Microsoft Corp. next spring will make Chicago the host city for a new week-long event that will showcase its products to technology professionals.
Microsoft Ignite is scheduled May 4-8 at McCormick Place. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made the announcement at the 1871 tech incubator Thursday with Julia White, general manager for Microsoft Office.
“Networking and having fun is a key part of any conference, and we know Chicago will not disappoint,” White said.
The event, targeted at Microsoft customers and potential customers, will include emphasis on cloud management, big data and analytics, productivity, mobile devices and operating systems. White said she expected more than 20,000 to attend.
A Microsoft spokesman said the conference would be an annual event but gave no details on future locations.
Also on hand Thursday was Choose Chicago CEO and president Don Welsh, who said the announcement was the culmination of a “10-year chase” to land Microsoft.
“This conference signifies that Chicago is becoming a tech center,” Emanuel said.