Everything You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions

Directions North America 2023 (Sunday, April 16 – Wednesday, April 19) Full Conference registration includes attendance at all General Sessions, keynotes, track sessions, town halls, Computer Workshops, Welcome Reception on Sunday, Expo Reception on Monday, and Partner Celebration on Tuesday. It also includes breakfast and lunch on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and morning and afternoon breaks during the Conference. To attend Computer Workshops, arrive at the workshop rooms to receive your session logon information. Workshop spaces are limited, first-come, first-served.

​Day ​Passes ​include access to all sessions, meals, and Welcome Reception, Expo Reception or Partner Celebration for that day only. ​

Expo Only Passes include access to General Sessions, ISV Sessions offered by the registrant’s company (if applicable), Welcome Reception, Expo Reception, and Partner Celebration. No admission to food and beverage services not offered during these events, nor to any other Conference Sessions, Workshops, and activities.

Executive Roundtable sessions are limited to participation of one person that holds fiduciary and decision making authority for your reseller organization. This generally means owners and senior executives. Your participation in any Executive Roundtable session means you explicitly agree to hold information you learn during each session under full non-disclosure. You may share information as you see fit in the course of each session and respect that other owners and senior executives are also sharing private information about how they operate. As an executive community, we hold ourselves accountable to privacy and respect for our fellow partners.

We understand every business runs in your unique way, so we welcome inquiries to discuss your specific role and if participation is appropriate to the rest of the audience. Email [email protected] for consideration.

Directions NA has full authority to determine who should or can participate in the Executive track. We also have the right to ask someone to leave the session at any time.

We hope this track becomes valuable and thank you for your participation. We highly encourage you all to share your feedback and thoughts so the Directions organizing committee can continue to evolve and enhance this track. Send us a note at [email protected].

Who can register for this track?

This is an invitation-only track for Microsoft Partners for owners and executives (not ISVs this year). You must be registered for Directions NA 2023 with a full conference pass to access this. This includes day pass access only on the day of paid registration. One person from each company is allowed in the session unless space is available in the room.

Once you have registered, you will be able to view and update your personal information by logging in to your registration account using the email address and password you entered at the time of registration.

The most common question is: why is Cronus USA Inc. listed on my credit card or financial institution receipts? Cronus USA Inc. is the non-profit organization managed by the Directions North America Organizing Committee that operates Directions North America events. Cronus USA Inc. is correctly listed as the merchant for credit card and financial transactions. We use Stripe as our payment processer, and fees such as credit card transactions and fund transfers via financial institutions charged by Stripe are passed through. If you need any additional help with regard to credit card, fund transfers, and financial transactions, please contact [email protected].

We understand circumstances can change. Please review the Policies section on eligibility, cancellation policy, and transfer of passes (substitutions) about deadlines and how to proceed. Only attendees named on registrations will be admitted to the conference.

After you have completed the registration form, select the option to register another attendee. You can register as many attendees as you wish, using their emails so they can receive registration confirmation. This method is straight-forward. Your Attendees will all be registered after you have completed the registration process.

In the event that you want attendees to register themselves and not have to go through the payment process themselves, or if you don’t know who will attend but want to have the Full Conference Pass available for them, you can use the Group Purchase Coupon option. You buy Group Purchase Coupons that can be redeemed prior to Directions North America 2023 for Full Conference Passes. After you have made the purchase, the Event Team will send you a Coupon Code, good for the number of Full Conference Passes you purchased. You may then distribute the Code for attendees to register themselves preferably by no later than March 31, 2023 to ensure completion of the process and their names are on the conference registration list. The minimum is 3 Full Conference Passes.

Important to note: attendees must still register individually at the main registration site, otherwise they will not be admitted.

We are delighted to offer Guest Passes to Directions North America 2023 social events. Guests are encouraged to join in the fun and tickets may be purchased online or at the event, unless the event sells out. There are two types of Guest Passes. One which allows Guests to attend the Welcome Reception (April 16), Expo Reception (April 17) and Partner Celebration (April 18). The other allows Guests to attend the Partner Celebration only (April 18). Guests must be attending with a registered attendee. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend any conference event. Guest name badges contain name only with no company affiliations.

