Microsoft TechEd Blog | Technology Conference News and IT Education Highlights

TechEd Gives Back

Brandy Pepper — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:50:51 GMT

Giving back to the local community is an important part of our conference. For 2012, we've partnered with our friends at GeekGive for two impactful volunteer opportunities. We hope you can join us Saturday, June 9, prior to TechEd to help:

Build a house in the Orlando area with Habitat for Humanity | Register Now
Serve meals to those in need with the Coalition for the Homeless | Register Now

If you are unable to join us on Saturday, there will still be two more volunteer opportunities onsite. Join us during conference hours in South Hall B to:

Create colorful paintings and murals that will be installed in local Orlando hospitals. No artistic experience necessary! For more details visit the please visit, the Foundation for Hospital Art.
Assemble care packages for pediatric in-patients in the Orlando area. We will be packaging toiletries, games, puzzles, books and more, as well as writing notes of encouragement to be delivered to Ronald McDonald House and local hospitals after the event. Help bring smiles to those that need it most.

If you have questions or would like to share your volunteer experiences, please post in the discussion below.

Immerse yourself in the Data Platform

Brandy Pepper — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:53:04 GMT

I found a great article on the Microsoft SQL Server Team Blog, and had to repost it to ensure any attendees interested in the Data Platform also saw it:

This year, with the release of SQL Server 2012, we have an incredible line up of presenters and staff to bring you solid session content and top knowledge at both events.

We are also very excited to announce two SQL Server pre-conference seminars:

Pre-Conference: Using BISM Tabular in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2012: Microsoft SQL Server 2012 introduced new BI Services, like Power View and the BI Semantic Model (BISM) in Analysis Services, which offers two types of models, Tabular and Multidimensional. The Tabular model is required in order to publish data for Power View and it is based on concepts like tables and relationships that are familiar to anyone who has a relational database background.

In this seminar, learn from Marco Russo how to build a complete solution in Tabular, either by creating a new model from scratch or by importing an existing PowerPivot model. After an initial introduction of the overall architecture with the Microsoft platform, including SharePoint, PowerPivot and Power View, most of the time is dedicated to the definition of a BISM Tabular model. Learn about creating one from the ground up and then defining all the metadata required in order to obtain a rich semantic model that provides better user experience for data exploration in both Excel and Power View. You also learn the basics of DAX language and how to manage role based security and partitioning in a Tabular model.
At the end of the day, you will be able to create your BISM Tabular models, fully exploiting the features available in a Corporate BI scenario. You will gain a solid background to enable you starting your next project with Tabular.

Pre-Conference: Microsoft SQL Server Performance Tuning and Optimization: In this session, learn about SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2012 performance tuning and optimization. Industry Experts Thomas LaRock and Denny Cherry guide you through tools and best practices for tuning queries and improving performance within Microsoft SQL Server. This session details real-life performance problems which have been gathered and tuned using industry standard best practices and real-world skills.

At both TechEd North America and TechEd Europe, we will have some great opportunities for you to LEARN and help advance your depth of knowledge with SQL Server; CONNECT with Microsoft experts, partners, speakers, and community members; and SHARE information with peers - before, during, and after each event. Here are a few opportunities we would like to call out:

50+ Sessions and Hands-on-Labs: A great way to experience SQL Server 2012 is through our breakout sessions and hands-on-labs. Onsite at TechEd we have a hands-on-labs room, ready for you to take on any of our product features and experience it for yourself.
SQL Server Workshop: Brent Ozar, SQL Server MVP, will be hosting this year's two-hour SQL Server workshop, where you will be able to learn about SQL Server 2012 on Windows Server Core, learn about new administration tasks, new features for DBAs and features that make your life as a Database Developer more interesting using SQL Server Data Tools to build and deploy applications.

Read the full post on the Microsoft SQL Server Team Blog. If you have any questions for the SQL Server or TechEd teams, please post below in our discussion.

Visual Studio's Cameron Skinner and Brian Keller Give A Quick Look Into ALM at TechEd

Brandy Pepper — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:47:28 GMT

Microsoft's Cameron Skinner, General Manager, Visual Studio, and Brian Keller, Sr. Technical Evangelist, are gearing up for another exciting TechEd, and in this two minute video, they also provide an overview of what to expect in their Foundational Session, "Application Lifecycle Management: It’s a Team Sport." Make sure to add their session to your calendar as well as explore some of the additional ALM content scheduled for TechEd.

If you have any questions regarding the session or TechEd in general, please let us know by posting in the discussion below.

Registration for Certification Exam Testing On-Site is now open!

Brandy Pepper — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:34:17 GMT

The online registration for Microsoft Certification Exam testing offered at TechEd North America is now live. Ensure you reserve the day and time on-site that you'd like to take your exam. Sign up today.

In addition to the 30% Exam Discounts, we are also excited to offer a 50% Master Exam Discount on select exams and FREE Private Cloud exams:

30% Exam Discounts | Register

We are excited to offer a 30% discount on the following Microsoft Certification Exams on-site at TechEd:

Exam 70-243 | Administering and Deploying System Center 2012 Configuration Manager
Exam 70-400 | Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007, Configuring
Exam 70-461 | Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
Exam 70-583 | Designing and Developing Windows Azure Applications
Exam 70-640 | Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
Exam 70-642 | Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
Exam 70-646 | Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator
Exam 70-659 | Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization

50% Master Exam Discounts | Register

For the first time, we are offering a $250 savings on the following Microsoft Certified Master Exams at TechEd:

Exam 88-970 | SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Master: Knowledge Exam
Exam 88-974 | Microsoft Certified Master: Exchange Server 2010, Knowledge Exam

Free Exams | Registration to Open Soon*

The following Private Cloud certification exams, which are part of the required exam path to earn Microsoft Certification Solutions Expert for the Private Cloud (MSCE: Private Cloud), will be offered at no cost to TechEd attendees who take the exam on-site:

Exam 70-246 | Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
Exam 70-247 | Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012

*Online registration for Private Cloud Exams at TechEd 2012 will open mid-May.

Get all the details and links to additional resources on the TechEd North America Certification page. And as always, post any questions or feedback on the discussion below.

Jam Sessions really do rock!

Brandy Pepper — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:25:46 GMT

For those of you familiar with Jam Sessions, you know that the sponsor, venue, and participants always ROCK. This year will be no different, with CommVault and Dell sponsoring the evening event at the legendary B.B. King's Orlando.

Now, for those of you that are unfamiliar with Jam Sessions, or are just completely skeptical that quality music can be performed by people who don't know each other using instruments that are not their own, I can relate. I was apprehensive about my first Jam Sessions, and had to be coaxed into attending. Immediately upon arrival, I got in line to utilize my free drink ticket, and found a place amongst the crowd.

The first song started, stopped, started again, and then all of a sudden it clicked, and this group of people cranked out a totally rockin' version of Sweet Home Alabama. I couldn't help myself, I had to cheer and clap when they finished.

And to my delight, the amazing music didn't stop the rest of the night. I've had similar experiences in the four Jam Sessions I've attended since. So I strongly encourage you to mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 12 from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., and join my friends at CommVault and Dell as we rock out with fellow attendees.

If you have any questions or care to share your own Jam Session stories (e.g. would love to hear the perspective from someone who has performed at Jam Sessions), please post here or send me an email via myTechEd.

Community Night is a go!

Brandy Pepper — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:25:13 GMT

Community Night is your opportunity to continue conversations with members of the community that you will meet in the Technical Learning Center and Connect Zone. Find out more about the resources available to help you address the day to day needs of your job, and get your technical questions answered. Talk to people, like you, who have learned the value of being part of a community and how to get the most out of it.

We hope you will join us to connect with community members in a relaxing, informal environment while enjoying great food and beer! Join us before the Jam Sessions, Tuesday, June 12, 6:15 – 9:00pm in North Hall B.

If you have any questions, please let us know by posting in the discussion below!

TechEd 2012 Closing Party

Brandy Pepper — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:23:54 GMT

Get ready for one of the biggest parties Microsoft TechEd has ever thrown, because we've reserved the entire Universal's Islands of Adventure® theme park just for you! All night long, you'll have unlimited access to incredible rides and attractions like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, Jurassic Park River Adventure®, and the magic and excitement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. It's an entire universe of action and thrills - and it's all yours!

