVP meetups, NDA roundtables, community led meet & greets, and one on one opportunities to connect with Microsoft product teams. Plus, don’t miss the attendee party at Universal Islands of Adventure — always a highlight of the conference experience! Deep-Dive Workshops Those looking for hands-on, immersive learning can join pre and post-day workshops on April 19, 20 & 24, covering everything from Copilot rollout to Teams Rooms, SharePoint, Viva, security, governance, development, and more. The workshop program is designed to help organizations accelerate adoption and build real world capability fast. Join Us in Orlando Registration is officially live. Save your seat and be part of the worldwide Microsoft 365 community as we explore what’s new, what’s possible, and what’s next. 👉 Register now: https://aka.ms/M365Con26 💸Customer discount available: $150 off with code SAVE150 📅 April 21–23, 2026 📍 Orlando, FloridaCelebrating Community Manager Appreciation Day - January 26
Today is Community Manager Appreciation Day, and I want to take a moment to shine a bright, well‑deserved spotlight on the people who ensure our communities feel supported, informed, inspired, and connected: our Community Managers. In the Microsoft ecosystem, community managers do far more than answer questions or keep conversations flowing. They are the bridge between customers and product teams. They elevate voices. They create belonging. They help people feel seen. And they make sure that every meetup, every online exchange, every post, every question; adds value, builds trust, and strengthens the fabric of our global community. Community Managers are the ones who: Champion our users and amplify their successes Foster safe, inclusive spaces where everyone can learn and contribute Translate feedback into action, advocacy, and product impact Support speakers, MVPs, new creators, and first‑time contributors Celebrate the wins, guide through challenges, and keep momentum alive Bring humanity, empathy, and heart to everything we build Their work is often behind the scenes, yet absolutely essential to the health and growth of our technical communities, user groups, community events, and product ecosystems. Why It Matters Communities don’t just “happen.” They are nurtured. They are cultivated. They are cared for. When people feel welcome, supported, and empowered, innovation accelerates. Community Managers make that possible. So, this week, let’s celebrate them loudly. Give Your Community Manager a Shoutout Shout out your - Community Manager. The ones who run your programs, initiatives and experiences! Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs), Regional Leads, user group leads, forum moderators, Discord admins, event organizers, event producers or anyone who helps keep your community experience strong, if they have made a difference for you, let them know. Drop a shoutout in the comments. Tag them. Tell us what they’ve done that mattered. These acknowledgments mean more than you know. To every Community Manager across the Microsoft ecosystem and beyond: Thank you. Thank you for the care, the passion, the hours, the creativity, the resilience, and the heart you bring to this work every single day. You are the reason communities thrive. You create belonging and empathy and opportunities! You are AWESOME! Happy Community Manager Appreciation Day! 💙
