FAQ for MOA

MMS offers deep technical sessions on systems management and automation. MMS has over 100 sessions focused on ConfigMgr, Intune, Azure, Provisioning, PowerShell, and more, featuring world-class presenters from around the world. In addition to sessions, you will also have the opportunity to have in-depth Q&A sessions with presenters. And probably more important than everything else is the opportunity to network with your peers—this is something that is nearly impossible at large conferences. Network with peers, share war stories, brain storm, and share best practices.

MMS was created to help foster the community that is lost in larger conferences. We want you to get to know people, share ideas, and not get lost in the crowd. No wallflowers! We want you to have time to ask questions at the end of a session, as well as participate in several Nerds of a Feather sessions.

Our smaller road edition conferences are generally around 300 or so attendees. We hold these smaller conferences when the main conference sells out.

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No. We encourage you to attend the sessions and engage with presenters and attendees during the summit to maximize your summit experience.  We discourage sitting with your laptop open to work (sure if you get some emergency go ahead), but instead want you engaged with the speaker. We're small enough that you can often call out for a quick clarification. No recording of any sessions with your phones (or any other recording device)!

No. Serving overpriced convention food with limited choices just doesn't make sense when the Mall of America is there with over 50 restaurants and a food court. The Radisson Blu has the FireLake restaurant which is super close. This helps keep our costs down, gives you more variety, and the opportunity to have side discussions with vendors, teammates, new friends, etc.

Registration will include access the welcome reception, to all sessions, to the vendor expo, and to a limitless amount of conversations with your peers - this one is priceless. Hotel bundle packages obviously include the hotel stay as well. Note that with MOA offering 50+ restaurants and food court, we don't serve meals. We offer coffee and snacks during the day as well as beer and wine for the "beer sessions" each evening.

No. As mentioned previously, a significant value from MMS can be obtained just by being here and engaging with your peers. There is no online alternative to the opportunity to discuss your challenges, as well as meet people face to face.

…And you won’t see a keynote session here. Catch the Microsoft keynotes for Ignite and other conferences on Microsoft Learn. MMS is at the 10 foot view, not that 1,000-foot view.

This is an annual award by Microsoft to recognize industry leaders in a specific Microsoft product – check out the MVP site.

A beer session, scheduled at day's end, is designed to be entertaining and interactive rather than content-heavy. We'll offer beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages before session start. These sessions offer a relaxing way to conclude the day while still providing valuable information. Note for 2024 at MOA: Sessions at 5pm will be designated as Happy Hour.

There is no formal closing party hosted by MMS (but there is a welcome reception Sunday evening). Keep an eye on twitter (#MMSMOA), as well as converse with attendees to find out where attendees (and staff) are congregating. Many sponsors throw some great parties too so be sure to visit their booth and ask!

Yes, but it can get saturated quickly if everyone opens their laptop/phone and starts working.  Try to limit your use for this reason alone. You or your company is paying for you to come learn, not logon and work!

Generally not. Be sure to charge your devices before the day starts.

Room size varies from 45 – 200 attendees, ensuring a community-feel for all.

That’s a great question! Let’s start by saying that the info you learn in sessions at MMS, is probably not in a book, in the Microsoft Official Curriculum, or in TechNet documentation. The intent of MMS is to provide training and knowledge share for IT pros who have already mastered the standard training channels. MMS will help take your skills to the next level.

If this conference is relevant to what you do for a living, then there is no reason you can't pay for this out of pocket. Registration with hotel, your meals, and your travel expenses can all be written off your taxes. Talk to your tax preparer or CPA for more information. Don't let that stop you from joining us!.

We cannot refund your registration cost after March 5th, 2024. As Eventzilla states, we have a 60-day policy. If you would like to send someone to fill your seat, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To cancel, click the button at the bottom of the registration page on Eventzilla that says "Contact the Organizer."

• Lyft\Uber have replaced the taxi lane at MSP. Pretty cheap.
• Hotel Shuttles are free to/from the airport:
  • Radisson Blu (5am-11pm daily), call +1 (952) 881-5258
  • Country Inn & Suites call +1 (952) 854-5555
• After 11pm there is a light rail train you can take to the mall - and after 2am, well just take a cab\Uber!

For parking at Radisson Blu (for overnight guests or daily) you have three options - please note, this is different than in 2019:

1. Complimentary Parking – Mall of America Ramps & Lots (OK for Day or Overnight Parking) - see attached map.
2. Self-Parking at Hotel Ramp - $20 per Day
3. Valet-Parking at Hotel - $15 for the Day (Non-Overnight); or $30 Overnight

Parking is free at Country Inn & Suites

Valet parking is available based upon availability at time of arrival for $28 for overnight.

Wi-Fi is free in the conference area for attendees. Wi-Fi is also free in the hotel for hotel guests. It would help everyone if you set your Windows updates to pause for the week.

Of course! We want to you extend and enjoy your stay in Minnesoootah!

Note: Going forward, all registrations are booked by YOU! If you buy a hotel bundle, you can use our code to book and days you like, but MMS pays only for the hotel bundled nights (Sun-Thu). Extra nights are charged to you.

It will be on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors of the Radisson Blu hotel.  Registration will be in the foyer in front of the Lakes ballrooms.

Unlike many other conferences, MMS will begin early on the first day, Monday May 5^th. Please try to arrive on Sunday, May 4^th so you can make the welcome reception at 5pm. Check Twitter (#MMSMOA) to find colleagues and connect the evening before the conference begins (you'll find many of us at FireLake). Also, sessions will run until 6:30pm on Thursday, May 8^th. The airport is only 5 miles from the conference center.

For 2025, we plan host the reception in all of the ballrooms again, each room offers a theme. We also plan to offer incentives for participation which start at the reception. Which room do you start with? Anywhere. Just wear your lanyard and badge and find speakers or others to chat with.

No, but be sure you have an account in sched.com that can access the scheduler site.

You can dress casual, but don't be a slob. Always best to dress for success!

The Radisson Blu has a nice restaurant, and there are more than 50 options to choose from at the Mall of Americas - it's just a short walk from the conference center to the mall via the enclosed sky bridge. MMS will have coffee & tea out in the morning. You'll see some snacks offered during the day.

Caribou has a couple of stores in the mall opening at 7:30am:

https://mallofamerica.com/directory/caribou-coffee-south3

https://mallofamerica.com/directory/caribou-coffee-north1

This isn't Vegas-style. You'll get there in a minute or two walk from the elevator bank. If you're staying across the street at the Country Inn & Suites, there is a skyway you can use to cross the street.

No. Check with your hotel to see if it can hold your bags on the day of checkout (if needed).

If you need an alternative method to pay, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Yes! Please call the Radisson Blu for specific questions: (952) 314-5116

Everyone involved with MMS wants to ensure this is a successful event. You will receive a survey to complete at the end of the summit. If you have something urgent, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

View our sponsors from our scheduling site. Visit them on the sky bridge from lunch time on Monday through Thursday. If you would like to sponsor, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you're worried about Covid, please just wait until next year to register.

Yes, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a link to our sponsor portal.

Probably. Send us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with information on how you would like to help.

Of course! The Radisson Blu and the Mall of America are very family friendly (check out the attractions at the Mall of America). However, only attendees with a badge will be permitted in the conference center.

Great question, and if you find the answer, please be sure to share it at the summit.