Well, folks, it’s almost that time again!

MMS Midway Edition 2026 is just around the corner, and from October 25–28, a bunch of IT pros, Microsoft MVPs, industry experts, speakers, sponsors, and community friends will descend upon beautiful San Diego, California.

And this time, we’re bringing a little Top Gun flavor to the party!

I’ve attended more technology conferences than I can count, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that the best conference experiences aren’t always about how many sessions you attend or how many slides you photograph.

It’s about the people you meet, the conversations you have, the things you learn, and the memories you bring home.

So, whether this is your very first MMS or you’re a regular who knows practically everyone in the hallways, I thought I’d put together a Know Before You Go guide with useful information, practical tips, and a few suggestions to make your MMS experience even better.

Let’s get into it!

1. First Things First: Where Are We Going?

MMS Midway Edition 2026

• Dates: October 25–28, 2026
• Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, California
• Welcome Reception: Sunday, October 25, aboard the USS Midway
• Technical Sessions: Monday, October 26 through Wednesday, October 28

The Manchester Grand Hyatt sits along San Diego’s beautiful waterfront, with restaurants, shops, attractions, and plenty of places to explore within walking distance.

If you’re flying in, San Diego International Airport (SAN) is approximately a 10-minute drive to/from the hotel, depending on traffic. That’s certainly better than landing somewhere and spending another hour or two trying to get to your hotel.

Important venue update: The MMS conference rooms and sponsor expo are located on the second floor, on the Harbor side of the hotel. Make sure you pay attention to the signage and updated room information.

2. Registration: Get Your Badge and Get Settled

My first recommendation is simple. If you’re arriving on Sunday, pick up your badge early.

Here’s the registration schedule:

Sunday, October 25

• 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM: Hotel registration, second-floor expo area
• Starting at 5:45 PM: Registration moves to the USS Midway

Monday through Wednesday

• 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM: Registration at the expo entrance foyer

Getting registered early saves you time on Monday morning and allows you to focus on the good stuff.

Plus, you’ll receive your first Drink Card when you check in. Yes, MMS rewards you right from the start. More about those cards shortly!

3. Welcome Aboard the USS Midway!

Now, this is something I’m really looking forward to.

Forget the usual conference welcome reception in a hotel ballroom.

For MMS Midway, we’re heading aboard the legendary USS Midway aircraft carrier!

The Welcome Reception takes place on Sunday, October 25, from 5:45 PM to 9:00 PM.

Imagine hanging out with fellow IT pros, speakers, sponsors, and friends on the deck of a historic aircraft carrier, surrounded by spectacular San Diego Bay views. There will be appetizers, beverages, and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with familiar faces and make new friends.

If you’re a Top Gun fan, this is your moment. Just remember, we’re here to network, not request permission to buzz the tower!

My tip: Don’t just hang out with people you already know. Introduce yourself to someone new. That person standing next to you might be someone you’ve followed on LinkedIn for years, an MVP whose blog helped you solve a problem, or your next good friend in the community.

4. Build Your Session Schedule Before You Arrive

If you haven’t looked at the session schedule yet, what are you waiting for?

MMS is known for its technical depth, excellent speakers, and interactive learning experiences. With six simultaneous sessions happening each hour, there will be plenty of interesting topics competing for your attention.

Head over to the official schedule:
https://mmsmidway.sched.com

Pick your must-attend sessions, bookmark your favorites, and put together a schedule that works for you. Sessions kick off Monday, October 26, at 8:00 AM and continue through Wednesday evening.

My tip: Don’t fill every single available minute.

I know, I know. You paid to attend a technical conference and want to squeeze everything out of it. But some of the best learning experiences happen outside the traditional sessions.

Leave room for discussions with speakers, sponsor demos, networking, and those random hallway conversations that turn into an hour-long technical deep dive. Sometimes you learn more from a 15-minute conversation than you do from 60 PowerPoint slides.

5. Wingman Sessions: Your Technical Backup Has Arrived

One of my favorite aspects of MMS has always been the opportunity to spend quality time with subject matter experts. If you’ve attended MMS before, you probably know about the famous Cabana Sessions.

For this edition, they’ve been renamed Wingman Sessions, fitting perfectly with the aircraft carrier theme. The idea is simple: get closer access to experts and have meaningful technical conversations.

Maybe you’re struggling with an Intune policy that’s not behaving.

Perhaps you’ve got a ConfigMgr issue that’s been driving you nuts.

Or maybe you want to bounce a deployment strategy off someone who’s dealt with similar challenges.

This is your opportunity. The Wingman Sessions will be held on the second floor of the hotel.