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
(s12)

TM & © 2012 Marvel & Subs. Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Camp Jurassic, Jurassic Outfitters, Jurassic Park Discovery Center ® Universal Studios/Amblin. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2012 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

What you need to know

Every year attendees look forward to unwinding at the Closing Party, which rounds out an exciting week at TechEd. Be ready to celebrate with us on Thursday, June 14 from 7:30pm - 12:00am. Some more info you need to know...

Badge requirements: A flyer about the party will be handed out when you register on-site at the convention center. Please detach the wristband from the side of the flyer and wear it for access to the Closing Party.

Guest passes: Attendees are welcome to purchase guest passes for $125USD per pass. Passes may be purchased online through the attendee registration process, or at the Registration Desk onsite at the Convention Center. No guest passes will be available at the party. All guests five years of age or older must purchase a pass to enter the Closing Attendee Party. Child care services will not be available. Guests may be required to show government issued photo ID for admittance. Guests will be required to wear a wristband for entry.

Transportation: Shuttle service will be provided between TechEd hotels and Islands of Adventure, 7:00pm - 12:00am. The last bus will depart from the party to hotels at 12:15am. After that time, taxis will be available from the Universal® Orlando Resort's transportation center.

Security: All bags, backpacks and packages will be inspected prior to entering the theme park. We strongly recommend you leave unnecessary and valuable articles at your hotel. There will be no bag check storage available.

Guests with Disabilities: For a list of all attractions and their specific requirements and accommodations, please consult Guest Services (407.224.4233) or visit Islands of Adventure Accessibility Information.

Building Your TechEd 2012 Schedule Helps All Attendees

Brandy Pepper — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:36:32 GMT

In the last two weeks, the TechEd team has made a few BIG announcements. We disclosed the closing party location, finalized our Keynote Address line up, and launched Schedule Builder along with the release of more session types, including hands-on labs, workshops, birds-of-a-feather sessions and exam crams. What do you think? Are you finding the content that interests you? Are you excited for June?

As many of you know from the discussion boards or from your own experience, having your schedule planned before you arrive in Orlando allows you to make the most of your time on-site. But did you also know that your schedule selections help the planning team?

The aggregated data from your schedules helps determine room sizes and which sessions are repeated. This may seem minimal to you, but this is a huge component to determining room placement, which impacts the ever important, walking distance. In addition, it allows the most popular speakers the opportunity to repeat their sessions to more attendees.

Therefore, we're asking that you please begin building your on-site experience with Schedule Builder ASAP. Your involvement right now will not only help you, but the TechEd team and your peers as well.

Questions or comments? Please post in the discussion below or send me an email via myTechEd.

Make Every Day Earth Day

Brandy Pepper — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:10:54 GMT

Since every day should be Earth Day, we are going to post about it a few days before the official holiday, Sunday, April 22, 2012. We are also going to showcase a special green TechEd logo, just for the occasion.

In all seriousness, sustainability is a big initiative for the team and for Microsoft as a whole. Therefore, we wanted to highlight how we reduced the environmental impact from the 2011 event, as well as give you an idea of what to expect and how to help on-site for 2012.

Achievements

For TechEd 2011 in Atlanta last year, some of our sustainability highlights included:

64% of waste generated was recycled, composted or donated.
Garbage going to the landfill was reduced by approximately 6 semi-trucks full compared to the previous year.
Waste reduction, recycling and composting also meant a significant reduction in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, equal to the annual emissions of 32 passenger vehicles.

Plans for 2012

This year, for TechEd 2012 in Orlando, we are again making sustainability a focus. Some of the ways our team is addressing this include:

Waste Reduction Efforts

Reusable Water Bottles: Attendees receive reusable BPA-free water bottles to fill at water cooler stations throughout the convention center instead of single use bottles. Save a cup and use your water bottle!
Recycling: Help us divert waste from landfills by actively utilizing the recycling bins. Recyclable items include: paper, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles.
Signage: TechEd uses plasma screens to help reduce hard-copy signage waste. Many of the other signs are made from recycled paper and are recyclable, and vinyl banners will be repurposed into bags, journals and other reuasable products.
Reuse of Badge Holders: Upon your departure from the convention center on Thursday, leave your badge holder in one of the bins located in the Convention Center, and they will be donated to local school programs and non-profits. Please keep your badge, pen, and mini guide.
Reduce Excess: TechEd sponsors and exhibitors are encouraged to minimize the amount of materials they bring to the conference, to utilize recycled content materials where possible, and to recycle and donate.

Environmentally Responsible Purchasing

Giveaways: The majority of giveaways are either manufactured from recyclable materials or recyclable. This includes the "upcycled" attendee backpack manufactured from over 25,000 yards of excess fabric, with each backpack conserving 33.6 gallons of water and avoiding 71% of carbon emissions.
Recycled Paper: The majority of conference-created collateral, including conference guides, mini guides, and notepads, are printed with vegetable-based ink on paper containing a minimum of 55% recycled material, 30% post-consumer. All computer stations are stocked with recycled paper.
Local Ingredients: Menus feature a percentage of locally-grown ingredients.

Energy and Emissions Reduction Efforts

Facility Energy Conservation Measures: Nationally recognized for its sustainability initiatives, the Orange County Convention Center is committed to environmental stewardship through ongoing projects and consistent review of its facilities and processes. You can read more information on OCCC's green initiatives.
Shuttles and "Low-Idle": A "low-idle" rule is in place—shuttle drivers are instructed to either turn engines off, or put them in low idle mode to help reduce emissions. Shuttles are provided from TechEd 2012 hotels to the convention center to reduce single occupancy vehicle usage

Community Engagement

Donations: Leftover food is donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. Left over giveaways and materials from the conference and exhibitors will also be donated to A Gift for Teaching, an Orlando-based organization that provides surplus materials and resources to teachers for their students in need.
Volunteer Opportunities: We’re working on a number of volunteer opportunities to be held the day before, and during, the event. More details will be available on our website soon, and we look forward to working side-by-side with you to help give back to the local Orlando community.

Our Commitment

At Microsoft, we're committed to software and technology innovations that help people and organizations around the world improve the environment. Our goals are to reduce the impact of our operations and products and drive responsible environmental leadership. Please email us at grnmeet@microsoft.com with questions, comments, or suggestions about these sustainable efforts. We’d like to know your thoughts.

Guest Blogger Karen Fay Shares Why X-IO Looks Forward to TechEd 2012...And Why You Should Too

Brandy Pepper — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:50:58 GMT

Karen Fay is a Director at X-IO Technologies with many years of experience in application development, database design, storage technology and FC storage networks.

I have only recently joined X-IO, but it's clear that Microsoft TechEd is a highly buzzed-about event around here. Although I am new to X-IO, I am certainly not new to the industry or world class storage solutions. With many years of experience in application development, database design, storage technology and FC storage networks, I was eager to sit down and speak with CTO Steve Sicola and Technology Evangelist Keith Hageman about what to expect for this year's event.

While they recounted their experiences at TechEd 2011, it was impossible not to get caught up in their Oscar-worthy tale. They were very proud of their industry-leading Hyper ISE product, which was clocking numbers like 14.4GB, 60K IOPS in 3U. However, when the Best of TechEd Hardware Award went to CISCO for UCS, Steve and Keith reminded each other it was an honor just to be nominated. They then packed up their belongings and began to head out to another event - until they were suddenly stopped by a fellow attendee who suggested they stick around for a while.

Much to their surprise, X-IO wound up winning Breakthrough Product of the Year 2011! Not only that, they also received the equally prestigious and flattering "Attendee's Pick" award. As they recounted their tale to me, I realized that they were every bit as proud of these accolades today as they were on the day X-IO received them.

And this year is shaping up to be just as exciting! X-IO kicked off 2012 with a bang, supporting Microsoft's recent SQL Server 2012 launch by participating in two of the three key benchmark tests (Redknee and Temenos), where we drove 330+% more transactions/second than any SSD only solutions.

As part of this year's X-IO team attending TechEd, I look forward to building on the momentum already achieved and helping to further spread the word about our record-breaking price/performance, scalability and availability for Microsoft-driven applications and virtualized environments. We haven't been resting on our laurels. Don't miss the opportunity to see amazing new application acceleration plus virtualization assessments that can show how to make your storage investment FREE.

