Mount Rainier and Microsoft 365
Training on the Microsoft Cloud, gazing 14,410 feet above sea level.
I invite you to come to Seattle, WA, to the TechCon365 & PWRCON event — to blend tech training with iconic landmarks and events of the Pacific Northwest. The Emerald City gets kissed with long summer days — sunrise ~ 6:30am PDT with the sunset light lasting until 8:30pm PDT. Which means: Learn by day, explore by daylight (and round it all out with a variety of evening activities). 🌇
The goal of this article is to highlight the blend of work and life — in one event. I work on the Microsoft team supporting the event (content and community), aka The Content AND since I live nearby, I want to share an insider’s view (or two) while you’re here, aka The Sights.
Learn. Explore — 🌞 So many light hours in the day 🌞 — Rinse. Repeat:
Take Copilot for spin, by day. Seattle Great Wheel at night. 🎡
Master Microsoft Lists. Grab lunch at Pike Place Market. 🍽️
Peruse SharePoint pages. Pop over and up the Space Needle. 🛗
Get Loop’y with Loop. Catch a Mariner curveball ⚾ or Storm full-court press 🏀.
Tackle Teams. Grab coffee with a teammate (or a new conference colleague).
First, the content.
I’ll keep it fairly light here as I already published the “Microsoft at TechCon365 and PWRCON – Seattle, WA (June 3-7, 2024)“ event guide. This’ll give you a depth view for what we are planning to bring to the event — keynotes, breakout sessions, community activities, workshops, and more — alongside Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professional) and community experts. In short, we’re sending over 45+ product makers over the pond from Redmond, WA (HQ) into Seattle, WA — to share product updates and guidance on Copilot, Microsoft 365 Apps, SharePoint, Microsoft Lists (our Lists session with my peer, Miceile Barrett), Azure / 365 Development, Microsoft Teams, Power Apps, Content Management, Power Users, Business Value, Implementation/Administration, Power Automate (Flow)/Workflow, Power BI - Business Intelligence, and SharePoint Development.
Second, the sights.
This is my short list of nearby attractions, coffee houses worth walking to, and entertainment in town at the same time.
Links show locations on Google Maps 🗺️
Nearby attractions
Wander down to Pike Place Market, grab a beer and a bite at the new Old Stove Brewing Co, and wind on down to The Gum Wall (don’t stick around too long).
Wander around the Seattle Center. Zip up the Space Needle. Go to the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). Grab a coffee and sip at Vita at KEXP, literally, with and while KEXP DJs spin. And if you’re looking to get your steps in, hike up to Kerry Park for THE BEST VIEW OF THE CITY.
Head up (by Uber) to see the Fremont Troll. Swing by Theo Chocolate for some nibs. Gander at the Statue of Lenin. Wander around Gas Works Park (bring a frisbee and your camera).
Coffee worth walking to 🚶♀️☕🚶♂️
Monorail Espresso. This is a mere two blocks away. It’s a walk-up window that’s 100% worth walking up to. They’re quick and delish.
Victrola Coffee Roasters. Also, a mere few blocks away. Go to Pike Street, turn right, and hike up — past the Starbucks Reserve Roastery (yes, keep going 😏) — until you smell the jolt of the good java.
Grumpy Bean. This one just on the other side of the new part of the Seattle Convention Center. So, not too far — and a chance to see more of the surrounding area.
Entertainment (sporting events, concerts, and a musical; links go direct to ticketing)
⚾ Seattle Mariners v LA Angels | Sunday, June 2 • 1:10pm | T-Mobile Park
🏀 Seattle Storm v Phoenix Mercury | Tuesday, June 4 • 7:00pm | Climate Pledge Arena
🎼 Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 | Tuesday, June 4 • 7:30pm | S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium - Benaroya Hall
🎹 Jon Batiste - Uneasy Tour | Wednesday, June 5 • 7:00 PM | Chateau Ste Michelle Winery
🎭 Spring Awakening (note my bias on this one: My daughter is a swing for two of the roles 🥰) | Friday, June 7 • 7:30PM | The Fifth Avenue Theater
And like that…
… let TechCon365 & PWRCON draw you to Seattle, WA. And when you want, get your wander on. There’s a lot to do within walking distance. And hop a 10-15-minute Uber ride to jump in and out of some of the neighboring neighborhoods. It’s all worth it — guaranteed to offer all that your tech brain craves AND tourist’ing feet can take. Learn at scale. And take advantage of the long days to make your visit what you want.
See you there, Mark 🧔🏻♂️