Seattle’s reputation as a center for global innovation is in tatters as the Democrat-run city’s rampant
crime
and drug-addled
homeless
problem has driven a major tech conference out of the Pacific North West for first time in almost a decade.
Microsoft
will relocate its flagship Build conference from 2026 following mounting concerns over dystopian scenes of open-air drug markets and violence, which have dramatically changed the character of Seattle since the company’s first conference in the city in 2017.
The decision, confirmed in a statement from the company, follows mounting concerns over public safety, visible drug use, and deteriorating conditions in the city’s downtown. This year’s event also faced disruptions when pro-Hamas protesters vandalized the convention center and attempted to enter the venue.
An internal email from Visit Seattle, the city’s tourism agency, said that
both Microsoft leadership and event attendees had expressed alarm about the downtown area surrounding the Hyatt Regency and the Arch Building on 8th Street – key locations for the annual developer conference.
‘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, obtained by journalist Jonathan Choe, stated.
Despite efforts to keep the conference in the city by Visit Seattle and local authorities – including the Seattle Police Department, the Downtown Seattle Association, and the city’s Care Team – Microsoft’s concerns ultimately proved decisive.
‘Unfortunately for Build, it was a contributing factor to their final decision to move out of Seattle,’ the agency wrote.
The loss of Build represents a significant hit to Seattle’s convention and tourism economy, which has long relied on major tech events to draw visitors and business.
Seattle restaurateur David Meinert also confirmed the news in a Facebook post, citing feedback from attendees about the
open-air drug use, the large number of tents lining the streets, and the aggressive homeless population.
‘Mayor Bruce Harrell’s downtown activation plan is not having the success he claims,’ Meinert wrote.
‘I can tell you firsthand how poorly the massive spending on different city agencies is going, due to the inability for them to communicate and work together. It’s 100% about lack of leadership.’
Microsoft acknowledged the change in a formal statement: ‘Our plans for Build 2026 have changed, but our vision to empower builders and developers at a major event next year remains the same. We thank the city and the community for their support over the years.’
Build has been
held in Seattle since 2017, drawing thousands of developers and tech leaders from around the world.
Its departure underscores growing unease among corporate leaders about the state of downtown Seattle.
The Build conference typically attracts thousands of developers from around the world.
Acknowledging the impact of the decision, Visit Seattle described Microsoft’s departure as a ‘huge loss for the city.’
This development follows a pattern of businesses leaving downtown Seattle. Starbucks has closed several stores, with former CEO Howard Schultz
attributing the closures to public safety issues and what he termed failed leadership
.
‘At the local state and federal level, these governments… and leaders, mayors and governors, and city councils have advocated their responsibility in fighting crime & addressing mental illness,’ Schultz stated.
Other major retailers,
including Target, Nike, and Hard Rock Cafe
, have also closed their downtown locations.
Amazon Go has similarly shut down its stores in the area, citing underperformance.
The situation has drawn comparisons to San Francisco, another city that has faced challenges with crime, homelessness, and business retention.
In May,
Seattle was the site of violent clashes between Christian activists and counter-protesters
.
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) reported 23 arrests at a ‘Mayday USA’ rally.
‘Police working to keep two different groups apart, witnessed multiple people inside one group throw items at the opposing group,’ SPD said.
‘Officers immediately moved to arrest the people responsible… resulting in even more arrests.’
Public safety in Seattle has been a contentious issue for several years.
In 2020, then-Police Chief Carmen Best expressed a desire for officers to
return to the East Precinct, which had been abandoned during protests that led to the creation of the ‘Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone’ (CHAZ)
.
Her stance contrasted with that of then-Mayor Jenny Durkan, who favored a more hands-off approach.
When asked how long she anticipated the protest zone would last, Durkan told CNN, ‘I don’t know. We could have a summer of love.’
The ‘autonomous zone’ was established after clashes between police and protesters following the death of George Floyd, during which law enforcement used crowd control measures such as stun grenades and tear gas.
While some reports described lawlessness in the CHAZ, authorities at the time also noted a ‘block party atmosphere.’
Protesters stated their intention to occupy the area until their demands, including police funding cuts, were met.
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