Join us in discussions of storage horizons at www.SteveSicola.com, where Steve defines the future storage vision and I will visit to "bring it home" to your business needs.

Microsoft TechEd North America 2012 will certainly draw the finest database, virtualization, application and hardware vendors in the industry. Stop by to chat with us in the Microsoft Partner Pavilion or at the X-IO booth (#808) where I look forward to seeing all of you!

Complete Keynote Lineup Announced

Brandy Pepper — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:13:17 GMT

A few weeks ago we were thrilled to announce that Satya Nadella, President, Server and Tools Business and Jason Zander, Corporate Vice President, Visual Studio will keynote TechEd North America on June 11. Two weeks later TechEd Europe attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from Jason Zander, as well as Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Management & Security Division. Building on that momentum, today we are very excited to share that Antoine Leblond, Corporate Vice President, Windows Web Services, will deliver a day two keynote at both the Orlando and Amsterdam events!

Today we have also disclosed a number of new conference sessions. With more than 1,000 total sessions, there will be a lot to choose from. To help you create the agenda that's right for you, we've launched a new schedule builder tool that makes it easy to create and manage a targeted and highly personalized calendar of events.

We hope you'll join us for this year's festivities, learn more about the events at http://northamerica.msteched.com/ and http://europe.msteched.com/.

Guest Blogger Jason Bovberg Provides Insight on the Best of TechEd Inner Workings

Brandy Pepper — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:40:50 GMT

Jason Bovberg (jbovberg@windowsitpro.com) is a senior editor for Windows IT Pro and SQL Server Pro, covering products as well as the systems management, hardware, and storage/backup topic areas. He also oversees the publications' awards programs. He has more than 20 years of experience as a writer and editor in magazine, book, and special-interest publishing.

Microsoft asked me to provide a blog post about the Best of TechEd awards from the perspective of the Windows IT Pro judging panel. Windows IT Pro has been heading up this awards program for over a decade, and the program has only grown in prominence since its inception. We view it as an invaluable, unbiased way to recognize stellar Microsoft products but also - and more vitally - to bring attention to top-tier products from Microsoft's galaxy of talented partners.

Over time, the list of categories that comprise Best of TechEd has evolved according to the flow of the market, but the overall number of categories tends to hover around 15 or 20, a good number that results in an effective snapshot of the industry (and the trade show itself) and that remains manageable for our team. Our relatively small judging panel - made up of five or six seasoned technical editors and journalists from Windows IT Pro, SQL Server Pro, and Dev
Pro - make the annual pilgrimage to TechEd to experience three finalists in each category firsthand, but before we get there, we have a lot of work to do.

Before June, we spend a few months preparing for Best of TechEd. We determine our panel, which generally consists of the same primary players year to year, although over time we've added technical expertise and reassigned categories as necessary. At the end of the Microsoft nomination process, each judge receives his or her category assignments. Generally, the assignment of categories conforms to the individual editor/author's area of expertise, and this distribution of categories immediately brings the 300-plus nomination list down to something manageable! The judge then has a couple weeks to research the nominated products in each category and really get a feel for how the product works and how it is being received in the industry. Some categories will have as few as five nominees, whereas others will have as many as thirty. We bring our market expertise to bear on the decision-making toward the finalist determination, and we rely on each other, too. Our senior technical editors have a lot to say during these deliberations.

Our three main criteria for the judging process in our awards programs are strategic importance, competitive advantage, and value to customers. Those qualities are always top of mind, whether we're determining which lucky three finalists are chosen before the show or whether we're on the show floor, picking one winner from the three finalists. Sometimes, a product will stand above the pack because it solves a pressing need in a clever way; other times, a product will burst forth in its new edition with noteworthy functionality that had been absent in previous editions. Sometimes, a product will have a vast network of customer support that makes it "buzzworthy"; other times, the product is a unique, powerful player from a small, unknown company that's deserving of recognition. There are many reasons why a product - or a facet of a product - might catch our eye, and these reasons are all part of the intricate research and study we put into the pre-judging process.

On occasion, we've been asked whether our awards programs are merely popularity contests. As the previous paragraphs attest, nothing could be further from the truth. We try our best to give equal weight to the biggest players and the smallest contenders. We often find ourselves unwitting spokespersons for the little up-and-comers - the Davids to the industry Goliaths. We value fantastic new features from the big guys, but we also love the game-changing ingenuity of the new guys. (Sometimes, the big guys have even been known to get upset with us for this mindset!) Our lists of finalists are more than likely to include an industry behemoth right next to a newcomer - and it's not out of the realm of possibility that the newcomer will come out on top!

Which leads to the inevitable question: How can you get in on this? What's the best way for you to submit a nomination? In the Microsoft submission form, you'll see a field in which you can provide details about your product. Our strongest suggestion is to provide persuasive information about how you think your product stands apart from the rest of the field. How is your product unique? What pressing need does it solve? How has it caught fire with consumers and workforces? Don't just copy-and-paste your marketing materials into this field. Consider it your opportunity to tell us how great you and your customers think your product is. Provide links to reviews; share YouTube videos that provide hands-on feel for the product; give us links to communities where users are championing your product.

From giant vendors to the tiniest newcomer, any company can benefit from the distinction of being a Best of TechEd winner and even finalist. Past winners and contenders are eager to highlight their accolades on their websites and in their marketing materials. A Best of TechEd distinction serves as an industry validation of the product, and can be used in myriad ways inside and outside your company, from product development and strategy to marketing and sales. And for the newcomer, it can broaden growth potential.

We look forward to seeing (and perhaps judging) you at the show!

What are your top 3 reasons for attending TechEd?

Brandy Pepper — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:28:14 GMT

As many of you know, we also have a TechEd Facebook page. The team recently posted this same question, "What are your top 3 reasons for attending TechEd", and I just had to share some of the responses. Do you have anything to add? Post your thoughts on the discussion below...

Meet TechEd Pre-Con Speaker John Craddock, Infrastructure and Security Architect for XTSeminars Ltd.

Brandy Pepper — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 05:43:06 GMT

Today’s Speaker Highlight features John Craddock, Infrastructure and Security Architect for XTSeminars Ltd. John will be presenting PRC01: Building Federated External Access for Microsoft SharePoint 2010.

We asked…

What is your job/role?
I work as a federation and security architect. Although I am based in the UK most of my work is global and involves multiple time zones. I split my time between helping organizations develop future-proof IT strategies, architecting solutions, solving challenging conundrums and delivering deep technical sessions at conferences around the world. Do I enjoy my work? Absolutely, it’s also one of my passions and hobbies; I am very privileged in this respect.

I like riding the wave and embracing new technologies as they appear. As soon as jungle drums started beating about Active Directory, I was testing out early releases of the product and figuring out its capabilities. It was an honor to present sessions on Active Directory at the Windows 2000 launch conferences. For many years I concentrated on delivering AD solutions and have worked on many types of deployments for governments, international corporations and commercial organizations.

Today I am helping companies deliver solutions for authentication and authorization where users, services and identity are distributed between on-premise, partner organizations and the Cloud. This is an exciting space to be in at the moment with many challenges and rewards. My Pre-Con session at TechEd this year is based on my field experience and looks at building enterprise ready solutions using federated identity. Although the Pre-Con is titled, “Building Federated External Access for Microsoft SharePoint 2010”, it will show you how to build solutions for any claims enabled applications, mixing identities from your own organization, partner organizations and 3rd party identity providers. You can find more details about the Pre-Con at blog.xtseminars.co.uk.

How many TechEd conferences have you attended?
Many! I attended the first ever TechEd in Europe, which was in Bournemouth UK in 1994. I started speaking at events in Europe in 1999 although I can’t remember if the event that year was called TechEd. My first TechEd event in the US was also 1999 in Dallas, Blondie was playing at the party! I have spoken at every TechEd in Europe since ‘99 less frequently in the US, but I do remember events in New Orleans, Boston, San Diego and Atlanta. This year I’m looking forward to TechEd in Orlando.

What's your favorite TechEd memory or what are you most excited about for this year?
For me the most exciting part of TechEd is meeting the gurus that have actually designed the products. Before the release of Active Directory, I will never forget meeting the AD team and spending hours discussing the AD object security model. The model changed between an early release of the software and what was finally delivered for RTM. Just to be able to discuss the logic and reasoning behind those changes was a real prize.

