KCDC: Where Global Voices Drive Local Innovation
At the heart of the Kansas City Developer Conference (KCDC) is a vibrant, inclusive community—one that empowers developers from around the world to connect, collaborate, and innovate. This year, Microsoft MVPs brought their expertise and passion to the event, uplifting others and sparking curiosity across every session. We caught up with a few of them, to hear their reflections on the experience and what makes KCDC such a standout event in the developer world. MVP Dennie Declercq: Hospitality That Fuels Innovation How far would you go for a great developer conference? For MVP Dennie Declercq, the answer is over 4,500 miles (7,000+ km) —crossing continents and time zones from Belgium all the way to Kansas City, Missouri! Dennie’s journey to KCDC wasn’t just about the miles; it was about the magnetic pull of a truly special event. He shared, “KCDC has an incredibly welcoming vibe for speakers. They celebrate their Kansas City roots with legendary BBQ and unique speaker shirts, but what really sets them apart is how they treat their speakers. KCDC challenges the status quo—offering professional photo shoots that speakers can use for personal branding and their professional lives. It’s a level of hospitality and appreciation you don’t find everywhere.” Louella Creemers at KCDC MVP Louella Creemers: Belief That Crosses Borders Sometimes, the most important journeys aren’t measured in miles—they’re measured in encouragement and support. For MVP Louella Creemers, her path from the Netherlands to the Kansas City Developer Conference began long before she ever booked a flight. Lou’s KCDC story started in 2021 when she began sharing online her aspirations to speak and run workshops. The KCDC organizers saw her potential and reached out with a simple message: “You should totally come to KCDC and give a talk.” That early support made Louella feel part of the community, even when she was still studying and unable to travel. “I flew 7,000+ km to KCDC because it’s the conference that believed in me before I’d ever set foot on a stage.” Louella recalls. In 2025, with a job that supports her passion for sharing knowledge, she finally fulfilled that promise—bringing her unique perspective to sessions on topics like inclusive design and cross-platform development. Stepping into the Kansas City developer community was an eye-opening experience for Louella. Coming from the Netherlands, where the tech scene is close-knit and meetups are limited by geography, she was struck by the sheer scale and variety on display at KCDC. Lou shared, “At KCDC I noticed a totally different scale. In the sponsor hall I passed the community booths and saw a full page with names of developer meetups in Kansas City. The number and variety left my mind blown. Talking to these developer group organizers made me realize how much density matters: when you have that many groups in one region, you get more cross-pollination, more chances to learn, and more choices for new people.” Photo: MVP Samuel Gomez at KCDC MVP Samuel Gomez: The Power of New Connections For MVP Samuel Gomez, KCDC stands out for its commitment to welcoming newcomers and fostering meaningful connections. During the opening ceremony, organizers encouraged attendees to reach out and talk to someone they didn’t know—a simple piece of advice that Samuel finds truly transformative. “I love that advice because you never know how meeting someone at an event can change your life—I know mine has!” Samuel’s experience is a testament to the power of community-driven events like KCDC, where a single conversation can spark new opportunities, collaborations, and lifelong friendships. By creating an environment where everyone feels encouraged to connect, KCDC continues to empower developers at every stage of their journey. MVP Ben Dechrai: Curiosity and Collaboration in Action For MVP Ben Dechrai, speaking at KCDC isn’t just another stop on the conference circuit—it’s a return to a place where curiosity and connection thrive. For him, returning to Kansas City each year means rejoining a community where curiosity is celebrated and meaningful connections thrive. “I keep coming back to KCDC because of the audience - they're what make this conference truly special. The rooms are packed with people who come with incredible questions and a real hunger for learning. It's not just polite Q&A; these attendees are genuinely there to absorb as much as they can, and they'll approach you afterward to continue the conversation, ask follow-up questions, or just thank you for sharing your knowledge.” Ben continued, what really sets KCDC apart from other conferences I've spoken at is this combination of deep engagement and Midwestern hospitality. Many of the 1,800 attendees are locals, and that welcoming spirit is palpable throughout the event. While audiences around the world are always welcoming, there's something special about KCDC's community that reminds me of my own hunger for knowledge when I first started attending conferences.” That same spirit extends to speakers, too. From the first outreach to on-site logistics, the organizers go above and beyond to make presenters feel appreciated and supported—one of many reasons KCDC stands out in the global developer community. The Heart of KCDC: Community, Curiosity, and Collaboration From insightful talks to behind-the-scenes planning, MVPs helped shape KCDC into a vibrant and impactful experience for attendees. Their dedication to the developer community shines through in every session, hallway conversation, and late-night planning meeting. