Microsoft Tech-Ed Middle East 2011 comes to a close with strong interest from regional IT community

Microsoft’s premier technology event, Tech-Ed Middle East, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) concluded last week with a key note speech by Walter Puschner, VP, Worldwide Field IT, Microsoft who highlighted Microsoft’s new approach to solutions in a keynote address titled “Think Small to Build Big.” Microsoft Tech –Ed Middle East 2011 saw more than 2000 delegates and partners attending this premier technology event from the IT community across the region. 

In his keynote, Puschner highlighted the growing significance of new and emerging markets like the Middle East in the technology landscape and suggested that the best business processes are often found in such markets. During his keynote, he also touched upon the opportunity to use markets like the Middle East as incubation hotspots for lean technologies which could then be rolled out worldwide, thereby leading to a significant impact on IT development practices. 

In addition to the conference, there was also an accompanying Partner Exhibition which provided attendees with the opportunity to review and evaluate all the products, solutions, and services Microsoft partners have to offer. Etisalat was the strategic ICT partner while HP, Nokia and Dell also participated as platinum sponsors. 

Commenting on the company’s involvement at the event, Kevin Harris, Cloud Computing Specialist Manager, EMEA, Dell said: “It’s been very interesting to be involved in Tech-Ed, where we’ve been mainly showcasing cloud computing, end user devices and desktop mobility. Focusing on these areas tied in well with the general sessions that were at Tech-Ed. It has also been a fantastic opportunity to network with people in the industry and to discuss what we’re all doing. Though the event has been all about educating customers, it’s also been about customers educating us on many aspects with great feedback on our solutions and initiatives.”

Samer Abu-Ltaif, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf said: “It has been a fantastic conference, with so much happening over the three days. The tremendous response we’ve got from the attendees further support Microsoft’s decision to bring the Tech-Ed brand to the region. Tech-Ed is truly a great opportunity to access deep, technical content, get the required hands-on learning experiences, and connect with industry and Microsoft experts one-on-one. From our perspective, Tech·Ed is the conference that will help developers and IT professionals solve today's real-world IT challenges and prepare for tomorrow's innovations. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff and partners who have come together to make this 2011 edition such a great success.” 

On the second day of the event, Microsoft held its inaugural Middle East edition of the Geek Girls. The event was especially held for the female peers in the IT industry, giving them the opportunity to network, discuss and interact with the speakers who were all female IT professionals. The event addressed the image that the IT industry is male dominated, with speakers from Microsoft and third parties addressing a large female audience about the opportunities available for women in the IT industry and how it is possible to have a very successful career in IT and technology, but also to maintain a healthy work/life balance. The panel of Tech-Ed experts, moderated by Microsoft’s Andrea Li-Sai Chimento, Services Lead for Gulf in Microsoft Gulf gave personal insights in to the industry, discussing significant topics such as career development and achieving a healthy work life balance. The event sparked lively networking, with a packed room demonstrating the huge amount of female interested in IT and technology in the region. 

Microsoft’s second Tech-Ed conference was opened officially on Tuesday, March 8th and gave the region’s IT professionals and developers a chance to explore Microsoft’s latest, ground-breaking products and technologies, in addition to providing the perfect forum for discussing the most pressing issues in IT and technology today.