Micro Focus Joins #StopTheSpread Movement, Turns Annual Customer Event into Virtual Conference to Accommodate Loyal Customer Base

Micro Focus Universe Concludes This Week with More Than 3,500 Registrations and 30 Customer Speakers Addressing the Four Core Pillars of Digital Transformation

Micro Focus wrapped up the company’s flagship customer event, Micro Focus Universe, which annually provides a platform for customers and partners to connect with Micro Focus executives and discuss best practices for digital transformation.  This event was scheduled to be held live in The Hague, Netherlands until two weeks ago, when the unprecedented spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) dictated an adjustment to online.

“Shifting a major company event from live to virtual in a matter of weeks is no small task, but Micro Focus elected to join the #StopTheSpread movement and quickly pivot Micro Focus Universe to virtual in light of what’s taking place in the world right now,” said Genefa Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer of Micro Focus.  “We are thankful to have such a loyal customer base, strong partner community and engaged employees, which resulted in registrations more than tripling after announcing the shift in venue at the end of March.”

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The virtual Micro Focus Universe included presentations from customers such as Lloyds Banking Group, MegaLabs, Carrefour and Verizon Connect, as well as partners such as PWC, Deloitte, DXC.  The event kicked off with a keynote that featured Tim Crawford, one of the most influential – and most retweeted – Chief Information Technology Officers in the world who discussed his unique perspective on digital transformation.

“While the circumstances behind the move from in-person to virtual events right now is indisputably unfortunate, it is heartening to see that organizations like Micro Focus are combining technology and creativity to ensure they stay engaged with their customers and partners in difficult times,” said Mr. Crawford.  “The adjustment to a virtual Micro Focus Universe was seamless, scalable, and in line with the current climate – and perhaps a model for future events.”

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A total of 3,500 customer and partners registered for the virtual sessions, and the event’s hashtag #VirtualUniverse has already achieved 18 million unique views since it was kicked off two weeks ago, further reinforcing the power of a virtual event on a global scale.  The 30-plus customer speakers, and dozens of Micro Focus executive speakers, have reported strong online engagement with attendees.

“We have seen customers extremely interested in virtual conferences, and in many cases include more staff than were planning to travel in person attend virtually,” said Stephen Elliot, Program VP, I&O and Cloud Operations at IDC.  “This offers vendors an opportunity to expand their awareness into accounts, and broaden their market opportunities with clients and prospects.”

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