Who would you like to meet at TechEd?
Fellow geeks, who want to chat, discuss and share experience. The networking at TechEd is invaluable.

What’s your favorite technology you use on a daily basis?
It has to be my Nokia Lumia 800 Windows 7 phone, an amazing device. Next is OneNote which I use all the time for taking notes and formulating ideas. When it comes to troubleshooting it has to be a network monitor.

Put your visionary hat on, what do you think will be the hottest technology (device, game, trend, etc.) in 2017?
2017 is a long way away in terms of computing power, at least two iterations of Moore’s law. Quantum tunneling is predicted to be a reality by 2017 - this gives the potential to have devices that consume virtually no power allowing the creation of the ultimate compute engine.
As research draws us closer to understanding the brain, maybe 2017 will offer the ability to directly interface between the brain and our own super computer. To learn a new skill we must be taught the basics, process that knowledge and then build and refine it through experience. Imagine the potential if we could provide a platform for full knowledge transfer.

Do you have any geeky hobbies you’d care to share?
My background was real-time systems control and electronics. I still have a passion for automating things; it’s just great when your PC or handheld device turns on the lights, adjusts the central heating or controls remote systems. Next job is to get it all working with gestures using the Xbox Kinect, although perhaps I’ll be using the accelerometer in my Nokia first!

I hope John’s detailed (and humorous) answers help you get to know him! If you have questions he hasn’t answered—or I haven’t asked—please post them in the discussion below.

2012 Keynote Speakers Announced

Brandy Pepper — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:06:58 GMT

STB News Bytes just announced the TechEd 2012 Keynote Speakers. The following is a snippet, or you can read the full article by visiting their web-site:

As part of the TechEd planning efforts today, we’re thrilled to disclose the confirmed keynoters who will be joining you in Orlando and Amsterdam! TechEd North America (June 11-14) is honored to welcome Satya Nadella, President, Server and Tools Business and Jason Zander, Corporate Vice President, Visual Studio. TechEd Europe (June 26-29) attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Management & Security Division, as well as Jason Zander.

Across all of the keynotes and sessions you can expect to hear the latest about Microsoft technology with tracks covering Windows Client, Windows Azure, Windows Phone, Windows Server, Architecture & Practices, Database & Business Intelligence, Office, Security & Identity, Developer Tools and more.

Of course, the team cannot wait to get your feedback, so please post any thoughts in the discussion below.

Partners: Will Your Product Win Best of TechEd North America 2012?

Jody Horton — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:51:21 GMT

As a Microsoft Sponsor or Exhibitor you have probably been advised by the partner team that the Best of TechEd North America Awards Product Nomination Survey is live! I speak from experience (six-year TechEd fan, alumni, and partner exhibitor) when I say THIS IS A FANTASTIC PROGRAM! If you haven’t already started working on your submissions, I have to ask WHY NOT? It’s easy to participate, it’s free, and the marketing exposure is one of the best available at the event.

The Best of TechEd (BOTE) North America awards, produced by Windows IT Pro, SQL Server Pro, SharePoint Pro and Dev Pro, recognize the innovative products and services showcased at Microsoft TechEd North America 2012. A panel of editors from these publications will select a winner from each product award category and TechEd attendees will select the winner of the Attendees' Pick Award by voting for their favorite product. It is an opportunity unique to TechEd participants, because the awards recognize product and service innovations showcased specifically at TechEd. Entries are judged by the various editors of the noted publications; evaluation criteria are based on things like strategic importance, competitive advantage, and customer value. There are 19 categories for which Partners can submit entries. Plus, attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorite product from all nominated Partners for an additional win (it also helps promote booth traffic for all finalists).

This is a great way to gain additional exposure at the event because the TechEd Partner directory will feature nominated products prior to the event. The finalists will be promoted on the TechEd and Windows IT Pro web-sites as well as on the digital wall in the TechExpo Hall.

The best part: finalist and winners will be able to highlight their accolades post event via websites and other marketing materials. Your sales team will love this because it helps validate product claims during the sales cycle.

For ProClarity, participation in the BOTE was a key event strategy and PR strategic initiative. We were a finalist on two occasions and we won our category once. The recognition we received elevated our presence at the event despite being a small company with limited budgets and a small booth presence – and the value the third party credibility provided to our ongoing marketing and sales efforts was without measure. So, get started on those submissions today – and make your mark in Orlando!

Guest blogger, Jody Horton, previously worked as a Marketing Events Manager at ProClarity (acquired by Microsoft in 2006). As a six year alum and overall fan of the conference, she is happy to answer any questions you may have. Please email her via myTeched or post your comments on the discussion below.

Meet TechEd Pre-Con Speaker Marco Russo, Senior Consultant at SQLBI

Brandy Pepper — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 04:29:33 GMT

Today's Speaker Highlight features Marco Russo, Senior Consultant at SQLBI, presenting PRC05: Using BISM Tabular in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2012. Marco is a ten-year veteran of TechEd, having attended seven times in North America and three in Europe, and spends part of his time teaching and writing about Analysis Services.

We asked...

What's your favorite TechEd memory or what are you most excited about for this year?
You know, the first time in Orlando was a shocking experience, it was my first conference in the U.S., and I was used to conferences with 1,000-2,000 people, attending an event with 11,000 attendees was really shocking to me. It was big! But one year later, in Atlanta, it was bigger (13,000 attendees)! The Visual Basic 10th Year Anniversary Party used a whole stadium and I never thought it would have been possible to put so many geeks in the same place.

Numbers aside, I think the value at TechEd is having all of the Microsoft technologies covered in a single event. I've attended many sessions over the years of technologies that I was curious about but that wouldn't have justified a dedicated training or conference. Only at TechEd you can get the big picture and at the same time you can go deep on every single product if you need it.

I also have a good memory of the first session I delivered as a speaker at TechEd,and this year,I'm really excited to present a pre-conference seminar about Analysis Services. I know TechEd attendees have high expectations (I always had) and I'll work hard with Alberto Ferrari preparing the seminar we'll deliver together.

Who would you like to meet at TechEd?
I'd like to meet many people I contacted in the past through mail, forums and blogs. I like to give a face to a name! And I also love to meet readers of my books - every time I meet someone from different parts of the world that read some article, blog or book I've written, there is something magical. Yes, we all know well that Internet clears the distance, but you don't realize how important this is until you see that your job is affecting (in a good way!) the working life of people all around the world.

What's your favorite technology you use on a daily basis?
Analysis Services, of course! To tell the truth, Outlook and Word are competing hard in getting the largest part of my time. But I love Business Intelligence related technologies, so PowerPivot and Analysis Services are my favorite technologies, and also Power View and Data Explorer are rapidly getting a share of my interest these days.

Putting your visionary hat on, what do you think will be the hottest technology (device, game, trend, etc.) in 2017?
Really hard to say – I see a big movement around Kinect and I've seen how important the touch experience is. So in 5 years I think we'll see a shift in user interface towards consuming content. I'd like a personal device (calling it smartphone is definitely a reducing term) that will behave like my personal agent, calling me when there is a relevant message or news to read. We're just at the beginning of this revolution, but today filtering and prioritizing news, messages and other information still requires too much effort. Maybe 5 years are not enough to get this device, but we'll definitely see these devices be part of our always-connected life. That should not imply always-working life – this is another important filter that a "personal agent" should be able to do!

Do you have any geeky hobbies you'd care to share?
Well, I'm so lucky to do a job I love that I don't think I have a hobby! I would do what I do as a hobby if I had another job! Maybe I can classify as geeky hobbies reading twitter and answering email when I am on a ski chair lift?

If you have questions for Marco Russo on topics like his upcoming Pre-Con, PRC05, Analysis Services, or how he could read on a ski chair lift without getting sick, please post them in our discussion below. And if there's any TechEd speaker or staff you'd like to learn more about, please let me know by sending me a message via myTechEd.

Partners: Why Participate at TechEd?

Jody Horton — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 05:35:31 GMT

Guest blogger, Jody Horton, discusses the value of her TechEd Sponsorship experience, and how her company profited from making new contacts as well as growing the pipeline with existing customers.

