MMS 2025 at MOA: Full Schedule

Dates and times subject to change as demand requires. Repeat sessions coming soon as well to make choosing sessions easier. You can start to slot your sessions 4/4/25 at noon central.

1:00pm CDT

Whirlyball

Sunday May 4, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

TBA

We've booked space at Whirlyball on Sunday with no cost to you simply to help you to start networking before MMS starts. You can play Whirlyball or Laser Tag. Just head over there with your badge. See the map - it's out the back door of the mall. 12pm-4pm. You'll be asked to sign a waiver when you arrive.

Sunday May 4, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
TBA

Happy Hour

5:00pm CDT

Welcome Reception

Sunday May 4, 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm CDT

Lakes CD

The welcome reception is spread across all the rooms. This setup invites you to wander, familiarize yourself with the layout, network, enjoy some appetizers, and find a beverage of your choice to accompany your snacks (yes, this includes beer, but also wine, soda, and non-alcoholic options).

Each room features a unique theme. We encourage you to visit each one to receive a stamp on a passport we'll provide. Once your passport is fully stamped, you can exchange it for a free drink coin.

The layout:

Lakes Foyer – Bar and Heavy Food
Lakes A – Steve Jesok's Band "The Mystery Muffins"
Lakes B – 1E Welcome with Mobile Escape Room
Lakes CD – Head Shots (1pm-7pm all day and free!) + food stations
Harriett – MN Tasting Stations
Minnetonka Foyer – Bar
Minnetonka A – Big Brother Big Sister Prize Wheel & Getting Involved Tips
Minnetonka BC – Jazz Trio & Dessert Lounge + Coffee
Cedar – Oversized Games
Nokomis – MMS Video Montage

Sunday May 4, 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm CDT
Lakes CD

Happy Hour

5:00pm CDT

Building Your Own Cloud: A Guided Tour of Must-Have Home Lab Services

Monday May 5, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Lakes A

Description:
Expand your technical skills through a practical exploration of today’s most popular self-hosted/home lab services. Get started with homelab hardware and hypervisors, uncover must-have learning resources, and delve into open-source platforms such as media servers, monitoring tools, and cloud file sync solutions. Gain practical tips to replace paid services, boost privacy, and enhance your IT skillset.

What you will learn:

Understand the benefits and basics of homelabbing, including hardware choices and common OS/hypervisor setups.
Discover popular open-source solutions to replace paid services and increase privacy.
Learn to organize and automate your self-hosted environments, including best practices for monitoring and resource optimization.
Walk away with a curated list of resources, communities, and tips for continuous learning and experimentation in your home lab.

Speakers

Frank Lesniak

Sr. Cybersecurity & Enterprise Technology Architect, West Monroe

Frank Lesniak leads the Microsoft 365 consulting team at West Monroe, specializing in accelerated, secure corporate M&A (integrations and divestitures). By combining proven processes and purpose-built tools (using PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, and others), Frank and his team consistently... Read More →

Hosts

Blake Cherry

Cybersecurity & Enterprise Technology Principal, West Monroe

Blake is a Principal in West Monroe's Cybersecurity & Enterprise Technology practice, operating out of Chicago, IL. Known for accelerating the delivery of best practice infrastructure by leveraging infrastructure as code, his expertise lies in Azure, Terraform, PowerShell, Microsoft... Read More →

Monday May 5, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Lakes A

Happy Hour, Home Lab

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5:00pm CDT

Is the Grass Greener? Navigating IT Careers

Monday May 5, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Cedar

Description:
Compare the pros and cons of being an IT consultant versus an employee. Gain insights on starting as a consultant or advancing in your career through consulting or climbing the corporate ladder. Understand what employers seek, evaluate the value of IT certifications, and learn how to craft an effective resume. Engage in an open discussion on succeeding in today's IT job market.

What you will learn:

Understand what employers, recruiters, and managers prioritize in candidates.
Learn whether IT certifications are worth pursuing for your career goals.
Discover strategies and best practices for finding and landing your next IT role.
Explore tips for crafting an impactful resume tailored to IT positions.

