Microsoft cancels Inspire conference in-person event due to coronavirus

Microsoft logo
Microsoft logo (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft canceled Inspire 2020 as an in-person event due to coronavirus
  • Microsoft states that it could use alternative ways to deliver content.
  • Several Microsoft events have been canceled or moved to a digital format due to coronavirus.

Earlier this month, Microsoft added statements on its event pages about coronavirus. At the time, Microsoft stated that it would monitor "public health guidance in relation to in-person events." As the coronavirus pandemic has continued, it's not a surprise that another in-person event has been canceled.

Registration for Inspire 2020 was set to open today, so Microsoft made sure to cancel the in-person event before anyone could register.

Below is the full update from Microsoft:

Update, March 23, 2020: 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's MVP Summit was made into a virtual event recently, so Microsoft could use some of the same methods to share content from Inspire 2020. The update on the Inspire 2020 pages asks people to stay tuned for more updates, so it appears that Microsoft is still deciding how to move forward.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.