Countdown to Ignite: The one about what’s new, including shuttles, networking, meals, and more

This week's Countdown Show focuses on what's new and noteworthy at Microsoft Ignite. If you've attended Microsoft events in the past, you'll see some familiar elements at Ignite, as well as some new opportunities and experiences. Rick and Joey walk you through what's changed, what's new, and what you can look forward to in Episode 11 of the Countdown to Microsoft Ignite.

A quick reminder that Pre-Day Sessions are still available, and easily added to your existing registration. Choose one of 12 Pre-Day Sessions and spend a full day digging deep into a specific product or technology.

Now, on to what's new and noteworthy:

New! Remote Badge Pickup

Check in early and avoid the lines—you'll arrive at McCormick Place ready to dive straight into your agenda. Remote badge pickup is available at O'Hare International Airport in the baggage claim area for terminals 1 and 3, as well as at select conference hotels. Watch Episode 8 of the Countdown Show for details.

Ignite 101: Sunday, May 3 at 9:00am and 1:00p
Get an overview of everything happening at Ignite from the Countdown Show hosts, Rick Claus and Joey Snow. Join them for a "college orientation" and find out what you need to know about Ignite, and how to get the most out of your week! Visit MyIgnite to add it to your session schedule.

Hotel Shuttle Service
To minimize our carbon footprint—and our impact on the city, after all we're talking about thousands of us invading Chicago—conference shuttle service will run during specific hours at Ignite. Here's the schedule:

Sunday, May 3
7:00 A.M.–10:30 A.M.      Shuttles from hotels to McCormick Place South Hall
2:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M.        Shuttles from McCormick Place South Hall to hotels

Monday, May 4
6:30 A.M.–10:30 A.M.      Shuttles from hotels to McCormick Place South Hall
6:00 P.M.–8:30 P.M.        Shuttles from McCormick Place South Hall to hotels

Tuesday, May 5
7:00 A.M.–10:30 A.M.      Shuttles from hotels to McCormick Place South Hall
3:45 P.M.–6:45 P.M.        Shuttles from McCormick Place South Hall to hotels

Wednesday, May 6
7:00 A.M.–10:30 A.M.      Shuttles from hotels to McCormick Place South Hall
3:45 P.M.–6:45 P.M.        Shuttles from McCormick Place South Hall to hotels

Thursday, May 7
7:00 A.M.–10:30 A.M.      Shuttles from hotels to McCormick Place South Hall
Evening shuttle service will be provided. Specific times to come soon

Friday, May 8
7:30 A.M.–2:00 P.M.        Continuous shuttles between hotels and McCormick Place South Hall

For transportation between your hotel and the convention center outside of scheduled shuttle service times, we recommend the train! Service is fast and convenient. Check the CTA website for service information.

Baggage check service will be available on Friday only at McCormick Place.

We recommend the train for transportation to O'Hare International Airport or Chicago Midway International Airport—it's faster and cheaper than taxi service. Check the CTA website for service information.

New! After Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 P.M.–11:00 P.M.
Networking is one of the key benefits of attending Ignite. Select conference hotels will host After Hours gatherings offering a casual opportunity to meet and mingle, while enjoying food and drink specials (some created exclusively for Ignite) at these beautiful venues mapped here. Check your OneNote Guide for more details on locations and see pictures on our Facebook After Hours Album.

New! Mealtime Mashups: Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 A.M.–2:30 P.M.
Keep the conversation going over lunch! Grab your lunch and head to one of the assigned tables in the Meal Hall to join discussions with peers. Each day, tables will be assigned as follows:

• Tuesday: Region
• Wednesday: Industry
• Thursday: Product

What's on the menu?
For the first time at a Microsoft conference, we're able to announce the menu for attendee meals throughout Ignite! With a conference of this size, there are some definite challenges around ensuring everyone gets enough to eat, and isn't late for their next session! Some new and very cool ideas are on the table (literally) for Ignite. You'll have a variety of dining experiences, from hot and cold buffets to Grab & Go lunches (more on these below). Here's the menu for the week:

Sunday, May 3

Continental Breakfast Buffet, featuring:

