Microsoft Tech·Ed separated at the hip for 2008
Tech∙Ed, Microsoft’s foremost yearly technical conference, has always had a somewhat split personality. On one side you have the Developer audience who land at Tech∙Ed to absorb as much information (and other things in the cocktail variety) one can possibly consume in a week’s time about Microsoft’s current and near-term development tools and technologies. On the other side, you have the IT Professionals coming to consume (sense the pattern here?) the latest in information and guidance in administration, server/desktop deployment, management, IT operations and such.
If you’ve ever attended a Tech∙Ed keynote as a developer, you felt somewhat jilted when the majority of the keynote’s content seemed to weigh more heavily on the IT Pro, and on the rare occasion when the It Pro attendees felt it was too developer heavy. Sure the developers have the PDC conference, but PDC has always been about future looking technologies. Products and technologies that won’t ship for another couple of years or so. In addition, the PDC is not an annual event.
I’m happy to report that, starting with Tech∙Ed 2008, the Tech∙Ed conference will be split into two separate conferences, running back to back. First up on June 3rd, the Tech∙Ed Developers 2008 conference will kick off in Orlando, followed up by the Tech∙Ed IT Professionals conference to be held in the same location starting June 10th.
Tech∙Ed is going to diminish as a conference in any way. Quite the opposite. For both the Developers conference and IT Pro conference, you’re still going to have the customary Pre-Conference Seminars, Keynotes, Breakout Sessions, Hands-On Labs, Instructor-Led Labs, Partner Expo Hall, etc. Tech∙Ed was getting too big for it’s britches. By splitting the conference over the two primary audiences over two weeks, provides the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy the experience and get the most out of it that you deserve.
You might ask, "what if I want to attend both? Is it going to cost me twice as much?" Nope! Microsoft will be offering special pricing packages for those that wish to attend both events.
For questions such as these, have a look at the Tech∙Ed 2008 FAQ.
I’ll see you in June, in Orlando. Somebody warn Mickey, Donald, Goofy and the gang that we’re coming once again!
Tech∙Ed U.S. Developers 2008 - June 3-6, 2008, Orlando FL, Orange County Convention Center
Tech∙Ed U.S. IT Professionals 2008 - June 10-13, 2008, Orlando FL, Orange County Convention Center
