Our Story - European Collaboration Summit

The story of the European Collaboration Summit

05-07 May 2026, Cologne, Germany

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Our Story

A Passion for Collaboration – Since 2012

The story of the European Collaboration Summit began in 2012 - not in a convention center, but in a community. Back then, we were called SPC Adriatics, and our mission was clear: bring together the best minds in the SharePoint world, right here in Europe.

Even in that very first year, we went all in. With the strongest SharePoint speaker lineup outside of Redmond and live demos of SharePoint Server 2013 and the emerging Office 365, the event made waves from day one.

The numbers may have been small - just 200 attendees - but the energy in the room was undeniable. We weren't just learning about collaboration tools. We were living the future of how people would work together. That spark has never left us.

The Milestones That Shaped Us

From an early-days SharePoint event to World's largest Microsoft 365 conference – every milestone tells a story of growth, resilience, and community spirit.

2012 - The Beginning
2012

The Beginning - SPC Adriatics

It all started with 200 attendees and a bold vision. As SPC Adriatics, we showcased SharePoint Server 2013 and the emerging Office 365 with the strongest speaker lineup outside of Redmond. The spark that would ignite Europe's largest collaboration community was born.

2017 - European Collaboration Summit Rebrand
2017

A New Name, A Bigger Vision

We had outgrown our regional name. What began in Zagreb, Croatia, had become a magnet for attendees from all over Europe - and beyond. So, we rebranded as the European Collaboration Summit to reflect what we had truly become: a continental platform for collaboration professionals.

2018 - Moving to Germany
2018

Moving to Germany

We made another bold move - this time, literally. We relocated the event to Mainz, Germany, giving the CollabSummit the infrastructure, accessibility, and scale to match its ambition. It marked a turning point: new partnerships, new venues, and a huge leap in reach and visibility.

2019 - 2,000 Attendees Milestone
2019

Crossing the 2,000 Attendee Mark

In Wiesbaden, the Summit welcomed over 2,000 attendees. It was a powerful affirmation that the community we were building mattered. People came not just for the sessions, but for the hallway conversations, the impromptu brainstorms, the friendships. CollabSummit had become the largest Microsoft 365-focused event in Europe - and it still felt like home.

2020 - Virtual Event During Pandemic
2020

A Pandemic and a Pivot

With the world turned upside down by COVID-19, we made the decision to take the event fully online. It was unfamiliar territory, but true to our community roots, we adapted quickly. Thousands joined us virtually to stay connected and informed during a time when collaboration had never been more vital.

2021 - Hard-Earned Return
2021

A Hard-Earned Return

We were back in person in Düsseldorf - but just barely. Weeks before the event, we had 2,500 registrations. Then the pandemic struck again. In the final days, that number dropped to 1,400. Many would have canceled. We didn't. Those who came remember it as one of our most emotional and authentic events ever.

2024 - Global Stage with 3,000+ Attendees
2024

A Global Stage with 3,000+ Attendees

The European Collaboration Summit in Wiesbaden became our largest and most dynamic yet, with over 3,000 attendees from across the globe. Microsoft 365, Copilot, Teams, SharePoint, Viva, and real-world AI were center stage. It was more than a conference - it was a celebration of how far we've all come, together.

2025 - Expo Takes Center Stage
2025

Expo Takes Center Stage

Back in Düsseldorf, the Expo became the beating heart of CollabSummit. With 4 dedicated Expo stages and countless panels running alongside our standard program, we transformed the conference experience. The exhibition hall wasn't just a place to visit - it became the center stage of innovation and collaboration.

Community at the Core

From day one, CollabSummit has been driven not by corporations or marketing agencies, but by the community itself. Our official slogan and registered trademark is:

#communityrocks

Community-Driven Excellence

We're organized by Microsoft MVPs, professionals, and enthusiasts - not by a vendor. That authenticity is our foundation. It's why our content is independent and first class, with no fluff.

True Inclusivity

Our attendees range from global IT leaders to freelancers, from students to consultants, from small startups to the largest enterprises in Europe. At CollabSummit, everyone is equal - and everyone is welcome.

Our Community Evolved

In response to growing interest in adjacent technologies, we proudly launched two spin-off events:

European AI & Cloud Summit

Focusing on Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Security, Cloud Innovation, and the real-world impact of AI.

European BizApps Summit

Dedicated to Power Platform, Microsoft Fabric, Dynamics 365, Copilot Studio, and business transformation tools.

Both are built on the same values as CollabSummit: world-class content, real-world relevance, and unmatched community spirit.

Our Mission: Learning, Networking, Inclusivity

Premium Class Learning

Premium-Class Learning

Our content is crafted to deliver actionable, in-depth knowledge. Whether you're an architect, admin, consultant, developer, or decision-maker, you'll find value in sessions delivered by the top experts in Microsoft 365, Copilot, Security and Compliance, SharePoint, Teams, Viva and more.

Networking

Networking That Matters

CollabSummit is where ideas turn into partnerships. You'll meet Microsoft product managers, MVPs, executives, customers, and community leaders - face to face. Whether at a keynote, a breakout session, or over coffee, connections here often lead to real-world collaboration.

Inclusivity

True Inclusivity

We believe that knowledge is for everyone. That's why we keep our pricing intentionally affordable, ensuring access for students, freelancers, and smaller businesses - not just corporate teams. Inclusivity is not an option here; it's a founding principle.

"This is our story - a story of growth, resilience, and community. From 200 people and one product, to thousands gathering around the full Microsoft ecosystem, CollabSummit continues to shape the way Europe collaborates."

Join us. Be part of what comes next.

3000+
Attendees
12
Years Strong
25+
Countries
Community