Speakers

Garth Jones

Blogger, Ask Garth

Garth Jones is Senior Architect of Endpoint Insight at Recast Software. Recast Software is a company that develops products to extend the value of Microsoft Endpoint Manager Configuration Manager (Current Branch) and Microsoft Intune. Garth started working with Systems Management... Read More →

Krystina Kyle

Microsoft MVP, Sr. Systems Administrator, WinAdmins

Monday May 5, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Cedar

Happy Hour, Consulting vs. Employment

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5:00pm CDT

Public Speaking Essentials: Start Your Journey

Monday May 5, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Lakes CD

Description:
Overcome the fear of public speaking and build your confidence. Learn how to craft an engaging session abstract and create an impactful presentation deck. Gain valuable tips on effective speaking behaviors and common pitfalls to avoid, setting you on the path to becoming a proficient speaker.

What you will learn:

How to write a compelling session abstract.
Techniques for creating an effective presentation deck.
Essential speaking tips and behaviors to adopt.
Common pitfalls in public speaking to avoid.

Speakers

Donnie Taylor

Microsoft MVP, Architect, GM

With over 20 years in IT, Donnie stands out as a seasoned IT Architect and leader. He's helmed multiple Systems Management user groups and has an impressive record of over 400 speaking engagements. Notably, he's been honored as a Microsoft MVP for Cloud and Datacenter Management for... Read More →

Scott Corio

Microsoft MVP, Enterprise Cloud Architect, MMS Staff

Boasting over 20 years in IT, Scott is not only an esteemed Enterprise Cloud Architect for a major healthcare giant, but he's also a distinguished dual-award Microsoft MVP in Cloud & Datacenter Management and Enterprise Mobility. With a diverse portfolio spanning healthcare, non-profit... Read More →

Adam Gross

Microsoft MVP, Co-Host of Intune.Training, A Square Dozen

Adam Gross is a Microsoft Intune and Windows 365 MVP and End User Computing Manager at Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. in The Woodlands, TX where he shares management duties for a ConfigMgr and Intune infrastructure which supports ~9000 clients. He’s also a consultant for System... Read More →

Monday May 5, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Lakes CD

Happy Hour, Skills Development

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5:00pm CDT

Self-Hosted Superheroes: Unlocking Your Home Lab's Potential

Monday May 5, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Lakes B

Description:
Transform your home lab with innovative self-hosted solutions. Discover practical ideas for hosting, avoid common setup pitfalls, and see a quick demo of effective tools in action. Perfect for those considering an Intel NUC or looking to maximize their current setup.

What you will learn:

Worthwhile self-hosted solutions to enhance functionality.
Methods to securely expose solutions to the web.
Efficient deployment and management using Docker.
Insights into real-world applications and demos.

Speakers

Nathan Ziehnert

Microsoft MVP, Software Engineer, HP

I work on secret stuff. Or maybe not so secret stuff. I'm in research and development. I don't know anymore, so I just call it all secret. I dig Windows systems from consumer to enterprise, I'm in an eternal love affair with PowerShell and C#, and I also like to play in Azure. I have... Read More →

Andrew Johnson

Solutions Architect

Andrew has served in various technical and leadership roles in IT over 15 years, spending most of his time in higher education. He's always looking for new ways to perform tasks more efficiently and share knowledge with others. When he is not working with IT - professionally or in... Read More →

Monday May 5, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Lakes B

Happy Hour, Self-Hosting

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Building a Cyber Range for Enhanced Security Skills

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Lakes A

Description:
Learn to build a cyber range—a hands-on lab for testing and improving cybersecurity skills. Set up an effective lab environment, craft realistic scenarios, and use scripting to simulate attacks. Identify Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) and implement changes to strengthen defenses. Gain practical insights from real-world customer attacks to enhance your team's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.

What you will learn:

Design and build an effective home lab environment.
Source realistic attack scenarios and scripting techniques.
Identify IoCs and understand incident impact.
Apply lab insights to bolster your production security posture.

