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2001 MVP Summit!
The
2001 Most Valuable Professional Summit was
held the end of November at Microsoft in Redmond
(Seattle), Washington.
These summits are a great opportunity for MVPs to meet with colleagues and Microsoft folks who we work with over the years, learn new technologies, and have a little time to socialize...thereby strengthing our bonds.
And this year, Bill Gates finally was able to arrange his schedule to meet with us! How cool!
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There are approximately 700 MVPs world wide. This year, nearly 400 were able to attend the 2001 MVP Summit. |
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In prior years...talk about all the rain in Seattle seemed a myth, since it had always been so nice when we were there. But this summit was very late in the year and considering the deep cloud cover as we neared Seattle...we should have realized we were in for some days of terrible wind and rain all week! |
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Mark-Allen Perry (Win MVP from Switzerland) surprises Greg and I at SeaTac airport by meeting us... |
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...with a stretch limo for a luxurious ride from the airport to the Hilton hotel in Bellevue (suburb of Seattle). |
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We arrive at the hotel bar to find that several MVPs are already enjoying themselves! Jimmy Anderson (Win2k MVP) and Ture Magnusson (Excel MVP). |
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It wouldn't be a summit without Bob "Bucky" Buckland (renowned Word MVP) there! |
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Nor would it be a summit without a box of Frangos on the table. |
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You can take MVPs to a bar...but you can't make them stop computing!<g> Jennifer Campion (Excel MVP), Scott Schnoll (Exchange MVP), Greg Chapman (Word MVP) and Mark-Allen Perry (Win MVP) compare hand-held PC applications and features. |
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OK...this is getting ridiculous folks, come on guys...time to go to dinner! |
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So a bunch of us head off to Claim Jumpers for some chow...as another bunch of MVPs head off for Sushi and/or Korean BBQ. |
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We partake in a little beer... |
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...and monster size burgers... |
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...and monster size desserts! |
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Jennifer can barely contain herself!<g> |
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The next day it's off to Microsoft for a welcome reception on Campus. Dian Chapman (Word MVP) |
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Janni Clark is the FEARLESS leader of all 700+ MVPs around the world. So, fittingly, we first present her with a few gifts to say thanks for all the hard work she does on our behalf! Thomas Lee (Backoffice MVP), Janni Clark (MVP Lead), and Carl Prothman (VB MVP). |
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Consumer MVP, Ron Chamberlain from Boston. |
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Office MVP, Susan Ramlet, proving the fact that she's a mom and knows how to deal with her kids!<g> |
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They're EVERYWHERE! |
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And Microsoft knows how to keep the MVPs happy!<g> |
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SEE...it works!<g> |
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By the way, Jennifer, you DO know we have to be on the bus at 6:30am, right? |
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Our former MVP Lead, Connie Sullivan...who still helps Janni with the program. Echo Swinford (PowerPoint MVP), Connie Sullivan (Retired MVP Lead), Tom Koch (IE/OE MVP), Brian Sullivan (IE/OE MVP). |
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The next morning, we arrive at Microsoft VERY early for a very long day of technical sessions and presentations. |
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Jay Freedman (Word MVP). |
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Lori...VP of Product Support for Microsoft...welcomes us to the Summit and gives us a briefing of what to expect over the next couple days. |
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A few statistical facts related to the summit! |
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Some people don't know what an MVP is...Microsoft expresses THEIR ideas of what it takes to be an MVP. |
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More proof that Microsoft appreciate the work its MVPs do to support the user community. |
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Each MVP division has its own Lead...a contact within Microsoft. We meet our leads (new ones in some cases) and get a nice opportunity to get to know them over the next couple days. |
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Time for a smoke break...yes, it's TRUE Seattle weather...break out the umbrellas! Sue
Hoegemeier (Access), Korry "Kip" Pearl
(IE), Ross Pfaff (Office), Greg Chapman
(Word) |
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Time for a little box lunch before we begin the afternoon breakout sessions where MVPs go to sessions related to their areas of expertise...to learn about new stuff...and talk with product support and development to advise them of areas/products that need improvement. |
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Greg and I head off to an Office deployment session...to learn some of the intricacies of various installation methods for Microsoft Office...particularly the new XP and network installs. |
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Microsoft engineers explain details to us about applying updates...how best to deploy binary patches versus full file releases...and how best to deploy these on network installs versus stand alones. |
