As developers, we tend to be creative people. We use our imagination to think up solutions to solve day to day business problems and then we build apps to bring those solutions to life. Set those business problems aside for a moment. Close your eyes. Tap into your imagination. Go deeper. Even deeper. Eventually you’ll reach your sweet spot – Pure Imagination. Look around. You have tons of amazing ideas in there – app opportunities. On the count of 3, you’re going to open your eyes. You’re going to be inspired. You’re going to want to take those app ideas and make them real. Ready? 1. 2. 3!

Your eyes should now be open. You’ve been enlightened. You’re going to open your calendar and mark off Saturday, November 24 and Sunday, November 25 as busy. Why? Because you’re going to be writing apps – and we’re going to help you do it.

Windows 8: Pure Imagination
Saturday, November 24 through Sunday, November 25

Windows 8: Pure Imagination brings developers, designers, game builders, students and start-ups entrepreneurs together to explore the possibilities of Windows 8. You'll be encouraged to look beyond the features... to what can be accomplished when inspiration and technology intersect. In less than 40 hours, you'll get everything you need to make your vision into the next great Canadian app, including on-site presentations, brainstorming sessions, hands-on labs and access to industry experts for guidance and treated to spontaneous moments of fun to keep your energy up.

Tommy joined me on this month’s episode of D³: LIVE & INTERACTiVE to tell us all about Windows 8: Pure Imagination. Check it out. 

So here’s the deal – I know your time is limited and I know you probably already have your hands full with things to do at work, but you have ideas! If you also have a willingness to learn and a passion for exploration, join Tommy, Paul, Frédéric, Marc, Susan, and others at Windows 8: Pure Imagination (if you’re in or around the Toronto area). You can also join me virtually for Pure Imagination: The Virtual Experience. Either way, by the end of the weekend, you may just leave with an app or two in hand, or at the very least, the knowledge you need to turn those ideas into apps!

Are you in?

Here’s what you have to do:

  1. Register for the Windows 8: Pure Imagination in-person experience or virtual experience.
  2. Get your Windows Store Developer Account (Be one of the first to forward your “Windows Store: Welcome!” developer account registration confirmation e-mail to win8cdn@microsoft.com by November 30th, 2012 and we’ll send you a $10 Tim Horton’s card* just to say thanks!)
  3. Join the Developer Movement so that you can collect points for your apps and then use those points to get some great rewards.

That’s it! Once you do those three things, you’re ready for Pure Imagination. I look forward to seeing you in-person or virtually!

* The first 150 individuals that register for a Windows Store developer account are eligible to receive one (1) $10 Tim Hortons gift card. (There is a cost associated with signing up for a Windows Store developer account.) This offer is good only in Canada. The offer ends on November 30, 2012 or when 150 gift cards have been distributed. In order to be eligible for the gift, you must forward your registration confirmation e-mail with the subject line “Windows Store: Welcome!” to win8cdn@microsoft.com by the offer end date. The e-mail must clearly show your first and last name and that you have received the registration confirmation e-mail from winstore@microsoft.com. Any reproduced, copied, simulated or fake e-mail message is prohibited and is grounds for disqualification from this offer. Limit one (1) gift per person. This offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer and is not redeemable for cash. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Any gift returned as non-deliverable will not be re-sent. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your gift. We reserve the right to substitute a gift of equal or greater value.