Reflecting on Global Azure Portugal 2024

As the curtains draw on yet another Global Azure Portugal, it’s time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the collective achievements and milestones we’ve reached together. As both an organizer and a speaker, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the energy and passion of the local Azure and AI community.

From the bustling corridors filled with eager attendees to the engaging sessions buzzing with thought-provoking discussions, Global Azure Portugal was a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and innovation in shaping the future of cloud computing.

My Experience as a Speaker

As a speaker, I had the privilege of sharing insights and expertise on Azure Open AI during my session and moderating a panel discussion on AI’s transformative potential. The impact of these sessions was profound, sparking meaningful conversations, challenging perspectives, and empowering attendees to explore new frontiers in artificial intelligence.

The audience’s enthusiasm and curiosity reaffirmed the boundless possibilities that Azure technologies offer in driving innovation, solving complex challenges, and unlocking new opportunities across industries and domains. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, we explored AI’s practical applications, its ethical implications, and the role of collaboration in advancing responsible AI solutions.

Experience as an Organizer

Together with Pedro Sousa, I had the privilege of working with a dedicated group of speakers and volunteers who shared a common vision of delivering an exceptional conference experience. From meticulous planning and logistics to seamless execution and attendee engagement, every aspect of the conference was meticulously crafted to ensure maximum value and impact for participants and sponsors alike.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, who played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life. Their invaluable support and resources elevated the conference to new heights. Their commitment to excellence, innovation, and community empowerment was evident in every interaction, exhibition, and networking opportunity throughout the event.

Some conference highlights stand out:

Networking: We more than 180 individual participants, Global Azure Portugal provided a platform for attendees to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas with like-minded professionals and industry experts.

Sessions: From technical deep dives to strategic insights, the diverse range of sessions catered to attendees’ varying interests and expertise levels, empowering them to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence.

Community: The conference fostered knowledge sharing and skill development and strengthened the bonds within the Azure and AI community, paving the way for future collaborations and partnerships.

Looking Ahead

As we bid farewell to another successful edition of Global Azure Portugal, our journey is far from over. The momentum, energy, and passion ignited during this event will continue to propel us forward as we embark on new adventures at the Azure and AI User Group Portugal and explore new opportunities in the ever-evolving world of cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this conference – from our sponsors and speakers to our attendees and volunteers. Your support, dedication, and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind our shared journey.

Global Azure Portugal 2025 organization starts TODAY!

Until we meet again!

My Journey as an MCT Regional Lead for 2024

MCT Regional Lead 2024 Badge

With great excitement and honor, I share the news of being selected as the MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer) Regional Lead for 2024. Becoming an MCT Regional Lead has been challenging and rewarding, filled with countless hours of dedication to honing my skills and staying abreast of the latest technology. As I step into this new role, I look forward to contributing to the vibrant MCT community and fostering a collaborative learning environment. Having served as a Regional Lead since 2015, being selected for 1 more year represents a continued commitment to excellence and leadership within the MCT community.

The MCT Program:
The Microsoft Certified Trainer program is renowned for bringing together a community of passionate and knowledgeable professionals dedicated to enhancing technical skills and fostering learning experiences. Serving as an MCT Regional Lead provides an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the community’s future and contributing to fellow trainers’ success.

The New Badge:
One of the highlights of this year’s MCT program is the introduction of the new badge for MCT Regional Leads. This badge symbolizes expertise in Microsoft technologies and a commitment to leadership and community engagement. The badge serves as a visual representation of the dedication and passion that MCT Regional Leads bring to their roles, setting them apart as critical contributors to the success of the MCT community.

The Responsibilities:
As an MCT Regional Lead, I am committed to supporting and guiding trainers within my region, facilitating communication, and fostering a sense of camaraderie among MCTs. The responsibilities include organizing local events, providing mentorship, and ensuring the MCT community remains a dynamic hub for continuous learning and collaboration.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:
Collaboration has always been at the heart of the MCT community, and this year will be no different. I am eager to collaborate with other MCT Regional Leads, Microsoft, and the broader community to create meaningful initiatives and events. Together, we can empower trainers to stay at the forefront of technology and deliver top-notch learning experiences.

As I embark on this exciting journey as an MCT Regional Lead for 2024, I am grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead. The MCT community has been instrumental in my professional growth, and I am eager to give back by contributing to the success and development of fellow trainers. The new badge is not just a symbol; it represents a commitment to excellence, leadership, and a passion for continuous learning. Here’s to a year filled with collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the collective success of the MCT community!

