Community Days | FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
What are Community Days Events?

These events are organized by the community and supported by Microsoft and Partners. We believe in openness and inclusion, so our events come in all shapes and sizes, taking place all over the world.

I know about a local event in my area - am I able to add it to the list of events?

Yes, absolutely! We encourage community members to submit local events to our list. If you know about an upcoming event that you think would be of interest to our community, please use the "Create Event" button on our website to add it to our list.

We review all submissions and aim to keep our list up-to-date with the latest community events happening around the world. By sharing your event with us, you can help connect with like-minded individuals and organizations, and contribute to building a vibrant and inclusive community.

How long does the submission process typically take?

Our team tries to review event submissions within 1-2 business days. If we require additional information or have any questions about your submission, we will reach out to you directly.

Once your event has been approved, it will be added to our list and made available to our community members. We recommend submitting your event as early as possible to ensure that it is included in our list and that community members have ample time to plan to attend.

How can I get more involved?

If you're interested in becoming more involved in our community events, the Community Council is a great way to get started. This is a group of community members who are interested in getting involved with local events.

As a member of the council, you'll have access to a variety of resources and tools to help you get started with organizing your own event or collaborating with others to make events happen in your community. Join us today and discover the value of being part of a vibrant and inclusive community!

Does the site only include free community events or can paid events be listed as well?

To provide as many events as possible to the community, we support the addition of both free and paid events on our site. To determine how an event is classified, we use the following criteria: events that cost $20 or less are considered free events, while events that cost more than $20 are considered paid events. This helps to ensure that our community members can easily identify which events are free and which ones require payment.

Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible, and we believe that providing information about both free and paid events can help achieve that goal. So, whether you're looking for a free event to attend or are willing to pay for a unique experience, we've got you covered. Check out our list of community events today and find something that interests you!

Can I get a copy of the Community Days logo for promotional materials?

Yes, we have vector graphics available for download on our Media page.

Does the Community Days site integrate with Sessionize.com?

Community Days site is integrated with Sessionize through an API key. This integration allows our site to provide an integrated experience using our custom display and calendaring solution.

Note: When you are generating your Sessionize API key, in the Format section, you must select 'JSON (coding required)' and NOT any of the other formats. The Community Days site will pick up the raw json data.

My Sessionize.com key is not working / Need help with Sessionize.com API Key.

If you are having issues with your Sessionize.com API key, please check out the following blog articles.

Are the organizers of the Community Days site engaged in every event on the site?

No, the organizers of the Community Days site are not involved with every event that is posted. Our site was created as a way to help people find local events in their communities after the closure of SPSEvents.org.

The site was designed and built by Thomas Daly, a Microsoft 365 Apps & Services MVP, with the help of several volunteers. Without the contributions of our volunteers, the design, creation, and testing of various parts of the website would not have been possible.

We welcome any feedback on the site and are always looking for more volunteers to help us improve it. If you're interested in getting involved, please reach out to us. No contribution is too small.

What is Microsoft's involvement in this site?

This site is supported operationally by the Microsoft Global Community Initiative Advisory Board and Steering Committee.

How to get started Organizing my first event

Coming Soon...

How do I handle attendee Registration?

There are several registration systems available for running a conference type event, some of which are:

  • Eventbrite - A popular event registration platform that allows organizers to create customized registration pages, manage ticket sales, and promote the event.
  • TicketSpice - An online ticketing and event registration platform known for its transparent fee structure, allowing organizers to sell tickets for various events with a flat fee per ticket, simplifying cost management.
  • Meetup - An online platform that allows organizers to create and promote events, connect with attendees, and manage event registration and RSVPs.
  • Microsoft Forms - A tool that enables organizers to create and manage online forms for collecting user registration data for events.

Where can I find information on producing virtual events?

Visit the Virtual event Playbook @ aka.ms/VirtualEventPlaybook

How do I get started using Sessionize?

The Sessionize Playbook is a comprehensive guide for conference organizers who want to create successful events. It covers various topics such as how to set goals and objectives, how to select speakers, how to promote the event, and how to handle logistics.

The playbook also includes tips on how to use technology to enhance the conference experience, how to measure success, and how to build a community around the event. Overall, it provides a roadmap for organizers to plan and execute a memorable and impactful conference.

Check out the Sessionize Playbook for more details.

How do I connect with Experienced organizers or MVPs in my area?

Visit the MVP lookup tool @ Find an MVP (microsoft.com)

How do I get speakers and content for my event?

Coming Soon...

How do I secure a MS facility for my event?

Fill out the Microsoft Facility Request Form @ aka.ms/MSFacilityRequest