Impressions of the inaugural Biz Apps Partner Summit 2024

I recently attended the inaugural Biz Apps Partner Summit in Seattle, WA, organized by Dynamics Communities. The event drew over 300 attendees, including ISVs, VARs, and Microsoft representatives, for an intensive 24 hours of learning and premier networking. Due to its success, Dynamics Communities has decided to host the event again in July 2025. Registration has already opened, so be sure to take a look. Home - Biz Apps Partner Summit (summitna.com)

The event spanned two days in a spacious ballroom, with sessions mostly ranging from 30 to 45 minutes, resulting in a wealth of content being shared. Numerous supporting partners also participated, setting up their booths just outside the ballroom. The conference concept was very appealing and being in Seattle offered ample sightseeing opportunities. I'm definitely excited to attend in 2025 and explore the various sights I missed on this trip.



Here are my reflections on the two days.

Day 1

The initial day was packed with educational sessions led by various Microsoft employees, discussing everything from Copilot/AI to the intricacies of the Partner program. I felt a profound sense of imposter syndrome as I sat among highly seasoned professionals.

The panel discussion on Vision, Adaptation, and Scale in the Microsoft Partner Ecosystem was particularly impactful. Listening to the veterans of the VAR space was incredibly inspiring. I had the opportunity to talk with Greg Kaupp, the CEO of ArcherPoint, afterward and expressed how his path to success resonated with me.

Terry Petrzelka, Andy Kurtz, Greg Kaupp, John Scandar, and Tom Galambos

It's surprising that among the 300+ attendees, there were only four Microsoft MVPs present. I managed to assemble everyone for a group photo. Justin and Kelly focus on F&O/AI ERP, whereas Shawn and I focus on Business Central.

Justin Carter, Shawn Dorward, Kelly Gustafson, and Kristen Hosman 

Day 2

The second day kicked off with Microsoft sharing insights on partner initiatives and ways to expand your business. While some found this information thrilling, the real excitement began when we delved into specifics about Business Central and the SMB segment. 



Becky Lymberis
We heard from Becky Lymberis, the Director of Product Marketing at Microsoft. She revealed a remarkable statistic: Dynamics 365 Business Central has surpassed 40,000 cloud customers. This announcement was met with cheers, marking the first time in many years that Microsoft has disclosed customer numbers for Business Central. Her statement, "Business Central is on fire," was particularly thrilling for me, as it is the primary focus of my business Mount Evans Consulting.

In conclusion, I plan to return next year. Dynamics Communities hosted a greatly needed event for Microsoft Partners. I extend special thanks to John Siefert, CEO of Dynamics Communities, for engaging in an informal discussion 18 months ago with others, which brought this dream to fruition.





Afterwards...

I had the opportunity with some good friends to visit the Microsoft Visitor Center and Company store while in town. I have never been to the Redmond campus, so this was a very exciting trip for me. I felt like a kid in a candy store and made sure to buy some apparel.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
While in the visitor's center, Power BI was displayed on a Surface Hub 3 display, and we had some fun pulling up our website to take photos. 

Mount Evans Consulting on display with Power BI at the Microsoft visitor center

Definitely wouldn't have been a trip without a photo by the Microsoft sign out front. 

Kristen Hosman

I concluded the evening and the trip with a visit to my favorite winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Cheers from Chateau Ste Michelle

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Kristen Hosman is a Microsoft MVP in Denver. She works with Dynamics 365 Business Central and related technologies. You can also connect with her through this link: Kristen Hosman | Linktree

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