Category: Blog

I've visited Seattle many times, my first visit being in the summer of 2013. Each time I visit, I find new things to explore and walk down memory lanes with those places I've already been. It's a vibrant city with lots of things to do and highly recommended to get out and get a little exploration while doing a conference is never a bad thing. So, here's a list of the top 10 generated from the friendly Copilot but of course with the friendly edit.

  1. Pike Place Market: This iconic market is a must-visit for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings. From fresh produce and flowers to local artwork and vinyl records, there's something for everyone. Don't miss the famous fish tossing and the original Starbucks that is across the street.  This is also the place where you will find the famous gum wall which is great to take a picture by, but just a little gross otherwise. 

  2. Space Needle: No trip is complete without at least seeing the Space Needle once. A symbol of Seattle, the Space Needle offers breathtaking views of the city, Elliott Bay, and the surrounding mountains from its observation deck. The 43-second elevator ride to the top is an experience in itself. When I visited in 2013, the observation area didn't have the glass floor yet, but it now does, which can be a little un-nerving albeit perfectly safe.  

  3. Chihuly Garden and Glass: This is on my personal bucket list, and I can't believe I've been going to Seattle for 17 years and have never seen this. I plan to rectify this in June. This stunning exhibit showcases the colorful glass art of Dale Chihuly. The indoor and outdoor displays are mesmerizing, and the museum's interactive mobile guide enhances the experience with maps, schedules, and audio guides.

  4. Seattle Center: Home to the Space Needle, Seattle Center is a hub of cultural attractions. Explore the Museum of Pop Culture, Pacific Science Center, and the International Fountain. The center also hosts performances by the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera.  Like I said before, there is something for everyone in Seattle. 

  5. Seattle Art Museum (SAM): SAM is one of the West Coast's most important art museums, featuring a diverse collection of artworks. The museum's three locations—downtown, the Asian Art Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park—offer unique experiences

  6. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP): Another place that is on my personal bucket list to see/do in Seattle. Designed by Frank Gehry, MoPOP celebrates music, science fiction, and pop culture. Exhibits cover everything from indie video games and horror films to Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix. 

  7. Seattle Aquarium: Located on the waterfront, the aquarium is a great place to learn about marine life. Highlights include the underwater dome, touch tanks, and daily animal feedings. I simply cannot imagine a better place to learn about aquatic life... ok, maybe in Florida. This is great for those of you traveling with the family.

  8. Kerry Park: For postcard-perfect views of the Seattle skyline, head to Kerry Park. It's a popular spot for photographers and offers stunning vistas of the city and Mount Rainier on clear days. Speaking of Mount Rainier, if you fly into Sea-Tac on a clear day be sure to look out the windows as you may get an incredible view of this iconic mountain. 

  9. Ballard Locks: Watch boats pass through the locks and see salmon navigating the fish ladder at this unique attraction. The surrounding gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll.  There's also some great resturants up and down the waterfront that makes for a very relaxing place to enjoy the views.  

  10. Fremont Troll: Apparently Trolls in Seattle are a thing. Now one being under a bridge brings me back to my childhood days of playing in the park where kids would hide under a bridge-like structure and scare others when they crossed the bridge, but this one has to be more humorous than scary. This quirky sculpture under the Aurora Bridge is a fun stop for visitors. The giant troll clutching a Volkswagen Beetle is a favorite for photos.

So, there you have it.  Lots to do, however I'll add one that maybe isn't on the top ten list for most visitors but something that will interest you and that's a trip to visit Microsoft. Even if you can't get an official tour, there are places you can go, like Building 92 to take a picture of the famous Microsoft sign out front. It's best if you can get an official tour however and maybe even pick up some Microsoft merch while you're there. Whatever you do, have fun, be safe.  

 

Category: Blog

Speakers Daniel Christian and Liz Sundet got together to showcase what happens at TechCon 365, a little of the history of TechCon in the Microsoft community space, what it means to them and why someone should attend.  Check out the video https://youtu.be/D278pIcr3Ds and be sure to register to attend

 

 

Join us for TechCon365 & PWRCON, a premier Microsoft 365 and Power Platform conference, taking place from June 23-27, 2025, at the Seattle Convention Center. This exciting event will offer a comprehensive lineup of workshops, sessions, and keynotes, providing attendees with invaluable insights and hands-on experience. To give you a sneak peek, we've put together preview videos of the workshops that will be taking place on June 23 and June 24th. Check out the videos below and get ready for an unforgettable learning experience!

