
Last week thousands of Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) gathered in Seattle for the 2009 MVP Summit. aceattorney and I were among them (we were first awarded the honor of MVP in 2006.) Our product group, Xbox, is arguably the most enviable MVP group at the summit. When not asking us what we do as MVPs, other MVPs make snide remarks on twitter or just stare in awe.
All kidding aside, a possible reason for their envy is because we’re passionate. Those who understand what it is to be an MVP all agree – we’re a family. And as a family we work together to share our knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for Microsoft.
Part of this passion includes spending time with employees of Microsoft as well as other MVPs. This year, Eric Neustadter – Operations Manager for Xbox LIVE and Larry Hryb – Director of Programming for Xbox Live were the Xbox group’s gracious hosts. We spent time discussing several topics including community, security, support as well as several conversations on expanding the demographic of Xbox to a broader audience.
We got a chance to play Resident Evil 5, which is a great co-op experience and we were given a limited edition copy of Halo Wars after a great talk from a member of the Halo Wars team. We also got a chance to tour the Xbox Live operations center and several other places around the Xbox campus. In the evening, we spent time at the millennium cafeteria eating and chatting with several members of the Xbox team from all the different departments. It was a great experience and we are all very happy and appreciative of our time spent with the Xbox team. It’s always a pleasure to speak to them in person and share our passion.
As you can tell, I keep mentioning the word passion. I think it symbolizes what we all have for the Xbox platform. While at the summit, I got to spend lots of time conversing and photographing my friends. I’m happy that we got to connect and bring the spirit of fun for the Xbox and video gaming to each other. While we were there so many fun moments and memories were made. Many of the people who support the Xbox MVPs past and present were there. The Gamerscoreblog group hung out with us and we had a great time. Tony Hynes, Sara Nicholson, Chris Paladino & Nelson Rodriguez …thanks for spending time with us. Thanks to Mike Fosmire, our MVP lead, for his dedication to the group and for hanging out with us during the week, always a pleasure.
Eric and Chloe, you guys rock for welcoming the group to your home for pizza and video gaming goodness. I loved that we all got to know each other a little bit better and it’s really nice to be a part of your family.
And thank you MVPs!!!… for sharing your time, energy and….your passion.
Check out my photos and videos from the summit…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseguymvp/sets/72157614992215688/


March 8th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Wow Brad, you have captured so many great moments! And yes, you’re absolutely right – passion was so evident by all at this year’s Summit. Thank you very much for the spectacular photos!
March 9th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Gah, it’s like missing a family reunion.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Awesome.. very fun pictures.
love the shots of seattle, really breathtaking.. Captured the essense of it all.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Thanks Chris, it was a lot of fun to photograph everyone. Good times for sure.
March 10th, 2009 at 8:04 am
I’m so glad I got to meet all of you. I’d say this summit was 100% productive in every way
March 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Very glad to have met you as well. We had a great time and it’s always a positive experience.
March 10th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Excellent pictures Wiseguy, I saw your link at TXB. You are very good at capturing people’s emotions. I also love the shots from around Seattle.
March 12th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Thank you, Varanos! I try my best.