With the annual Microsoft TechEd conference around the corner in the month of September, being held across 5 countries in the Asia Pacific region, we see many of our community leads and speakers flying around the region to share their wealth of knowledge with like-minded developers and IT-Pros.

With the fever of TechEd still touring cities around the world, let's sit back and enjoy the show while we take a look at the contents being shared on the TechEd SEA site!!!

Darren Sim
Editor, INETA APAC
Newsletter Team
 

South East Asia

• Microsoft TechEd South-East Asia 2008
  
  ‘Be a part of the experience’ was the theme for this year's TechEd South East Asia 2008. Tagged as one of Microsoft’s most watched and largest annual industry event, TechEd SEA 2008 will provide participants the opportunity to learn, connect, explore, evaluate, problem-solve and ultimately experience and realize the full potential not only of the technology, but of their own!
  
  
  
  A hearty welcome address and exciting keynote speeches were delivered by Saw Ken Wye (VP, Sales of Marketing, Asia Pacific Microsoft), Dato’ Badlisham Ghazali (CEO, Multimedia Development Corporation), Ward Ralston (Group Technical Product Manager, Microsoft) and Tyson Dowd (DPE Director, Microsoft Malaysia) as they shared some of the interesting technologies and unveiled an amazing year of innovations ahead which was well-received by the ~2500 audience.
  
  
  
  Unlike previous TechEd, this year MVP Booth was given a different twist. Rather than the usual booth, the SEA MVP Team adopted a cosy corner concept called the ‘MVP Zonk Out Base’. This new concept was refreshing and well-received by MVPs who took the opportunity to reconnect and engage with other fellow MVPs. Technical discussions and exchanged of news amongst peers/MVPs were clearly evident at the MVP Zonk Out Base! TechEd attendees were also challenged to put on their thinking cap as we engaged them to play the ‘Eureka’ game throughout the 3 days.
  
  
  
  Other highlights included a Light and Easy session on the first day of the conference. The topic was “Why Get Certified? Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Speaks”. 5 MVPs (Edwin Sarmiento, Fun Jin Lim, Joey Gurango, Joy Rathnayake and Sarbjit Singh Gill) were engaged in an interesting one hour dialogue session and shared with their peers and audience on the value of certification impact to themselves, their team and organization as a whole. As the host for the first time, it was indeed an incredible experience for me.
  
  
  
  One of the key segment of this premier event was the ‘MVP and Presenters’ Appreciation and Dinner Night’. Laughter rang forth from the Heritage Mansion @ Jalan Kamunting on Wednesday night. The symphony of joy came from the audience who were gathered there for the ‘Bling-tastic’ bash! (theme for the night). Hosted by our eloquent and debonair APGC Team Manager Howard Lo who got the audiences soaking in the atmosphere and enthusiastically participating in the interactive stage games.
  
  
  
  Truly, it was an enjoyable and memorable ‘Bling-tastic’ evening gastronomically and merry-making for all who attended the party!
  
  
  
  This enriching trip was a winning formula with its compact itinerary that mixed business with pleasure and the participants thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The event wrapped up with the finale party KABOOM! - THE party for everyone to let their hair down and have a blasting fun-tastic time after three intensive days of mind-boggling sessions. There was certainly something for everyone at KABOOM. Like all previous TechEd, TechEd SEA 2008 was a resounding success!
  
  
  
  BRAVO to the following 35 MVPs (Presenters, Proctors, Ask-the-Experts & Supporters) involved in TechEd SEA 2008!