Taking the Stage at Microsoft Ignite!

As the Microsoft world converges at the Microsoft Ignite conference, get ready to be captivated by the insights and expertise of the impressive speaker lineup. I will deliver a session about “Microsoft Certifications”.

If you’re in Seattle, join me this Wednesday, November 15, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM Pacific Standard Time. If you’re online, join us at https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/ee0c3cee-c72a-4ae3-adeb-83569526cd6f

 

Proctoring Lab experience

But this is not the only part I will be doing this year. I will also run two labs on Generative AI.

LAB: Implement a Generative AI Solution with Azure OpenAI Service

  • Wednesday, November 15 |1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Pacific Standard Time
  • Thursday, November 16 |2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Pacific Standard Time

 

Booth dual Presence: Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Learn Booth

But it doesn’t stop at the speaker’s podium. I will also share my expertise in the Azure and Microsoft Learn booths. This dual presence reinforces my commitment to the community by sharing my knowledge and hands-on engagement with the tech community.

At the Azure Booth, I will share real-world experiences, provide live demonstrations, and offer personalized advice on navigating the Azure ecosystem. From cloud infrastructure to AI solutions, attendees can expect to gain practical insights beyond the theoretical realm.

At the Microsoft Learn booth, I will interact with participants eager to explore the vast array of resources and educational opportunities offered by Microsoft Learn. I will serve as a source of inspiration for those embarking on their learning journeys.

 

Networking Opportunities:

Beyond the sessions and booths, I invite attendees to connect, share experiences, and foster meaningful relationships. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a novice in the tech industry, reach out to me, and let’s interact and enrich our Microsoft Ignite experience.

Next conferences I’m Speaking at!

2022 is getting to be a great year! Many unique consulting projects and great classes teach amazing Microsoft Azure, but all is not complete without contributing to the community. As in previous years, with Pedro Sousa, I have been leading the Azure User Group Portugal and doing monthly meetups. If you’re interested, you can check at https://www.meetup.com/azure-user-group-portugal/.

Until the end of the year, I’m speaking at 3 conferences:

  • European MCT Summit 2022
  • European Cloud Summit 2022
  • ESPC 2022

The MCT Summit had become kind of a tradition to attend. There are also versions in other locations like North America, Africa, Middle East, … It’s always amazing to review my MCT peers have great discussions and learn a lot! The European Cloud Summit goes to its second edition, and I believe it will become a reference in the Cloud computing area in Europe. It’s a great honor to speak and deliver a pre-day tutorial to their audience for the second time. ESPC used to be focused on SharePoint, but today, it’s so much more; it also includes Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and of course, Azure!

Here are some more details about the conference and I would love to say Hi to you if you’re around!

 

European MCT Summit 2022

Website: https://www.mctsummit.eu
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Date: 12 to 14 September 2022

Session 1: Lessons learned when teaching Azure with real-world implementations
Session 2: Creating classroom demo environments using Bicep and Azure Policy

 

European Cloud Summit 2022

Website: European Cloud Summit 2022
Location: Mainz, Germany
Date: 26 -28 September 2022

Tutorial: IaaS On Microsoft Azure PowerClass
Session: Building an Azure Adoption Strategy

 

ESPC 2022

Website: https://www.sharepointeurope.com/

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Date: 28 November – 01 December 2022

Session: I Find your Lack of Azure Governance Disturbing!

 

Hope to see you there!

Selected as a MCT Regional Lead for 2022-2023

 

I’m excited to share that Microsoft re-appointment me as a Microsoft MCT Regional Lead for 2022-2023. I’m a MCT Regional Lead since 2015 and Microsoft keeps trusting my advice by renewing me all these years. Couldn’t been prouder to help shape the program for the MCTs! The MCT Regional Lead program was created to identity community leaders to server as representatives in their regions. A Regional Lead acts has a point of contact between the local MCTs and Microsoft Learning.

Looking forward to work side-by-side with the MCT Program team and help shape the MCT program for the next years. Training is changing at a fast pace, ILT is no longer the king, micro-learning, Video-based Learning, … are all here and students no longer want to sit on a 5-day classes, but this is a topic for another post

Let’s help Microsoft Learning and MCTs to achieve more! Excited for the next 2 years!