Microsoft Inspire Explained

Genre:Conference
Frequency:Annually
Venue:Varies each year
Location:Varies each year
Country:United States of America
Founders:-->
Organised:Microsoft
Member:Microsoft Corporation
Sponsor:Main sponsors: Huawei, Tech Data. BitTitan and Dell EMC

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]

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]

YearDatesVenueLocationParticipants (est.)
2002July 12–15Los Angeles Convention CenterLos Angeles, California4,700[6]
2003October 9–11Morial Convention CenterNew Orleans5,500
2004July 11–13Metro Toronto Convention CentreToronto, Canada5,500 attendees[7]
2005July 8–10Minneapolis Convention CenterMinneapolis10,000 attendees

6,500 Microsoft employees[8]

2006August 11–13Boston, Massachusetts[9]
2007July 10–12Colorado Convention CenterDenver, Colorado[10] [11]
2008JulyHouston, Texas[12]
2009July 13New Orleans Morial Convention CenterNew Orleans[13]
2010July 11–15Washington Convention CenterWashington, D.C. [14] 13,000[15]
2011July 10–14Los Angeles, California[16] [17]
2012July 8–12Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Air Canada CentreToronto, Ontario15,000[18]
2013July 7–11Houston, Texas
2014July 13–17Walter E. Washington Convention CenterWashington, D.C.
2015July 12–16Orange County Convention CenterOrlando, Florida
2016July 10–14Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Air Canada CentreToronto, Canada
2017July 9–13Walter E. Washington Convention CenterWashington, D.C.16,000
2018July 14–19Mandalay Bay Convention CenterLas Vegas, Nevada17,000
2019July 13–19Mandalay Bay Convention CenterLas Vegas, Nevada
2020July 21–23Virtual Online EventWorldwide
2021July 14–15Virtual Online EventWorldwide
2022July 19–20Virtual Online EventWorldwide
2023July 18-19Virtual Online EventWorldwide

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Introducing Microsoft Inspire: A New Name for our Worldwide Partner Conference. 7 December 2016. Microsoft Partner Network.
  2. Web site: Join us on July 10 for MCAPS Start for Partners. May 7, 2024.
  3. Web site: WPC 2011 - Worldwide Partner Conference - July 10-14, 2011 . 2011-10-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007203715/http://www.digitalwpc.com/About#fbid=U5uRfPvLK-a . 2011-10-07 . dead .
  4. Web site: Manta - The Place for Small Business. Goliath.ecnext.com.
  5. https://myready.microsoft.com/
  6. Web site: Manta - The Place for Small Business. Goliath.ecnext.com.
  7. Web site: Microsoft Kicks off Worldwide Partner Conference 2004 - with Velocity. 11 July 2004. News.microsoft.com.
  8. Web site: Manta - The Place for Small Business. Goliath.ecnext.com.
  9. Web site: Web Hosting Talk - The largest, most influential web hosting community on the Internet. Webhostingtalk.com.
  10. Web site: Microsoft Unveils New Opportunities for Partners at Worldwide Partner Conference 2007. 10 July 2007. Webwire.com.
  11. Web site: Microsoft World Wide Partner Conference - Denver, CO (July 10-12, 2007) - VoIP News . 2011-10-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120522053443/http://www.voip-news.com/events/microsoft-world-wide-partner-conference/ . 2012-05-22 .
  12. Web site: Meet Me In Houston At Microsoft WPC. Mitchell Ashley. 8 July 2008. Network World. 7 October 2011. 3 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130703201925/http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/29646. dead.
  13. Web site: Microsoft Pri0. Nwsource.com.
  14. Web site: Microsoft Pri0. The Seattle Times.
  15. Web site: Microsoft Pri0. The Seattle Times.
  16. Web site: Microsoft Pri0. The Seattle Times.
  17. Web site: Microsoft Inspire. Partner.microsoft.com.
  18. Web site: WPC 2011 - Worldwide Partner Conference - July 10-14, 2011 . 2011-10-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111004025536/http://digitalwpc.com/News/Details/183#fbid= . 2011-10-04 . dead .