Looking for the Microsoft Ignite 2018 Party List? Go here
Registration
Every year there has been a Microsoft Ignite, it has sold out. Don't delay registration. The Microsoft Ignite 2017 website already indicates there are limited passes available. Update: Conference Passes have now been sold out! There are still some other types of passes available, including Expo Hall passes and Day Passes.At the time of writing this blog, there are only a couple of conference discounted hotels with rooms available. If you find that those hotels don't work for you, you might take a look at Airbnb, there are still a number of options around the Orange County Convention Center available.
Choosing Sessions
Microsoft as of August 15th has released the Schedule Builder. Once you go to Myignite you will want to choose "Personalize Schedules" and start to filter and select sessions that interest you. I didn't bother with trying to determine which sessions conflicted with others on my first pass, I just simply selected anything that looked interesting to me. Then later I went by into "My Conference -> My Schedule" and whittled things down.If you really want a cool way to look at all the sessions @tyGraphTweets built a PowerBI mashup of the Sessions and it is awesome way to slice and dice things.
Taking Notes and Recording during Sessions
Microsoft does provide a video with the slide deck for most of the sessions that can then be later referenced, if you can't quite remember that one little detail.If you are really bent on recording sessions, I'd suggest using a Jabra Speak 410/510 (or similar devce) with OneNote. If you have the Bluetooth version you might even get permission to put it up near where the speaker is speaking. Using OneNote in this manner, you can take notes and they will be tied to the audio so you can go back and listen to the audio at that moment you made the entry in OneNote. I cover this technique in my Lync Masters report.
Clothing
I'm no style expert... so don't expect any style tips from me. The expected temp in Orlando for September is around 90 Fahrenheit (32C). To me... being from Colorado that is rather hot. Some people from further down south will likely disagree. My point is you know yourself better than I do. Bring appropriate clothes and be prepared for rain.Shoes are really, really, really important. Did I mention REALLY important? Even if you have a car, you will do an enormous amount of walking just in the convention center. If you plan to visit any theme parks like Disney/Universal while you are there (Microsoft Attendee party is at Universal) they can be quite large as well. Please bring your best walking shoes... you'll thank me later. If you want to really be prepared, take a look at what some die hard Disney fans prepare for.
Dress code... In all the searches I did, the only places you'll encounter a dress code are Night Clubs and upscale restaurants. Once I know party venues, I'll try to dig that up and post here if I find something.
Networking
Not the wired kind of networking... but the people kind of networking. You know... like LinkedIn... but in person. For me, networking with others is by far the most important part of going to a conference. There always seems to be a way to get the "information" shared at a conference before or after, but you can't replace that face to face interaction, especially with people that understand your tech language.Use the time wisely to meet people and make connections. Many of the connections I made at conferences like this have come in handy when I have questions I can't answer on my own.
If you are looking for me... just ping me on Twitter @ucomsgeek . Feel free to follow me too, because I'll be trying to feverishly be more social than Matt Landis (which is impossible) ;-)
It's always a good idea to bring your Business Cards to hand out and there are usually a number of drawings that you'll probably want to enter (some right on the spot during a session). If I come across any really good ones, I'll post them here.
Transportation
Most people will be flying in, and I'm sure a great number will be new to Orlando. If you plan to just stick to the Agenda and not do anything extra, you can likely get away with not having a rental car. But if you plan on exploring Orlando, or going to any Vendor parties, you might want to have one available or at least be prepared to do a Taxi/Uber. To use Uber, you'll want to download their app to your device.Getting from the Airport to the Hotel without a rental car is as simple as getting a Taxi, Super Shuttle, or use Uber.
Super Shuttle will cost about $18 each way (I used the Orange County Convention Center as reference). I've used Super Shuttle in many cities and they are very efficient and professional. You can usually find them close to the rental car counters... but I highly recommend having a reservation ahead of time with so many people traveling to Orlando the same time you are.