My tip: Come prepared with questions. Bring your real-world challenges, scenarios, and ideas. And don’t be intimidated by the speakers. They’re IT pros just like you, and many of them have probably broken more things in their labs than they’d care to admit.

That’s how we learn!

6. Drink Cards and Prize Cards: Learning Has Its Rewards!

Here’s something a little different that makes MMS fun.

There are two types of cards you should know about.

Drink Cards

You’ll receive one when you check in, but there are plenty of other ways to earn them.

For example:

• Ask questions during sessions.
• Have conversations with speakers.
• Sign up for Wingman Sessions.
• Participate in a video interview with Sam.

You can redeem Drink Cards during Happy Hour for beverages, including sodas and non-alcoholic options.

I love this concept because it encourages attendees to participate and engage with the community.

Prize Cards

Want a chance to win something cool?

Visit the sponsors!

Spend some time learning about their solutions, ask questions, watch demos, and collect Prize Cards.

Turn them in at the Registration Desk at 4:30 PM daily for opportunities to win prizes such as portable laptop monitors, 100W battery packs, coffee cards, additional Wingman Sessions, and more.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking.

“Harjit, are you telling me I can learn about technology, meet new people, AND potentially win free stuff?”

Yes. Yes, I am. Not a bad deal, if you ask me!

7. Don’t Miss Career Connections

Here’s an MMS experience that I think deserves more attention.

Career Connections offers attendees the opportunity to sit down with a speaker or community member for a relaxed, honest, 20-minute conversation about their career.

Maybe you’re thinking about changing jobs.

Perhaps you’re interested in becoming a speaker, getting more involved in the Microsoft community, or working toward becoming a Microsoft MVP.

Or maybe you just need a little advice about your next move.

Whatever the reason, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with someone who has experience to share.

You can sign up through Wally or at the Registration Desk. The conversations take place in the Wingman Rooms, labeled Balboa on the hotel maps.

I’ve personally benefited tremendously from community relationships and mentorship throughout my career, and I always encourage people to take advantage of opportunities like these. You never know where one conversation might lead.

8. Food, Coffee, and Those Important Hallway Conversations

Let’s talk about something equally important.

Food and coffee!

The good news is that MMS provides continuous coffee, snacks, and daily lunch.

There are also Happy Hour sessions starting at 5:00 PM each day, providing additional opportunities to connect with fellow attendees in a more relaxed setting.

Lunch will be served outdoors, so check the conference map for the designated area.

My tip: Try sitting with a different group of people at lunch.

It’s easy to stick with your colleagues or the friends you already know, but conferences are such a great opportunity to expand your circle. Some of my favorite friendships in the IT community started with nothing more than a casual introduction at a conference.

And sometimes those friendships last longer than the technologies we originally bonded over!

9. Explore San Diego. Seriously, Get Out of the Hotel!

As much as I love technology and spending time with the IT community, I also believe in making the most of the places we visit.

San Diego is a fantastic destination, and the Manchester Grand Hyatt puts us right in the middle of some excellent attractions.

If you’re arriving early on Sunday, MMS is offering FREE Segway tours throughout the day. Yes, Segways!

It’s a great opportunity to see the city, get your bearings, and discover places you might want to revisit during the week.

If you have some free time, here are a few areas worth checking out.

Seaport Village

Located just across from the hotel, Seaport Village offers waterfront views, shops, casual dining, and a lovely place to stretch your legs.

Perfect for a stroll between conference activities.

Gaslamp Quarter

If you’re looking for restaurants, entertainment, nightlife, or a place to hang out with fellow attendees, the Gaslamp Quarter is worth exploring.

It’s a lively neighborhood with lots of options.

Little Italy

One of my favorite things about visiting different cities is discovering the local food scene.

Little Italy offers an impressive selection of restaurants, cafés, and places to socialize.

Grab a few friends and plan a dinner.

Top of the Hyatt

Want spectacular views of San Diego?

Head up to Top of the Hyatt on the 40th floor.

It’s a great place to enjoy the scenery and unwind after a busy conference day.

More to See

If you’re extending your visit, consider exploring the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Air & Space Museum, or spending more time at the USS Midway Museum.

My tip: Don’t spend every free hour in your hotel room catching up on email.

You’re in San Diego! Go enjoy it.

Your inbox will still be there when you get home. Unfortunately.

10. My Personal MMS Packing and Survival Tips

Having attended and worked at plenty of conferences over the years, I’ve developed a few habits that make these trips much easier.

Here are some of my recommendations.

Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable.

Trust me on this one. Between walking to sessions, visiting sponsors, standing around chatting, and exploring the city, your feet will get a workout.

Bring your laptop and charger.

