Empowering Connections: Giovanna Pegoretti at the Power Platform Community Conference 2024

From September 16 to September 21, four of our experts—Giovanna Pegoretti, Leoza Kabir Barker, Éric Sauvé, and Rick Bojahra—attended the third annual Power Platform Community Conference (PPCC) in Las Vegas. Held at the MGM Grand, this event brought together over 6,000 Power Platform enthusiasts, offering a week of technical readiness sessions, hands-on workshops, and community-building opportunities. The conference provided attendees with the latest innovations in the Microsoft Power Platform, particularly highlighting AI-driven tools like Copilot and real-world applications of low-code technologies, while also fostering connections within the community.

Sessions ranged from in-depth technical breakouts to discussions on artificial intelligence's role in shaping business processes. Attendees had the chance to get hands-on experience with new features such as Power Automate AI and coauthoring in Power Apps. More than just a learning experience, the PPCC was a celebration of the vibrant Power Platform community, creating opportunities for networking, collaboration, and innovation.

Interview with Giovanna Pegoretti, business analyst

In this interview, we caught up with Giovanna Pegoretti, a talented Business Analyst who attended the conference as part of our team. Her passion shines through as she shares her excitement about the new tools and features, along with the valuable human connections she made. Giovanna reflects on how the workshops and sessions expanded her perspective—not only on technology but also on its real-world impact for the businesses we support.

Let’s dive into her experience.

What motivated you to attend the Power Platform Community Conference in Las Vegas?

Giovanna Pegoretti: My main motivation was to become more involved in the industry, both professionally and personally. I wanted to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone and be more visible in this space. By attending, I aimed to build my confidence in discussing the technology with colleagues, clients, and others in the field. It was also an opportunity for me to deepen my expertise so that I could speak more comfortably about the latest trends and innovations in Power Platform.

Another big motivator was the chance to meet some of the MVPs (Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals) that I have followed and admired for a long time. These individuals had been helpful in my learning journey, especially when I was just starting. Meeting people like Lisa Crosbie, who had a huge impact on my early understanding of Power Apps, was a goal I’d set for myself. I was fortunate to attend one of her workshops, and I introduced myself to her in person. She was so kind and supportive. I told her how much she had helped me. It was an emotional moment for me because she had played a big role in my learning journey.  

Another MVP I admire is Victor Dantas. He’s from Brazil like me, and he also helped me a lot in the beginning. We had interacted over LinkedIn, and it was really nice to meet him in person because of that history we shared. I also met Ashley Steiner, who I knew from her podcast, and Neil Benson, who was involved in a session I attended. Overall, interacting with these mentors in person, expressing my gratitude, and creating connections was something I was really looking forward to. It was amazing to finally shake hands with these people who had unknowingly guided me through their online content.

Can you describe the atmosphere and energy during the conference?

Giovanna Pegoretti: The atmosphere was electric—full of energy, curiosity, and a sense of community. With so many people gathered in one place, all passionate about technology and innovation, it was a bit overwhelming at first. There was always something happening, whether it was workshops, keynote sessions, or spontaneous discussions in the hallways. It was intense, but in a way that made you want to dive into everything and absorb as much as possible.

Despite the hustle and bustle, I found everyone to be incredibly welcoming and open to conversation. People were eager to share their stories, talk about their experiences, and offer advice. It felt like you could strike up a conversation with anyone at any time, and those moments often turned into meaningful exchanges. Sure, there were long lines and crowded spaces, but that just added to the vibe of a large, connected community. It felt like being part of a big family where everyone shared the same passion for technology.

What stood out to you in the sessions you attended?

Giovanna Pegoretti: The sessions were incredibly informative, but what really stood out to me was the focus on Copilot and how it's revolutionizing the way we interact with business applications. The idea of using structured prompts to get more refined results from AI tools was a game-changer for me. It's not just about asking a question anymore; it’s about crafting the right question to guide the AI to provide exactly what you need. This new approach has a huge impact on productivity and efficiency.

I was also blown away by how seamlessly Copilot integrates with Power Automate. It can now help write complex formulas and create workflows with just a few prompts, which is something I wish I’d had access to when I was first learning the ropes. This functionality not only saves time but also lowers the barrier for those who might not be as comfortable with coding. It’s like having a mentor by your side, guiding you through each step of the process, which is invaluable for professionals at any stage of their career.

Were there any other discussions that caught your attention?

Giovanna Pegoretti: Yes, the interview with Trevor Noah was a real highlight for me. It was fascinating to see someone outside of the tech industry bring a fresh perspective to the conversation about AI. Trevor’s thoughts on the ethical implications and responsibilities that come with AI were both insightful and thought-provoking. He urged leaders to be mindful of how we implement these technologies, emphasizing that while AI has immense potential, it also poses risks that need to be managed carefully.

What struck me the most was how his message resonated with the audience, which included many industry leaders and decision-makers. He challenged everyone to think beyond just the technology itself and consider its broader impact on society. It was a reminder that as we continue to innovate, we must also stay grounded in ethical principles and ensure that we’re using these tools for the greater good.

Was there anything else about Copilot or other technologies that stood out to you?

Giovanna Pegoretti: I was particularly impressed with the advancements in Copilot's customization features. The ability to tailor Copilot to pull information from specific data sources, like internal company files or restricted databases, instead of the open web, is a huge step forward. This makes it much more relevant and secure for businesses that have sensitive data and want to avoid potential risks associated with using general internet searches.

Another feature that excited me was Copilot Studio, where you can create a fully customized Copilot using your company’s data. This opens up so many possibilities for developing AI solutions that are specifically tailored to our clients' needs. Imagine being able to have an AI that’s trained exclusively on your organization's knowledge base, ready to provide precise answers without needing to sift through endless information. This kind of customization is exactly what businesses need to make AI more integrated and effective in their day-to-day operations.

How do you see yourself using Copilot in your day-to-day work?

Giovanna Pegoretti: Moving forward, I plan to put a lot more emphasis on refining how I use prompts with Copilot. It's not just about asking the right questions but also understanding how to frame them to get the most accurate and useful outputs. This is going to be a big focus for me because it can significantly enhance the way I leverage AI tools in my workflow. I want to make sure I'm getting the best possible results to help streamline my tasks.

I've already started using Copilot to help with things like creating presentations and summarizing documents. For example, I used it recently to turn a Word document into a polished PowerPoint presentation, which saved me so much time. Instead of spending hours on formatting and transitions, I could concentrate on refining the content. For my upcoming projects, I’m planning to use Copilot even more extensively to transcribe meetings and generate detailed user stories from those transcriptions, which will help in creating more accurate and thorough requirements for clients.

Empowering innovation

Giovanna’s experience at the Power Platform Community Conference highlights not only her technical prowess but also her passion for connecting with people and sharing knowledge. The insights she gained—from enhancing her understanding of tools like Copilot to building relationships with industry leaders—demonstrate her dedication to both personal growth and the success of her team. As Giovanna continues to integrate these innovations into her projects at XRM Vision, her influence will undoubtedly ripple through the organization, driving positive outcomes for her colleagues and clients alike.

In conclusion, as we’ve explored throughout this article, the challenges we face require not only resilience but also innovative thinking and collaboration. Giovanna exemplifies these qualities through her exceptional ability to adapt and problem-solve in dynamic environments. Her strengths in fostering teamwork and driving strategic initiatives not only enhance our projects but also inspire those around her. As we move forward, her leadership will undoubtedly play a crucial role in navigating the complexities ahead.

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Thank you, Giovanna, for sharing your journey with us and for being such an inspiring presence at the Power Platform Community Conference!