The Uber method from the Airport to your Hotel, you should be aware that there are specific instructions you need to follow in order to find your ride successfully. Cost will probably be in the $23-28 range but you won't be sharing with others (I used the Orange County Convention Center as reference).
The Taxi method from the Airport is the most common. There should be signs for Ground Transportation at the airport that takes you to the Taxi area. Cost will be in the $40-65 range depending on traffic (I used the Orange County Convention Center as reference).
Sweepstakes / Awards
Cloud Burst Sweepstakes by Turbonomic - Do you want to attend Microsoft Ignite® in Orlando, Florida but your company won’t pay for the conference passes? Enter the Turbonomic® Cloud Burst Sweepstakes to earn your chance to win a full conference pass and unlock access to other monthly cloud prizes – including our grand prize worth $4,950.00! Microsoft Ignite drawing takes place on September 1st!$300 DINNER AT FOGO DE CHÃO! by Nigel Frank International -
Microsoft Ignite Orlando 2017 is fast approaching, and to celebrate Nigel Frank are offering attendees the chance to win a $300 voucher for Fogo de Chão. Nigel Frank are thrilled to be Silver Sponsors at Ignite 2017, and we can’t wait to see you there. To make one lucky attendee’s Ignite experience even more incredible, we’re giving away $300 to spend at fine dining, full service Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão.
GSX Super Hero Giveaway - Got complaints with Office 365 performance? Be a Super Hero, Fight Against Poor End-User Experience Today! GSX is the Office 365 End-User Experience Monitoring Company. Measuring and improving service delivery within complex hybrid and cloud scenarios
will make you a super hero. With SuperPower, Come SuperPrizes! Enter to win prizes totalling $2,000!
Convergence Consulting Group Drawing - As a Premier Microsoft Business Partner, Convergence Consulting Group has access to a select number of passes that we are offering free to clients and connections!
Parties
There are a always a number of parties being thrown during Microsoft Ignite. Some by Microsoft you can find easily in the agenda on the Microsoft Ignite 2017 site. There are other extra-curricular parties that are put on by different vendors and groups. At the time of writing this blog, it is still a bit early for vendor announced parties. When they are announced I will only list the ones I know are public so far. If you are a vendor and would like to be listed on this blog, please reach out to me via @ucomsgeekSaturday
First #SharePint party by @SPCPartyPatrol - Saturday Sept 23 at The Rocks in Hyatt Regency Hotel from 5 PM until ??? Just show up... Capacity for 150!
Sunday
Microsoft Ignite Community Happy Hour - by Microsoft Tech Community - Community Members! Start off Ignite right, and join us for happy hour! Let’s have some post Pre-Day fun over drinks and appetizers. The dueling piano’s should provide some great entrainment while you connect with friends, old & new, and put faces with those familiar names. This is an open party for anyone with an Ignite badge. Likely to be very very busy so get there early!
See below for details:
Date: Sunday, September 24th
Time: 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: Howl at the Moon
8815 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Directions from OCCC: https://binged.it/2vnZ5yR
BindTuning Azul Party - by BindTuning - Kick off your week at Microsoft Ignite 2017 with BindTuning from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at Marlow's Tavern. Join us for good food, cold beer, wine from Portugal & tech talk (or not!). RSVP on the link!
The Krewe Meet N Greet 2017 - by The Krewe - This is the place to be on Sunday night to kick off your week at Microsoft Ignite 2017! Join us at Howl at the Moon Orlando for an evening of networking and fun! For a number of years, The Krewe has gotten together the night before TechEd to meet new faces and renew old friendships. This year is no different.This year, we have Howl at the Moon to ourselves with food and beverages for all from 8:00-11:00pm thanks to our awesome sponsors! There is no better way to meet others in the Microsoft Ignite community and build bonds that will last long past the conference. Make sure not to miss this event! There is a $23 cost for this event.
