Microsoft is changing its approach regarding their events until June 2021. They’ve done this as a pro-active measure to mitigate any issues that may crop up due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Shifting To Online Events
Instead of their usual, in-person events, Microsoft is shifting to online-only events. They had already announced that they would be doing this with this year’s iteration of Build.
It was originally going to be a public event in Seattle, Washington, but they’re streaming it online instead. The event is going to take place from May 19, 2020, to May 21, 2020. Considering it’s Microsoft’s biggest event of the year, it was quite a big move.
Plans Regarding Ignite 2020
Now, however, they are going to take the same approach with all of their events for the remainder of 2020. After Build 2020, the next major event that will go online-only is Ignite. They’d originally scheduled Ignite to take place sometime in September 2020, with New Orleans. Microsoft’s official spokesperson explained this decision in a statement.
“In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, we are adjusting our event calendar and strategy. For the remainder of 2020, we are embracing the opportunity to experiment with new platforms to provide our partners, customers, and developers the highest quality, digital-first experiences,” they said.
When speaking of Ignite 2020, specifically, they said the following: “Microsoft Ignite will be launched as a digital event experience this September. Join us to learn innovative ways to build solutions, migrate and manage your infrastructure, and connect with Microsoft experts and other technology professionals from around the globe.”
Other Events Affected, Plans For 2021
These wouldn’t be the first events that Microsoft has had to rework due to the coronavirus pandemic, either. Their MVP (Most Valuable Professional) Event, which was going to take place in Bellevue and Redmond, Washington from March 15, 2020, to March 20, 2020. It did take place online from March 16, 2020, to March 20, 2020, though.
The Entertainment Software Association also cancelled their Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) for the year. Microsoft was a regular feature at this event, showing off what they have in store in terms of gaming. This year, however, they’ll likely hold an online event centred on the upcoming Xbox Series X
These are just some of the events that we’re aware of, too. ZDNet reports that Microsoft is planning to do the same with events into next year as well. According to this report, they’ve already notified some teams internally that they’re cancelling most major public events into the fiscal year of 2021.
