So, I’ve been in San Francisco since Monday for Microsoft’s “Ignite” conference and all I can say is… I’m underwhelmed. Ignite has transformed in to mostly an AI conference. Yes, I get it… AI is the big thing now, but as someone whose company is finally starting to get in the cloud space, I really wanted to learn more about Azure.
Topics aren’t the only issue I’ve had with this conference. This conference feels like someone is managing is that has never managed a conference before. They’ve added security checkpoints which I’ve never seen at a conference before… which is fine BUT depending on which building you’re going to, you get a different level of security. One building wants to check everyone’s bags and run you through the scanner, another building just wants to run you through the scanner and check your bag if it detects anything and the third building has no security checkpoint. To top that off, the largest building with the extra security, only has 2 lanes to shuffle people with bags through…. The conference literally gives everyone bags, so most people have to slowly pour their way through 2 lines… like really? Maybe had a few more lines Microsoft.
Sadly, I think COVID has killed off most of the exciting bonuses of IT conferences… there’s no more huge parties with well known bands. This isn’t unique to Ignite, but it is still sad.
Lastly… the food is terrible. Pretty much everything is a cold box lunch… I think this is also partially a post COVID thing. All in all though, I don’t think these vendors want to spend any more money than they have to and have realized people are still going to show up.