--- title: "Community: The Secret Ingredient of DWC" description: Community is the soul of DWC, connections, conversations. MVP's ae an integral part of that community. image: https://dwcnz.co.nz/hubfs/MVPBanner%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)-2.png --- [Skip to content](https://dwcnz.co.nz/blog/community-the-secret-ingredient-of-dwc#main-content) [![DWC NZ 2027](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/DWC%20NZ%202027.png?width=2000&height=450&name=DWC%20NZ%202027.png)Homepage](https://dwcnz.co.nz) - [Home](https://dwcnz.co.nz) - [Blog](https://dwcnz.co.nz/blog) - [Gallery](https://dwcnz.co.nz/gallery) - [Speaker Submissions](https://dwcnz.co.nz/speakers) - [About](https://www.dwcau.com.au/contact-us) - [Community Groups](https://dwcnz.co.nz/dw-community) - [Contact Us](https://dwcnz.co.nz/contact-us) [Register Now](https://dwcnz.co.nz/register) - [Home](https://dwcnz.co.nz) - [Blog](https://dwcnz.co.nz/blog) - [Gallery](https://dwcnz.co.nz/gallery) - [Speaker Submissions](https://dwcnz.co.nz/speakers) - [About](https://www.dwcau.com.au/contact-us) - [Community Groups](https://dwcnz.co.nz/dw-community) - [Contact Us](https://dwcnz.co.nz/contact-us) [Register Now](https://dwcnz.co.nz/register) ![](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/MVPBanner%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)-2.png?width=1200&height=630&name=MVPBanner%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)-2.png) Speakers Community # Community: The Secret Ingredient of DWC ![Debbie Ireland](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) Debbie Ireland May 7, 2026 If the Digital Workplace Conference had a soul, it would be the community.  People always tell us the connections, conversations and the feeling of being surrounded by people who “get it” during the 2-day event is invaluable. *Interested in knowing more about this secret ingredient?  Here are two real stories from attendees:* *[![The Power of Showing Up](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/girls2.jpg?width=211&height=183&name=girls2.jpg)](https://www.dwcau.com.au/blog/the-power-of-showing-up-why-human-connection-makes-the-digital-workplace-conference-unforgettable)* [The Power of Showing Up: Why Human Connection Makes the Digital Workplace Conference Unforgettable](https://dwcnz.co.nz/blog/the-power-of-showing-up-why-human-connection-makes-the-digital-workplace-conference-unforgettable) [![How to get the most value from DWC](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Arthur.png?width=202&height=169&name=Arthur.png)](https://www.dwcau.com.au/blog/how-to-get-the-most-value-from-the-digital-workplace-conference-start-with-one-conversation) [How to Get the Most Value from the Digital Workplace Conference](https://dwcnz.co.nz/blog/how-to-get-the-most-value-from-the-digital-workplace-conference-start-with-one-conversation)     --- ### Expert Community of MVPs ## What is a Microsoft MVP? ## ![MVP](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/OIP.ECfZMbAqmMrE3W17gK8IdQHaDt.webp?width=150&height=80&name=OIP.ECfZMbAqmMrE3W17gK8IdQHaDt.webp)Microsoft MVPs are independent experts who Microsoft recognises each year for helping others use Microsoft technology better — by teaching, sharing, writing, speaking, or answering questions.  **Want to find out more about the Microsoft MVP Program?  [Here's the official overview](https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/mvp/overview)** --- ### Insights and expertise from MVPs speaking in Melbourne ## MVP's are an integral part of the DW Community. Catch one of these sessions to hear from these exceptional community leaders. They willingly share their technical expertise, leadership, experience, and commitment to solving real world problems.  | ![Loryan Strant Circle](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Loryan%20Strant%20Circle.png?width=120&height=120&name=Loryan%20Strant%20Circle.png) | ## [Build Your Own M365 Copilot Reporting Dashboard, ](https://www.dwcau.com.au/agenda) [Loryan Strant](https://www.linkedin.com/in/loryanstrant/),  Microsoft MVP | | --- | --- | | ![daniel-anderson](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/daniel-anderson.png?width=120&height=120&name=daniel-anderson.png) | ## [You have no idea what Copilot can do now,  ](https://www.dwcau.com.au/agenda)[Daniel Anderson, ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielando/) Microsoft MVP | | ![steve-knutson circle](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/steve-knutson%20circle.png?width=120&height=120&name=steve-knutson%20circle.png)   | ## [The Future of Intranets: AI Meets SharePoint](https://www.dwcau.com.au/agenda),  [Steve Knutson,  ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveknutsonnz)Microsoft MVP and Regional Director | | ![sharon-connolly circle](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/sharon-connolly%20circle.png?width=120&height=120&name=sharon-connolly%20circle.png)   | ## [The PowerPoint hacks you wish you knew 20 years ago,  ](https://www.dwcau.com.au/agenda#)[Sharon Connolly, ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonconnolly/)Microsoft MVP | | ![kirsty-mcgrath circle](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/kirsty-mcgrath%20circle.png?width=120&height=120&name=kirsty-mcgrath%20circle.png)   | ## [Novice to Nimble: Mastering Microsoft 365 Copilot Prompts,  ](https://www.dwcau.com.au/agenda#)[Kirsty McGrath,  ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstymcgrath)Microsoft MVP | | ![andrew-oyoung circle](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/andrew-oyoung%20circle.png?width=120&height=120&name=andrew-oyoung%20circle.png)   | ## [Data Security Considerations for M365 Copilot and Agents,  ](https://www.dwcau.com.au/agenda)[Andrew O'Young,  ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewoyoung)Microsoft MVP | | ![liza-tinker circle](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/liza-tinker%20circle.png?width=120&height=120&name=liza-tinker%20circle.png)   | ## [From SharePoint Foundations to AI Agents: The Blackmores Journey,  ](https://www.dwcau.com.au/agenda#)[Liza Tinker,  ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizatinker/)Microsoft MVP  | | ![MattG](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/MattG.png?width=120&height=120&name=MattG.png) | ## [Who Am I Now? Evolving Roles in the Modern Digital Workplace,  ](https://www.dwcau.com.au/agenda)[Mathew Gilbertson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewgilbertson/), Microsoft MVP | | ![lisa-crosbie circle](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/lisa-crosbie%20circle.png?width=120&height=120&name=lisa-crosbie%20circle.png)   | ## [Side by Side with Copilot Cowork: Reimagining Collaboration with AI,  ](https://www.dwcau.com.au/agenda)[Lisa Crosbie,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-crosbie/)Microsoft MVP | | ![daniel-brown circle](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/daniel-brown%20circle.png?width=120&height=120&name=daniel-brown%20circle.png)   | ## [From Copilot Pilots to Business Impact: Turning AI Hype into Measurable Workplace Value](https://dwcnz.co.nz/agenda),  Daniel Brown, Microsoft MVP | | ![brettround](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/brettround.png?width=120&height=120&name=brettround.png)   | ## [Closing the Digital Gap with Human Connection](https://dwcnz.co.nz/keynote),  [Brett Gilbertson,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettgilbertson/) Microsoft MVP | | ![DebCircle](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/DebCircle.png?width=120&height=120&name=DebCircle.png)   | ## [Closing the Digital Gap with Human Connection](https://dwcnz.co.nz/keynote),  [Debbie Ireland](https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbieireland/)  (Not an MVP but a Microsoft Regional Director) |   ## Coming to the Conference?![Community Booth](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Community%20Booth.png?width=150&height=188&name=Community%20Booth.png) ## Connect, share, exchange - and capture the moment at the dedicated Community Booth  [Join us](https://www.dwcau.com.au/join-us-at-dwcau-2026) ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fdwcnz.co.nz%2Fblog%2Fcommunity-the-secret-ingredient-of-dwc](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fdwcnz.co.nz%2Fblog%2Fcommunity-the-secret-ingredient-of-dwc) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/uow-tauranga-campus-2-of-10.jpg?width=300&height=158&name=uow-tauranga-campus-2-of-10.jpg) Change How Do You Choose a Career When the World Keeps Changing?](https://dwcnz.co.nz/blog/how-do-you-choose-a-career-when-the-world-keeps-changing) ### [![Two generations of people walking over a bridge](https://dwresults.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Designer-2-1024x683.webp) Change Community We are the Bridge Generation](https://dwcnz.co.nz/blog/we-are-the-bridge-generation) [![NZ27 long blue](https://dwcnz.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/NZ27%20long%20blue.png?width=1534&height=307&name=NZ27%20long%20blue.png "NZ27 long blue")](https://dwresults.com/) - [Home](https://dwcnz.co.nz) - [Blog](https://dwcnz.co.nz/blog) - [Gallery](https://dwcnz.co.nz/gallery) - [Speaker Submissions](https://dwcnz.co.nz/speakers) - [About](https://www.dwcau.com.au/contact-us) --- [Privacy Policy](https://www.dwcau.com.au/privacy-policy) · [Terms and Conditions](https://www.dwcau.com.au/terms-and-conditions) · © 2027 Digital Workplace Conference. 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