CPPUG Power Platform Hackathon
Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM · Microsoft Calgary
Participant Pack
One document for the whole day. Read page 1 tonight. Each team gets a printed copy on its table tomorrow.
Download the Participant Pack (PDF, 6 pages)
Volunteering, mentoring, or judging? Read the Volunteer and Judge Pack (PDF, 3 pages): role cards, the judging rubric, and the score sheet.
Getting there and getting in
Parking, transit, the locked-building plan, what to bring, and the schedule.
Page 1How the day works and the rules
Teams, planning first, prizes, the rules, what to hand in, and your demo.
Page 2How you are scored
The full rubric with every score anchor, on one page.
Page 3Seven challenges
A scenario, users, a starter build, stretch ideas, and data for each.
Pages 4 and 5Sketch area and team card
Sketch your screens, then cut out the card and hand it in by 1:45 PM.
Page 6About the Event
Join Calgary's premier Microsoft Power Platform hackathon! In one Saturday, you'll collaborate with fellow innovators to build real-world business solutions using cutting-edge low-code tools including Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, Power Pages, Copilot Studio, and AI Builder.
Whether you're new to Power Platform or a seasoned pro, this event focuses on hands-on learning, meaningful networking, and demonstrating what's possible when technology meets creativity.
📅 Event Details
📅 Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
📍 Venue: Microsoft Calgary Office, 8th Floor, 110 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
👥 Teams: 2 to 3 people. No team? We will match you.
🎟️ Cost: $5 community contribution, given to charity
🎯 Why Participate?
- 🏆 Win Amazing Prizes: Two individual Power Platform Community Conference 2026 (PPCC26) passes and Lego Clippy mascots
- 🤝 Network with Experts: Connect with Calgary's Power Platform community leaders
- 📚 Learn by Doing: Hands-on experience with real business challenges
- 🚀 Showcase Innovation: Demonstrate your creativity and technical skills
- 💼 Career Growth: Gain valuable experience and industry connections
- 🎯 Professional Development: Level up your Power Platform expertise
How the Hackathon Works
The CPPUG Hackathon brings together Calgary's brightest minds to tackle real business challenges using Microsoft Power Platform. This isn't just a coding competition, it's a collaborative learning experience where beginners and experts work side-by-side to create solutions that matter.
🎯 Your Mission
Build innovative solutions that solve real business problems or streamline processes using the full Microsoft Power Platform toolkit. Success means creating functional prototypes that demonstrate clear value and potential impact.
⏰ Time to Innovate
You'll have from 10:00 AM to 1:45 PM to collaborate, design, and build, then a live demo for the judges. It's intense, exciting, and incredibly rewarding.
🔧 What You'll Build
Focus on creating a working Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that showcases your core concept. We're looking for functional solutions that prove the Power Platform's potential. Polish comes later, problem-solving comes first!
📊 Judging Criteria
Functionality (30%)
Does the solution work as demonstrated?
Power Platform Use (35%)
How well did you leverage the platform?
Design & UX (25%)
Did you plan it, and is it easy to use?
Presentation (10%)
How clearly did you communicate?
📋 Essential Guidelines
- ✅ Team Size: 2 to 3 members
- ✅ Fresh Start: All development during event
- ✅ Platform Focus: Use Microsoft Power Platform
- ✅ MVP Mindset: Function over polish
- ✅ Team Formation: Solo participants matched
- ✅ Success Focus: Creativity & business impact
Your Day at a Glance
- 9:00 AM, Doors open: Check in and meet your team.
- 9:30 to 9:55 AM, Welcome and challenge briefing: Rules, prepared challenges, and how judging works.
- 10:00 AM, Build time: Plan and sketch first, then build. Mentors are in the room.
- 12:30 PM, Lunch: Food is provided. Keep building if you like.
- 1:45 to 2:00 PM, Final submissions: Hand in your team summary and set up your demo.
- 2:00 to 3:15 PM, Team demos: Show what you built and answer questions.
- 3:15 to 3:40 PM, Judging and networking: Judges score while everyone mingles.
- 3:40 to 4:00 PM, Awards and closing: Winners, photos, and thanks.
Want the full rules and the scoring rubric? Download the Participant Pack (PDF).
Know Before You Go
- Where: Microsoft Calgary Office, 110 9 Ave SW, in the Le Germain office tower across 9 Avenue from the Calgary Tower.
- Getting in: The building is locked on Saturday. Wait in the main lobby from 9:00 AM and a volunteer brings you up. Running late? Message David in the Meetup event chat.
- Washrooms: They are in the hallway outside the office, and the office door locks behind you. Tell a volunteer before you step out.
- Parking: Brookfield Place underground (Lot #35, 225 6 Ave SW, about 3 blocks north) is about $3.15 for 24 hours on the weekend. The surface lot at 208 9 Ave SW is about $5 to $15 for the day. Check the posted rates.
- Transit: The 7 Avenue CTrain stations at Centre Street and 1 Street SW are about a 5 minute walk.
- Bring: A laptop and charger. Use your work or school environment only if your organization allows it. No environment? Sign up for the free Power Apps Developer Plan before you arrive.
- Check in: Fill in the registration form tonight, or scan the QR code at the door.
All of this is on page 1 of the Participant Pack (PDF).
Amazing Prizes Await!
- 🏆 Two individual passes: Power Platform Community Conference 2026 (PPCC26) conference passes, provided by Microsoft. Travel and accommodation are not included.
- 🥈 Runners-up: Lego Clippy mascots for that perfect desk companion.
Every participant walks away with new skills, connections, and the satisfaction of building something incredible!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Microsoft Calgary hosts the hackathon and provides the PPCC26 passes. Thank you to our sponsors: Bauer Automate for the morning coffee and donuts, and Egg Club (downtown location) for the lunch sandwiches.
Community
Calgary Power Platform User Group
Calgary, AB, Canada
Rating
(24 reviews)
Members
and growing!
📸 Community Event Highlights
Take a look at some memorable moments from our past Power Platform events and community gatherings!
Join our vibrant community and be part of Calgary's growing Power Platform ecosystem!
🤝 Volunteer with Us
Help make the CPPUG Hackathon Challenge an amazing experience for everyone! We're looking for passionate community members to join our volunteer team.
🌟 Why Volunteer?
- 🎯 Make an Impact: Help create an incredible experience for participants
- 🤝 Network: Connect with community leaders and fellow enthusiasts
- 📚 Learn: Gain behind-the-scenes event management experience
- 🏆 Recognition: Be acknowledged as a key community contributor
- 💼 Give Back: Support Calgary's growing tech community
📋 Volunteer Opportunities
🎪 Event Setup: Help prepare the venue and materials
👋 Registration & Welcome: Greet participants and handle check-in
🍕 Food & Logistics: Coordinate meals and refreshments
💡 Technical Support: Assist teams with platform questions
📸 Documentation: Capture event highlights for our community
🏆 Awards & Closing: Help with judging logistics and ceremony
📞 Questions & Support
Still have questions? We're here to help!
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During Event:
Organizers and mentors available throughout the day