Speakers

Ben Dumke

Systems and Network Manager, Lawrence University

Ben Dumke spent 23 years supporting technology in a K-12 environment. He finally graduated and is now the Systems and Network Manager for Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. Working in education requires wearing many hats and Ben has supported desktops, servers, SCCM, Exchange, Group... Read More →

Mikael Nystrom

Microsoft MVP, Geek, Truesec

I am veteran of the industry and I can honestly tell you that I am not your regular consultant. I change wrong into right and explain the “why” behind it to make sure that you, my client, understands, trust, and buys-in to the path that we continue on. As a long time Microsoft... Read More →

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Lakes A

Happy Hour, Training

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Future-Proof Your Career: Azure Certifications and Applied Skills Playbook

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Harriet

Description:
Staying ahead in today's dynamic tech landscape is imperative. This roadmap through the Azure Certifications and Applied Skills ecosystem aligns credentials with career goals, navigates learning resources, and provides strategies for exam success. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to confidently pursue Azure Credentials and elevate their cloud careers.

What you will learn:

Understand the transformative value of Azure Certifications and Applied Skills for career growth and gain clarity to start or advance your credentialing journey.
Receive a clear roadmap through the Azure Certifications ecosystem, covering Fundamentals to Role-Based, Specialty, Associate, and Expert levels.
Identify impactful credentials aligned with career goals while learning to navigate resources and strategies for exam success.
Develop a personalized action plan to approach Azure Certifications with confidence and clarity.

Speakers

Harjit Dhaliwal

Senior Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft

Harjit Dhaliwal is a Senior Product Marketing Manager for Cloud Endpoints at Microsoft. Previously, he was a Customer Engineer at Microsoft where he focused on Modern Management solutions in the Microsoft 365 space to advocate and empower every person and company to achieve more... Read More →

Sucheta Gawade

Manager, Client Infrastructure Design, Quorum Healthcare Corporation

I'm a Microsoft MVP in Azure and Security (Intune), and have over seventeen years of enterprise IT experience in large, global environments. I work as the Manager of an Endpoint Engineering team in a leading healthcare organization in the US, focusing on Modern Management, Enterprise... Read More →

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Harriet

Happy Hour, Career Development

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Home Assistant: The Presence Experiment

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Lakes B

Description:
Compare various presence detection techniques and their applications. Gain insights into new features added since last year, enhancing your Home Assistant experience.

What you will learn:

Different techniques for detecting presence.
New insights on utilizing these techniques effectively.
Latest features and improvements in Home Assistant.
Practical applications for real-world scenarios.

Speakers

Tom Degreef

Senior Consultant, OSCC

Tom has been a Configmgr consultant for several years and has been a Microsoft Support Escalation Engineer for over 2 years. Tom became an independent Configmgr Consultant again and delivers consultancy for just about anything that is EMS or Systems Management related. The focus has... Read More →

Matt Zaske

Developer/Fleet Admin, University of Minnesota

I have over 25 years of broad IT experience including fleet/desktop endpoint management, server administration (Linux and Windows), and applications architecture and development. Theatre nerd and participant, mustache aficionado, storyteller, technology grief counselor, governance/process... Read More →

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Lakes B

Happy Hour, Presence Detection

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Intune Training Live

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Lakes CD

Description:
Witness live discussions with Steve and Adam as they tackle your toughest Intune questions. Gain insights into best practices and discover practical tips and tricks to enhance your Intune experience.

What you will learn:

Learn how to implement advanced features in Intune.
Discover essential tips and tricks for effective Intune usage.
Get valuable insights from seasoned Intune experts.
Engage in QandA to resolve your Intune challenges.

Speakers

Steven Hosking

Windows Commercial CAT, Microsoft

With 20 years of experience in end use compute management, across internal, consultant, and now Vendor, Steven can provide a unique point of view. He is also one of the founding members of the highly popular Intune.training series.