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Then we meet with the product leads and engineers for Word. We have an opportunity to discuss issues we feel users NEED changed and/or enhanced. As MVPs...we have a good feel for what's needed in the user community. We ask the users...we know the biggest issues...and we're power users...so we have good insight to help improve the product. And Microsoft DOES listen to us! |
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The Word MVPs work together to create a list of enhancements and fixes to Word...which the Microsoft Word engineers take back to their team. |
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After a long day of technical discussions...it's time to RELAX! We head down to Seattle and off on a dinner/dancing cruise on Puget Sound. |
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Lots of goodies! |
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A great chance for teams to get to know each other personally...to better enhance their working relationship. Some
of the FrontPage team...David Berry,
Stefan Rusynko, Mark Rogers and April
their Microsoft Lead. |
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Like I said...you can take MVPs to a party...but you just CAN'T get them to stop geeking out on technology. Here several MVPs compare PC features with MAC features. |
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But there ARE many folks who know how to cut loose. MVPs hit the dance floor. |
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Work hard...play hard. ;-) |
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OUCH!!! |
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Steve Ballmer, Microsoft President, welcomes to the next morning's sessions, via video tape. |
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Bill Gates arrives! |
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He stops to say hi to some MVPs who were outside having a smoke...or waiting in anticipation of his arrival. |
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Bill Gates photo op with a couple of very excited MVPs! |
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Bill talks to the MVPs and describes his vision of the Digital Decade...the future. |
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Giggles of geek humor.<g> |
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Bill shows us a hysterical Entertainment Tonight spoof on how technical studies are done at Microsoft. |
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Yup...Bill loves to laugh at himself. |
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Bill takes time to sit down and chat with the MVPs during a Q&A session. |
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MVPs get to ask Bill questions. |
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And some have fun with the Qs. |
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But we also get some thoughtful information, answers and ideas. |
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Greg in the back. |
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Bill the wiseguy.<g> |
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Dian gets her pics with Bill...well, sorta!<g> |
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Dian stalks<g> Bill in the halls of Microsoft trying to get a casual shot. |
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Time for a smoke break while Mark-Allen is attacked by a bee!<g> Eric, Kip, Mark, Mark-Allen and Greg. |
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Got a tough tech problem? Find the softie with the longest pony tail!<g> |
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And sometimes there ARE advantages to being a smoker...you get to catch Bill outside...and a chance to have a more casual chat. Bill chatting w/Andreas Heib (WinMVP). |
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Back inside...MVPs get ready for another session to question top MS VPs about various product issues. Some Word MVPs...Bob Bucklin (facing) chatting w/Jay Freedman and Terry Farrell |
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More fun video ads to warm us up for the afternoon session. |
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Three of Microsoft top product VPs meet with the MVPs to discuss issues of concern with us. Meeting with Bill was fun and a great experience, but when we meet with Eric, Steve, and Jim...we get to get down to the real meat of many issues. |
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But there's always time for a little comic relief!<g> |
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They DO listen...take notes...and make commitments to help us solve issues we bring to them from the user communities. |
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Even though it's very hazy and overcast today...we can still get a look at the beautiful mountains surrounding the campus. |
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After another break...we continue our with many feedback sessions...allowing us to talk about many issues. |
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Friday afternoon...we wrap up the general sessions. |
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Greg and Dian say goodbye to our Lead, Janni. |
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See you guys...next year! |
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As we depart Seattle...we get an awesome view of Mt. Rainier sticking out from the heavy cloud cover! |
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Check out the snow blowing off the summit! |
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AWESOME! |
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Greg, being a pilot himself, has his flight GPS handy in the plane and shows that we have a long way back to Chicago. Time for a well deserved nap! * * * |
