MVP Summit 2026: Key Insights and Highlights

The MVP Summit is an annual event where Microsoft MVPs from around the world gather to talk to Microsoft product teams. Learn about what is coming and mainly connecting with other MVPs. In 2026 my company Roostersync made it possible for me to attend the summit for the third time.

Check out my MVP Summit 2024 post for a recap of that edition.

Meeting people

For me the summit is all about meeting other MVPs and connecting with them. This year the pleasure started in the plane to Redmond, where I had the pleasure to sit next to a Partner Director Product Management in the Identity Team at Microsoft. We had a great conversation about identity stuff and the trip did not even start.

I met so many people at the summit we had great conversations about a lot I cannot share just yet. I also had the pleasure to meet some of the Microsoft employees that I have been talking to for years on the internet, but never met in person. It is great to put a face to the name and have a real conversation about the things we are working on.

Influencing products

One of the main reasons to attend the MVP Summit is to talk to Microsoft product teams and give them feedback on their products. At talks about Windows development the manager even remembered my question from the previous summit. I’ve seen a lot a things that are coming, but again I cannot share much about it just yet.

Impressive

The summit is always at the Microsoft campus in Redmond Washington. The campus is huge and we had good weather this year. So as being Dutch I just walked between the buildings and did not use the provided shuttle service. The also put up a big name wall with all the MVPs from around the world. It is very impressive to see your name on that wall between all those awesome people.

Also visiting the Microsoft Studios was very impressive, they apparently run an entire video production studio with a bunch off cool technology to produce product content. Using tech and green screens they don’t even have to go outside to shoot content.

Social stuff

Every summit there are also a lot of social events organized. Mixers, dinners, parties, you name it. Just hang around, have some snacks and drinks but most importantly talk to others.

The 26th of March was the start of the baseball season for the Seattle Mariners, we planned with a few MVPs to go to the game and boy what an event that was. Unfortunately the Mariners lost but we had a great time and it was a great experience to see a baseball game in the US.

Redmond and Bellevue

The campus is located in Redmond, and my hotel was in Bellevue, which is just 20 min driving to the campus. I might not even rent a car next year, since there now is a lighting rail from the Seattle Tacoma airport to Bellevue which stops directly in front of the Hilton in Bellevue. This lighting rail will also stop at the border of the Microsoft Campus.

I like Bellevue over Redmond because there is a bit more to do in the evening. But staying there with other people from the summit is more important then the location of the hotel. So if you are going to the summit next year, try to book a hotel with other MVPs, it is a great way to connect with others and have a great time together.

Conclusion

As a Dutch Microsoft MVP, I like to provide value by sharing my feedback even if it is critical. I hope they appreciate the sometimes harsh feedback and that it helps building better products. I also like to connect with other MVPs and share my knowledge and experience with them. The MVP Summit is a great opportunity to do both of these things and I am grateful that I can attend this event every year. I am already looking forward to the next edition and I hope to see you there, if we both renew in June!