Microsoft Inspire (formerly the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference,[1] was a conference held annually by Microsoft Corporation for its partner community. It was announced in 2024 that it would be replaced by Microsoft's new virtual event, MCAPS Start for Partners.[2]

Microsoft Inspire
GenreConference
BeginsJuly 12, 2002 (2002-07-12)
EndsJuly 19, 2023 (2023-07-19)
FrequencyAnnually
VenueVaries each year
Location(s)Varies each year
CountryUnited States of America
InauguratedJuly 12, 2002 (2002-07-12)
Organised byMicrosoft
MemberMicrosoft Corporation
SponsorMain sponsors: Huawei, Tech Data. BitTitan and Dell EMC
Websitepartner.microsoft.com/en-us/inspire

At Inspire, partners are taught about Microsoft's roadmap for the upcoming year, network and build connections, share best practices, experience the latest product innovations, and learn new skills and techniques.[3] There are also keynote addresses from Microsoft executives, featured speakers, business-track specific offerings, and hundreds of sessions.

In its current form, it has been held since 2003.[3] Before 2003, it was two different events, Microsoft Fusion and the Microsoft Business Solutions Stampede.[4] In recent years, not including the Virtual Online events, it has been co-located with the Microsoft internal Microsoft Ready conference.[5]

Year Dates Venue Location Participants (est.)
2002 July 12–15 Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, California 4,700[6]
2003 October 9–11 Morial Convention Center New Orleans 5,500[4]
2004 July 11–13 Metro Toronto Convention Centre Toronto, Canada 5,500 attendees[7]
2005 July 8–10 Minneapolis Convention Center Minneapolis 10,000 attendees

6,500 Microsoft employees[8]

2006 August 11–13 Boston, Massachusetts [9]
2007 July 10–12 Colorado Convention Center Denver, Colorado [10][11]
2008 July Houston, Texas [12]
2009 July 13 New Orleans Morial Convention Center New Orleans [13]
2010 July 11–15 Washington Convention Center Washington, D.C. [14] 13,000[15]
2011 July 10–14 Los Angeles, California [16][17]
2012 July 8–12 Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Air Canada Centre Toronto, Ontario 15,000[18]
2013 July 7–11 Houston, Texas [17]
2014 July 13–17 Walter E. Washington Convention Center Washington, D.C.
2015 July 12–16 Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida
2016 July 10–14 Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Air Canada Centre Toronto, Canada
2017 July 9–13 Walter E. Washington Convention Center Washington, D.C. 16,000
2018 July 14–19 Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada 17,000
2019 July 13–19 Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada
2020 July 21–23 Virtual Online Event Worldwide
2021 July 14–15 Virtual Online Event Worldwide
2022 July 19–20 Virtual Online Event Worldwide
2023 July 18-19 Virtual Online Event Worldwide

References

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  1. ^ "Introducing Microsoft Inspire: A New Name for our Worldwide Partner Conference". Microsoft Partner Network. 7 December 2016.
  2. ^ "Join us on July 10 for MCAPS Start for Partners". Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "WPC 2011 - Worldwide Partner Conference - July 10-14, 2011". Archived from the original on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  4. ^ a b "Manta - The Place for Small Business". Goliath.ecnext.com.
  5. ^ https://myready.microsoft.com/
  6. ^ "Manta - The Place for Small Business". Goliath.ecnext.com.
  7. ^ "Microsoft Kicks off Worldwide Partner Conference 2004 - with Velocity". News.microsoft.com. 11 July 2004.
  8. ^ "Manta - The Place for Small Business". Goliath.ecnext.com.
  9. ^ "Web Hosting Talk - The largest, most influential web hosting community on the Internet". Webhostingtalk.com.
  10. ^ "Microsoft Unveils New Opportunities for Partners at Worldwide Partner Conference 2007". Webwire.com. 10 July 2007.
  11. ^ "Microsoft World Wide Partner Conference - Denver, CO (July 10-12, 2007) - VoIP News". Archived from the original on 2012-05-22. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  12. ^ Mitchell Ashley (8 July 2008). "Meet Me In Houston At Microsoft WPC". Network World. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  13. ^ "Microsoft Pri0". Nwsource.com.
  14. ^ "Microsoft Pri0". The Seattle Times.
  15. ^ "Microsoft Pri0". The Seattle Times.
  16. ^ "Microsoft Pri0". The Seattle Times.
  17. ^ a b "Microsoft Inspire". Partner.microsoft.com.
  18. ^ "WPC 2011 - Worldwide Partner Conference - July 10-14, 2011". Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
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