July 2007
6th July 2007 has arrived with Andy and Chris heading to Denver, Colorado for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2007. For the second year running, Andy is speaking at the Small Business Symposium in 2 x 1 hour sessions.
At the Symposium a book Andy has written for Microsoft on selling Small Business Server is getting released and distributed to partners worldwide
7th July 2007
Leaving Heathrow at 11:15 am we had an 8 hour flight to Chicago which was comfortable thanks to the staff of Virgin Airways. Transfer of luggage and booking in with United was very fast leaving us time to grab a quick beer (or 3 Chris) before the ongoing stretch to Denver.
Arrival into Denver was very strange, the plane looked as if it was landing in a farmers field when in fact the airport was actually quite large, customs was fast and friendly but a bit of a trek to pick up the luggage.
We found out the Hotel, although just one block away from the Conference Centre was a long way away from the airport. Funky or what? the reception was very friendly and the lifts said different things to you on each themed floor, I would recommend The Curtis Hotel to anyone.
Only 10 minutes after getting to the Hotel we went for supper in the hotels own restaurant which was great until we realised in our time it was actually 3am with Denver being 7 hours behind UK time.
8th July 2007
Unable to get our body clocks to adjust we had a long day today with both of us being awake from 4am.
First thing for Andy was to attend the pre symposium practice to ensure all the slides and sound was set up correctly, then we registered for the conference.
As the afternoon was left free to explore we went to the natural history museum and Denver zoo to explore, pictures below.
what's for lunch? Deon, where are you? fancy meeting you here!
The evening was spent at the Small Business Server dinner, attended by all the Small business team and selected guests
9th July 2007
I know you are all dying to see the conference centre and Denver I can feel it in my bones so whilst strolling around town I happened to snap a few unusual shots just for you. It's amazing what turns up when you least expect it.
Hey can I buy a Small Business Server here? Denver here we come.
Honestly, I paid my fee now let me in! The obligatory steaming manhole cover.
Today was the 2nd Worldwide Small Business Symposium, a fantastic event bringing small business partners together to talk about the products available and ways to enhance your business selling SBS.
Andy Trish was on the panel of speakers at 2 of the events, also speaking on behalf of the UK was Gareth Brown (Sytec) and the lovely Susanne Dansey(Westcoast). Andrea Russell and her team did an amazing job organising the event this year
Andy's book was also released today at the Symposium, written to help other I.T. companies run their businesses and sell small business server, a copy will be published on our website shortly.
The evening was spent at the UK welcome party held at The Church in Denver, a good night was had by all.
10th July 2007
At 8:30 today the Worldwide Partner Conference 2007 commenced with the opening keynote session by Allison Watson, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Partner Group. Other executives speaking were Kevin Turner, Chris Capossela, Mike Sievert with the first days keynotes finalised by CEO, Steve Ballmer.
Steve on stage Chris, are you out of bed yet? says Steve
Presentations, Hands on Labs and meetings with other partners took up most of the afternoon for both Chris and Andy with the day ending on the UK party held at The Grizzly Rose.
Wearing Cowboy hats, spurs and Sheriff badges for the Wild West night we drank, gambled, drank some more, line danced and drank some more until we forgot who we were. A massive thank you to Nicola Young and her team at Microsoft UK for organising the event, a great time was had by all. And please no comments from our competitors about us being a bunch of cowboys!!!!!
11th July 2007
After the keynote sessions this morning, watched with a massive hangover, we went our separate ways to gain as much insight into Microsoft solutions as possible. One particular product we will be introducing to our customers on its release is Office Communications Server 2007, a great way of keeping in touch with your staff and suppliers/customers. (watch out for information on our Microsoft Solutions page).
Other sessions we went to included Server 2008 and Exchange 2007, Sharepoint hands on labs and a good look around the exhibitors hall talking to many people about their solutions. We also visited all the Microsoft product stands talking to the experts about their solutions.
Still living the effects of last nights party we decided to have a quiet night going to Cayote Uglys bar for a quick drink. After we got there we found out it is impossible to have a quiet night in Cayote's, loud music and girls dancing on the bar but who's complaining.
12th July 2007
The final day of the conference and what a finale, as well as the keynotes, sessions, hands on labs and many meetings Gordon Fraser, Microsoft UK Managing Director gave the UK partners a presentation on the year ahead for Microsoft and it's partners.
All of the attendees I spoke to agree that it is impossible to attend everything you want to over the 3 days but we all gained so much out of the experience. NCI will be implementing new software, changing current working methods and forging ahead because of the interactions we have had both with Microsoft, it's partners and the exhibitors, a conference well worth attending.
Long days turn into long nights, the partner celebration party this year was held at Coors field, home of the Colorado Rockies. Many entertainment people were there including live bands, gymnasts, dance teachers, artists (see below) and a great firework display.
13th July 2007
Now that the conference is over it is time to blow away the cobwebs, strech some muscles (as if we haven't walked enough already) and go see the Rockie mountains.
Joined by Matthew Clothier and Justin Pirie from Staticburst we headed out into the mountains to go WhiteWater Rafting on Friday the 13th.... We all agreed to travel so far and not see the sights would have been criminal so after a 2 hour drive we turned up ready for an experience of a lifetime.
Arriving just in time at Royal Gorge Rafting we were issued life jackets and given safety instructions before we were driven to the launch site. In our raft we also had 3 Microsoft partners from South Africa. Matt and Justin went in the front (we honestly didn't want to wipe out our competition) with Chris and I at the back ready to drag anyone back into the raft if things went wrong (NCI save the day), as it was no-one from our raft fell in but there are pictures below of people swimming from other rafts.
This was an extreme experience and something I would love to do again, the rafting was brilliant and the scenery spectacular, we even got to see a baby cayote in the mountains.
13th July 2007
Another trip ended, flying home today. Thank you Microsoft for a great conference and to partners worldwide for making it special this year.