Microsoft updates Build 2020 website with message about Coronavirus, continues to monitor situation

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Published onMarch 3, 2020

published onMarch 3, 2020

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Due to the spread of Novel Coronavirus, Microsoft has already canceledboth the MVP Summitand itsGDC briefingin favor of virtual events. Many have now been wondering if Build 2020, which is set for May 19-21 would be canceled, too.

Although an official decision has not been made yet on that front, the company recentlyupdated its Build 2020 webpagewith a message about Coronavirus, saying it will “monitor and make any necessary changes as the situation evolves.” Here’s the statement:

In light of the global health concerns due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Microsoft is monitoring public health guidance in relation to in-person events. At this time, global health authorities have not issued guidance to avoid travel to this location. We are looking carefully at our event calendar as well as our presence at industry events in the coming months. We are not taking decisions lightly, but the health and well-being of our employees, partners, customers and other guests remain our ultimate priority.

We will continue to monitor and make any necessary changes as the situation evolves.

March 2, 2020

Currently, Coronavirus is spreading across the Seattle area, andmany Microsoft watchers like Paul Thurrottare doubtful about the status of Build. However, as Microsoft states on the webpage, global health authorities have not yet issued guidance to avoid travel to Seattle, Washington. The company instead insists that it is “monitoring public health guidance in relation to in-person events” and is “looking carefully at [the] event calendar as well as [the] presence at industry events in the coming months.”

While it is still two months out, canceling Build could likely be a huge logistics nightmare for Microsoft. In the statement on the page, the Redmond giant insists it does not take decisions lightly, and wants to put the health and well-being of employees, partners, customers, and other guests first.

There’s been some talk of MVPs, especially if they can’t get refunds for their travel and accommodations, to head to Seattle/Redmond anyway. In areply to a tweetrelated to the MVP Summit, former Windows Insider chief Dona Sarkar said that people should not be planning to visit Microsoft’s campus, as the company will be locking down visitations with “tons of people working from home.”

Coronavirus is definitely shaking up the conference industry for sure, even outside of Microsoft. Google recentlyannouncedit would be re-imagining its Cloud Next ’20 conference as a free, global, digital-first, multi-day event. Adobealso cannedits annual summit in Las Vegas in favor of an online event. And, outside of the United States, Microsoftcanceled its Ignite Tourin Zurich.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Microsoft updates Build 2020 website with message about Coronavirus, continues to monitor situation#

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Microsoft updates Build 2020 website with message about Coronavirus, continues to monitor situation