Ship with Confidence: Bulletproof Your Power Platform Apps with Automated UI Testing

Are you tired of the deployment-day dread? The endless manual clicking, the "it worked on my machine" mysteries, and the fear that a small change might break your entire application? It's time to break the cycle.

This session is your deep dive into building a rock-solid, automated testing culture for your Power Platform solutions. Forget theory—we're getting hands-on. In this demo-heavy session, we will transform a pipeline into a powerful, self-testing CI/CD machine. You'll see how to leverage the new open-source Playwright for Power Platform extension to create and run end-to-end UI tests that catch bugs before they reach your users. We'll cover everything from testing complex data creation in a Model-Driven App to validating user journeys on a Power Pages site, all using dynamically provisioned test users.

Leave this session with a production-ready blueprint to implement a `commit -> test -> deploy` workflow, complete with rich, actionable test reports directly within Azure DevOps. It's time to stop testing like it's 2015 and start shipping your Power Platform solutions with ultimate confidence.

Voices of Change: Real Stories of Mentorship in Action

Mentorship isn’t just a concept, it’s a catalyst for transformation.

In this interactive session, mentors and mentees from across the Microsoft Power Platform community share personal stories of growth, resilience, and connection.

But we’re not just here to talk at you: we want to hear from you.

Whether you’ve been a mentor, a mentee, or are just curious about the journey, come ready to contribute your own experiences, insights, and questions.

Together, we’ll explore how mentorship shapes careers, builds inclusive communities, and sparks real change.

Step Into the Spotlight – Your Speaker Journey Starts Here

Have you ever sat in the audience at a tech event thinking, “I wish I could be up there” but weren’t sure how to take that first step? Maybe you're unsure what you'd speak about, struggling to make your content engaging, or worried that you don’t have enough expertise to make an impact. Whether you have a personal story to share, a passion for accessibility, or insights into serious technical wizardry, this workshop is your launchpad.

Designed as a high-impact, one-day bootcamp, this session builds on the Mentoring Hub’s full six-week speaker development programme, created by seasoned community speakers. You’ll gain practical tools to kickstart or elevate your speaking journey; from crafting compelling content to confidently delivering it on stage. If you’ve already tried speaking but it didn’t go quite as you hoped, this is your chance to reset, refine your approach, and get the support you need to grow.

Led by experienced community speakers and supported by guest appearances from tech community superstars, this workshop offers:

- Real-world guidance on applying to speak at events, preparing your session, and learning from feedback.

- A supportive environment to explore your voice, your message, and your impact.

- Personal and professional growth, including increased confidence and stronger communication skills. These aren’t just valuable for speaking; they’ll help you lead meetings, deliver workshops, and negotiate more effectively in performance reviews or job interviews.

- Whether you're a first-time speaker or looking to refine your skills, this is your opportunity to step forward, be heard, and inspire others. Join us — and next time, we’ll be in the audience at your session.

Journeying from Client Side to Microsoft Partner: Barriers, Drivers, and Lessons for both sides

The journey from being on the Client Side across into Consultancy at a Microsoft Partner is a significant one.

It's also far more varied in the barriers to overcome than many see on the surface.

Especially when you're Women In Tech, who've already had successful first careers outside of the industry, looking to navigate what is seen as a male-dominated and highly-demanding landscape."

Join three women with very different back stories as they talk through their real-life experiences on:

• What were the obstacles slowing them down
• What drove them forward
• What were those first 3 / 6 / 12 months like

And provide advice on:

• What benefits career-changers and Client-Side specialists bring across with them
• What Partner organisations can do to best support such transitioners
• Whether this could be the right journey for you

Power Through the Overload: Building a Sustainable Career in Power Platform

Do you ever feel like you are struggling to keep up?

The rapid evolution of the Power Platform can lead to a flood of information, leaving even the most driven professionals feeling overwhelmed.

This session explores the practical strategies to prioritize learning, manage information overload, and focus on the skills that matter most. We'll share actionable advice on maintaining a balanced approach to career development whilst safeguarding personal wellbeing.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up sustainably, this session will equip you with the tools to thrive, not just survive.

Bass Drops & Burnouts: Surviving Technostress

Do you ever feel like you're struggling to keep up?

