Home Is Where the Community Is: West Michigan M365 Community Day
Feb 21, 2026
Coming home to the Mitten State just hits differently 🧤💙
I’m thrilled to be back in Michigan in Grand Rapids on March 19 for the second annual West Michigan M365 Community Day, supporting a community that knows how to show up, share generously, and build together.
As a Michigan original (both sides of my family are from here by way of Germany and Poland), this day is equal parts professional joy and personal pride.
Excited to hear my Microsoft colleague, Dan Costenaro from the Copilot Pages, Notebooks, and Loop team, talk about: From Chat to Outcomes: The All‑in‑One AI Advantage of the Microsoft 365 Copilot App (Live Demos)
In this session, he’ll walk through the latest end-to-end capabilities in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and show how they come together in real workflows. And demo how people move from chat to outcomes using built-in AI experiences across Search, Chat, Pages, Agents, and Notebooks, including fast ways to find the right content, turn conversations into durable artifacts, and collaborate with Copilot and teammates. Expect a demo-forward talk with practical guidance on how to use these capabilities effectively and what’s changed recently. 10:00 am - 10:55 am
I’ll be sharing: The Next Phase: Real‑World Impact & Smarter Decisions in the Age of Copilot. We’re beyond the moment of possibility—this is the era of action. As we embrace AI-first thinking, every organization has the opportunity to shift from incremental change to exponential impact. In this session, we’ll explore how to become a productivity changemaker with Microsoft’s AI-powered tools, including Microsoft 365 Copilot. I will highlight how a Humans-First in AI-Leadership philosophy can create clarity, confidence, and measurable value across your organization. 12:45 pm - 1:55 pm
I’ll also be hosting a Women in Tech & Allies panel with some incredible women for a candid, energizing conversation about community, allyship, and creating space for more voices to thrive. 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Panelists: Becca Harvey, Shae Jenson, and Betsy Weber
If you’re anywhere near West Michigan, come join us — bring your curiosity, your questions, and a friend or two. Let’s make it a day that feels unmistakably Michigan: welcoming, smart, and full of heart.
Thank you to the organizers: Ben Rupp, Dean Sternik, Steve Burggraaf, and Jimmi Costello.
You can read all about the event at the Communitydays.org listing. The event is free, and lunch will be served.
Community Days | West Michigan M365 Community Day
Grand Rapids Chamber, 250 Monroe Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Register here
Empathy makes us human; actions make us warriors.
I post about business stuff in a newsletter on Linkedin twice a month, sign up here for that one: Maven Musings.
Follow all of my social media work, travels, and writing at my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/heddamaven
This article was originally posted on Heddas Mix Tape.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.