Written: 19/09/2020 | Updated: N/A
It seems bizarre that Ignite 2019 was only ten months ago. So much has happened. The world has changed. And yet – it seems like only yesterday I was getting on that bus heading down to the OCCC to speak for the first time. Now, all things considered what struck me the most – the insight if you will – was that Ignite is more about people than about tech. What? Ignite? The biggest Microsoft tech conference of the year? Yes. You see the thing is, past the tech each and every one of us are all in this together. We love technology. We love, as technologists, figuring things out and seeing things work. We love delivering and bringing to life technology which will make businesses more secure and more productive whilst making the lives of our colleagues and friends, and users a little easier. And whilst Ignite 2020 won’t be in person – a shame because I loved the thought of meeting up with everyone in the French Quarter of New Orleans for some gumbo, it’ll be just as personal. This event is for you. You are part of a community of millions coming together from every country and continent on the planet
If you haven’t signed up yet, make sure you do so as soon as you can at https://myignite.microsoft.com/
MY SESSIONS AT MICROSOFT IGNITE
This year, with Ignite being a 3 day event rather than a 5 day event, the opportunities for community speaking was limited from the outset. I’m in 8 sessions overall this time around. 4 of these are with Microsoft Learning in my status as a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and 4 of these are Ask The Expert (ATE) sessions which I applied for as a Teams MVP. Whilst I also got accepted to do Table Talks throughout Ignite scheduling conflicts meant I couldn’t participate in these which is a real shame given that I am such a big advocate of the Microsoft Tech Community and what Anna Chu and the team are doing.
I really hope you enjoy the sessions I am working on and look forward to hearing from you about them
LRN213 | Deploy Microsoft Teams Meetings
Link: Here
Role: Moderator
ATE-DB156: Ask the Expert: Creating a resilient, inclusive, and hybrid workplace with Microsoft Teams
Link: Here
Role: Moderator
ATE-DB151-R1: Meet smarter, stay focused, and achieve more with Microsoft Teams meetings
Link: Here
Role: Moderator
ATE-DB144: Ask the Expert: One place for admins to manage Microsoft Teams: What’s new in Teams manageability
Link: Here
Role: Moderator
LRN111: Intro to Microsoft 365
Link: Here
Role: Moderator
ATE-DB140-R1: Ask the Expert: What’s new in Microsoft Teams security and compliance
Link: Here
Role: Moderator/Speaker
LRN126: Intro to Microsoft Teams for IT
Link: Here
Role: Moderator
LRN135: Careers in Tech: Getting Ahead
Link: Here
Role: Speaker
10 TEAMS SESSIONS TO WATCH OUT FOR AT IGNITE
Like previous years, Microsoft Teams is going to have a big presence again this year at Ignite. Whilst I am moderating 4 Ask The Expert Teams sessions (and speaking in one as a principal moderator on camera), I am also going to be attending most of the sessions on Teams to keep up to speed with the latest developments. Here are 10 which I have got on my schedule which I would recommend to anyone looking to get to know more about Teams. You can also have a deeper look at the sessions in the Ignite Teams Brochure at https://aka.ms/TeamsSessions
Creating a resilient, inclusive, and hybrid workplace with Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams Live Q&A with Jeff Teper
Microsoft Teams Calling Made Simple
Meet smarter, stay focused, and achieve more with Microsoft Teams meetings
Microsoft Teams | Core user controls and updates to meetings
Scale and Customize Virtual Meetings and Events with Microsoft Teams
What’s new in Microsoft Teams security and compliance
Essentials for managing Microsoft Teams; Advanced manageability controls
Automate business process with Microsoft Teams with Power Automate
Also, don’t forget to go to https://aka.ms/teamsphotobooth for an opportunity to take a selfie and post it on social with a hashtag of #microsoftteams. You never know – it may just end up getting used during Ignite itself!
OTHER SESSIONS I AM CALLING OUT
Whilst my principle focus at Ignite is on Teams, I am professionally interested in pretty much the whole Microsoft 365 stack. Here are some other sessions which I will watch throughout the conference, or be putting into the backpack to roll at a later date
Microsoft 365 administrator updates to enable secure and compliant work from anywhere
What’s New for Microsoft Stream and video in Microsoft 365
Employee Engagement and Communities in Microsoft 365
Build Agile Business Processes with Power Apps
What’s new & coming to OneDrive
What is Customer Advocacy in the Modern Workplace?
Reimagining work with the Microsoft 365 platform
Building a resilient organization on Microsoft 365
Simplify work with low-code solutions for Microsoft Teams & Microsoft 365
Windows 10 innovations for enhanced productivity and resiliency
Playing chess on a trampoline: How to innovate in an era of uncertainty
FOR MCT’s
Being an MCT Regional Lead it’s really important to also cover the sessions related to learning and certification
What is Microsoft Learn and how can I leverage it beyond Microsoft Ignite?
Closing the Skills Gap with Microsoft Learn and Microsoft Certification
There are 75 intro to technical skills sessions and 30 Microsoft Learn Workshops so a lot to choose from in terms of learning. In addition, you can earn yourself a free Microsoft Exam at Ignite if you decide to take on the Cloud Skills Challenge. The Cloud Skills Challenge can be found alongside more information on the Intro to Tech Skills and Learn Workshops in the Learning Zone here
LAST RECOMMENDATIONS
I would like to wish you all the best for a great Ignite experience! A few tips which may help during the three days given I have attended several virtual conferences already this year
- There are a lot of sessions and it isn’t going to be possible to view them all during the conference. There will be conflicts. Use the backpack in order to go back and watch sessions you missed
- Most sessions have repeats so look at all times as one could be better suited for your schedule
- Sessions which are prerecorded can be watched anytime, prioritise live
- Take regular breaks. You would take regular breaks at an in person conference. Stay hydrated and well fed and get away from the screen and stretch your legs
- Ultimately, most things will be recorded so if you miss something you can always catch up. Don’t underprioritise family and friends!
- Try and mix it up! There is a wide range of formats including Digital Breakouts, Learn Workshops and Table Talks. It could be more enjoyable to get involved in different sessions as opposed to just breakouts
- Try to book a least a few sessions in every day, whilst you don’t want to take the spontaneity out of the event, having a few booked in will at least give you some structure throughout
- Table Talks and Learn workshops are RSVP – book now to avoid disappointment
- If a session is good, call out the session and the speaker on social
- Do technical checks early on Tuesday to ensure you are good to go for the keynote
- Stay in touch with colleagues and friends in Teams and even watch sessions together
@Microsoft365Pro 
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