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or a first-time attendee, their stories offer a glimpse into the heart of what makes KCDC—and the MVP community—so special. How has a community or conference empowered you in your technical journey? Share your story and join the conversation—because innovation starts with people who believe in each other. Learn more about KCDC and how you can get involved. #MVPBuzzUnderstanding the Microsoft MVP Program: Seeking Clear Guidance
Hello everyone, I’d like to start a discussion about the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Program. My main concern is understanding the process of becoming an MVP and the specific requirements involved. I know the program recognizes exceptional community leaders and experts who share their knowledge and support others, but the actual path to nomination and selection seems a bit unclear. Could anyone share clear guidance on the eligibility criteria, the nomination process, the types of contributions that are most valued, and practical tips to strengthen an application? Your insights and experiences would be highly valuable, not just to me but also to others in the community who may be interested in pursuing this recognition. Thank you so much for your attention and participation.Building Connections and Fostering Growth: Highlights from the MVP Networking & Mentorship Event
A Community United by Collaboration and Growth The MVP Networking & Mentorship Event brought together technology enthusiasts and experts from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build valuable connections. This event highlighted how collaboration across roles and regions can spark innovation and personal development. The core message was clear: strong relationships are the foundation of growth and career success. This reflects the spirit of the MVP community - supporting each other and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through teamwork. Keynote Insights: The Power of Networking MVP and RD Dux Raymond Sy kicked off the event with a keynote titled “The Power of Networking – Making the Most of Your Connections.” One eye-opening fact shared was that 85% of jobs are filled through networking. This underscores the importance of cultivating authentic relationships, rather than just collecting contacts, to open doors and create opportunities. Interactive Breakout Sessions: Learning from Experience Attendees participated in breakout sessions on topics such as building your personal and community brand, organizing successful events, creating impactful technical content, and becoming a great public speaker. These sessions encouraged lively discussions and practical advice, with stories from participants illustrating how mentorship and networking have helped them grow, from advancing into leadership roles to gaining confidence and discovering career-changing opportunities. The Power of Mentorship and Community Mentorship emerged as a powerful theme, showing how guidance and support can boost visibility and accelerate career paths. The event concluded with a group discussion where attendees shared their key takeaways and celebrated the strength of community connections. A big thank you to all the facilitators and participants for making this event an inspiring success! Top Networking Tips for Building Meaningful Connections Whether you’re new to networking or looking to deepen your relationships, here are some tips inspired by the event: Focus on Building Relationships, Not Just Contacts Aim for genuine interactions that benefit both sides. True connections often lead to unexpected opportunities. Follow Up Promptly Reach out within a day or two after meeting someone to show appreciation and keep the conversation going. Be Authentic and Open People connect with authenticity. Be yourself, listen actively, and engage sincerely to build trust. Give Before You Get Share your knowledge and help others without expecting immediate rewards. Generosity builds goodwill and lasting bonds. Think Long-Term Networking is about nurturing relationships over time, not just quick gains. Consistent engagement creates a supportive network. Ask Open-Ended Questions Encourage meaningful dialogue by asking questions that invite stories and insights, making your conversations memorable. Continuing the Journey Together The strength of our community lies in the connections we build and the support we offer each other. This is the first of many mentoring activities we’ll be offering to the MVP community so be sure to check back here as we share more stories. Have a story about how networking or mentorship shaped your career? Share it in the comments or tag us! Interested in becoming part of the MVP community? Learn more about the MVP Program on the MVP Communities site. Follow us on social media on X and LinkedIn.August Calendar is here!
