New Microsoft MVP Program Year Kicks Into High Gear by Celebrating Individuals
Spanning Diverse Technologies and Communities Worldwide
REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Microsoft Corp.
(Nasdaq: MSFT) is pleased to announce the 2005 class of Microsoft(R) Most
Valuable Professionals (MVPs). This select group of outstanding members from
online and offline communities represents the richest, most technically and
globally diverse community in the program's history, with more than 2,600
MVPs.
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"As we enter the 11th year of the Microsoft MVP Program, we are proud to
continue to recognize the most credible experts in the technical communities,"
said Sean O'Driscoll, global director of the MVP Program and Technical
Communities at Microsoft. "MVPs are truly an inspiration to all of us and
share an incredible passion for technology and for helping others."
The rich diversity that the Microsoft MVP Program enjoys today is a
reflection of a multiyear program commitment based on global community
feedback to identify new, thriving technical communities and connect with the
most active and inspiring people across a broader range of Microsoft products
and technologies. For example, since October Microsoft has awarded 173
first-time MVPs, eight of whom represent countries that are new to the
program, including Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, Saudi Arabia,
Tokelau and Tunisia. Given this continued global expansion, the Microsoft MVP
Program now represents individuals from 81 countries and 32 languages.
Furthermore, in the past four months the Microsoft MVP Program has
introduced a number of new MVPs who represent Microsoft business groups never
before part of the program, including MSN(R), Microsoft Business Solutions and
Microsoft Visual Studio(R) Tools for the Microsoft Office System. The program
also added nine new solution developers for Visual Studio .NET technologies.
Altogether more than 75 Microsoft products and technologies are represented
across the program today.
"This is such an incredible group of individuals, and they continue to
represent the most select, highest-quality group of participants across the
global communities," O'Driscoll said. "I'm proud to be a part of their
experience and to recognize them for their accomplishments and the inspiration
they provide to me and to others in the community."
Upcoming 2005 MVP Global Summit
The annual MVP Global Summit serves as the most exciting way for Microsoft
to acknowledge this vibrant group of individuals for their deep and sustained
technical expertise and true enthusiasm for the community. This year's event
will take place Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in Redmond, Wash., and will include executive
keynote addresses from Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer, Kevin Johnson,
group vice president of sales, marketing and services, and Jim Allchin, group
vice president of Platforms at Microsoft. More details will be released closer
to the event dates.
In addition to the 2005 MVP Global Summit, Microsoft already has hosted
more than 10 MVP regional summits across three continents since the start of
the program year, with two more regional summits planned for February and
April. Through these events, MVPs have the opportunity to meet with each other
and receive deep technical training on key product technologies and have
access to leading Microsoft executives and product managers.
Microsoft MVP Program History
Microsoft began the MVP Awards in the early 1990s as a way to recognize
those members of the general public who devoted their time and considerable
technical expertise to helping users in various online technical forums. Over
time the Microsoft MVP Program evolved, and awards are now given to the most
outstanding members for their exceptional contributions to hundreds of online
and offline technical communities, including Microsoft public newsgroups.
Today there are more than 1.6 million active community members participating
at Microsoft.com or news://msnews.microsoft.com each year, in addition to
thousands of newsgroups and third-party peer-to-peer Web sites hosting Web
boards and Web logs (or blogs), and local user groups -- all popular forums
for communicating with peers about Microsoft products, technologies and
services.
Most MVPs average more than 15 years of technical experience in their
fields. They are men and women ranging in age from 13 to their mid-60s who
represent an extremely broad range of backgrounds and professions. Many are
also published authors, operators of Web sites devoted to one or more
Microsoft products, public speakers, trainers and professional developers.
More information about the Microsoft MVP Program and the 2005 MVPs can be
found at http://www.microsoft.com/mvp . More information about Microsoft
technical communities can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/communities .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft, MSN and Visual Studio are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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