Microsoft Global Community Initiative
general session resources
This page features the PowerPoint decks from our Monthly General Sessions and Event Training Sessions & Office Hours as well all MGCI Event Producer playbooks, checklists and templates. *Recordings and presentations are available in English only.
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Learn moreAbout the MGCI
Become a part of the Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI)! Membership gives you access to resources, events, and collaboration opportunities in the Microsoft Community.
Learn moreGeneral Sessions
Held the second Tuesday of the month at 8:00 AM PT and 5:00 PM PT and featuring guest speakers from our MGCI Board and Regional Leaders, Event Producers and sometimes Microsoft Product Teams. Hosted by Heather Cook, Principal PM and MGCI Microsoft Lead.
Download the invite series to your calendar:
8:00 AM Pacific
5:00 PM Pacific
Event Training & Office Hours
Held the fourth Thursday of the month at 8:00 AM PT and featuring how-tos, guidance, best practices and lessons learned. The sessions are hosted by our MGCI Board Members, Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver.
Download the invite series to your calendar:
8:00 AM Pacific
Helpful resources
| Year | Month | Topic | Speaker | Presentation | Recording |
| 2025 | June | Unconventional Ways to Promote Community Events | Tim Balk | Download presentation | Watch recording |
| 2025 | May | Microsoft for Non-Profits 101 | Matt Slaga | Download presentation | Watch recording |
| 2025 | April | How to Use Microsoft Loop for Content Creation and Event Production | Adam Salah | Download presentation | Watch recording |
| 2025 | March | Let’s Talk About Event Amplification | Pat McGown | Download presentation | Watch recording |
| 2025 | February | Let’s Talk About Event Automation | Michal Ziemba | Download presentation | Watch recording |
The Microsoft Global Community Initiative is built on the strength of local leaders who create meaningful, inclusive, and engaging experiences for their communities. This resource hub is designed especially for event producers, organizers, and community leads who are planning activities that bring people together to learn, connect, and grow with Microsoft technologies.
Here you’ll find the Event Producer Checklist—a step-by-step guide covering everything from event planning and promotion to execution and follow-up. Alongside it, you’ll gain access to ready-to-use templates and tools that simplify logistics, save time, and ensure a consistent, high-quality experience across events worldwide.
Whether you’re organizing your first gathering or scaling a recurring series, these resources are here to help you:
- Plan with confidence using proven frameworks and checklists.
- Streamline your work with adaptable templates for agendas, outreach, and communications.
- Elevate your impact by delivering professional, engaging events that strengthen your community.
Together, these resources empower you to focus less on administration and more on creating meaningful connections.
Event Producer Playbooks should be a list in alphabetical order by title of said document with the checklist at the top.
| Title | Abstract | Format | URL |
| Organizer checklist | Keep your event on track with a comprehensive organizer checklist. This guide helps you plan, manage, and execute every detail, ensuring nothing is overlooked from start to finish. | Word Document | Download |
| Email – Invitation to register | Discover how to craft an effective invitation email that drives event registration. This guide covers best practices for messaging, timing, and calls-to-action to maximize attendee engagement. | Word Document | Download |
| Email – Thank yous | Learn how to create thoughtful thank-you emails that strengthen relationships with attendees, speakers, and sponsors. This guide provides tips for timing, messaging, and personalization to leave a lasting positive impression. | Word Document | Download |
| Example Schedule | Explore an example schedule to help structure your event for maximum engagement and flow. This guide provides a clear framework for timing sessions, breaks, and activities, making planning easier and more effective. | Word Document | Download |
| How to create a sponsorship plan | Learn how to develop a sponsorship plan that attracts the right partners and supports your event goals. This guide outlines key strategies for identifying potential sponsors, defining benefits, and creating compelling proposals. | Word Document | Coming soon |
| How to obtain event insurance | Understand the essentials of obtaining event insurance to protect your gathering against unexpected risks. This guide explains the coverage types to consider and the steps to secure the right policy with confidence. Be sure to handle any legal questions with an attorney. | Word Document | Download |
| How to request catering quotes | Learn how to streamline your event planning by requesting clear and accurate catering quotes. This guide walks you through the key details to include, ensuring you receive comparable proposals that fit your budget and event needs. | Word Document | Coming soon |
| Inclusivity and accessibility checklist | This document provides inclusive presentation checklists for preparing accessible PowerPoint materials and delivering effective Teams presentations. It includes step-by-step guidance on tools like Accessibility Checker and Presenter Coach, along with links to additional Microsoft accessibility resources. | Word Document | Download |
| Overview deck template | This template is an event overview deck to capture all the information about your event for sharing with other organizers, sponsors and speakers. | PowerPoint Deck | Download |
