February, 2009

Did you know that we’ve been working on the development of a new MVP member site? There are two Side Sessions you should consider attending. In these sessions you’ll learn about how we’re using contemporary design and development methodologies to build...

If you like Hot Sauce, consider visiting Double DD Meats in Mountlake Terrace . Just 15 miles north of Seattle, this small family owned business is not only famous for great meat and their own special sausage; but they are also the veritable hot sauce...

Have you been to Seattle before? Think you’ve done it all already? Really? Have you seen a salmon fly through the air or climb a ladder? Have you watched a huge ship ascend a 26 foot vertical hurdle in just a few minutes? Have you witnessed a giant troll...

Twitter will play an important part in this year's Global Summit. Many MVPs are already discussing their Summit plans over Twitter. However, many are finding the hashtag, #mvpsummit2009 too long for their tweets. A large proportion of Twitter users are...

During last week’s live Countdown events, we had some questions that we promised to follow-up on and share with you regarding logistics at the MVP Global Summit. While some of these may have already been answered in other venues, I am still including...

If you haven’t already submitted a question to me via email for one or more of our keynote executives, you can now do it via our Keynote Question Manager. Please log in to the site at http://www.mvpsummit2009.com and select “Schedule Builder” from the...

Last year, 900 MVPS from over 70 countries took the challenge from Steve Ballmer about using Live Search. You gave us in-depth feedback and we definitely  took it in. Come chat over lunch  March 1st, Sunday, 12-1 pm, Side Session SD24, with...

We have two surprises planned for you during the keynotes on Wednesday, March 4th. The First Surprise For the first one, I have to keep it a surprise and you’ll just have to trust me that it will be great, exciting, and fun! However, to prepare for that...

Have you heard about Fix it? Would you like to know how you, as an MVP, can be directly engaged with Microsoft’s new automated solutions initiative? As recognized experts in the community, MVPs can play an important role with Fix it. We are excited to...

Thanks to many of you for attending the Global Summit Countdown webcasts over the last 24 hours. We had a great time at both live webcasts with a little bit of drama (like when I forgot to prepare the voting poll slide and had to do it on the fly in Session...

Since a number of blockbusters are often released first in the US before hitting other countries, why not capitalize on this opportunity to see a new movie and check out a local movie theatre? Downtown Cinemas are as follows: 1. Regal Meridian 16 http...

Looking for some great Chinese cuisine during your stay in Seattle? While one of the first places people think of when “Great Chinese Food” comes to mind is the distinct International District, there are a few other places serving surprisingly good food...

It’s fascinating how much discussion you can generate by just asking the question, “How do you travel from and to the airport?” Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac), its only 15 miles away from downtown Seattle, but the numerous opinions on airport...

Even though I personally love salmon, I sure don’t want it at every meal. For events such as the MVP Global Summit where we utilize several different venues to provide meals, Salmon “could” get scheduled a lot since all venues suggest a Pacific Northwest...

The Pacific Northwest is blessed with at least a few movers and shakers. That is, people who have global influence in a positive way. One such person is Dale Chihuly. He resides at the top of the list in the recent art-glass movement. Although decorative...

About a week before the MVP Global Summit, it has become traditional for many MVPs to come together with a mission. The  official reason is to prepare for the Global Summit and walk through the week’s activities during a set of webcasts we call the...

This is a reminder to use the Schedule Builder available at http://www.mvpsummit2009.com to plan your Personal Schedule . We use the information about your enrollments to make adjustments to room assignments, calculate and schedule catering, and plan...

While in Seattle for the MVP summit, you may be interested to know that the Pacific Science Center (located on Seattle’s waterfront) is hosting a “once in a lifetime” exhibit of Lucy, “the oldest, most complete, and best preserved adult fossil of any...

During every Summit, MVPs ask me for key places to do their shopping. The most common question is about outlet malls or electronics stores. But there’s so much more! The Seattle area also has a good selection of upscale shops such as those on 4 th and...

Looking for a place to try out those dancing shoes in Seattle?  Look no further than some of the places below.  The city has a wide assortment of dance clubs, dance ballrooms, for you to explore while you are here for the MVP Global Summit....

Are you craving the Premiership, la Liga or Serie A whilst you are in Seattle – Fear not, you are not alone! The 2 best places for live and repeated football (also known as “soccer” to some people) are: 1. FADO - 1 st Avenue and Columbia, Downtown Seattle...

Getting access to currency in Seattle and Redmond is incredibly easy with convenient access to ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) within a short walk of not only hotels, but also conveniently on the Microsoft campus in lunch rooms. Here’s a map I’ve created...

If you like art, Seattle is a great place to enjoy it, whether you seek it out, or it sneaks up on you! While you are on the bus, headed back to your hotel from the Microsoft campus, look out your window on the west end of 520, those are the Aurora Borealis...

If you like to do ollies or you just like the swosh of your skis on snow, then here is a quick list of places to hang out: Snoqualmie - http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/ this is the cheapest and quickest place from downtown Seattle. Alas, the elevation...

Wondering what you can do in Seattle when you’re not in sessions during the MVP Global Summit? Obviously, with a city as large and diverse as Seattle, it would be impossible to cover every attraction. Therefore, I’ve come up with a list of 20 attractions...