I am a huge fan of TechEd—not to mention a six-year veteran—and I can say with absolute certainty if you are a Microsoft partner and the Microsoft platform is fundamental to your solutions or product offerings, then this is THE event for you! Why, you ask? Well, as a former Marketing Events Manager at ProClarity (acquired by Microsoft in 2006) TechEd was one of my most effective and successful marketing events because the number of promotional vehicles we were able to leverage. The basic exhibitor package allowed us to execute our event strategy and our overall company marketing goals and objectives without breaking the budget. As an added bonus, we were also able to further channel development initiatives, PR strategies, and progress our alliance with Microsoft on several levels. TechEd is so much more than just a trade show and with a little advanced planning there is so much more to achieve there from an overall company strategy than just gathering leads for your marketing and sales efforts.

Here are a few things to think about if you are still evaluating this opportunity or are looking for additional venues for productivity while onsite:

In the 6 months leading up to the event, the TechEd website receives over 250,000 visitors interested in learning more about products, solutions and services related to the Microsoft solution set. This means, they are interested in learning about your company and your solution set
72% of attendees recommend products and solutions
The primary objective of 91% of the attendees is to learn about new products/technologies or keep up-to-date on existing—perfect for building and cultivating marketing leads that have sales potential

Are there other companies you are trying to build partnerships with?
Leverage the exhibitor guide and the networking tool as a way of furthering Channel initiatives by finding and setting up meetings with potential partners, key Microsoft contacts or to make connections with GITCA, INETA or SQLPASS to learn how to engage with regional user groups in specific sales territories.

Are there customers you can invite to the event?
Yes, and this is a great opportunity to let them know they are valued by extending a $400 savings to them, it’s also a terrific way to highlight your participation at the event, get your customers and your potential customers to the booth to preview and evaluate your latest offerings as well as set up meetings with key contacts.

Do you have any product previews or customer case studies you would like to promote to Media companies?
This is a great opportunity to meet with key media contacts and gain insight into editorial calendars to tap into upcoming opportunities for product launch promotion, product evaluations, etc.

Do you need to build a marketing database for upcoming targeted marketing campaigns?
Are you trying to further prospects along the sales cycle? Are you trying to identify the influencers and decision makers for specific technology purchases? Having a space in the TechEd TechExpo hall can help you achieve all of this and more.

To close, I want to reiterate again, the importance of planning. It is key to making your TechEd presence incredibly impactful to your program. The online marketing provided before, during and after the event in addition to the social channels and your on-site presence all help you connect with potential and existing clients.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to let me know by posting your comments here or by sending me an email through myTechEd. I look forward to seeing you in Orlando!

Meet TechEd Pre-Con Speaker Kate Gregory

Brandy Pepper — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:59:30 GMT

Today's TechEd Featured Speaker Highlight features Kate Gregory, Founding Partner at Gregory Consulting and presenter of Pre-Conference Seminar PRC08: C++ in 2012: Modern, Readable, Safe, Fast.

We asked...

What is your job/role?
I'm a founding partner here at Gregory Consulting. We have two kinds of clients: the kind we write software for and the kind we help to be better developers. I do a lot of different things every day: client support, architecture, writing words, and of course writing and testing code. Learning new things fast and then letting people know whether those new things are relevant to them, and if so what to do about it, is a big part of my job. I've been a C++ developer for over twenty years - since before Microsoft even had a C++ compiler. Some years I do more C++, some years more managed code, and some years I don't write much code because I write a lot of words. But it always comes down to helping people get the most out of technology.

How many TechEd conferences have you attended?
My first TechEd was 1999 in Dallas. I was an attendee. Then I didn't go again until 2003 when I was a speaker. I've done every year at TechEd US since then, making this my 11th TechEd US and my 10th as a speaker. My first TechEd Europe was in 2003 as a speaker in Barcelona. I missed all the Amsterdam years but then got back into the consecutive years speaking habit, with 3 in Barcelona and 2 in Berlin. I've even spoken at TechEd Africa three times!

What's your favorite TechEd memory or what are you most excited about for this year?
I have dozens, even hundreds of memories. I remember Kimberly Tripp pulling USB drives out of a hub while a script was running - that was in South Africa - and in Barcelona I remember a great after-panel conversation with Charles Torre, Cyra Richardson, and Catherine Heller that ended up on Channel 9. Another year in Barcelona I was lucky enough to spend a little time with Arfa Karim. And of course, I had lunch with BillG at TechEd US for his last year. I've watched a LOT of TechEd sessions on video and am very glad that's an option, but nothing beats being there in-person.

Who would you like to meet at TechEd?
I am so looking forward to going into a giant meal hall and joining a table with 4 or 6 people already sitting at it, and for them to be developers. Even better if they're C++ developers. I will ask them what the "C++ Renaissance" means to them. TechEd is all about technology and information attendees can use today, so always I ask at lunch - what are you learning? What are you going to start using Monday? I want to hear all about it. Of course, when I get the chance to meet some of the giants of our industry, I'll look forward to that too!

What's your favorite technology you use on a daily basis?
I'm well known for being in love with C++. And that means I use Visual Studio almost every day. But not just for C++ - when I work in C# or VB, or even when I manage work items in a non-coding project, I'm in Visual Studio. I've written courses on how to use it, and on how to write extensions so you can make it do even more. I won't say I'm in love with it, but without it I just couldn't work. My favorite, of course, is the C++ language. It's just not what people remember from 10 or more years ago, it really isn't!

Put your visionary hat on, what do you think will be the hottest technology (device, game, trend etc.) in 2017?
I think our devices will be both a lot larger (big screens) and a lot smaller (tiny phones) than they are today, and less silo'ed. Information won't be "on my laptop" or "on my phone" or "on the server" with syncing between them. Information (and lots of it) will be with me, and I'll access it using a variety of devices. There will still be a place for rich applications that run on a specific device and take advantage of what that device offers, like sensors and other hardware, but I'll also be able to do at least some of the work I need to do from relatively interchangeable hardware, like borrowing someone else's phone to send an email that will come from me, not from the phone owner, or watching a presentation that I just heard about. And since everything old is new again eventually, there will be some technology that has less memory, less computing power, less colors, or some other constraint that means remembering how we used to write things "back in the day" when we had less than we do now. I don't know what it will be, but I know my own experience will help me work with it.

Do you have any geeky hobbies you'd care to share?
My hobbies are really non-geeky: gardening, wilderness canoeing, cooking. I do bring a certain geek sensibility to them though. The first recursive code I ever wrote was to work out the total weight of a backpack based on the weight of the sub-packs it held, which might have bags and other containers in them and so on. We could work out "What if we moved the green bag into the kitchen pack?" without actually packing and repacking everything!

If you have additional questions or comments for Kate, please post them here or contact her directly through her speaker bio on myTechEd.

TechEd 2013 Location

Brandy Pepper — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:51:03 GMT

Microsoft evaluates multiple cities and locations when planning its events. Currently, no contracts have been signed for TechEd North America 2013, and the destination has not been finalized. We are looking forward to seeing customers in Orlando at TechEd 2012 this June.

Meet TechEd Pre-Con Speaker Johan Arwidmark

Brandy Pepper — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:42:29 GMT

Over the past few weeks, I've been sending interview questionnaires to our Pre-Conference Seminar speakers - experts I know you'll enjoy learning more about, professionally and personally. My goal is to highlight the amazing talent speaking at TechEd as well as help you establish a connection with the speakers prior to June.

Today's Speaker Highlight features Johan Arwidmark, Chief Technical Architect at Knowledge Factory and alumni of more than 15 TechEd conferences in North America and Europe, presenting PRC04 User-Centric Application Delivery Rocks the World: Using Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012.

We asked...

What's your favorite TechEd memory or what are you most excited about for this year?
My favorite TechEd memory would be the Deployment Jeopardy Session, which was a contest (disguised as a breakout session) that was held at TechEd Europe and US in 2010 and 2011 (if memory serves well). It was a full hour of jeopardy questions, targeted to Windows Deployment, and the host was Jeremy Chapman (dressed in a t-shirt tuxedo). We were six contestants with the three Jeopardy podiums and buttons to press.

I made it to the finals most times, but somehow I always lost on the final question to Michael Niehaus (Microsoft). The oddest question I ever got was a "surprise question" among all the technology questions; Jeremy asked us to name one song by Justin Bieber. Not a single of us contestants knew that one... Finally we heard someone in the audience screaming "BABY", so I had to check with my kids when I got home, and it turned out they knew it pretty well (I have two girls; 11 and 15 at the time).

