As a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) you get invited to the global summit held once a year in Seattle. It’s an invitation-only four-day event which allows you to connect with other MVPs and engage with the product teams directly. Since everything is covered under a Non-Disclosure-Agreement (NDA), we’re able to see upcoming products and plans for the future.

The 2008 summit is on 14-17 April at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center and Microsoft headquarters in Redmond.

In addition to the summit, I’m also spending a few days afterwards staying with ex-Aussie Chuck, hanging out with Stovell and checking out what Seattle has to offer.

Here’s a list of things that I would like to do while I’m over there:

• Check more of the Microsoft campus of course.
• Pike Place Market - Checkout the fruit ‘n veg and the Fish Market is supposed to be fun to watch.
• Have a beer or two at the Redhook Brewery
• Take a ferry/cruise somewhere - Bainbridge Island? Argosy Cruise?
• Kerry Park - Get a photo of Seattle with Mt. Rainer in the background.
• Capitol Hill / Broadway - Restaurants, Clubs & coffeehouses.
• Do Noah Coad’s walking tour - Space Needle, Experience Music Project, Monorail, Westlake Center Mall, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, The Bay Pavilion, Pioneer Square & Seattle Underground Tour.
• Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour and/or the Museum of Flight
• Hiram M. Chittenden Locks & the fish ladder where salmon pass between fresh and salt water.

That should keep me busy