FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2009

DC Lands 2010 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference

(Washington, DC)... DC tourism officials brought a significant boost to the city’s 2010 convention calendar by securing one of the meetings and events industry’s most prestigious summer gatherings, the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference. It is estimated that more than 10,000 Microsoft partners and employees will gather in DC from July 12-15, 2010, to network and share best practices, experience the latest Microsoft products and initiatives, and learn new skills and techniques. Partners will travel to DC from all 50 states and more than 120 countries, generating nearly 30,000 hotel room nights. Through delegate spending on hotels, dining, shopping and entertainment alone, the event will pump more than $14.5 million into city businesses alone during a traditionally slow period for meetings and events. Other businesses will benefit from the millions of dollars more that Microsoft will invest in production expenses tied to the event.

“This is a huge win for the city and a prime example of how our entire hospitality industry is working together to secure short-term business,” said Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO, Destination DC. “Microsoft is planning and facilitating more than 500 individual events and training sessions here in DC over the course of the conference, and they are also encouraging their partners to get out and explore the city and bring along their families.”

“It is an honor that Microsoft, a global leader in technology, chose to bring its Worldwide Partner Conference to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and CEO of the Washington Convention and Sports Authority. “Our superior customer service and technological capabilities will serve as the ideal setting to help Microsoft bring the latest cutting edge business solutions to the more than 10,000 attendees expected.”

Held annually, the Worldwide Partner Conference provides Microsoft a forum in which to engage with its partners, who include IT solution providers, developers, programmers and consultants from large consumer corporations, smaller enterprises as well as self-employed professionals. Microsoft relies on its partner network to deliver and service applications and solutions to business, government, healthcare and other enterprises. Because Microsoft generally sells through supply chains to customers, nearly 95% of the corporation’s $60 billion in total annual revenue is generated by its network of more than 640,000 partners worldwide. In addition to learning tips and skills from experts and their peers, partners will hear from Microsoft executives on vision and strategy and get an inside look at new products in the pipeline.

“This is an extremely important event for Microsoft, and DC is a place where important work gets done,” said Pam Salzer, senior director of Worldwide Partner Marketing at Microsoft. The conference is our opportunity to get together with the partners who use, sell and service our products, and we are thrilled to reconnect with them in DC. It’s an exciting city with a powerful brand of its own, and we really want our partners to get out and get to know DC.”

About Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference: The Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) is an annual gathering where Microsoft Corp.’s partner community will network and build connections, share best practices, and learn new skills and techniques. At WPC10 — July 12 -15 in Washington DC — Steve Ballmer, Kevin Turner, Allison Watson and many other executives will share their vision and strategies for the company.For more information visit www.digitalwpc.com

About Destination DC: Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. destinationdc.com

About the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) The Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) creates economic and community benefits for the District through the attraction and promotion of hospitality, athletic, entertainment and cultural events. The Authority owns and manages the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact for the city. The Authority also owns and manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, the DC Armory and the surrounding Festival Grounds, and serves as the owner and landlord for Nationals Park. For more information, please visit www.wcsa.com.

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