Especially if you want to follow along with technical examples, take notes, or experiment with something you’ve just learned.

Carry a portable power bank.

Your phone battery will disappear faster than you think when you’re checking schedules, taking pictures, and staying connected.

Have your LinkedIn QR code ready.

It’s one of the easiest ways to connect with new people without exchanging business cards.

Leave some room in your suitcase.

Sponsors tend to bring some pretty interesting swag. I’m not saying you need an extra suitcase, but I’m not saying you won’t either!

Dress comfortably.

MMS has a casual dress code. You don’t need to look like you’re attending a corporate board meeting, but looking presentable is always a good idea.

Be considerate with Wi-Fi.

Conference wireless networks can get saturated quickly. Try not to use them for unnecessary downloads or large updates.

Set your Out of Office message.

This one is especially important.

You’re attending a conference to learn, network, and invest in your professional growth.

You don’t want to spend half your time remotely troubleshooting someone’s printer.

Unless it’s your boss’s printer. Then, well, good luck!

11. Don’t Forget the Sponsors

Sponsors are a big part of what makes community conferences like MMS possible.

They help support the event, bring technology and solutions to showcase, provide learning opportunities, and contribute to the overall experience.

Make time to visit their booths. And I don’t mean simply walking past, grabbing swag, and disappearing!

Ask questions, watch demonstrations, share your challenges, and learn what’s new. You may discover something that solves a real problem in your environment.

And even if you’re not actively looking for a new solution, those conversations can provide valuable industry insights.

Plus, remember those Prize Cards!

MMS will also be supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego through raffles on the final evening, so keep that in mind and consider participating. Bring a payment card or some cash if you’d like to join in.

12. Come Say Hello to Me and the Robopack Team!

And of course, I can’t wrap up this guide without giving a little shoutout to Robopack, one of the proud sponsors of MMS Midway Edition 2026!

I’ll be there representing Robopack, and I’m really looking forward to catching up with familiar faces, meeting new friends, and having some great conversations with the IT community.

If you’re attending MMS, please make it a point to stop by the Robopack booth and say hello! Whether you’re already using Robopack, curious about what we do, or just want to talk shop, we’d love to meet you.

We’ll be showcasing how Robopack helps IT teams simplify third-party application packaging, deployment, and patching with Microsoft Intune. We’ll also be happy to share how Tenant Manager can help make Intune administration and management a little easier.

We’ll have live demos, opportunities to ask questions, and of course, some cool swag! But here’s the thing. You don’t need to come with a sales question or be shopping for a solution.

Come say hello, tell us what you’re working on, share your endpoint management challenges, or just catch up over a conversation.

For me, these face-to-face interactions are one of the best parts of attending conferences. It’s always great to reconnect with people I’ve known for years and finally meet some of the folks I’ve only interacted with online.

And if you’ve got an interesting Intune problem, an IT horror story, or a deployment that seems determined to ruin your day, I’m always up for a good conversation!

So, look for the Robopack booth, find me, and come say hello.

Let’s talk tech, share some laughs, and make some great memories at MMS Midway!

And yes, we’ll have swag. I know how some of you operate!

Learn more about us at https://robopack.com.

13. One Last Thing: The People Make MMS Special

I’ll wrap this up with something I strongly believe.

Technology comes and goes.

Products evolve, platforms change, and the tools we’re experts in today might look completely different a few years from now.

But the relationships we build in this community can last a lifetime.

That’s what makes conferences like MMS so special to me.

Yes, we’re all there to learn about Microsoft technologies, endpoint management, Windows, Intune, ConfigMgr, security, automation, and everything else that keeps us IT pros busy.

But the real magic often happens in the conversations between sessions, at dinner tables, during evening gatherings, and those random moments when someone says, “Hey, I’ve been following your work for years!”

So, here’s my advice.

If you’re attending MMS for the first time, don’t be shy.

If you see a speaker you recognize, go say hello.

If you meet someone sitting alone, invite them to join your conversation.

Ask questions. Share your experiences. Take pictures. Have fun.

And if you see me wandering around the conference, please come say hello!

I’m always happy to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, hear your IT war stories, and perhaps grab a coffee together.

Just don’t ask me to fix your printer.

San Diego, here we come!

Safe travels, everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at MMS Midway Edition 2026, October 25–28!

And remember, you can be my wingman anytime!

Useful MMS Links

Official MMS Midway Edition website:
https://mmsmoa.com/mms2026midway

MMS Midway Facts and Attendee Information:
https://mmsmoa.com/news/midway-facts

Conference Sessions and Personal Schedule:
https://mmsmidway.sched.com

See you in San Diego!