Reflections from the Microsoft 365 Community Conference 2025

Las Vegas brought the lights—the M365 community brought the substance.

From May 6–8, I had the honor of speaking, learning, and connecting with hundreds of passionate Microsoft 365 professionals at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Between powerful keynotes, thoughtful breakout sessions, and the buzz on the expo floor, the energy around AI, governance, and collaboration was electric.

Representing Orchestry and sharing the stage in two very different—but equally important—sessions was an absolute highlight for me. Let me walk you through the magic we brought to the conference.

The Oversharing Circus: A Governance Tale with a Twist

I had so much fun presenting “The Oversharing Circus” with my fellow ringleader, David Francouer, where we leaned into a whimsical, metaphor-rich format to explore one of the biggest threats in Microsoft 365 today: oversharing.

With Copilot and other AI tools amplifying access to organizational content, the risks of accidental exposure are higher than ever. This session spotlighted real-world scenarios where loose governance led to unintended consequences—and what we can do about it.

We walked through:

• How Copilot surfaces data (the good, the bad, and the risky)
• Why permissions hygiene isn’t optional anymore
• The value of regular audits and lifecycle management for Teams and SharePoint

The circus theme kept things light, but the message was clear: Without guardrails, your digital tent might just collapse.

Didn't make it to the M365 Community Conference, or want to find out about anything you might have missed? Join our event wrap-up webinar, and catch all the must-know moments!

Staying Ahead: Strategies for Managing Microsoft 365 Updates

In my second session, I took a more tactical (and galactic!) approach with “Staying Ahead: Practical Strategies for Managing Microsoft 365 Updates.”

Using a Star Wars-inspired theme, I broke down how to:

• Track and interpret Microsoft 365 roadmap and message center updates
• Build internal readiness strategies
• Align update planning with business objectives (not just IT goals)

We also explored update case studies from Teams, SharePoint, Exchange, Copilot, and Power Automate. My goal? Help admins and IT pros move from reactive panic to proactive readiness.

Because in a galaxy of constant updates, your strategy is your only hope.

Orchestry at the Conference: More Than Just a Booth

As a Platinum sponsor, Orchestry showed up strong at booth #323. I loved seeing so many of you stop by our booth for:

• Ask Me Anything sessions with fellow MVPs like Derek Cash-Peterson, David Bowman, Christian Buckley, and Stephanie Donahue
• In-depth conversations on Microsoft 365 governance and automation
• Hands-on demos of our latest features—especially Workspace Review, which automates workspace cleanup and keeps Teams and SharePoint environments tidy and compliant

We also hosted a killer after-hours mixer on May 5—connecting partners, customers, and new friends over food, drinks, and great conversations.

My Key Takeaways

After a whirlwind week, here’s what stuck with me:

• AI isn’t the future—it’s the now. Copilot was everywhere, but the sessions that stood out emphasized governance and intentional rollouts over hype.
• Admins are becoming strategists. IT pros aren’t just keeping the lights on—we’re guiding transformation. We need to understand change management as much as we understand PowerShell.
• Community is everything. I’m continually inspired by how generous and collaborative the M365 community is. Whether it’s an impromptu hallway chat or a packed session room, this community thrives on shared success.

If you missed the conference—or want to relive the highlights—join us for Orchestry’s recap webinar on May 15 where we’ll unpack top takeaways and what they mean for your M365 strategy.

Thanks to everyone who made the Microsoft 365 Community Conference so special. I’ll be unpacking insights (and glitter from the circus theme!) for weeks to come.