14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just announced that this year’s edition of Inspire, the tech event that the company uses to get in touch with partners, would no longer happen as an in-person venue due to the new coronavirus outbreak.
Microsoft is yet to confirm a digital version of the event, but it says it’s still exploring its options. Microsoft Inspire 2020 was scheduled to take place July 19-23 in Las Vegas.
“The safety of our community is a top priority. In light of health safety recommendations from public health authorities, we will not be holding Microsoft Inspire 2020 as an in-person event. We are exploring alternative ways to bring our partner community together to connect and learn. Stay tuned for more details to come,” Microsoft explains.
Build 2020 also moving online
The official website of this year’s Inspire conference still shows the original message that Microsoft is monitoring the virus outbreak, again with no confirmation of a digital event.
“In light of the global health concerns due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Microsoft is monitoring public health guidance in relation to in-person events. We are looking carefully at our event calendar as well as our presence at industry events in the coming months. We are not taking decisions lightly, but the health and well-being of our customers, partners, guests, suppliers, and employees remain our ultimate priority,” Microsoft says.
Like the rest of the tech industry, Microsoft is canceling most of its tech shows to prevent the virus from spreading. Earlier this month, the company also announced that it moved the Build developer conference, its largest annual event, to a digital version that would technically mean all sessions would be live-streamed with no physical audience.
We’ve reached out to Microsoft for more information on the Inspire plans and will update the article when an answer is offered.