Coronavirus Update: All Microsoft Events Move To Digital Only Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

KEY POINTS

Microsoft is set to take all internal and external events online
All in-person Microsoft events are canceled for the remainder of 2020
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the upcoming Microsoft Ignite event will be a digital-only experience

Microsoft is set to move all its events to a digital-only experience. Earlier, the company moved its Build 2020 event, which was scheduled to happen in Seattle, to a digital conference.

“In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, we are adjusting our event calendar and strategy,” a Microsoft spokesperson said, according to PC Gamer. “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,” the spokesperson added.

This information first surfaced in an email sent by the company to its MVP (Most Valued Professionals). The email stated the transition of “all external and internal events to a digital-first experience through July 2021.”

The email also read that this will also include the upcoming MVP & RD Summit, which is scheduled to happen from March 28 to April 2, 2021.

Microsoft Ignite, which is slated for Sept. 21-25 in New Orleans, will also be a digital-only event.

“The safety of our community is top priority. In light of global health concerns due to COVID-19, we will deliver our annual Microsoft Ignite conference as a digital experience, in lieu of an in-person event,” read a statement on the official Microsoft Ignite webpage.

Some of the upcoming tech events canceled, delayed or going digital

Apple WWDC (June) – Digital-only event
DEF CON China – It is scheduled for April 17-19, but now stands postponed
Cisco Live (May 31-June 4) – Digital-only event
Dell World (October) – Digital-only event
E3 (June 9-11)- Canceled

According to the data collected by Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Center, the COVID-19 death toll has reached 82,172 and more than 1.4 million tested positive with this deadly virus across the globe. Meanwhile, more than 300,000 people have recovered from COVID-19. In the U.S., as of April 8, 3 a.m. Eastern Time, the number of coronavirus cases is inching towards 400,000 and close to 13,000 have died due to COVID-19.