Azure Journal

Microsoft recently announced the quarterly recipients of the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award, which recognizes exceptional technical community leaders from around the world who foster the free and objective exchange of knowledge by actively sharing their real world expertise with users and Microsoft. Nearly 1000 outstanding individuals were recognized for their contributions to the technical community.

"At Microsoft, we believe that technical and community leaders help to improve peoples' daily lives and interactions with technology, driving the success of Microsoft and this industry as a whole," said Toby Richards , general manager of Community and Online Support for Microsoft. "Microsoft greatly appreciates its MVPs and the critical feedback they provide to benefit our company and the greater technical community."

Of this quarter's awardees, 205 are first-time recipients, while 792 are repeat awardees. MVP status is not easily attainable; there are just 4,143 Microsoft MVPs worldwide out of millions of global technical community members.

MVPs represent more than 90 countries, and speak nearly 40 different languages. MVP expertise is expansive and impressive, covering more than 90 technologies that range from Windows and Silverlight to PowerPoint and Dynamics CRM. Microsoft MVPs are passionate about technology and influence the technical community by participating in newsgroups and online forums, hosting user groups, authoring books and articles, speaking at conferences, etc.

MVPs also help to improve Microsoft products and services based on feedback gained from their respective communities and their own vast knowledge of certain products. Additionally, MVPs often receive early access to product information from Microsoft and are invited to an annual summit in Redmond, Wash., during which Microsoft product groups typically present several hundred technical sessions. Microsoft uses feedback from MVPs at Summit and beyond to better understand its customers, make product changes and create new technologies.

To receive MVP Award status, individuals are nominated by technical community members, current MVPs, and Microsoft personnel. A panel that includes MVP team members and product group teams evaluates each nominee's technical expertise and voluntary community contributions in the past year and considers the quality, quantity, and level of impact of the MVP nominee's contributions. Active MVPs receive the same level of scrutiny as other candidates each year.