Microsoft will host an in-person Ignite technology event in October for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic more than two years ago. Microsoft Ignite is an annual conference for developers and IT professionals, and this year’s recollection will take place Oct. 12-14 in Seattle, where Microsoft says “space will be limited.
The software developer plans to open registration for Ignite in late August and allow online attendees to participate in the virtual conference for free. Microsoft is planning to host live events in cities around the world and open a core venue at the Seattle Convention Center.” The in-person experience in Seattle will include highly interactive and immersive events at the Seattle Convention Center,” a Microsoft FAQ explains. The FAQ does not address how Microsoft plans to limit attendees’ exposure to COVID-19, or whether masks and/or vaccinations will be required.
Microsoft Ignite will take place just days before the Surface 10 anniversary. Microsoft originally launched its Surface RT tablet line on Oct. 26, 2012. Microsoft is planning to mark the 10th anniversary of Surface with new products this fall and plans to deliver the 22H2 update for Windows 11 in late September, sources said. New developments in Windows, Office and Azure may also be introduced at Microsoft Ignite.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Microsoft began switching all of its internal and external events to online participation in April 2020. Microsoft Build was one of the company’s first purely digital events, and the company continues to host several special gaming, cloud and Windows events in 2021 that are online virtual conferences.
