Monday Evening
Monday evening, we will be in Center Hall B (Where you had breakfast and lunch) for our re-imagined Community Happy Hour.
The Monday schedule is different this year. We have 1/2 day workshops for you to choose from, check out the mobile app for more details on the workshops being offered. These workshops are intense sessions that will go deep into the weeds, so come prepared. But don’t worry, they are being recorded as well.
Bring that hunger to our Monday night reception. We’ve invited not only all our Summiteers (that’s you!) but also everyone from Microsoft working on PowerShell technologies. It’s a great time to make new acquaintances, renew old friendships, and shake hands with the folks who literally make PowerShell a thing (take a minute to geek out about that!). Talk about what you’re excited about, what you’re looking forward to.
Or talk about actual food. We’ll serve plenty of filling appetizers and snacks, but the reception is also a great place to grab a few friends and plan for dinner later — Bellevue has a ton of great spots (just a short walk away) to eat a huge variety of different foods.
Beer and wine are complimentary while it lasts and a full bar for those who wish to purchase something. Soft drinks are also complimentary all evening.
And we’ll have some light background music, but nothing that’ll kill the conversation.
We know Summit brings a really diverse set of personalities from a lot of different backgrounds and cultures, and our reception accommodates as many as possible. In the past, we’ve experimented with separate “lower key” events, but the fact is that Monday evening isn’t some kind of fraternity bash to begin with, and we want to focus more on bringing our community together, not divvying ourselves up. So we’re planning a selection of experiences for a “blended” audience. Whether you prefer to sit or mingle, there’s something you’ll enjoy.
Here’s a quick selection of some of what’s planned:
Meet & mingle with Summiteers and Microsoft product team members. This is a great time to throw off that introversion we all have, shake a few hands, and introduce yourself. Trust us — we’ve been running this event for a decade and it’s how we finally broke out of our shells and started meeting colleagues!
Board and card games. We’re bringing a selection of board games, from traditional family favorites to newer hits, along with a few you may never have heard of. Grab a couple of folks, read the directions, and dive in. It’s a perfect way to have a “smaller” reception and focus on meeting just three or four new people at once. Have a favorite board or card game? You’re welcome to bring it along, provided it’s suitable for a G-rated environment. Yeah, we love “Cards Against Humanity” too, but this isn’t the place for it.
Sit ‘n’ chat. We’re also keeping plenty of seating available for those who just want to sit, chill out, and enjoy a conversation with a friend. Grab a few snacks and a beverage before you settle in, and have a great night!
Meet our sponsors. Finally, many of our sponsors will join us in their own small-scale, casual areas where you can have a chat with them. Vendors have to clear a high bar to be at Summit, since we basically don’t advertise for sponsors at all. They WANT to be here, and not just to hand out swag — they want to MEET you. They want to hear what you’re dealing with at work. Maybe you’ll discover a solution that meets a need you have; at the very least, you’ll expand your understanding of what’s out there in the marketplace. That’s the “keeping up with technology” part that is great for your career.
The reception is a great way to line yourself up for an amazing Summit. Remember, Summit is more about the people than the technology, and the reception is where we hope you’ll make at least a few great connections.