The recent Directions NA 2026 event in Orlando during late April reinforced its role as the center of gravity for the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central partner ecosystem—with a clear focus on AI-driven transformation, partner profitability, and go-to-market evolution. The event brought together hundreds of partners, ISVs, and Microsoft folks to a larger Hyatt Regency and a busy, enjoyable week was had by all.
AI chatter was everywhere, as usual, but the conversation has certainly matured. There were plenty of discussions around partners building AI-enabled agents & related services, and (of course) the urgency about rolling this all out. AI continues to be the top topic as Microsoft events, and it’s not just Microsoft discussing it.
Microsoft announced ‘customer momentum’ stats, indicating that Business Central customer count now exceeds 55K businesses, adding that customers deploying BC are seeing payback in their investments in less than 6 months, on average. Microsoft announced a 45K count at Directions NA 2026 in Las Vegas, showing tremendous growth in the past 12 months.
The event held its first ever Marketing Pre-Day for marketing professionals in the Dynamics channel, and many praised the fact that content focused on the Microsoft channel exclusively for partners in this ecosystem was very relevant and impactful. Good focus on co-selling and the Microsoft Marketplace were just a couple of topic areas. MSDW and PartnerTalks orchestrated this event on the Sunday prior to the main event, which wasn’t the only pre-event gathering, either.
With partners struggling to procure more BC skill sets to keep up with growing demand, talent development was a hot topic with plenty of talk surrounding next-gen BC talent and the development of structured training paths. Partners need more hands-on deck these days, and skilling up remains a priority for most everyone in the ecosystem.
The partner celebration wrapped things up Wednesday evening at Universal Studios, and yours truly rode the intense ‘Velocicoaster’ not once but twice! The second time was from the front row, by the way. I believe Velosio should sponsor that ride the next time Directions NA makes its way to Orlando…
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a couple of surprise sightings while strolling around the event. Longtime Sage executive Jennifer Warwara, now President at insightsoftware, was in attendance, as well as Jon Roskill, the former Acumatica CEO. I stopped to say hello to both individuals and had a nice chat with each of them. I attend a lot of software shows each year, so finding these two attending a Microsoft show caused me to do double takes while there!
Directions NA 2027 is headed to New Orleans for the very first time mid-April next year, which will allow for a bit more breathing room before another Microsoft event rolls around! Attendance was up slightly in 2026 from the 2025 totals, and hopefully the Cajun theme for 2027 will vault partner registrations over the 1500 mark (finally). Annual Directions NA emcee Gary Jenkins humorously predicted during the event site announcement that ‘someone is going to jail next year’…and I am still laughing about that line!
See you down the event road soon!