Monday
Microsoft Ignite Welcome Reception
Tuesday
Azure Stack Customer Meetup - If you are familiar with hybrid clouds and are interested in shaping the future of Microsoft Azure Stack by interfacing with the Azure Stack engineering team - this meetup is for you! The event will take place on Tuesday 26th September in the evening at a hotel location near the event center. An email invite detailing the exact details will be sent closer to the event. To receive an invite it is a pre-requisite that you have successfully deployed the Azure Stack Development Kit . By Ignite will you have completed a successful deployment? (There will be a test!!)
Veeam's Annual Ignite Party 2017 - by Veeam - Join us Tuesday night at Dewey’s Indoor Golf & Sports Grill for Veeam's Annual Microsoft Ignite Party! Enjoy a night of music, interactive entertainment and drinks on Veeam! A Microsoft Ignite 2017 badge is required for entrance. If you are bringing a guest, please mark that on your registration and EventBrite will send you two separate tickets. Register & bring your Eventbrite ticket to show at the door for entry in a FASTER line!*Occupancy is limited, so admittance will be granted on a first come, first serve basis.
SolarWinds Microsoft Ignite 2017 Meetup - by SolarWinds - Both residents in the Orlando area and Microsoft Ignite attendees are encouraged to register and attend this SolarWinds User Group. See details below! Beer, wine and non-alcoholic refreshments (along with a Buffet it looks like) will be served throughout the evening along with talks and demos!
1 E Party - by 1 E - Join us for an evening for great conversation, entertainment and drinks with your industry experts and peers at one of Orlando’s most unique venues! Stop by the 1E Booth to collect your wristband. Transportation will be provided from the convention center beginning at 6:00 PM.
Wednesday
eNow has done some pretty epic parties in the past and the Microsoft Ignite "//scheduledMaintenance"... is likely to be something you won't want to miss. Tired of your servers receiving all the attention? Need your own Scheduled Maintenance? This might be the place for you... space is limited and like the other parties... spots might go quickly.
MetaFest 2017 by Metalogix - Join us for our annual MetaFest on Wednesday, September 27, at Mango’s Tropical Café! MetaFest will feature an amazing lineup of live bands, dance performances, and an abundance of food and drinks. It’s one party you definitely won’t want to miss! Passes are limited, so register now to reserve your spot! It’s guaranteed to be a great time.
Thursday
Microsoft Ignite Attendee Celebration - Get ready for one of the biggest parties Microsoft has ever thrown—we’ve reserved both Universal Orlando Resort™ theme parks for Microsoft Ignite attendees only. From 7:30pm to 12:00am on Thursday, 9/28, you’ll have unlimited access to immersive, award-winning rides and attractions.
SharePoint Party at Ignite 2017! - by @SPCPartyPatrol - Seen by many as the after-party to the big Microsoft party... SharePoint Party at MS Ignite 2017! #SharePint brought to you by Sharepointalist Inc, PDF ShareForms, @SPCPartyPatrol, and Crush Networks, Inc. RSVP to grab your FREE drink before 9:00 PM! Get ready for the most unique nightlife experience in the country! Come sing, dance and howl as the most versatile and talented musicians perform your favorite songs from 80's rock, 90's pop and today's dance hits on pianos, guitars and more in a high-energy show!
Keep checking back... this blog post will be updated as more information comes out!
Hmm, another year, another instance not finding any aponsor who would pay my overseas ticket+hotel room for this thing. Sucks to be living on the same planet and still MSFT not giving a damn for all those people living outside of great Umerica :( Never having a chance to meet in person with those double-triple dozens of people who I know from blogs or Twitter.
ReplyDeletetry flying coach
DeleteeNow party needs a code to register?
ReplyDeleteNope... but without one you'll have to try harder by following their instructions at the bottom of the page and post on twitter.
DeleteAnyone that uses or looking to use SolarWinds there is a SWUG meetup on Tuesday.
ReplyDeletehttps://thwack.solarwinds.com/events/2292
thanks for the info... talked to solarwinds and they were good with listing it.
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