• Assorted Freshly Baked Breakfast Breads, Muffins, Scones and Croissants with Sweet Butter and Preserves
• Seasonal Whole Fruit
• Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

Hot Lunch Buffet, featuring:

• Assortment of La Brea Breads with Sea Salt Butter
• Classic Bibb Salad with Bibb Lettuce Mix, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, Tomato, Avocado, Green Goddess Dressing
• Caramelized Cauliflower Medallions with Roasted Red Peppers and Onions, Red Lentils, Baby Spinach, Sherry Vinegar, Olive Oil
• Pan Seared Salmon Cakes with Dijon Mustard Aioli and Watercress
• Roasted Chicken Breast with Lemon-Caper Beurre Blanc  
• Warm Orzo Pasta with Spring Pea and Mushroom
• Chocolate Cupcakes and Lemon-Raspberry Bars
• Sodas, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

Monday, May 4

• Hot Breakfast Buffet, featuring:
• Blueberry Muffins, Glazed Cinnamon Roll and Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Whipped Butter and Fruit Preserves
• Bananas, Apples and Oranges
• Assorted Individual Greek and Regular Yogurts
• Scrambled Eggs
• Apple Wood Smoked Bacon
• Roasted Breakfast Potatoes
• Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

Grab & Go Lunch, featuring:

-Pesto Pasta Salad with Diced Red Pepper
-Petite Wisconsin Cheddar and Roasted Tomato Pies

Choice of:

• Lemon-Thyme Rubbed Chicken Breast Sandwich with Salsa Verde Aioli and Watercress on Grilled Focaccia
• Rosemary Grilled Tri-Tip Steak with Horseradish Mayo and Red Onion Confit on a Tuscan Roll
• Roasted Vegetable Wrap with Feta Cheese and Lemon-Oregano Aioli

And:

• Sour Cream Pound Cake with Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam and Burnt Honey Crème Anglaise
• Sodas, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot TeaHot Tip: Don't toss your napkin and serving-ware! A few lucky diners will find a golden ticket included in theirs, with great prizes! Grab your lunch, and look out for a golden ticket

Tuesday, May 5

Continental Breakfast Buffet with Hot Elements, featuring:

• Mexican Chocolate-Banana Muffins, Cinnamon Streusel Scone, Roasted Pear Bread, Plain and Asiago Bagels with Whipped Butter, Peanut Butter, Fruit Preserves and Light and Regular Cream Cheese
• Apples, Bananas and Oranges
• Individual Greek and Regular Yogurts
• Breakfast Burrito with Scrambled Eggs, Chorizo Sausage, Peppers, Spinach and Jack Cheese Cheese, or Scrambled Eggs, Peppers, Spinach and Jack Cheese
• Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

Hot Lunch Buffet, featuring:

• Sweet Corn "Elote" Salad with Cucumber, Scallion and Chile-Lime Dressing
• Tortilla Chips with Salsa
• Jicama, Orange and Watercress Salad with Cotija Cheese and Tequila Lime Vinaigrette
• Chicken and Tomatillo Enchiladas with Melted Chihuahua Cheese and Salsa Verde
• Grilled Mahi Mahi with Mango Serrano Salsa
• Roasted Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Chipotle Tamale
• Cinnamon and Sugar Churros with Dulce De Leche Drizzle and Mexican Chocolate Brownies
• Sodas, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

Wednesday, May 6

Hot Breakfast Buffet, featuring:

• Individual Greek and Regular Yogurts
• Banana Bread, Blueberry Scone, Chocolate Chip Muffin with Whipped Butter and Fruit Preserves
• Apples, Bananas and Oranges
• Scrambled Eggs
• Apple Wood Smoked Bacon
• Breakfast Potato Casserole with Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese, Chives and Crème Fraiche
• Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

Cold Lunch Buffet, featuring:

• Honey Corn Bread with Whipped Butter
• Sweet and Spicy BBQ Cole Slaw
• Creamy Loaded Baked Potato Salad with Bacon, Cheddar, Scallions, and Sour Cream Dressing
• Buttermilk Fried Chicken (served at room temperature)
• Herb Rubbed Flank Steak (served at room temperature) with Corn and Tomato Relish
• Roasted Tomato, Asparagus and White Cheddar Strudel
• Blueberry Pie Cheesecake and Watermelon Cubes with Agave Syrup
• Sodas, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