Adam Gross

Microsoft MVP, Co-Host of Intune.Training, A Square Dozen

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Lakes CD

Happy Hour, Training

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Mastering The Red Dragon Inn

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Cedar

Description:
Master the art of staying sober, outwitting friends, and safeguarding your gold in The Red Dragon Inn. Learn strategies to navigate this beloved card game, where fantasy characters come to life in a battle of wits and cunning. Expect laughter, strategy, and the thrill of competition.

What you will learn:

Experience the joy and competitive spirit of The Red Dragon Inn.
Gain insight into your friends' strategic minds and moral flexibility.
Understand the importance of Pooky's favor in your quest for tavern supremacy.
Learn effective strategies to win while keeping your gold safe.

Hosts

Damien Solodow

IT Senior Systems Engineer, Gaylor Electric, Inc.

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Cedar

Happy Hour, Strategies

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Tales from the Trenches: A Community Complaint Department

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Minnetonka A

Description:
Share your horror stories from the field, whether it's encountering a disaster recovery nightmare or discovering a networked XP machine on a factory floor. Engage with an audience that encourages storytelling, networking, and exploring the possibility of public speaking at technical conferences.

What you will learn:

Build comfort being on-stage and telling stories
Create a network of peers to share experiences with during the conference
Evaluate if speaking at a technical conference aligns with your goals
Gain insights from real-world IT challenges shared by peers

Speakers

Krystina Kyle

Microsoft MVP, Sr. Systems Administrator, WinAdmins

Chris Cavazos

Principal Consultant/Practice Technical Lead, Quisitive

Principal Consultant at Quisitive, with over 20 years experience in IT. Areas of expertise include systems management (Config. Man., Intune), Windows and Windows migration, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Defender Suite, Windows 365 and on-prem/cloud infrastructure.

Tuesday May 6, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Minnetonka A

Happy Hour, Networking

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Building Your Brand: Strategies for Internal and External Success

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Lakes A

Description:
Building a strong personal brand is essential for career growth and market relevance. Effective strategies for enhancing your brand within your organization and in the broader market will be discussed. Learn the do's and don'ts of personal branding, including leveraging social media, taking on stretch assignments, and gaining visibility with leadership.

What you will learn:

Effective Use of Social Media: Learn how to leverage social media platforms to enhance your personal brand without falling into common pitfalls.
Internal Growth Opportunities: Discover the importance of taking on stretch assignments and how to gain visibility with leadership to advance your career.
Maintaining Relevance: Understand the strategies to stay relevant in your role and continuously add value to your organization.
Personal Branding Do's and Don'ts: Gain insights on common mistakes to avoid while building your brand.

Speakers

Scott Corio

Microsoft MVP, Enterprise Cloud Architect, MMS Staff

Chad Lich

Director Azure Infrastructure Specialist, Microsoft

Chad has over 30 years of industry experience across all verticals and technologies, don't even try to put baby in a corner! Strongest corners are Manufacturing, Retail, and Consumer Packaged Goods. With years of experience as a technologist and a BS in Information Management, an... Read More →

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Lakes A

Happy Hour, Branding

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Home Automation Tips and Tricks Showcase

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Lakes B

Description:
Ventured into home automation? Share your creations and discover innovative tips and hacks from fellow enthusiasts. Learn from quirky and practical automations to inspire your next project and enhance your own home setups.

What you will learn:

Discover innovative automations created by peers.
Share your own tips and tricks with the group.
Get inspired to try new automation tools.
Gather ideas to enhance your home automation projects.

Speakers

Tom Degreef

Senior Consultant, OSCC

Matt Zaske

Developer/Fleet Admin, University of Minnesota

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Lakes B

Happy Hour, Home Tech

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Office Hours LIVE: Community Updates and Q and A

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Lakes CD

Description:
Get the latest industry updates and engage in Q and A and roundtable discussions on Windows deployment, MDT, ConfigMgr, and Intune. Submit your questions for our special guests to address, providing a unique opportunity to learn and connect with the community.

What you will learn:

Latest industry updates on Windows deployment and management.
Opportunity to submit questions and receive expert answers.
Insights from special guests at the conference.
Networking opportunities with peers and industry leaders.

