On occasion Microsoft invites all of the word Wide MVPs to come to a summit on campus at the company headquarters in Redmond. The MVPs for the 2008 summit began arriving over the weekend. I'm a bit sad I'm not joining them at all the events and sessions they are attending. I have always looked forward to the event as it allows the MVPs a chance to network among themselves AND with Microsoft in a cross discipline fashion. Since I became an MS employee I am no longer an MVP. However, I continue to consider many of the MVPs as my friends and colleagues. I do, however, get to participate as a presenter for the .NET Micro Framework product group. (Talk about switching to the dark side!) As  former MVP I know that things can get brutally honest and open at the summit so along with writing up my presentation I need to take a trip to the company store to buy an umbrella for all the rotten eggs and tomatoes that will be hurled my way. (Not because there is anything wrong with our product! Just on principle because I used to be an MVP! 8^) )