Three years ago, a simple but powerful idea came to life: make it easier for people to find, attend, and contribute to local tech events. Community Days was born out of the belief that technology communities thrive when people connect face to face, share knowledge freely, and grow together.

It is a platform that unites speakers, organizers, and attendees across the world. From small local gatherings to major regional events, it celebrates community-driven learning powered by passion, not profit.

But this post is not about that story. If you want, you can (and you should) read all about it on their page. This post is a love letter to the exact thing that empowered me to become who I am today. Just be warned: it’s full of feels (but you should know that about me by now).

How Community Days helped me find my voice

While I wrote before about how the M365 community literally saved my life and gave me a new purpose, Community Days was the website that allowed me to amplify that voice. It became my one-stop shop for discovering events happening across the M365 ecosystem.

When the site launched, I had already spoken at my first event ever, Microsoft Cloud Events Monterrey 2022. But through Community Days, I found out about the event I ended up speaking at shortly after: Mexico City, which also happened to be the first Community Days branded event ever. Also, holy smokes, imagine my dismay when I saw the screenshot of that event appear in Jeff Teper’s announcement at Microsoft Ignite!

Where new voices rise

Just like me, so many other first-time speakers and now longtime friends (well, for me three years or less, right?) have found their voice through Community Days. Speaking at a tech event among so many behemoths in the field was not something I ever thought would be achievable. What was once perceived as an unbreakable ceiling slowly became real as new voices were given space.

As the months went by, so many fresh perspectives and unique experiences have now become part of this amazing patchwork quilt that makes our community so special.

The people who make it possible

Like everything in this community, nothing is ever built alone. Success is always the result of many people coming together to create something meaningful.

Still, it would be silly not to acknowledge the hard work of Tom Daly, also someone I’ve grown to love in this community. We see things differently sometimes, but that’s part of what makes our friendship real. Without him, none of this would have happened, and I would likely still be sitting in the back of the room like I once was.

Speaking of moving to the front of the room, as of this post, I am ranked 36th among 2,575 community speakers worldwide of all time (emphasis on community). That number feels absolutely unreal, and it would never have been possible without Community Days. Think you can beat me? Sign up to speak at an event yourself as well!

What makes Community Days different

I know what you are thinking. These are not all the events in the Microsoft community. And you are right. But thats why I just emphasized community. There are incredible events out there with absolutely legendary speakers. Or at least much better than me (though not for long).

The difference is that Community Days gives just as much visibility to local community events. These are the heart and soul of the ecosystem. Everyone speaking at these events is a professional like me, donating their time and energy to democratize knowledge and share what they know with others.

It is also the place to discover upcoming events near you or share the ones you organize. It’s how you can explore new cities, connect with new audiences, and meet even more incredible members of this community.

None of us get paid for this. We do it because we care deeply about helping others grow. And Community Days puts all of us together.

Another huge benefit, especially for those of us on a budget, is that you can attend these events for little to no cost and still catch the exact same sessions speakers deliver at paid conferences that cost thousands of dollars.

On top of all that, events typically raise money for a good cause. Just like this weekend, Experts Live US raised money for Stem Kids NYC.

The passion behind the events

The effort that goes into these events is often misunderstood. To some, it may sound like a hobby, but it is far from that. These gatherings are fueled by passion for technology, creativity, and connection.

The volunteers, oh boy, the volunteers. They are the heartbeat of every single event. From setting up chairs to designing graphics to running check-in tables, they do it all with smiles on their faces and zero expectation of recognition. And let’s not forget everyone in the local towns who chip in to make these gatherings possible. Their effort, energy, and kindness are what keep this community running strong.

As a presenter, there is nothing more gratifying than sharing what you know and hearing someone say that it helped them in their daily work. Or when someone tells you that your session inspired them to choose or change their career path. I also want to try other roles in future events, because everyone is always so kind and supportive. That sense of purpose and connection is the real reward that keeps us going.

Then there is all the interactions at the pre-event speaker and volunteers dinner where we all get to connect and get to know each other prior to working together sometimes for over eight whole hours without a break!

There is nothing more gratifying than showcasing what you know and hearing someone say that what you shared helped them in their daily work. That is the reward that keeps us going.

What I give and what I gain

I know it sounds wild that I am constantly traveling and putting so much effort into this, but what I gain back is far greater than what I put in. Event after event, session after session, everyone’s knowledge expands, including mine.

Little by little, my presentation skills improve, my confidence grows, and I now have the kind of self-assurance that younger me could only dream about. That is probably the worst nightmare for some of my past managers, because confidence and community together are unstoppable.

The journey continues

To wrap things up, I still have a long way to go on this journey, and I am here for it. And without Community Days, none of this would have become a reality. It gave me a platform to grow, the confidence to speak, and the community that continues to push me forward. I know others feel the same way.

Happy anniversary, Community Days! Here’s to many more years of connection, collaboration, and community. 🥂