10 Years Microsoft MVP

In July 2010, I received an email from Microsoft that I received a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. Back then I wasn’t really sure what that means but it’s safe to say it had a massive impact on my personal life.

There are some benefits being an MVP (some free licenses, free azure credits, the yearly MVP summit, just to name a few) but the most important part of being an MVP is the community. I’ve met a lot of kind, helpful and inspiring people over the years from all over the world, many of them I consider close friends. Every time I met my fellow MVPs at the summit or a conference, it felt like a class reunion. I really enjoyed the company. It always felt like family.

Over the last years, I more and more moved away from my original expertise (System Center) and changed to a full time software developer and also focused more on my business. This also impacted my community work. Last year I finally handed over all of my community “responsibilities” to my colleagues who helped me built the Microsoft IT pro community in Austria. I’m really grateful they not only keep the community alive, they also keep it growing and keep improving it.

Yesterday, many of my fellow MVP friends and colleagues received their MVP award again. Congratulations to all new and renewed MVPs!

I didn’t receive the award this time. This was expected. I already communicated that I’m no longer involved in any community activities. Giving me the MVP award this year would not be appropriate and would also be unfair to someone else who is actually having an impact on the community and deserving the award.

I really enjoyed doing community work and I’m not ruling out a “comeback” but right now, I have other priorities. I’m honored, grateful and happy that Microsoft recognized my work and awarded me the MVP award. It really was a life changing experience. THANK YOU!