In the wake of the largest product launch in the company's history, that of the Windows Vista operating system, the 2007 Microsoft Office system and Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Corp. will host the 2007 MVP Global Summit. The annual event recognizes the value that Microsoft-designated Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) around the world provide in helping to make the company's products successful, while honoring their contributions to the objective exchange of knowledge and their dedication to enriching the technology user experience.

MVPs are individuals recognized by Microsoft as outstanding leaders in the technical community who make an exceptional impact on the IT industry by actively and voluntarily sharing their expertise in technical communities worldwide. Recent examples of the MVP influence on Microsoft's products and technology users include the following:

- More than 2,000 MVPs participated in the Windows Vista beta program.

- On average, a newsgroup posting by an MVP receives more than 43,000 views.

- In 2006, the MVP community contributed more than 300 Microsoft Knowledge Base articles in seven languages covering all Microsoft products.

"Every year, the MVP Award program continues to evolve to reflect the diversity in today's technical communities," said Sean O'Driscoll, general manager of Community Support and MVP at Microsoft. "This year is no different. The MVPs serve as an inspiration, sharing their expertise and passion for technology communities with an unyielding drive to help others."

Scheduled for March 12 to 15, the 2007 MVP Global Summit will be held at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle and at Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Wash. The event will kick off with a keynote address by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates - Microsoft.