Speakers

Johan Arwidmark

Microsoft MVP, Technical Fellow, 2Pint Software / Mirolus

Johan Arwidmark is a Technical Fellow at the ViaMonstra Online Academy. He is a consultant, author and all-around geek specializing in Systems Management and Enterprise Windows Deployment Solutions. In addition to his consulting role, Johan present trainings and speaks at several... Read More →

Andrew Johnson

Solutions Architect

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Lakes CD

Happy Hour, Interactive

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5:00pm CDT

Stump the Expert: A Challenge of Knowledge

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Minnetonka BC

Description:
Contestants take the stage to demonstrate their expertise on randomly selected topics. As the wheel spins, participants describe topics they may not know, while judges buzz if the explanation falters. The last contestant standing wins. A fun and engaging way to test knowledge and quick thinking.

What you will learn:

A fun way to test your expertise
Quickly learn new topics in an engaging format
Discover if you have what it takes to be a consultant
Network with peers in a competitive environment

Speakers

Steven Hosking

Windows Commercial CAT, Microsoft

Adam Gross

Microsoft MVP, Co-Host of Intune.Training, A Square Dozen

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Minnetonka BC

Happy Hour, Interactive

format csv

5:00pm CDT

Think Like a Consultant: Elevate Your IT Career

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Cedar

Description:
Adopt a consultant's mindset to excel in your IT career. Gain insights on becoming a trusted advisor within your organization. Enhance skills, engage with the IT community, and communicate effectively to drive impactful change. Learn strategies to position yourself as a valuable consultant and advance your career.

What you will learn:

Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and trends.
Community Engagement: Build a strong professional network.
Effective Communication: Articulate ideas clearly and confidently.
Consultative Approach: Provide strategic recommendations and drive success.

Speakers

Sean Bulger

Cloud Endpoint Technical Specialist, Microsoft

Sean is a Cloud Endpoint Technical Specialist at Microsoft. Prior to joining Microsoft, he was a consulting engineer at a large partner and an Enterprise Mobility MVP. Sean credits the community for empowering him to grow personally and professionally and seeks to encourage others... Read More →

Chris Cavazos

Principal Consultant/Practice Technical Lead, Quisitive

Wednesday May 7, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Cedar

Happy Hour, Consulting Skills

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5:00pm CDT

PowerShell Meets Wall Street: Automating Stock Trading

Thursday May 8, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Minnetonka A

Description:
Automate stock trading with PowerShell. Demystify algorithmic trading and learn how PowerShell can automate trading tasks, connect with APIs, and handle data. Set up a development environment, fetch real-time stock data, and implement a simple strategy like a moving average crossover in a live demo. Ideal for intermediate PowerShell users seeking new challenges.

What you will learn:

Unlock the surprising power of PowerShell to automate stock trading tasks, fetching real-time market data using APIs and executing trades programmatically.
Implement a simple trading strategy like a moving average crossover to understand algorithmic trading and automate decision-making in PowerShell.
Gain practical insights into setting up a development environment for trading automation with PowerShell, including best practices for error handling and logging.
Experience a live demo running a trading script in real-time, gaining valuable lessons regardless of achieving (virtual) gains or encountering (hypothetical) losses.

Speakers

Frank Lesniak

Sr. Cybersecurity & Enterprise Technology Architect, West Monroe

Hosts

Blake Cherry

Cybersecurity & Enterprise Technology Principal, West Monroe

Thursday May 8, 2025 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Minnetonka A

Happy Hour, Financial Tech

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5:30pm CDT

Azure BeerOps: Leveraging Azure for Personal Projects

Thursday May 8, 2025 5:30pm - 6:55pm CDT

Minnetonka BC

Description:
Discover how to utilize Azure for non-work-related scenarios, including brewing beer and hardware experimentation. Learn about cost-effective services, innovative approaches, and tips for managing Azure expenses while having fun.

What you will learn:

Understand innovative uses of Azure for hobbies.
Explore ways to use Azure for personal projects.
Learn cost management strategies for non-work workloads.
Discover creative applications of Azure in leisure activities.

Speakers

Happy Hour, Personal Projects

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