It’s got vibe, new products, educational sessions, good food and thousands of geeks. So obviously we loved it! But what really made Microsoft’s big event such a big hit this year?
This year, we really ended our Januworry at ITFirst off on a high note (that’s a C, for the musicians that might be reading this!). Every year, Microsoft hosts a major event to help both consumers and companies learn more about their products and the latest tech. And it’s always a highlight of the year. But why is it so amazing in the first place? Well, I’ve put together my top 3 reasons, just for you!
It’s Local
This sounds silly, but I am tired of getting excited every time I see an ad for a conference, just to find out that it’s somewhere in the Middle East. This is why I get so excited when I see a conference that’s at least just a 30-minute drive away. Microsoft hosts this annual event in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, and probably will expand it to Durban soon!
It’s Educational
Having gone to my fair share of conferences, I’ve grown a bit tired of the usual sales pitch that every conference turns into. But I must admit that the great thing about Ignite is that it does have a wider focus (even though there is a fair amount of sales to make the event viable). A lot of the sessions that we attended focused on technological advancements or cool tech from other providers. Microsoft also uses this event to promote their CSR and employee initiatives, like their LGBT+, women’s inclusivity and small business empowerment campaigns.
It Offers Networking
Finally, it is also worth mentioning that the event makes special, and ample opportunity for networking. You can meet almost anyone, in any profession, to discuss almost anything with. This is awesome if you’re looking to grow your business, make a few friends or kill some time between sessions.
And if all of this doesn’t sound good, did I mention that the food is good? If you don’t believe me, come and try it for yourself next year, cause we definitely will!