Here's a recording from TechEd Europe 2010, if you want to check it out. http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/TechEd/Europe/2010/WCL405

Who would you like to meet at TechEd?
Mark Minasi, great guy, and fun to talk with.

What's your favorite technology you use on a daily basis?
Configuration Manager 2007/2012

Put your visionary hat on, what do you think will be the hottest technology (device, game, trend etc.) in 2017?
SuperUltrabooks: Superthin, superlight, touch displays, powerful as ten of today's servers, with a 30 hours battery life.

Do you have any geeky hobbies you'd care to share?
I love playing StarCraft 2 on my PC, and I have completed all Achievements in the Liberty Campaign... And, strange as it may sound, I'm a pretty good dancer (a form of boogie woogie type of dance called "bugg" in Swedish).

Do you have additional questions for Johan about his experience or upcoming Pre-Conference Seminar? Go ahead and post your comments here, and keep an eye out for more Speaker Highlights coming in the days to follow...

Happy Birthday to myTechEd!

Jimmy Cooper — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:55:29 GMT

One year ago today, we launched an exciting new element of the annual Microsoft TechEd event, myTechEd. During our first birthday celebration, we would like to thank each and every member of our community - those who have actively participated in discussions, consumed technical content, and all the Microsoft Partners, and speakers who have added value to the conversation. Thank you!

The goal for myTechEd has always been to create a destination for you to connect with deep technical content, like-minded peers, and industry luminaries year-round while enhancing the amazing community that has grown around the annual event. We continue to work on exciting new ways to expand myTechEd and provide more value to our members, so stay tuned to this blog as we finalize the new features and announce them right here.

Last, but not least, we want to hear from you. The members are what make myTechEd successful, so we want to know about your experiences with the community. How are you using myTechEd? What would make myTechEd more valuable to you? Give us a shout-out in the comments below, or send Brandy or me a direct message.

Check the Catalog for New Session Content

Brandy Pepper — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:58:45 GMT

Last week many new Breakout Sessions were approved and added to the Content Catalog for TechEd North America 2012. New session topics include Security and Virtualization, and technologies like Windows Server “8”, Hyper-V, and System Center, with more on the way. If you haven’t seen the topic you’re looking for, be sure to check the Content Catalog regularly for updates as we continue to add new sessions to the lineup.

Community Perspective: The Value of TechEd for Partners

Brandy Pepper — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:08:36 GMT

In my efforts to provide some perspective outside the TechEd communications team, I came across a blog article from TechEd 2011, that's still valuable today in helping Microsoft Partners decide whether exhibiting at TechEd is a good investment. Again, the website provides plenty of input on the value of Partner participation, and what Partners bring to and take away from TechEd, but hearing directly from other Partners gives you an unbiased inside view.

Tiffany Ingargiola, Director of Partner Alliances with New Horizons Computer Learning Center, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Learning Solutions, posted this article heading into her third TechEd conference. She says it took actually attending TechEd for her to see the true value of being there, and her article outlines her top three reasons why a Microsoft Partner of any solution competency should attend:

If only for the EXPO Hall: Imagine walking into a conference as if you were THE client/customer? Well this is where our decision makers come to find the NEXT big thing that they can and will implement in their company. Partners are contacted actively by vendors to re-sell their products. The Expo hall of TechEd is full of these vendors and here you actually have the opportunity to view their presentations as the client. I thought it was great to see where the crowds gathered and find out what the vendors had to offer. Wouldn't you love to see a client as they demo the products? Whether understanding the delivery or taking in the questions, if you have some products you are considering adding to your arsenal this is the place to make that decision.

What are the Sessions all about? Wouldn't you love to attend a session in which the presenter's message garners close to 10% of the attendees in one room? My biggest "aha" moment was attending a 300 level session with Mark Russinovich titled "Cases of the Unexplained". This session was on the last day of the conference, after lunch and still had at least 1,000 in attendance. Our two MAIN communities, IT Pro and Developers, gather at TechEd TOGETHER for one week. Regardless of your Microsoft Partner competency, this is where your clients/customers are. There are breakout groups and strategy sessions with the greatest minds in our industry providing real world problems and solutions. Sit back and listen to what the attendee's questions and concerns are. I include this in my top three because last year I began the week with a specific perspective and understanding of the issues my customers were facing. Attending sessions like Mark's and seeing such a large audience engage at the end of the week in a topic, opened my eyes and gave me a new perspective on what my clients have been facing.

Your NEW Microsoft Competency Strategy: When I have discussed this conference with partners in the past they initially state without hesitation that they send their own IT staff to TechEd and sending someone from the business or sales side doesn't seem necessary. While I contend this is a valid point, a typical attendee is going to this conference to learn, to be wow'd by not only the products but also by the team that created, envisioned and brought it to market. As a business development professional I find enormous value in actually understanding the vision behind these products and engaging in a conversation with the minds behind them. Do you see value in sitting in the room when great questions are discussed? How about hearing directly from your client’s mouth the areas where their business is struggling and the areas they see these new innovations helping? The ultimate value this conference provides to the future conversations you can have is immeasurable.

Read the full blog post including Tiffany's closing thoughts at http://blog.nhcomputerlearning.com/2011/04/08/why-would-a-microsoft-partner-attend-teched.

If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the value of the TechExpo experience, please let me know by posting below or by sending me an email via myTechEd.

Community Perspective: Convince Your Boss and Prep for TechEd

Brandy Pepper — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:20:06 GMT

We've got a lot of information on the TechEd website to help you Convince Your Boss that attending TechEd 2012 is a good investment, and once approved, what you can do to prepare for TechEd. But, I think it's important to get the perspective of community members outside the TechEd communications team. I'd like to share what this stellar member of the TechEd community did to gain his boss' approval, and is doing to prepare for his second TechEd.

Meet Matt Griffin, an undergraduate at IUPUI and Systems Analyst for Apparatus in Indianapolis. Matt's blog this week features an article he wrote to help you get approval to go, and once approved, get your travel arrangements made. Matt promises to post future articles on planning your session schedule. Find Matt's blog at: http://mattblogsit.com/2012/02/04/lets-go-to-teched-2012/

It's great to have such involved community members like Matt, reaching out to share their experience with others. If you have a strategy or experience that could help others convince their boss and/or plan their conference experience, please post below or send me an email via myTechEd.

Exhibitor Booth Selection starts today!

Chris Kurtz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:11:07 GMT

Exhibitor and Sponsor sales for TechEd North America are in full swing! Booth selection for Exhibitors starts today, February 7. With over 140 booths already sold, you won't want to delay in registering as soon as possible.

See what key Microsoft Partners are already participating
Download the Prospectus for valuable demographics and info about why you should participate
Register soon to secure a great location to showcase your product or solution

This June, thousands of IT professionals, developers, and Microsoft experts will be gathering in Orlando for TechEd North America. Take advantage of the chance to promote your business to over 8,000 technical strategists in one location.

If you have any questions or are ready to register, please post here or send me an email via myTechEd. Otherwise, I hope to see you in Orlando this June!

First Release of the Content Catalog is Live

Brandy Pepper — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:22:30 GMT

The first release of the Content Catalog is live with a sampling of the Breakout Sessions to be offered at TechEd North America 2012. This is an important distinction as we have slightly changed how we release content in the catalog, based on customer feedback.

In years past, we would release the catalog when all content, including all of the different learning formats, like Birds-of-a Feather Sessions, Workshops, and Hands-on Labs, were 100% locked. In some years, we provided more fluid updates that contained content with a higher likelihood of being modified or removed altogether. For 2012, we took the feedback from both approaches and decided to release the catalog with more finalized content, but to do so in waves. This will allow users to show their boss the value of attending based on the actual sessions and with the benefit of doing so before the Early Bird registration savings end.

Which brings me to the reason for this blog: I’d like to ease the concerns of many of you who have recently filtered on a Track or completed a Keyword search by technology, and found the search does not yield any results. At this time, when that happens, it does not mean there will be no content on that subject at TechEd. We continue to work on finalizing content across all Tracks, including Breakout Sessions, BOFs, Workshops, HOLs, etc. and will go live with new content in waves over the next two months.