Workshop Preview Videos:

Develop Declarative Agents to extend Microsoft 365 Copilot to get the most out of your investment! Speaker: Andrew Connell
Rolling out Microsoft 365 Copilot is just the beginning. This workshop teaches full-stack developers to extend Copilot's knowledge beyond Microsoft 365, incorporating data from manuals, ERPs, CRMs, and more. Unlock Copilot's full potential with hands-on training in creating connections, APIs, actions, and custom agents. Workshop Video Preview 

Best Practices for Intranet Information Architecture: the key to unlocking AI’s full potential Speaker: Susan Hanley
This workshop will explore the basics of Information Architecture (IA) and its role in creating effective intranets using Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and Viva Connections. You'll learn why IA is crucial for AI and how to ensure your intranet content enhances AI solutions. Whether starting out or improving your current intranet design, this workshop provides the tools and techniques needed to leverage new features and best practices. Workshop Preview Video

Power BI Bootcamp for SharePoint Professionals Speaker: Treb Gatte
Need to create stunning dashboards from your SharePoint data? Join our bootcamp to learn how to approach your BI needs, best practices, licensing costs, and security aspects. This workshop covers everything from creating Production Dashboards using Power BI to data extraction, modeling, and visualization best practices, with hands-on exercises and no prior knowledge required. Workshop Introduction Video

The Ultimate Masterclass to Microsoft Teams: From Everyday Use to Expert Administration Speakers: Gokan Ozcifci and Vlad Catrinescu
Microsoft Teams is a powerful collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, enabling effective teamwork across geographical boundaries. This workshop will guide you through the setup and best practices for using Teams, including its integration with other Microsoft applications like Viva, Loop, SharePoint, and OneDrive for Business. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of Teams' functionality and how to enhance collaboration within your organization. Workshop Introduction Video

Use the SharePoint Framework to develop apps & customize SharePoint & Viva Connections Speaker: Andrew Connell
The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is Microsoft's recommended way to customize and extend SharePoint sites and Viva Connections. This half-day workshop is ideal for both experienced and new developers, covering setup, web parts, UX extensions, and Adaptive Card Extensions (ACEs). By the end, you'll understand the full range of customization possibilities for SharePoint, including on-premises versions, and have all the resources used during the workshop. Workshop Introduction Video

Data Protection, Collaboration, and User Engagement: Assisting Your Organization in Doing it All Speakers: Sarah Haase and David Drever
Organizations face challenges in helping employees collaborate effectively while ensuring data protection and security. Balancing collaboration with safety is crucial, and user engagement and adoption are key to success. In this workshop, David and Sarah will guide you through designing and implementing Microsoft 365 collaboration tools, ensuring they are secure and fully collaborative, while fostering user endorsement. Workshop Introduction Video 

Power Platform Pro-Code Scenarios Speaker: Ryan Schouten
The Power Platform is heavily pushed as a low code/no code tool but there is still a need to be able to further customize the different areas of the platform. In this workshop we will build and discuss the different scenarios where a professional developer will need to be called upon. These scenarios include:  Code Components and Custom Connectors. Workshop Introduction Video 

How to Effectively Manage and Govern Your Power Platform Service Speaker: Daniel Christian
In this workshop, you'll learn to manage and govern your Power Platform environment, focusing on control, compliance, and resource optimization. Key topics include best practices for governing AI capabilities like Copilot, license and capacity management, and strategies for app and workflow creation control. Ideal for administrators and IT professionals, this session ensures a secure and well-managed Power Platform environment. Workshop Introduction Video 

Power Platform with Copilot and AI: A master class for every Information Worker Speakers: Mike Maadarani and Gokan Ozcifci
In today's digital age, mastering innovative tools is crucial for staying ahead. This workshop empowers users of all levels to leverage the full potential of Microsoft Power Platform, enriched by Copilot for Power Platform. It covers the entire ecosystem, including Power Apps Copilot, Power Automate Copilot, Copilot Studio, AI Builder, Power Pages Copilot, and Dataverse, with interactive, hands-on sessions led by experts Gokan and Mike. Workshop Video Preview

RPA Unleashed: Automating Mundane Tasks to Reclaim Your Time Speaker: Daniel Christian
Join Daniel Christian, a Microsoft MVP, for the RPA Unleashed workshop to master automating everyday tasks using cutting-edge tools. You'll learn to streamline workflows by automating repetitive activities, integrating cloud and desktop tools, managing authentication credentials, enhancing logging practices, and setting up enterprise-level automations. This workshop is perfect for both beginners and those looking to scale their efforts, equipping you with the knowledge to fully leverage RPA and Copilot features. Workshop Introduction Video 

How to Maximize Your Intranet Potential with Out-of-the-Box Features in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint Speaker: Susan Hanely
Microsoft 365 offers a wealth of tools for building an effective intranet, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. This presentation will explore the "out-of-the-box" features of SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365, guiding you on how to leverage them to meet your organization's needs. By the end, you'll understand how to use SharePoint, Teams, Viva Engage, and newer capabilities like the Brand Center and Copilot Agents to create a successful intranet, and where third-party solutions or custom development might be beneficial. Workshop Introduction Video 

Agenda - Microsoft 365 Conference, Microsoft Data Conference & Power Platform Conference - Seattle