Coverage of
The 2002 Microsoft 
Stampede Conference
By Geni Whitehouse, CPA 

AWARDS CEREMONY

We have been to a number of vendor conferences, and they all have awards ceremonies. This was a different type of awards ceremony for the following reasons:

  1. Sheer number of partners represented.  In 2001, Great Plains recognized 36 of its 2200 partners.  This year, Microsoft Business Solutions recognized 30 of its 4500 partners.
  2. It wasn't a dinner event.  Most of the conferences we've attended handed out the awards at a fancy dinner banquet.  In this case, there was a break before the event for "dinner on your own" followed by a four hour awards ceremony. 
  3. Theatrics.  We have come to expect high-profile theatrics in the leader's keynote session.  In this case, they were saved for the awards ceremony.  I guess if you're not going to provide food during a four hour event like this, you better provide some entertainment.  Believe it or not, I didn't even miss the food during this event. (And there was a cash bar but it was outside of the auditorium.)  This event, like all of the main stage events, was hosted by a professional-level emcee named Matt G.  He interviewed the audience, made jokes and kept the event interesting.  The pre-event warm up included a Leno-esque back stage tour and interview with various presenters.  Highlight of the event was Doug Burgum's appearance via a rope suspended from the ceiling - the excitement of which was equaled only by his ability to extricate himself on stage from what can best be described as "a rock climber's version of a chastity belt". 
  4. The party was at a separate event.  See separate party coverage here.
  5. The award winners got to speak.  Very nice, brief words of thanks were offered by the recipient organizations, my personal favorite was the three gentlemen from Access Vision in South Africa who donned matching shirts in honor of Nelson Mandela.
  6. Comedic banter between Doug Burgum and Dave Knorr on stage - portions of which appeared to be un-rehearsed.  Dave made the perfect straight man and Doug seemed as amused by the whole thing as the audience.

Click here to view the award winners :