Of course, the team and I always appreciate your feedback on our processes, so if you have suggestions, please post them here or send me an email via myTechEd. Otherwise, I'll keep you up-to-date on new Content Catalog releases through upcoming blog posts.

The Best of TechEd North America Awards Product Nomination Survey is Live!

Chris Kurtz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:07:00 GMT

The Best of TechEd (BOTE) North America Awards, produced by Windows IT Pro, SQL Server Pro, SharePoint Pro and Dev Pro, recognize the innovative products and services showcased at Microsoft TechEd North America 2012.

Submit your product nomination today!

The winners of each product category, selected by a judging panel of editors from Windows IT Pro, SQL Server Pro, SharePoint Pro and Dev Pro, are evaluated based on each finalist's strategic importance, competitive advantage, and value to customers. The winner of the Attendees’ Pick Award is the one receiving the most votes from TechEd attendees selecting their favorite products.

Participation in the Best of TechEd North America Awards program provides sponsors, exhibitors and Microsoft product teams with additional marketing exposure and accolades for their product’s strategic importance to the market, competitive advantage, and value to customers. Finalists and winners will be promoted on the TechEd and Windows IT Pro websites, in-booth signage, and digital signage located in the Exhibition Hall. After the event, finalists and winners may highlight their accolades on their websites and other marketing materials.

Product Nomination Submission Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

Only official sponsors, exhibitors or Microsoft product teams participating in at Microsoft TechEd North America 2012 are eligible to nominate their products for consideration.
Only products being showcased on the Exhibition floor of the event may be nominated for consideration.
Nominated products may only be submitted for the official product categories.
Nominated products must be currently available or release into market prior to Monday, June 11, 2012.
Product nominations must be submitted electronically by completing all fields of the online form accessed at: http://northamerica.msteched.com/bote
A separate product nomination form must be submitted for each product being nominated.
In cases where a product fits more than one category, please place it in the primary category for which the product was designed.
Product nominations will only be accepted between February 1, 2012 - April 27, 2012.
The submission deadline for product nominations is 5:00 pm (PST) on Friday, April 27, 2012.
Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to post here or send me an email via myTechEd.

Things Are About To Change Around Here

Jimmy Cooper — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:44:23 GMT

First off, I want to formally introduce myself to everyone. My name is Jimmy and I am your myTechEd admin. In addition, I also manage the overall TechEd North America website and development of myTechEd community features. So, howdy everyone!

This definitely is "The Season of TechEd", Brandy's special holiday time that she introduced us all to in her TechEd Insiders post. (Have you subscribed yet?) The TechEd team has been working feverishly to get things ready for Orlando this June. And one of those projects is the TechEd website. As this blog post title suggests, there are some exciting changes coming to the site.

Starting next Monday, you’ll find an entire new look and feel for the website. I'm really excited to see what you guys think. It’s a departure from what we have now, but not so different that you'll need to learn where everything is again. Things on the site may feel a little rough for short periods of time Monday as we refresh everything throughout the day. But hang in there, because I think the new style will definitely be worth it.

So, are you as excited as I am for the new design? What do you think of the little teaser in this post's image?

PS: This will lead us into another new project coming down the pipe - a redesign of myTechEd. But I can't talk about that yet... ;)

Do you have TechEd 2012 Bling?

Brandy Pepper — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:34:43 GMT

The team recently updated the Spread the Word page to include the new TechEd 2012 blog bling. And, in the event you need some inspiration, I wanted to showcase how others are implementing the bling. Check out:

--Scott Ladewig's blog, http://www.ladewig.com/
--Shaun Guthrie's twitter profile, @shaunguthrie

Didn't find bling on the Spread the Word page to suit you? Check out the TechEd Facebook photo album for more, including:

Do you have ideas for bling? Are you also showcasing TechEd on your blog or social sites? Let me know! Send me an email via myTechEd or post your comments or links here.

TechNet Subscription Professional NFR is back!

Brandy Pepper — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:47:46 GMT

Over the last few years, I've taken a number of polls on "what's your favorite swag." And before the last year's event, I was elated to see a majority of swag requests were for the TechNet Subscription Professional. Armed with this data on "what attendees want", the TechEd team approached the TechNet team and together, we were able to make the TechNet Subscription Professional NFR (NFR = not-for-resale) a reality for TechEd 2011 attendees.

And now, we've just recently confirmed the offer for TechEd 2012 attendees, too. Special shout-out to the TechNet Subscriptions team for being so awesome!

Last year, we used a new model for fulfilling the 12-month TechNet Subscription Professional NFR, and of course, there were a lot of questions. Therefore, to help the process go more smoothly for TechEd 2012, we have documented a majority of those questions in an FAQ. In addition, I've highlighted a few of the more common questions below.

What benefits are included in the Not For Resale (NFR) version of TechNet Professional?
The NFR version includes access to the complete stack of full-version Microsoft infrastructure and business solution software for evaluation, a comprehensive collection of Microsoft E-Learning courses, access to 24/7 online concierge, and priority support on TechNet forums.
Are technical support calls included in the NFR version of TechNet Professional?
No. Technical support calls are only included in the retail version of TechNet Professional and in TechNet Professional with Media.
I have an existing TechNet Subscription; can I get an extension instead>
No, as an attendee to the Conference, you are entitled to one complimentary NFR version of TechNet Professional. HOWEVER, if you have a current TechNet Subscription, you may designate a colleague to receive the NFR subscription. You may return to your registration record at any time up until the conference to update this information with your colleague's contact information.
When will I receive my complimentary TechNet Subscription?
Attendees will receive a welcome email from their regional TechNet Subscription Customer Service Center within 2-3 weeks after the conference. Subscribers must log in and associate their Live ID in order to initiate the Complimentary Subscription. (The rights to use the Complimentary Subscription will expire 12 months from the date of activation of the Subscription by Microsoft and not from the date the Subscriber associates their Live ID at the benefits portal.)

Please visit the TechNet Subscription Professional NFR offer page for more details on terms and conditions, benefits, and more. And, as always, if you have additional questions or swag ideas, please do not hesitate to let me know by posting a comment below.

Tips and tricks to make the most of your Orlando visit in June

Brandy Pepper — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:11:23 GMT

Are you in the process of making travel plans for TechEd 2012 in Orlando? Before you do, make sure you check out the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau TechEd Web-Site. They have been kind enough to compile detailed information on navigating the city, finding an eatery that will satisfy your inner foodie, and most importantly, discount attraction tickets.

If you are bringing any family or friends with you this June, then I strongly encourage you to read this incredibly informative blog post from the view point of Amy Guillet. She's the wife of the amazing Jeff Guillet, a TechEd alum and Microsoft Exchange MCM and MVP. Amy is also a TechEd veteran and has taken the time to update her notes from the last time she attended TechEd with Jeff in Orlando in 2008. Amy hit all the major attractions with her children, and I guarantee her insights will be useful whether you are venturing out on your own or with your fam.

Here's an excerpt from her blog entitled: Tips and Tricks for Families at TechEd 2012 in Orlando

You'll most likely be in a hotel on or near International Drive. There is a trolley called the I-Ride Trolley that runs up and down the street. Buy the 7 day ticket pass at your hotel's concierge. The trolleys run about every 15 to 20 minutes at stops all along the drive. There are well marked signs for the trolleys and they are so much more comfortable than walking in the heat with kids.

There's tons to do on International Drive. Lots of different themed mini golf places, the Wet 'n Wild water slide park, an upside down museum (WonderWorks), and a go-kart park. Be sure to check your hotel for discount tickets and coupons - they're everywhere.

There are not a lot of "kid" places to eat, just a Denny's, Chuck E. Cheese's, and a huge McDonald's with a fun zone. If you order in, like pizza or something, remember that there are thousands of guests in town for the conference and it could, and probably will, take well over an hour to get the food delivered. The other restaurants get very busy in the evening, so call ahead for reservations. There are no grocery stores nearby.

Remember it's going to be hot and humid, so be realistic about how much you and your children can do. I find that mine are very happy to get the afternoon off to just play in the pool at the hotel.

Read more for details on specific attractions. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

Special thanks to Jeff and Amy for taking the time to share their knowledge!

Registration for Pre-Cons Is Live!

