Microsoft Ignite is the New Name for TechEd

Well, it took a little longer than expected, but Microsoft today announced that its new unified enterprise-focused technology conference—i.e. the replacement for TechEd and several smaller shows—will be named Microsoft Ignite. Additionally, the software giant announced the dates for a few other 2015 shows, including Microsoft Build.

"Last July, we put the word out that Microsoft will host a unified enterprise technology conference in May," Microsoft corporate vice president Frank X. Shaw notes in a post to The Official Microsoft Blog. "We told you it will bring together the best of previously individual events–the Management Summit, the Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, Project, and TechEd conferences–and then take it to the next level, based on what our customers and partners have asked for. Now, we have more to share."

This new conference will be named Microsoft Ignite, which is a fine name. It will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago on May 4-8, 2015, and I can't wait to check it out.

But before that happens, there will be a few other major Microsoft conferences in 2015:

Convergence 2015. To be held in Atlanta, Georgia from March 16-19, this is "the place where business leaders gather to explore solutions."

Build. As usual, in San Francisco, this time from April 29-May 1, which is right before Ignite in a bit of bad timing. Build is "where developers will hear the latest about our platform strategy, technologies and opportunities."

And then Ignite will be followed by:

Worldwide Partner Conference. Held in Orlando, Florida from July 12-16, for Microsoft's "enormous partner community." I went to WPC this past year, as you may recall, and was blown away by the scope and enormity of it.

If you are interested in Ignite, you can register for the show now: Head on over to the new Microsoft Ignite web site and sign up!

See you in Chicago. And in San Francisco. Oh, and Orlando. And what the heck, maybe Atlanta too. :)