Seattle just lost a high-profile Microsoft conference due to the city’s rampant homelessness, open-air drug use, and other criminal behavior. In addition to canceling next year’s event, Microsoft will also be “releasing holds for all future years,” according to an internal Visit Seattle email obtained by “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH.
Microsoft’s Build conference, which draws thousands of developers and industry insiders to the city, is officially relocating from Seattle in 2026. According to the email, with the subject line “DEFINITE CANCELLATION,” Microsoft’s decision to leave Seattle was heavily influenced by “leadership & attendee experience walking the convention core from the Hyatt Regency to the Arch building on 8th street.”
“The customers cited the general uncleanliness of the street scene, visibility of individuals engaging in drug use, and unhoused individuals, including the recurring tent in the Arch Tunnel,” the email said. “Microsoft has previously addressed these concerns and Visit Seattle has been working actively with SPD, DSA [Downtown Seattle Association], the Care team and others on trying to solve for them. Unfortunately for Build, it was a contributing factor to their final decision to move out of Seattle.”…