Thanks to the excellent job of the organizing MCT Community Summit 2007 committee for bringing over 350 MCTs from 52 countries in EMEA and around the world to descend onto Zürich. During these 2 intense days (11-12 Jan 2007), there were break-out sessions covering Microsoft Learning (MSL) topics, Microsoft Dynamics (many more MCTs wanted!), soft-skills, TTT (Train-The-Trainer) and technical tracks - some downright amazing speakers and contents while a few others really need more real substance/skills (and simply tried just too hard) to live up to the sessions advertised accordingly to a number of delegates.
Sponsors for the top event included Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Press, VUE, Prometric and Culminis/NetHope. NetHope is a non-profit organization supported by several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and is dependent on IT Professional volunteers to give something back to the global community for a good cause. Everyone is strongly encouraged to participate if s/he is able to contribute one way or another.
The final session on MSL and MCT exchange session on upcoming Longhorn Server curriculum was particularly interesting as MCTs being MCTs were vocal and “battled” to made sure that their voices were heard (course days, mapping to certification tests, CPLS and country considerations, etc.). All that remains is for MSL to deliver to their promises (incorporating MCT feedback as far as possible). A convenient venue, great food, beverages, the welcome reception (Wed 10 Jan 2007) and a nice party encouraged delegates to let-loose, relax, and take the opportunity to socialize and network with MCT peers and Microsoft staff. We were informed that the hotel even ran out of bottled water (perhaps due to the spring-like weather outside with no sign of snow :() and recorded the highest consumption of beer! Overall, the event was a success echoed by most delegates, despite the fact that the organizing committee had less than 3 months to put it all together.
I ended up being the unofficial city tour-guide for 17 other MCTs after the event ended. We took the train across the hotel, hit the main train station (Zürich Hauptbahnhof) and walked to Niederhofstrasse hoping to find a restaurant that could accommodate all of us (without reservation). Unfortunately, we did not get to try Swiss Fondue nor taste any Italian cuisine. Instead, we landed at a typical Swiss restaurant (Zunfthaus) and were offered our own dining room that put us all together at one big table. Our guests tried local favorites such as Zürigeschnetze and Rösti while one by one gave an introduction about him- or her-self. All of us really had a wonderful time and got to know one another a little better. At the end of the dinner, we even got to visit the upper dining floor of the restaurant that is reportedly over 800 years old but is still meticulously well maintained.
What are your personal thoughts on this first ever MCT Summit in EMEA (last was about 6 years ago during TechWeek in the US)?
Thank you for the great company and I hope that our guests enjoyed the stay and are now safe back home. Looking forward to see all of you again soon!
