Tips for Inclusive In-Person Community Events
On a beautiful day in Korea, we brought together a diverse group of Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professional), MLSAs (Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors), RDs (Regional Directors), Microsoft employees, and guests from Japan to create a truly inclusive and inspiring event: Korea Influencer Day. The gathering aimed to build cross-border connections and foster collaboration while empowering communities with shared knowledge and tech trends. With a carefully crafted agenda, we succeeded in sparking meaningful conversations among university students, community leaders, and professionals. In this post, we’ll walk through the event highlights and share best practices on how to organize inclusive in-person community events. We will also reflect on the valuable feedback received to inspire others to create impactful community gatherings. Memorable Moments and Reflections 1. Inspiring Cross-Cultural Exchange A defining feature of the event was the meaningful collaboration between Korean and Japanese MVPs. Kazuyuki Miyake, Japanese Microsoft Azure MVP and RD, and Ryota Nakamura, Japanese Business Applications MVP, introduced their local community trends to Korean community leaders. Kazuyuki shared his experiences and said, “Participating in Influencer Day in Korea was a milestone. Sharing insights from Japan's AOAI Dev Day that I successfully organized and proposing the next edition in Seoul marked great progress. I believe collaboration between Microsoft MVPs and RDs can spark a powerful movement. I was especially impressed by the proactive Korean Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors, whose enthusiasm and curiosity promise a bright future.” 2. Networking through Speed Mentoring: A Surprising Success Initially met with hesitation, the speed mentoring session turned out to be a highlight. It encouraged conversations between individuals from different backgrounds, leading to insights and connections that may not have otherwise emerged. MLSAs engaged with MVPs, attendees shared cultural perspectives between Korea and Japan, and discussions sparked about future collaborations. JinSeok Kim, a Korean Developer Technologies MVP, who also played a key role as a translator between Korean and Japanese attendees, offered valuable feedback for future events: “While the format encouraged organic interaction, some feedback suggested adding conversation starters or a topic-drawing activity to make it easier for shy participants to dive into meaningful discussions.” Atsushi Yokohama, an AI Platform MVP from Japan, visited Seoul for the first time to connect with community leaders in Korea. He shared his experience of the event, saying, "It was my first time interacting with Microsoft MVPs from Korea, but I’m grateful to have been able to engage in friendly technical discussions with all of them. This experience has definitely boosted my motivation. I now feel inspired to help strengthen community interactions across Asia.” 3. Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders The event provided invaluable exposure for Korean MLSA students, whose energy and curiosity left a lasting impression. Many expressed their ambition to grow within the community, including one MLSA student, Minseok Song’s newly formed goal to achieve GOLD MLSA status this year after attending the event. He continued his reflections and said, "At the event, I asked several questions while talking with the MVPs, and everyone was kind enough to explain things, making it a productive and rewarding experience for me. These conversations inspired me to become someone who can help others, just like you and the MVPs." This reflection shows how inclusive events can inspire future leaders by connecting them with role models and mentors. 4. Female Tech Influencers and Expanding Community Impact One of the most impactful sessions was the speech by female tech influencers, highlighting the importance of diversity and gender inclusiveness in the tech space. Representation matters, and hearing from these leaders not only inspired attendees but also promoted the idea that diverse voices are key to creating a thriving tech ecosystem. The panel discussion on increasing community impact through collaboration also underscored the potential of generative AI to transform communities across Korea and Japan, opening doors for future joint initiatives. SungHo You, Microsoft Technical Trainer and Justin Yoo, Microsoft Cloud Advocate who participated in the event, shared their thoughts: “The Korea Influencer Day was a pivotal event for the Korean developer community. It brought together diverse community leaders, fostering meaningful interactions, empathy, and moments of joy, especially with Japanese MVPs. I want to particularly commend the efforts to promote gender diversity within the Microsoft tech community, which was positively influenced by the collaboration between Microsoft and the SA team.” Best Practices for Organizing Inclusive In-Person Events Drawing on the success of Korea Influencer Day, here are some key practices to consider when planning inclusive events: Curate a Diverse Agenda Ensure that the schedule reflects a range of topics and speakers from various backgrounds, including professionals, students, and community leaders. Highlight underrepresented voices, such as female tech leaders or community members from different regions or fields. Design for Interactivity and Connection Incorporate speed networking sessions or icebreaker activities to foster interaction among attendees from different backgrounds. Use creative formats like Show & Tell or small-group discussions to encourage knowledge sharing. Provide Conversation Starters or Prompts Offer topic cards or a discussion board to spark conversations, helping participants break the ice during networking sessions. Create personalized introductions to connect individuals based on shared interests. Make Cross-Cultural Exchange a Priority If attendees come from diverse regions or countries, include sessions that promote cultural understanding, such as cultural exchange talks or panels discussing shared challenges and solutions. Support Newcomers and Aspiring Leaders Engage with students and newcomers, offering mentorship opportunities to help them grow within the community. Recognize and celebrate their achievements to encourage continued participation. Balance Structure with Flexibility While structured agendas are important, allow time for unstructured networking to enable organic connections and deeper conversations. Gather and Act on Feedback Ask attendees for feedback to understand what worked well and where improvements can be made. Implement these learnings in future events to enhance inclusiveness and engagement. Korea Influencer Day sparked creativity through stories of personal tech projects to inspiring students to become future leaders, the event demonstrated the value of bringing people together across cultures, backgrounds, and interests. By designing events that celebrate diversity, foster interaction, and empower individuals, we can create meaningful experiences that have a lasting impact on communities. Whether you’re organizing a small community meetup or a large-scale event, the lessons from Korea Influencer Day can guide you in creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, heard, and inspired to contribute. What’s next? As one participant from Japan suggested, we can look forward to taking place in Seoul. Until then, let’s continue building bridges and sharing knowledge to shape the future together.
