I can't reveal all the details, although I am sure others will, however we are working on special event for SBSC members. This event design incorporates your feedback and suggestions as to what you want to hear about, share as a community as well as information Microsoft needs to share with you. Expect useful information, the opportunity to network with your peers, Microsoft and partners and the ability to socialise too J

The timeframe for this event is February 2007, in Reading, Manchester (or Leeds) and Edinburgh, although more sessions will happen in the afternoon in Reading due to availability of speakers and rooms.

The ROUGH agenda looks like this

Morning:

• UK Exec who actually cares about Small Business (such as Natalie Ayres - Director of SMS&P*) talking about:
  • What's the view from the top?
    Why does everything you've heard matter?
    What's the opportunity for partners?
• Aileen Hannah – responsible for SBSC programme in the UK, talking about:
  • Highlights & lowlights of the program so far
    Latest resources & benefits for partners
    Reference partner success stories
• Steve Haddock – responsible for the Disty partners with some special news for SBSC partners talking about:
  • Latest trend data
    Where Microsoft are investing
    What's the opportunity for partners?
• David Overton and Matt McSpirit from the PTS team and guest TAP** partner and customer talking about Vista & Office:
  • Value for small businesses & partners
    TAP Partner preso with actual customers
    Challenges they faced & how to overcome
• Tim Kimber, David Overton, and others talking about new products:
  • Office Live
    Antigen / Forefront
    AdCentre

Afternoon:

The afternoon will include Panel and Technology led sessions with many presenters from the SBSC community as well as Microsoft:

• Panel Sessions:
  • Building a better business model
  • How to market your business
  • Partner Power, working with the community
  • Working with your regional Small Business infrastructure (eg BusinessLink, RDA, Accountants, FSB)
• Technology & MS Sessions:
  • How I use and sell CRM
  • Licensing "need to knows" for SBSC partners
  • Legal "need to knows" for SBSC partners
  • Setting up a hosted or SPLA business

* SMS&P - Small and Midmarket Solutions and Partners – what a MS acronym

** TAP – Technology Adoption Programme – Where Microsoft, partners and customers come together to trial new software, garner learnings, offer product feedback and then build joint case studies