Thursday, May 7

Continental Breakfast Buffet, featuring:

• Assorted Freshly Baked Breakfast Breads, Muffins, Scones and Maple Bacon Donuts with Sweet Butter and Preserves
• Seasonal Whole Fruit
• Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

Hot Lunch Buffet, featuring:

• Brioche Rolls with Whipped Butter
• California Chopped Salad with Baby Kale, Red Quinoa, Blueberry, Sunflower Seeds, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Dried Cranberries, Mango, Carrot and Honey Orange Dressing
• Antipasto Salad with Salami, Roasted Artichoke Hearts, Provolone, Garbanzo Beans and Red Wine Vinaigrette
• Cali Style Braised Beef Bourguignon with Napa Pinot Noir Reduction, Pearl Onions and Parsley-Carrot Gremolata
• Roasted Garlic Glazed Chicken Breast with Parsley-Lemon "Jus"
• Grilled Corn Polenta Cakes with Wild Mushrooms, Fava Beans and Tomato and Crumbled Chevre
• Red Velvet Cupcakes and Apple Strudel Squares
• Sodas, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

Friday, May 8

Continental Breakfast Buffet, featuring:

• Assorted Freshly Baked Breakfast Breads, Muffins, Scones and Croissants with Sweet Butter and Preserves
• Seasonal Whole Fruit
• Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea

"Bag Your Own" Lunch, featuring:

Choice of:

• Tuscan Roast Beef Sandwich with Caramelized Onion and Sweet Pepper Jam, Provolone Cheese, Romaine, Plum Tomato on Herbed Focaccia                                                                                        
• Oven Roasted Turkey with Swiss Cheese, English Cucumber, Minted Green Goddess Mayo on Whole Grain Ciabatta                                                                                  
• Eggplant, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Red Pepper, Romaine, Pesto, Black Pepper & Balsamic Vinegar Summer Roll (vegan and gluten-free)

Choice of:

• Sonoma Quinoa Salad with Edamame, Cranberries, Mango, Almonds, Coconut and Baby Spinach
• Seasonal Fruit Salad with Agave Nectar
• Rotini Pasta Salad with Julienne Vegetables and Herb Vinaigrette

Choice of:  Assorted Potato Chips, Pretzels and Sun Chips

Choice of:

• Gourmet Chocolate Chunk and Sea Salt Cookie
• Chunky Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

And: Canned Beverages

Women in Technology Luncheon: Wednesday, May 6, 12:15 P.M.–1:30 P.M.
Change Opens Doors and Creates Opportunity
How can you make your mark on the changing world and take advantage of the new possibilities that are now opening up? Join us for lunch and hear how our panelists achieved their goals. Join the Yammer group for Women in Technology via MyIgnite—the conversation is already buzzing, with additional meetups in the works. Not just for women—everyone is welcome!

New! Women in Technology Breakfast: Thursday, May 7, 7:30 A.M.–8:30 A.M.
Keep the conversation going over breakfast. If you missed the WIT Luncheon, make time to meet and mingle on Thursday morning during this casual networking opportunity. Everyone is welcome!

New! Collect stickers to show your product and technology allegiance
Collect stickers throughout the week and display them on your Ignite badge. Show others what your interests are, at a glance, and use the stickers to identify people with similar interests and strike up conversations. Watch the video for a preview.

New! MyIgnite
Build your conference schedule via Schedule Builder on MyIgnite and opt-in to share your personal selections with others. Join the Yammer network and start networking with speakers and other attendees to maximize your Ignite experience! Watch Episode 10 of the Countdown Show to hear more about MyIgnite, the Yammer network, and upcoming features.

Keep watching the Countdown Show!

Meanwhile, share your questions and suggestions on the Forums at https://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/MicrosoftIgnite.

See you at Microsoft Ignite, May 4–8 in Chicago at McCormick Place.