The novel Coronavirus has had unprecedented effects on a multitude of businesses across the globe. With social distancing orders in affect for many regions in the United States and Canada, most major in person events have been impacted.
“Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that Microsoft events
happening through the end of calendar 2020 are all going digital” 1
It comes as no surprise that Microsoft has made the decision to embrace their own technology and content productions platforms to host high quality digital-only events. Starting in May, with Microsoft Build and Microsoft Business Applications Summit (MBAS) and through their full fiscal year 2021 (July 2020 to June 2021), all Microsoft events will be virtual. Microsoft has canceled its in-person Inspire event for partners that was due to be held in July. The company is still working out whether this will also become a digital event or not.
For the Microsoft events that will be digital, their event pages have disclaimers such as this one for Microsoft Ignite in September 2020. 
Microsoft is working diligently to prepare for these digital events. The thinking in cancelling so early is to help give them more lead time and ultimately produce topnotch virtual events.