If you"ve been following the news, you won"t be surprised to find out that Microsoft"s Build 2020 developer conference could end up being canceled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. After Mobile World Congress was canceled last month, GDC was postponed, and then Microsoft made its MVP Summit an online-only event.
Microsoft has been pretty silent on the status of Build 2020; after all, the show is still more than two months off, and the Redmond firm is likely hoping that conditions improve. However, it is at least issuing a warning that the show may be canceled, postponed, or something else. The following statement was posted on the websites for Build, Ignite, Inspire, and probably any other event that Microsoft has a website for.:
In light of the global health concerns due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Microsoft is monitoring public health guidance in relation to in-person events. At this time, global health authorities have not issued guidance to avoid travel to this location. We are looking carefully at our event calendar as well as our presence at industry events in the coming months. We are not taking decisions lightly, but the health and well-being of our employees, partners, customers and other guests remain our ultimate priority.
We will continue to monitor and make any necessary changes as the situation evolves.
Of course, this doesn"t really provide any information more than they had before, but it"s nice of Microsoft to at least post a warning like that, rather than just springing it on attendees that they need to figure out how to get refunds on nonrefundable travel at the last minute. If you are booking your Build trip now, you might want to book refundable travel.