🌟 Community Spirit? CHECKED! 🌍 Amazing Members & Audiences? DOUBLE CHECK! 🎤 Phenomenal Speakers Locked In? CHECKED! 🚀 Global Live Sessions? YOU BET! The stage is set. The excitement is real. It’s that time again, time to ignite the community with another monthly calendar! 🔥✨ We’ve lined up a powerhouse of sessions packed with world-class content, covering the best of Microsoft, from Coding, Cloud, Migration, Data, Security, AI, and so much more! 💻☁️🔐🤖 But wait, that’s not all! For the first time ever, we’ve smashed through time zones! No matter where you are in the world, you can tune in LIVE and learn from extraordinary speakers sharing their insights, experiences, and passion. 🌏⏰ What do you need to do? It’s easy: 👉 Register for the sessions 👉 Mark your calendar 👉 Grab your coffee, tea, or ice-cold soda 👉 Join us and soak up the knowledge! We believe in what makes this community truly special, and that’s YOU. Let’s set August on fire together! 🔥 Are you ready to be inspired, to grow, and to connect with Microsoft Learn family? Don’t miss out, August is YOUR month! 💥🙌 📢 Shehan Perera 📖 https://streamyard.com/watch/dh62MQJHEv9B?wt.mc_id=MVP_350258 📅 5 Aug 2025 (19:00 AEST) (11:00 CEST) 📢Shahab Ganji 📖 https://streamyard.com/watch/qCXk9kkb34W8?wt.mc_id=MVP_350258 📅 8 Aug 2025 18:00 CEST 📢 Ronak Vachhani 📖https://streamyard.com/watch/hNjJAZeUcxTF?wt.mc_id=MVP_350258 📅16 Aug 2025 (16:00 AEST) (08:00 CEST) 📢Laïla Bougriâ 📖https://streamyard.com/watch/KWwF7Wd5mYAG?wt.mc_id=MVP_350258 📅22 Aug 2025 18:00 CEST 📢AJ Bajada 📖https://streamyard.com/watch/vaNSN3hVuXbr?wt.mc_id=MVP_350258 📅28 Aug 2025 (19:30 AEST) (11:30 CEST) 📢James Eastham 📖https://streamyard.com/watch/FNGJZNbAKjFi?wt.mc_id=MVP_350258 📅29 Aug 2025 17:00 CESTThinking of Joining the MVP Program? Hear What Makes It Special!