The rapid evolution of the Power Platform brings endless updates, new features, and a flood of information leaving even the most driven professionals feeling overwhelmed.

Technostress is real, and it’s quietly burning out consultants, developers, and makers across the ecosystem.

But what if we could face it head-on with glow sticks in hand and bass in our bones?

This high-energy, music-infused session explores the causes and consequences of technostress in the Power Platform world. Through interactive storytelling, bass drops, and a little bit of science, we’ll unpack how to spot the signs, take control, and turn digital pressure into personal power.

You’ll learn:

• What technostress is and how impacts us

• What triggers technostress and how to recognise it early

• Practical strategies to prioritise learning, manage overload, and protect your wellbeing

• How to build a sustainable, balanced approach to career growth

Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up without burning out, come rave your way to resilience and leave with tools to thrive, not just survive.

This is a joint session with Lynsey Winchurch & Keith Atherton

Beyond the Bot: Human Consultancy Skills That AI Can’t Touch

In a world where AI can build apps, write code, and automate workflows faster than ever, what’s left for us humans? Plenty…and it’s the stuff that truly matters!

Join us as we dive into the irreplaceable consultancy skills that set great Power Platform consultants up for success. We’ll explore the art of human connection, active listening, empathy, stakeholder wrangling, and the kind of strategic thinking that no algorithm can replicate.

This isn’t about resisting AI, it’s about embracing what makes us uniquely valuable alongside it.

This session will leave you with:
• A fresh perspective on your role in an AI-augmented world
• Real-world examples of human-first consulting wins
• Practical tips to sharpen your emotional intelligence and client rapport
• A renewed sense of purpose in your career

Expect laughs, lightbulb moments, and maybe a few existential questions - but mostly, expect to walk away inspired and ready to lead with the one thing AI will never have: your humanity.

This is a joint session with Lynsey Winchurch

From End User to Consultant: The Real Journey Behind the Transition

Are you an end user thinking about making the leap into consultancy? Or a Partner curious about the real barriers that end users face when considering the jump?

We’ve made this journey ourselves and now work in D365 & Power Platform teams alongside many others who’ve done the same. In this interactive session, we’ll share the real truths, bust some myths, and talk candidly about what it’s really like to move from client-side roles into consultancy within Microsoft Partner organisations.

We’ll explore:
• What stopped us from making the jump and what pushed us to finally do it
• What those first few weeks, months, and milestones looked like
• How to know if consultancy is the right path for you
• What unique value career-changers and client-side specialists bring to Partner organisations
• How Partners can better support transitioners, especially women and those from non-traditional backgrounds

Expect honest stories, practical advice, and plenty of opportunities to interact. Whether you're considering the move yourself or supporting someone who is, this session is designed to help you understand the journey from all angles.

This is a joint session deleivered with Lynsey Winchurch

Access All Areas: Building Inclusive Content, Apps & Culture

Accessibility isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a mindset, a movement, and a must-have for every Power Platform consultant. From the apps we build to the slides we present, the emails we send to the meetings we host, every interaction is an opportunity to include… or unintentionally exclude. And the difference often comes down to simple, powerful choices.

In this totally accessible session, we’ll explore how to embed accessibility into every layer of your work - not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes everything better for everyone. From low-code apps and websites to everyday content like PowerPoints, Word docs, and Teams meetings. You’ll learn how small changes can make a big impact, and how inclusive design benefits everyone, not just those with visible disabilities.

But we won’t stop at the tech. We’ll also dive into the power of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs); why they matter, how they drive change, and how consultants can support or start one to amplify accessibility across their organization.

Perfect for consultants, creators, and anyone who wants to make their work more inclusive, this session will leave you with:

• Practical tips to make your decks, docs, sites, apps and meetings more accessible
• A toolkit of features hiding in plain sight across PowerPoint, Power Platform and Microsoft 365
• Real-world examples of accessibility wins (and misses) that changed user experiences
• Insight into how ERGs foster community, advocacy, and accountability for accessibility

Come for the tips, stay for the mindset shift. Because when accessibility becomes second nature, everyone wins.

This is a joint session with Lynsey Winchurch