Pets and animals of any types are not allowed in the conference areas. The conference space can be very busy for extended periods of time with people and food services. We wish to respect and support the well-being of those who may have adverse reactions or allergies around animals in enclosed spaces. Attendees who need the assistance of a service dog or animal, properly trained and registered where appropriate, should contact us ahead of time so we can address those needs on a case-by-case basis.

Business casual is the accepted attire throughout the Conference, with casual for the Partner Celebration.

Basic High Speed Internet in your guestroom is complimentary when you reserve your room through the Directions room block. Wireless Internet service for attendees will be available without charge in the conference area.

Directions 2023 Registration Desk hours are as follows:

Sunday, April 16, 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Monday, April 17, 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday, April 18, 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Wednesday, April 19, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

As a full Conference attendee you will have breakfast and lunch on Monday (April 17), Tuesday (April 18), and Wednesday (April 19), and morning and afternoon breaks, The Welcome Reception (April 16), Expo Reception (April 17) and Partner Celebration (April 18) offer both food and beverage service including hosted bars.

Meals will include a variety of food selections, including gluten free and vegetarian. Food ingredients are labeled at the buffet tables. Your well-being is important to us. If you have special dietary needs, please note your dietary restrictions on your registration form. Let us know preferably 4 weeks prior to the conference so we have time to make arrangements.

Know that there is a grab-and-go market and restaurants onsite should you wish to order specialty beverages, snacks, wine and beer, and other food items.

Networking will be available throughout the Conference, starting with the Welcome Reception on Sunday (April 16), Expo Reception on Monday (April 17), and Partner Celebration on Wednesday (April 18). Plan to visit the Microsoft team and Premier Sponsor Exhibit throughout conference hours, and all Exhibitors during the two Expo Receptions and lunch on Monday (April 17). Take advantage of Directions Connections networking hubs with tables equipped with power and USB charging stations located in the conference area that are ideal for ad hoc meetings with other partners. No reservations required.

Your best bet to get Directions room block rate at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is to reserve your room through the Book Your Room link listed on the Venue page. The room rate is $225 per night plus applicable taxes, and waived daily standard resort fee of $35 applicable to other guests. You earn Hyatt Points and help Directions meet its room block commitment with the savings going back to offer you a better experience. Be sure to book early and book direct!

Scam watch reminder: Directions has not authorized any reservation agents to approach sponsors and attendees. No company should call, email or contact you directly about your hotel room reservation. Third parties cannot offer you better price and flexibility. Only reserve your room directly with the hotel via Directions’ Book Your Room link.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is about 25 minutes from the Orlando International Airport (MCO). A cab fare to Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is around $50-$60. Using Uber or Lyft may be cheaper. Another option is Mears which offers shared-ride shuttle services and private transfer services.

A detailed agenda with session rooms and speaker information will be made available shortly before the conference begins.

The Directions Connections areas are located in (1) Grand Cypress Portico West and (2) Windsong Ballroom Prefunction. You will find tables equipped with power and USB charging stations where you can charge up your devices and meet up. No reservations required.

Meet up with the Microsoft team at the Microsoft Support Center in Grand Cypress Portico East.

Visit and chat with Directions’ Diamond, Gold and Silver Sponsors in the Premier Sponsor exhibits located in Grand Cypress Prefunction and Windsong Foyer. They will be joined by Bronze Sponsors and Exhibitors during the Welcome Expo on Sunday evening, Lunch at Expo on Monday, and Expo Reception on Monday evening. Attend ISV Sessions presented by sponsors to learn about the value of their products and services. Don’t miss Directions’ top level sponsors’ presentations during General Sessions.

You may find answers to additional questions about polices in the Polices section, and program details in appropriate sections. Additional Agenda details will be published on this website as planning progresses and announced through Directions’ regular mailings. Be sure to sign up for the mailings. We’d love to hear from you, receive feedback, and help you get the best experience at Directions NA 2023.  Please reach out to the Directions Organizing Committee at any time!

Don’t miss the D365 event by partners, for partners!

SAFETY
Health and Safety Questions

The health and safety of Directions North America 2023 attendees is our top priority. 

Masks are not required but are optional for attendees based on their own personal preferences.

While we follow the CDC guidelines and recommendations, proof of vaccinations will not be required to attend Directions 2023.

Proof of a negative COVID test is not required to attend Directions 2023. However, attendees are asked to follow CDC guidelines and to stay home if they have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or if they have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19.