We’re thrilled to share our brand-new video spotlighting the heart of the MVP Program - our MVPs themselves! In this inspiring video, MVPs from around the world open up about what being part of this global community means to them, and why they love it. Watch the MVP Program video here If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be an MVP - or if you're considering applying - this is the perfect place to start! But that’s just the beginning. We’ve gathered a set of helpful resources to guide you through the program and how to get involved: New to the MVP Program? Start Here: MVP Communities Website – Find everything you need to know about the MVP Program, including how to apply, who the MVPs are near you, and the impact they’re making in their communities. MVP FAQs - Our updated FAQ page answers key questions about the application process, eligibility, expectations, and more. Live Event Replay - Don’t miss the replay of our recent live session, where MVPs Anastasia Salari and Zaid Zaim share their personal journeys, practical advice, and tips for those thinking about applying. Ready to Take the Next Step? If you’ve been actively contributing to the community over the past 12 months, this might be your moment. Whether through sharing knowledge, helping others, organizing events, or driving conversations - you’re exactly who the MVP Program is looking for. Dive into the resources, get inspired by the stories, and if you meet the criteria, consider applying or connecting with someone who can nominate you. Your journey to becoming an MVP could start today!Building Custom Chat AI: A Comprehensive Guide for Developers
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into business operations has become a pivotal strategy for companies aiming to enhance their customer engagement and streamline their processes. This article delves into the foundational steps and considerations for developers embarking on the journey of building a custom chat AI for their company website. From understanding the core concepts of AI to selecting the right models and implementing effective prompt engineering techniques, this guide provides a comprehensive overview to help developers navigate the complexities of AI development. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience in the field, the insights shared here will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to create a robust and efficient chat AI tailored to your business needs. A discussion will be held with https://www.linkedin.com/in/nityan/, Senior Cloud Advocate at Microsoft specializing in AI, and https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/MVP/profile/fe4dbe00-cdb0-ec11-983f-000d3a1017e3, a Chinese AI MVP, to delve into these critical topics. What are the first steps a developer should take when starting to build a custom chat AI for their company website? Nitya: If you are new to AI, start by familiarizing yourself with the core concepts and usage of AI models. A course like https://aka.ms/genai-beginnerscan be a great starting point. Next, get hands-on experience with models by trying out GitHub Models, which are free to use with just a GitHub account. This will help you build your intuition for model selection and prompt engineering. If you already have some experience, the initial steps to building a custom chat AI are as follows: Identify the use case and requirements (e.g., typical questions asked and valid responses). Choose a model to start prototyping (test the question with various models and compare results). If your chat AI is grounded in your data, identify the data sources and formats (where and what). Select an AI app template to jumpstart development and customize it with your model and data choices. How does understanding model choice impact the development of a custom chat AI? Nitya: Understanding model choice is crucial for developing a custom chat AI. It involves evaluating models based on three key factors: cost, customization, and performance. Customization: Start by identifying the task you want to execute (e.g., chat, image, embeddings, agents). Filter models that support this capability and validate them with a test prompt to ensure they fit your requirements. This process will narrow down your options from thousands to a few suitable models. Cost: Consider whether the model supports serverless deployments (pay-as-you-go, per token) or managed deployments (subscription-based, per VM). Evaluate costs not just for usage (chat completion) but also for end-to-end development (evaluations, iterative ideation). Performance: Assess models based on latency (e.g., chat completions vs. reasoning models) and the quality and safety of responses. Understand default model characteristics (model card) and perform custom evaluations to ensure quality for your desired prompts dataset. Can you explain the concept of prompt engineering and how it can be applied using GitHub models? Nitya: Prompt engineering involves guiding the model on how to process questions and generate responses to improve quality. Think of developers as teachers and models as students being taught to answer exam questions. Prompt engineering provides a rubric to guide models in giving relevant answers. This includes providing examples, creating personas (e.g., "answer politely using formal language"), defining output formats (e.g., "answer in 1-2 sentences", "reply with results in JSON format"), and configuring model parameters (e.g., temperature, stop-words, top-p, max tokens). When working with GitHub models, you can configure models using the https://github.com/marketplace/models or move to an IDE with the https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/aifoundry/modelinference/API, offering