A look at Microsoft’s 2018 conference and event schedule

With the events of 2017 way behind us, it’s time to look forward to 2018. As usual, Microsoft will be holding several pre-announced conferences this year in 2018: Build 2018, Inspire 2018, Ignite 2018, and more. There are also the usual non-Microsoft sanctioned events, and the “surprise” Windows 10 and Spring and Fall hardware events. Here is a look at the biggest events you can expect from Microsoft in 2018.

CES 2018: January 9-12 in Las Vegas

The Consumer Electronics Show, otherwise known as CES, is the world’s gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Microsoft normally does not have a direct presence at CES, but the company works with many of the OEMs and device manufacturers who have booths at the event. You can expect to hear more about upcoming Windows 10 PCs and devices, including Always Connected PCs. This year CES runs from January 9-12 in Las Vegas.

Redstone 4 or 2018 Surface Event (???):

Microsoft usually holds an event in New York City during the Spring or Fall to unveil upcoming Surface devices and show the world more about the next featured update to Windows 10. In 2017, the company held a Spring “Learn What’s Next” event on May 2 in New York. Last year this event was a bit of a surprise and was education focused, all about Windows 10 S, and the Surface Laptop.

Unlike in 2016 (when Microsoft held an event for RS2/ Creators Update) we didn’t really see a big dedicated 2017 NYC event for Surface or the Fall Creators Update/RS3. We instead saw the Fall Creators Update naming/RS3 reveal at Build 2017. The Surface Pro was also instead unveiled at a separate event in Shanghai, the Surface Pro LTE at Future Decoded in London, and the Surface Book 2 revealed online ahead of the Fall Creators Update release.

Since the Spring of 2018 may be too early for any Surface Hardware, there might NOT be a dedicated Surface hardware event in NYC for the Spring of this year. Instead, maybe Microsoft could hold an event for Redstone 4 software, and save the hardware event for the Fall, but that’s just me speculating.

E3 2018: June 12-14 in Los Angeles

E3 is always a big spot on the calendar for Microsoft, as it is the stage for the company to show off the latest and greatest games in Xbox technology. Last year the company unveiled the Xbox One X at the event, and we’re still not certain what the company has planned this year. Anyway, it runs from June 12-14 in Los Angeles and is the must-attend and watch event for experiencing the future of Xbox.

Microsoft Inspire: July 15-19 in Las Vegas, Nevada

At Microsoft Inspire (previously known as the Worldwide Partner Conference, WPC) Microsoft is focused on their global partner community. It’s Microsoft’s biggest partner and enterprise event, and partners learn more about Microsoft’s plans for the upcoming year. Microsoft specifically calls this “the event where the world meets to transform business.” Thousands of partners have the chance to connect with Microsoft personnel for a week of networking, innovation, and ingenuity. The 2018 event is co-located with Microsoft Ready, the company’s largest internal readiness event. Registration is now open. 

Gamescom 2018:  August 22-25 in Cologne, Germany

Around 335,000 gaming fans from all over the globe attended Gamescom in 2017. This event is one of the world’s largest video gaming conventions. We usually see a lot of the same stuff unveiled at E3 during Gamescom, but it’s still exciting since it gives Europeans a chance to get hands-on with the latest video games and Xbox hardware.

Microsoft Envision/Ignite: September 24-28 in Orlando, Florida

Microsoft Envision and Ignite used to be separate events, but they were combined together under Ignite in 2017. At this event, Microsoft usually talks about cloud infrastructure, productivity, and how upcoming and current tech can be used by business leader and decision makers in the future. It ran from September 23-29 in Orlando, Florida in 2017. It’s confirmed that Microsoft Ignite will be returning to Orlando for 2018, and registration is now open.

Build 2018: TBA

Build is one of Microsoft’s biggest events. This annual conference is aimed at towards software engineers and web developers using Windows, Microsoft Azure and other Microsoft technologies. As 2017 showed, there’s also a consumer and Windows 10 side to things, where the company goes over features in the upcoming Windows 10 release. It first started in 2011 and has gone on every year since then. Build 2017 was held on May 10 – 12 in Seattle, and the company has not yet announced a date or venue for Build 2018, but we’re expecting to hear more soon.

Future Decoded: TBA

Microsoft’s Future Decoded event is all about current and emerging trends at the cross over of business and technology. The event was held in London last year from October 31-November 1st. No official dates have been announced for 2018 yet.

Microsoft Connect(): Online, TBA

Microsoft Connect() is the online event where Microsoft discusses how they are empowering developers to lead the new digital revolution with apps. We learned a lot about Visual Studio in this event in 2017 from November 15-17 , and you can expect more of the same in 2018 when it’s announced

Tech Summit: Multiple Cities, Dates

Microsoft tech summit is a free technical learning event for IT decision makers, professionals, and developers. Those attending the events can connect with experts from Microsoft and ask questions, choose from a variety of learning opportunities, customize learning, and find the latest trends in tech. There are multiple cities and dates for Tech Summit, and most run in the Summer, though Irvine, Dallas, Burlington, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburg, and more.

As usual, we’ll be here to cover all of these Microsoft events. There are definitely exciting times ahead this year, and we hope you keep tuned to us for all your Microsoft, Windows 10 news and information. Let us know in the comments below if you’re looking forward to any of these events!