Brandy Pepper — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:29:13 GMT

Ten (10) Pre-Conference Seminars will be offered at TechEd North America 2012, featuring in-depth study of the latest technologies and solutions. Registration for Pre-Cons is now live, and I encourage you to take time to review each seminar and consider attending. Some of the leading experts in the industry are presenting these seminars, and you should definitely check out their bios and/or blogs to find out what they bring to the table.

Building Federated External Access for Microsoft SharePoint 2010
Speaker: John Craddock
Real World Windows Deployment Using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012
Speaker: Ben Hunter, Michael Niehaus, Mikael Nyström
Private Cloud Immersion
Speaker: Chris Van Wesep, Clare Henry
User-Centric Application Delivery Rocks the World: Using Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012
Speaker: Johan Arwidmark, Kent Agerlund
Microsoft SQL Server Performance Tuning and Optimization
Speaker: Denny Cherry, Thomas LaRock
Using BISM Tabular in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2012
Speaker: Alberto Ferrari, Marco Russo
Business Insights, BIG Data and the Cloud: Transforming Your Business on Your Terms with the Microsoft Data Platform
Speaker: Doug Leland
C++ in 2012: Modern, Readable, Safe, Fast
Speaker: Kate Gregory
Implementing Scrum Using Microsoft Visual Studio
Speaker: Richard Hundhausen
Windows Azure University Workshop: Advanced and Real-World
Speaker: Danny Garber, Dennis Mulder, Mark Nichols, Matt Long, Paul Stubbs, Pete Schnettler, Steve Fox

Yes, Pre-Cons do have an additional cost of $400 for TechEd attendees; $500 for non-attendees. However, for your additional investment you receive a full-day of dedicated class time with noted industry experts, plus lunch with like-minded peers. Pre-Cons take place the day before the conference opens on Sunday, June 10, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. It’s a full-day of learning that helps prepare you for sessions you want to attend during the conference.

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on the topics, please feel welcome to post here or send me an email via myTechEd.

Are you a TechEd Insider?

Brandy Pepper — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:48:11 GMT

I hope everyone had a nice holiday! I'm always sad to see December come to a close (and with it my vacation), but at the same time, I'm excited there are less than 6 months to TechEd. This is what I affectionately refer to as the Season of TechEd.

And this year, I'm kicking off the Season, with a special spotlight on TechEd Insiders. Are you one? Should you be?

The short answer, especially if you're still reading this blog, is "Absolutely!" TechEd Insiders is the name of our monthly, sometimes bi-monthly, e-newsletter designed to provide important and exclusive event information straight to your inbox. Check out the most recent archived versions to get a peek.

I will admit, some of the content in the newsletter will contain obvious event announcements, like "Save $200 now with the early bird special", but it also highlights information you won't read about anywhere else. For example, closing data from the on-site session evals or the announcement of the first release of the session catalog (hint, January's edition).

If you have questions or suggestions for newsletter topics or ideas, please let me know. Otherwise, I hope you will take a minute to complete your membership.

What style of TechEd 2012 bag would you prefer?

Brandy Pepper — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:16:53 GMT

Attendees love swag and so does the TechEd team! In fact, when the first round of TechEd bags were presented, the full team was in attendance including logistics, content, keynote and communications.

Don't tell the team, but I had a fever of 102, and still showed up that day. What could possibly be so important that I would potentially inflict some horrible illness on my team members? This year, I wasn't just representing my opinions, I was also representing those of the TechEd community.

A few weeks prior to our team meeting, I had created a LinkedIn Poll, "What style of TechEd bag would you prefer?", and the number of responses was fantastic. Though, it appears the backpack is going to win out this year.

We didn't have as many comments as we did votes, but they were all really useful, so I've attempted to summarize:

Focus on durability

Axe the buttons and use only zippers
Find good shoulder straps
Consider adding more reflectivity
Follow TSA check point guidelines
Other: Add wheels and/or cold beverage storage

Fill the bag with swag (no promises...this year)

Copies of Windows 8, Microsoft Office or Windows Operating System
Windows Phone 7
Tablet
Microsoft Store voucher
TechNet subscription

Think outside the bag

Allow attendees to choose from one of three gifts, like a bag, software or hardware
Instead of a water bottle, have the option of a nice travel mug that could hold hot/cold beverages

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with any of the comments? How do you feel about a TechEd 2012 backpack? If you haven't already weighed in, now's your chance, just post a comment below.

TechEd 2012 Technical Tracks Announced

Brandy Pepper — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:17:46 GMT

The entire content team worked their magic to release the list of Technical Tracks and full descriptions with key product lists before the $300 Super Early Bird savings expire on December 31. The 12 official Technical Tracks for TechEd 2012 are...insert drum roll here...

Technical Track Names

Architecture & Practices

Database & Business Intelligence

Developer Tools, Languages & Frameworks

Exchange & Lync

Management

Office, Office 365 & SharePoint

Security & Identity

Virtualization

Windows Azure

Windows Client

Windows Phone

Windows Server

All the details are available on the new Technical Tracks page. Make sure you share the link with your decision maker in order to augment our existing convince your boss talking points.

How to use the Technical Tracks?
After doing a small poll last year, I did realize it's rare for attendees to only add sessions and labs within one Track to their schedule. This makes sense as many products cross multiple Tracks. So you may ask yourself, what's the real purpose of the Tracks? They are meant to serve as a navigation tool (for you and for us) for the 90+ product families discussed at TechEd.

It makes sense, right?! Filtering content on 12 categories is a lot more reasonable than 90+. Of course, I'm curious, if that's how you use the Tracks. Do you find them a useful tool in building your TechEd experience?

What's Next?
Next up for the content team is the release of the Pre-Conference Seminars. These day-long seminars occur the Sunday before the event, June 10, and will provide a comprehensive overview of a popular technology. The additional registration fee is $400 for registered attendees and $500 for non-registered attendees. More to come on Pre-Cons in early January...

Call for Content Kicks off TechEd 2012

Brandy Pepper — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:10:42 GMT

For the TechEd inaugural blog post, I'd like to outline the process that really kicks off technical content creation for TechEd each year, the Call for Content (CFC).

You may not have heard of the CFC, as it's an invitation-only process. Members from four key groups (listed below) are sent invitations to submit content for TechEd North America. Their submissions must include a title, abstract or brief description of their session, and a speaker. It's tagged by technology and track, and then reviewed by the Track Program Manager. The CFC is open now through tomorrow, Friday, December 16.

Invitations are sent to technical experts in the following categories:

Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs)
Microsoft Partners
TechEd 2011 Speakers
Microsoft Employees

Why isn't the CFC open to everyone?
Well, if the Call for Content was open to a wider group, we would still be reviewing submissions in June! OK, I may be exaggerating a little, but I think you can envision how overwhelming it could be.

How do attendees provide feedback?
You may have asked yourself, "Why don't they take into consideration what the larger population wants to see at TechEd?" (We do!) Or, "Is anybody listening to me?" (We are!) There are two ways the content team gauges interest.

First, the team is adding track-specific discussions to myTechEd, so you can provide input directly to the Track Project Managers (launching in the end of January 2012).
Second, the team closely monitors the schedule builder (launching in April 2012). By completing your schedule, you help in many ways, for example: level of session interest, room size required, and food and beverage distribution.

Now you may think the team would be unable to make changes so close to the event, but they can (and do!) in order to adapt to your feedback.

So, talk to us!
I know many of you have thoughts on the process, and the TechEd team is interested in hearing your comments and constructive criticism. Post in the comments below or send me a message through myTechEd.

Welcome to the TechEd Blog!

Brandy Pepper — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:32:52 GMT

Hello TechEd alumni and newcomers! I'm Brandy Pepper, a six year veteran of the TechEd communications team. I am excited to be the one to introduce our new TechEd Blog.

The TechEd Blog will be your source for weekly updates where you will learn about all things TechEd. Our posts will cover a wide variety of highlights, including special announcements, what's new for 2012, behind the scenes developments, and interviews with our TechEd team members and speakers.

The whole team and I are excited to be starting this new blog as a way to help you get the latest and greatest information about TechEd. So please, take a second to subscribe to our RSS feed, bookmark the blog, and check back often as we work our way towards Microsoft TechEd North America 2012.

One more thing: If you haven't had the chance to register to join us at TechEd 2012 in Orlando, FL this June 11-14, make sure you do so soon! The Super Early Bird discount will save you $300, but expires December 31, 2011.