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Reflections from Seattle Tech Conference 2025: A Week of Innovation and Insights

  • Nextant
  • 17 minutes ago
  • 5 min read

Last week, the Nextant team had the opportunity to attend the Seattle Tech Conference 2025- an exciting convergence of technology leaders, practitioners, and innovators exploring the next wave of digital transformation. 


Over the course of five packed days, we dove deep into workshops, keynotes, and hands-on labs that sparked new ideas and validated the real-world direction of enterprise technology. 


Want to explore how these innovations can drive transformation in your business?  At Nextant, we’re already helping teams turn conference insights into real-world solutions. Let’s talk. 

 

 

Here are some of the moments and insights that stood out to our team: 


Day 1: Hands-On with Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio 

 

We kicked things off with a full-day workshop led by Prashant G Bhoyar, focused on integrating Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, and Copilot Studio with the Microsoft Power Platform. The session was hands-on and forward-looking, covering everything from authentication and multimodal copilots to autonomous agents and custom plugins. 

It was a powerful reminder that these technologies are no longer experimental. They’re here, now, and enterprise-ready. Our team walked away with concrete ideas on building scalable, intelligent agents grounded in secure architecture and ROI. 


Day 2: SharePoint Customization and Secure AI Governance 

 

We started the day with Andrew Connell exploring the full range of capabilities within SPFx (SharePoint Framework). From web parts to adaptive card extensions, the potential to extend and personalize SharePoint and Viva Connections is enormous—and highly relevant to the work we do, enabling personalized user experiences. 


In the afternoon, Mark Rackley and Antonio Maio tackled a fast-emerging challenge: the explosion of AI agents and the need for strong governance and security controls. Their session offered clarity on where agents are deployed, how to manage them, and how to balance innovation with compliance- an increasingly vital consideration for enterprise environments. 



Day 3: Driving Adoption and Building Smart Apps 

 

We began with TechCon 365 Keynote, where leaders such as Karuana Gatimu, Stephanie Horn, Kendra Springer, and Melissa Torres shared practical strategies to boost collaboration and productivity using Microsoft 365’s evolving ecosystem. Later, DataCon Keynote emphasized the critical role of data and AI in driving business innovation. Speakers like Shireesh Thota and Priya Sathy highlighted how organizations can unlock insights and enhance decision-making using Microsoft’s modern data platforms. 


We also attended Stephen Rose’s excellent session on the “10 Must-Dos for Copilot Adoption,” and a technical deep dive by Daniel Christian and Andrew Hess on using AI Builder in the Power Platform to create intelligent, scalable apps that solve real business problems. It was a day that reinforced this message: Successful AI adoption requires both the right tools and the right change management approach. 


 

Karuana Gatimu presents the keynote at the conference.  


Day 4: Power Platform Deep Dives and Microsoft Purview 

 

Day four included future-focused keynotes by Evan Lew and Srihari Srinivasa, which showcased the new capabilities of Power Platform and discussed how AI is transforming what we build, how we build, and how we govern. From Peter Carson’s comparison of Copilot Studio vs. Azure OpenAI to Scott Shearer’s technical walkthrough of Power Automate expressions, the day was rich with insights and hands-on techniques. 


Don Kirkham demonstrated how to take SharePoint Framework (SPFx) projects to the next level by connecting them to real-time data via REST APIs, PnPJs, and Microsoft Graph Toolkit. Later, Antonio Maio closed the day with actionable takeaways from real-world Microsoft Purview implementations, with essential guidance for organizations dealing with sensitive data and complex compliance requirements. Day 4 reinforced our belief that success in the AI era requires equal attention to security, compliance, and sustainable architecture. 


Day 5: Real-Time Intelligence with Microsoft Fabric 

 

The final day centered on Microsoft Fabric and the future of real-time intelligence. Christopher Schmidt walked us through streaming architecture with Fabric Real-Time Intelligence. Sessions on Fabric SQL, GraphQL APIs, and Python-based user functions by Sunitha Muthukrishna and Ed Lima highlighted just how quickly data application development is evolving.  


The closing session by Prashant Atri showcased a real-world retail analytics solution using Fabric RTI, Purview, and Azure OpenAI to analyze sentiment and surface insights in real time. The sessions made it clear: businesses that can act on data as it’s generated, not hours or days later, will lead in responsiveness, customer insight, and operational agility. 


 

Christopher Schmidt, Sunitha Muthukrishna, and Ed Lima giving insights into Fabric. 


Looking Ahead: Applying the Learnings 


This conference was more than just a collection of sessions-it was a glimpse into the future of intelligent systems, automation, and data-driven decision-making. The quality of speakers and the real-world applicability of content made it a truly energizing experience. 



 

Empowered teams don’t just execute-they innovate, adapt, and lead. 


It reinforced a critical truth: AI, automation, and data intelligence are no longer experimental add-ons; they’re core to digital strategy. And organizations that move fast, but responsibly, will be best positioned to lead. Thank you to the conference organizers, speakers, and the community for an unforgettable week of learning and inspiration. 


At Nextant, we’re already applying these learnings to help clients modernize how they work- from deploying secure Copilot solutions and building intelligent automations using Power Platform, to implementing analytics solutions with Microsoft Fabric and enabling customized user experiences with SharePoint Framework. If your team is exploring how to scale AI, automate intelligently, or make better use of your Microsoft ecosystem investments, we’d love to connect. Let’s build what's next, together.  


Conclusion 


The Seattle Tech Conference 2025 didn’t just showcase the future—it gave us a roadmap for building it. From real-time data intelligence with Microsoft Fabric to scalable AI adoption through Copilot and Power Platform, it’s clear that the most competitive organizations will be those that act with vision, speed, and responsibility. 



At Nextant, we are left inspired—not just by the tools, but by the possibilities they unlock for our clients. The era of intelligent systems is here, and we’re ready to help you lead in it. 


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 


1. What is Seattle TechCon 2025, and why was it important? 

Seattle TechCon 2025 brought together leading voices in enterprise technology, with a strong focus on AI, automation, Microsoft solutions, and digital transformation. It provided real-world insights into how companies are building intelligent, secure, and scalable systems. 


2. What were the key technologies discussed at the event? 

Some of the main technologies included: 

  • Microsoft Fabric 

  • Azure OpenAI 

  • Copilot Studio 

  • Power Platform 

  • SharePoint Framework (SPFx) 

  • Microsoft Purview: These tools are shaping how businesses gather insights, build apps, and automate processes. 


3. How is Nextant applying the learnings from the conference? 

Nextant is already integrating these technologies into client solutions by: 

  • Deploying secure Copilot implementations 

  • Building intelligent automations with the Power Platform 

  • Using Microsoft Fabric for real-time analytics 

  • Enhancing user experiences with SPFx customizations 

  • Ensuring compliance with Microsoft Purview 


4. What’s the biggest takeaway for businesses? 

AI, automation, and real-time data intelligence are no longer “emerging” trends; they are business imperatives. Companies that adopt these technologies strategically and securely will gain a major edge in productivity, innovation, and responsiveness. 


5. Can Nextant help our team adopt these solutions? 

Absolutely. Whether you’re early in your journey or looking to scale existing Microsoft investments, Nextant can help you identify opportunities, develop a roadmap, and execute with confidence. 


6. How can I get in touch with Nextant? 

You can reach out to us directly via our contact page, or drop us a message to schedule a free consultation. We’d love to learn more about your goals and explore how we can partner to bring them to life. 

 

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