Note to self: don’t ever schedule a conference during the same week as a potentially history-making, world-changing election.
Actual booth conversation:
Me: “Hi! Can I answer any questions about Microsoft certification?”
Attendee: “You must be happy today! What great news!”
Me: “Yes, I’m very happy—I even stayed up all night to watch the election results live. Can’t wait to see how Obama governs. Are you certified?”
Attendee: “Yes! Did you think he would win?”
Me: “I’ve learned never to take anything for granted, so no, I wasn’t sure. Have you heard about our new performance-based testing?”
Attendee: “Yes, Howler, right? We are so happy for you!”
Me: “Um, thanks. We’re pretty pleased with the technology too.”
Attendee: “No! I mean Obama—we’re all very happy that he’ll be your president!”
…and that’s pretty much how every conversation went throughout the week (and we weren’t alone… from what I hear the election was top-of-mind for most speakers and attendees, and it made it very difficult to focus on technology. :-)
In fact, the most striking example I can cite of just how pre-occupied everyone was:
Not a single person asked, “Where’s Trika?”
TechEd Developers starts in about 90 minutes… let’s see if we can get them talking about something other than last week’s election.
(Either that, or we need to fast-track a new MCPE certification (Microsoft Certified President-Elect)
Posted by Krosen
Comments
Monday, November 10, 2008 11:49 AM by Strangest. TechEd. Ever. | MS Tech News
PingBack from http://mstechnews.info/2008/11/strangest-teched-ever/
]Monday, November 10, 2008 2:44 PM by Christopher Kusek
I can imagine, I like you returning back to the topic at hand and it keeps going back to the elections :)
Hey, speaking of Trika... she had magical pull, do you guys as well?!
When the VMM Beta exam was pushed out to December - it provided a lot more time for people to take it. But the code is expired!
(71-403)
Do you guys have that ability to get some more vouchers activated out there? :)
Thanks, always look forward to new posting from you guys!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 4:09 PM by Trika
That hurts, yo.
Rully, rully, hurts.
Thursday, November 13, 2008 3:42 PM by Andrew Bettany
We knew already that Trika had moved on, she will be missed! She was a great MSL asset!
The MSL booth at TE08 Barca was by far the most staffed/helpful on the floor, well done.
Monday, November 17, 2008 9:14 PM by Sarah Grant
Hi ALL -
Code for the exam is: “VMM08”. I have confirmed it still is valid and being accepted by Prometric.
Sorry for the delay in response!
Sarah