A day to remember...
For several years I had been a volunteer responder in various Microsoft software support forums. I had started out looking for help in those forums for the Microsoft Windows and other of their software, and as I learned over time, I began to answer some of the questions and offering my own suggestions and workarounds that worked for me on those forums. I became on-line friends with many of the Microsoft MVPs, MVP standing for Most Valuable Professional. They took me under their wings and helped me learn a great deal about the software and the MVP program as well through their discussions in the forums.
At the time, I was helping as a volunteer beta tester for the Internet Explorer 5, and as such, I learned a great deal about Internet Explorer as an insider. And soon I was asked to be a Technical Beta Tester for Windows XP, and select group of volunteers who test new software and work with the developers and programmers. I remained a volunteer with the MS forums and my additional education through working with the test software helped be help others even better.
To my great surprise, in April 2005 I received an email stating that I had been given an Internet Explorer MVP award. I was stunned. There were so many emotions running through me that I could hardly think. For me, the MVP award is the highest compliment I have ever had in my whole life. I could not dare to think of myself as one of those that I held in such high regard as the MVPs that I had come to know in the forums and in the Technical Beta groups. I could not think of myself on their level of esteem and knowledge. I was both happy and afraid. Afraid that I would not be able to live up to the honor of being an MVP.
Within hours I got dozens of emails congratulating me and glad I had finally been awarded. Most said they had been voting for me for almost 2 years. I answered the email from Microsoft and thanked them for the honor of the MVP award. Being inducted to the world of the MVP Program was like entering a fantasy world. I felt like Cinderella stepping through the looking glass. It was an experience I had never had before, and never dreamed of. I was warmly welcomed and right away I was being adopted by MVPs from all the groups as one of their own, even if I was not an MVP of their program division.
And then there was the upcoming MVP Global Summit that would take place in Oct of 2005 at the Microsoft campus in Redmond WA. I had never heard about it and knew nothing of what is was about, but, it was like a huge convention of MVPs from all over the world who came to learn about all the new things that were coming up and discussions about various software and their new features.
I was like a kid who had just won a free week long free trip to Disneyworld! The air fare and hotel expense was paid by Microsoft back then, and the chance to meet some of my MVP forum friends was truly exciting.
The trip was amazing and the whole thing was like a non-stop dream. But, the best, and most amazing part came at the opening meeting, where all the 1800+ MVPs who attended were together in one huge hall. And I'm sitting not far from the stage where the speakers would be addressing us. I was thrilled beyond words when the man himself walked out on the stage and began to address us. I think most of you will recognize him...
Bill Gates. It was so amazing to see him in person. And this was not the only time. He was roaming around the campus the whole time and visiting various venues where MVP meetings were being held and talking with everyone. This is the only chance I had to take a picture of him, and took it with my Canon PowerShot SD30. It was one of the most exciting moments of my time as an MVP.
Although I attended subsequent Global Summits while an MVP (from 2005 through 2009), this was the last Summit that he addressed. It was a time I will never forget.
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