both low-code and code-first options for prompt engineering. What is retrieval augmented generation (RAG), and how does it enhance the ability to chat with data? Wei: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/retrieval-augmented-generation-overview?tabs=docs involves grounding user questions in retrieved knowledge from private data sources to ensure responses are relevant to the application scenario. It works by wrapping the initial user prompt in a prompt template to create the final model prompt sent to the model. Thehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/retrieval-augmented-generation-overview?tabs=docs workflow includes retrieval of knowledge, augmentation of the prompt, and generation of the response. This dynamic process provides relevant grounding data and instructions to contextualize user questions for app-required responses. What are some practical tips for developers to streamline their end-to-end journey from catalog to cloud? Nitya: Here are three tips to get started: Model Selection: Use GitHub Models with diverse test prompts to build intuition for prompt engineering and model capabilities. Compare models side-by-side. Copilot Development: Start with an https://aka.ms/ai-apps. Deploy it to understand the application and its architecture before customizing it to your needs. Validate your development environment and get familiar with tools. Safety & Evaluation: Explore built-in content safety filters and evaluators in the Azure AI platform to understand metrics and effectiveness of your prompt engineering or RAG strategy. Use tracing and App Insights to monitor performance and cost. What are some common challenges developers might face when building a custom chat AI, and how can they overcome them? Nitya and Wei: There are many challenges we can think of - here are three that are important: App Architecture: Understand the app architecture for your scenario (e.g., RAG, multi-agent). Explore existing AI app templates to build intuition and customize one that fits your requirements. Model Choice: Choose models based on cost, quota availability, and flexibility for future configuration. Use the Azure AI model inference API to abstract provider-specific SDKs and decouple your code from your choice, allowing for easier model swaps later. Observability: Debug issues in app development or execution performance. Use platforms and tools that bring observability to the end-to-end workflow. Activate App Insights and use tracing tools to generate telemetry for insights locally or in production. What resources and samples are available for further exploration into this subject? Wei: Explore https://aka.ms/ai-apps, https://aka.ms/genai-beginners, https://aka.ms/rag/azure-ai-foundry, https://aka.ms/aitour/reposand https://microsoft.github.io/generative-ai-for-beginners For more workshops and talks, visit https://aka.ms/aitour/repos. Feel free to check out opensource projects like https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fmicrosoft%2Fautogen&data=05%7C02%7CRochelle.Sonnenberg%40microsoft.com%7C564dabbda6454d889d8308dd867510be%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C638814559548370151%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ihWSr5jedQIQKe6F%2Bk0Cwm5edG6Xc62jvhSQ9I0w6S0%3D&reserved=0 https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.llamaindex.ai%2Fen%2Fstable%2F&data=05%7C02%7CRochelle.Sonnenberg%40microsoft.com%7C564dabbda6454d889d8308dd867510be%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C638814559548398018%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=04lUnuTY9g13jf3HvtYgjrRcDycipl2Qq%2BQ55kXVBZI%3D&reserved=0, https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpython.langchain.com%2Fdocs%2Fintroduction%2F&data=05%7C02%7CRochelle.Sonnenberg%40microsoft.com%7C564dabbda6454d889d8308dd867510be%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C638814559548436587%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4Wt%2FQavECvoZ%2BVfgn0qhflrCHKWVRmkzpxxfNL4jQQU%3D&reserved=0, and https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fcamel-ai%2Fcamel&data=05%7C02%7CRochelle.Sonnenberg%40microsoft.com%7C564dabbda6454d889d8308dd867510be%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C638814559548424270%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8MwQd1vUnaADU3Nkl2mApD1%2FpgSzfWp7McLoyC5WooQ%3D&reserved=0 documentation. As we conclude this exploration into building a custom chat AI for your company website, it's clear that the journey is both challenging and rewarding. By understanding the core concepts of AI, selecting the right models, and mastering prompt engineering, developers can create a powerful tool that enhances customer engagement and streamlines business operations. The insights and practical tips shared in this article provide a solid foundation for embarking on this journey. Remember, the key to success lies in continuous learning and adaptation. As AI technology evolves, you should also adapt your approach to developing and refining your chat AI. Stay curious, stay innovative, and most importantly, stay committed to delivering the best possible experience for your users.Building Power Apps Canvas App with Multimedia Integration in SharePoint - Audio Player
In this article, I’ll demonstrate how to build a Power Apps canvas application from within SharePoint that integrates a SharePoint list backend for storing and retrieving images and audio files. The app that you create will have labels, icons, navigation, image containers, and other elements. You’ll use a layout template and customize the built-in audio control to have a distinct appearance and behavior.
