Microsoft Picks Washington, D.C., for 2010 WPC

The 2010 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference is heading to the nation’s
capital. The Washington Convention and Sports Authority announced this morning
that it secured the annual gathering of more than 10,000 Microsoft reseller and
independent software vendors.

In a statement, Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO
of Destination DC, said: "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. Microsoft is planning and facilitating more than 500
individual events and training sessions here in D.C. 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."

WPC is one of the premier
annual channel events where Microsoft partners gather for training, new product
and program announcements, and networking with peers and Microsoft executives. New
Orleans was the host city for the 2009 gathering. Boston,
Denver and San
Antonio have played host in recent years.

"This is an extremely important event for Microsoft,
and DC is a place where important work gets done," Pam Salzer, senior
director of Worldwide Partner Marketing at Microsoft, said in the announcement.
"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."

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend next year’s WPC.