Updated on 28 April 2015
Ticket punched! Lodging booked! Who’s with me!
While prepping for Microsoft Ignite in Chicago, I kept losing links that I frequented containing some really useful information. The list below is really for my benefit but hopefully you find it helpful too. If you have anything you want added, send me a comment. Thanks.
Microsoft Ignite Official Links
- Microsoft Ignite in Chicago Official Site | Twitter | Facebook | Yammer
- Microsoft Ignite MyIgnite and Schedule Builder
- Microsoft Ignite Forum (via Channel 9)
- Microsoft Ignite Countdown Show (via Channel 9; Hosted by Rick Claus and Joey Snow)
- Microsoft Ignite FAQ (Relevant answers for your questions about the event)
- Microsoft Ignite YouTube Channel
- Microsoft Ignite Attendee Celebration | Yammer Conversation (with Fall Out Boy in concert)
- Microsoft Ignite Event Sweepstakes | Yammer Conversation
- Microsoft Ignite Apps* (Since the OneNote is not available yet check the app for conference details including shuttle routes)
- Microsoft Ignite Guidebook via OneNote (Available 28 April)*
Activities and Networking
- Chicago White Sox Microsoft Ignite Ticket Offer (Hosted by the Chicago White Sox)
- Scheduled Maintenance at Microsoft Ignite (Sponsored by ENow)
- Event Zero Ignite 2015 Party (Meet The UC Architects)
- The 8th Annual UC Roundtable at Microsoft Ignite, Chicago! (Hosted by Jeff Guillet)
- Microsoft Ignite 2015: MCP Community Party Details*
- The Ultimate Microsoft Ignite Party List (via Vlad Catrinescu)
- 2nd Annual Petri.com / Thurrott.com Happy Hour at Microsoft Ignite
- Ignite After Hours (view list of hotels in this Ignite Yammer conversation–interactive map here and below. Also, Denise Begley provides details on specific offers at a few of the hotels)
Things To Do (Eat, Drink and Be Merry!)
- Things to Do in Chicago When At (Microsoft) Ignite (by John Cook)
- Attending Microsoft Ignite? A Local’s Guide to Chicago (by Mark Morowczynski)
- 6 places to eat and drink like a Local during Microsoft Ignite (by Andrew Clark)
- 23 Delicious Chicago Eats That Are Worth Every Penny (Eating on the Cheap)
- Choose Chicago and Microsoft Ignite (Show Your Badge to Score Big Deals)
- The Best Fried Chicken In Chicago (via Chicagoist)
- Chicago’s First Lady Cruises (The Official Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise)
- The 14 Best Hot Dogs In Chicago
- The Loop (via Choose Chicago)
- 23 Hidden Gems You Must Visit In Chicago
- Museums on Us (have to show Bank of America or Merrill Lynch card)
Lodging
- Need a Hotel for Ignite? Don’t Worry (by Scott Ladewig)
- Downtown Chicago area apartments (for $200 and less per night) during week of Microsoft Ignite (Airbnb)
First Time Attendees and Other Tips
- Great Tips for First-Time Attendees (Excellent info from the TechEd Countdown Show)
- Tips for Microsoft TechEd First Time Attendees (by Mike F Robbins)
- TechEd Tips for New Attendees (by Shane Werlinger)
- The One About Newbies (via TechEd Countdown Show)
- Tips for TechEd 2014 (or any tech conference)
- Getting the Most Out of Ignite the First Time and Every Time (via Channel 9)
- Tips for planning your Ignite experience from speaker Fabian Williams
- Check out some Ignite schedule building tricks
- My #MSIgnite 2015 (An example of taking conference notes on steroids by Webster)
Transportation
- Check the official Microsoft Ignite App for shuttle schedules (App available on 28 April)*
- Event Transportation (Shuttle service to/from McCormick Place via Ignite FAQ; Check back often)
- GO Airport Express (Shuttle service via airports); Most shuttles will cost over $25 for one-way service; and you may have to deal with traffic
- McCormick Place (Parking at conference center); Daily parking rates begins at $14 a day
- Chicago Transit Authority (via Subway, Bus, Train)
- CTA train fare from MDW and ORD to/from most downtown locations is about $2.25 each way
- 7-day CTA pass = $28; In my opinion, this is the best value for getting around Chicago if you are coming in early or staying late
- Infront Consulting is offering free bus rides fro Ignite attendees from O’Hare to McCormick Place on May 3, 4 (Yammer announcement | Follow on Twitter for info); SATURDAY SHUTTLE SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM INFRONT!
Be safe and have fun! I look forward to seeing you there!
P.S. Check back weekly as I will update as I can with new events and activities until 1 May 2015.
* Added on week of 27 April