Why Microsoft Took Conference Guests Camping

Bungee jumping, archery, and tug-of-war were some of the activities offered at the huge outdoor closing party for Microsoft Ignite.

Mitra Sorrells

October 6, 2016

More than 23,000 developers, customers, partners, and technology experts gathered in Atlanta September 26 to 30 for Microsoft Ignite—five days of keynotes, labs, meetups, breakout sessions, and celebrations. The final night of the conference was a huge party in Centennial Olympic Park dubbed “Camp Microsoft Ignite,” produced in partnership with Destination South. The three-hour event provided a mix of options to appeal to the large crowd, from adrenaline-fueled competitions to relaxing lounges and live music.

“We have folks that come from all over the world, and camping seemed like a theme that could resonate no matter where you came from," Vivian Eickhoff, senior event marketing manager at Microsoft. "We looked for things that everybody has had a chance to do when they were younger. Simple activities that anyone could do and that brought out the kid inside everyone."

To help guests navigate the large park, organizers divided the park into four zones—Alpine, Glamping, Lakeside, and Southwest—with about five to 12 activities in each along with live entertainment and food stations catered by Levy Restaurants.

Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park became "Camp Microsoft Ignite" for a party on the final night of the tech conference.

Photo: Courtesy of Microsoft

Organizers provided a variety of fun options, including live music, individual activities, and group competitions such as tug-of-war.

Photo: Becky Stein

Old-school games like foosball, pinball, ping-pong, and Pac-Man were a hit in the Arcade Tent.

Photo: Becky Stein

A trike relay also served as a fund-raiser: Microsoft donated $1 to the Atlanta chapter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for each lap completed at the party.

Photo: Becky Stein

Unusual activities such as Knockerball attracted crowds who cheered on the participants.

Photo: Courtesy of Microsoft

Each section of the park had camp-theme lounges with teepees in the Southwest area and hammocks in the Glamping section.

Photo: Courtesy of Microsoft

Portable fire pits and chairs placed around the park provided spots for guests to relax. While there were three stages with different types of musical entertainment, Eickhoff said the vastness of the park allowed them to create many quiet areas for guests to converse.

Photo: Courtesy of Microsoft

Organizers focused on providing activities that are typically found at a camp, such as archery and relay races.

Photo: Courtesy of Microsoft

In the Glamping area, guests could play a giant Jenga game while listening to a DJ.

Photo: Becky Stein

Eickhoff said the s'mores station was popular at the party. Other “camp fare” included Frito pie, turkey legs, burritos, and popsicles from King of Pops.

Photo: Courtesy of Microsoft