Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Microsoft Ignite conference in Orlando, FL. This conference is HUGE – 30K+ people huge, and encompasses nearly everything Microsoft, especially Azure and Office/Microsoft 365. People travel from all over the world to attend, and that alone may be a reason to join in as well; the networking opportunities are huge.
I highly recommend this conference for any IT pro that wants to be informed of all things Microsoft, and even if you don’t attend, they post up a good handful of the sessions so you can check them out. Attendees have full access to any sessions that were recorded (with login). The conference is mainly a “general” type conference, there are things for all types; architects, developers, admins, and so on. Microsoft has many other events throughout the year that are usually more focused.
Prepping for the conference is what led me to post the Conferences and Travel Life Hacks – Part 1, and Part 2 is forthcoming, and I’m sure there may even be a Part 3 and Part 4, hell maybe I should just write a book instead.
Takeaways from the conference:
- Lots of new announcements (many new Teams features are coming in early 2020, and a few new features (Private Channels) are being rolled out now. Check out this link for more: https://pureinfotech.com/microsoft-ignite-2019-biggest-announcements/
- Speaking of Teams, Microsoft is pushing Teams hard with new features and newer hardware, especially new Teams Room Sytems
- The vendor area is often overlooked, other than for swag; while swag (free stuff) is cool, being able to see/touch/try new hardware, like teams room systems, headsets, servers, and more may be worth checking out in lieu of a few classes. Rremember most classes are recorded so you can watch em later!
- There are other “non-technical” areas to check out too – Microsoft had a #HumansOfIT area focused on diversity, inclusion, and overall IT wellbeing. Just a quick peruse of /r/sysadmin on Reddit shows that this is an important aspect of anyone in a technical career
- The vendor area also has Microsoft booths with experts of each product or area; it’s good to come up with a list of all your techy questions beforehand
- All Microsoft products are being developed at a blistering pace; you need to attend events like these as well as watch several various channels to keep up with it all
Tip For Attending Ignite
This is a LARGE conference in LARGE buildings; wear comfortable socks and shoes and be prepared to walk A LOT.
Plan your classes early; some classes require registration (few), but doing so helps the conference organizers size the room appropriately. Note that there’s a mobile app for the conference where you can build your schedule, and you can access it via the web on a computer as well.
Plan to spend at least a day in the “Hub” where the vendor area and other booths are. There are also mini-sessions held in the Hub that shouldn’t be overlooked, and also check out Microsoft Mechanics Live for..larger…mini…sessions.
Avoid the lines; get checked into the conference and get your badge right at the airport! Yes this is that big. Just follow the people with the “Ignite” signs after you get your bags.
Microsoft provides backpacks, water bottles and other swag, plan accordingly and pick up the backpack the day before the conference starts if you can to avoid lines and use it day 1. (PS – Don’t drop the water bottle).
Buy your companion pass early if you plan to bring someone to the “celebration”. They’re not cheap, but you’ll have no problem likely getting full value for it if plans change.
Check social media for conference discussion; Twitter/Reddit/Facebook, and over the last couple years the Microsoft Kaizala app has been used for chats amongst attendees (join the “Ignite Insiders” group)
This year (2019) Microsoft offered a free exam session to all attendees; if it happens again in 2020, prep and study ahead of time so you can get certified and qualify for a fancy “certified” pin.
Talk to people; this is the most important tip. Chat up the people at the lunch table and after hours events. Even if you’re an introvert, keep in mind everyone else there is a techy just like you.
Overall its a great conference, but can be overwhelming to many, especially your first time. If you plan to attend, assume you’re not going to do “everything” your first time, or perhaps spend more time exploring than attending classes, your second and others will be much more productive. HAVE FUN!