Tech·Ed Kick-Off Sessions

We're starting Tech·Ed 2011 a little differently this year. In fact there'll be two Kick-Off Sessions. Both will include tech demos which profile customers' use of technology, and both will help you kick-off your Tech·Ed in a big way – regardless of what your role is. But each will have its unique focus – and they'll do more than just scratch the surface, they'll set the tone for your entire Tech·Ed journey.

Here's a taste of what to expect – so you can easily choose which one is right for you!

Creative Development across the Platforms

This Kick-Off Session explores how you can leverage the latest technologies like Windows Phone, Xbox including the Kinect Software Development Kit, Windows Azure and the Web to deliver business applications that will get users excited in any organisation. Developers from a range of different companies will give us their real-life examples of making development more innovative, creative, and fast! You'll also get a sneak peek at the tools that you'll be using in the coming year to build these next generation experiences. If you're into creative and innovative developing, then get into this.

Private Cloud – from Servers to Services

Alternatively, you can kick-start your Tech·Ed experience by understanding what the journey from servers to services looks like. We'll delve deeper into Private Cloud and give you the low-down on how you can maximise it to make what was previously 'too hard', possible. We'll also use real-life examples of how a customer and hoster are already taking advantage of the Private Cloud and how it's helping power this year's Tech·Ed – that's right we've set up our own Private Cloud.

Don't forget to get to Tech·Ed 2011 for a 3.30pm start on Tuesday 30 August. Following these sessions, we'll come together for the Keynote. More details to follow!

Tech·Ed Keynote

Gather 'round fellow geeks, because we've created the Keynote in your honour. We're going to celebrate and dissect the geek DNA and discover what it is that drives us to push the technical envelopes. The Keynote will be a celebration of the curious and creative geek – who we are, why we do what we do and how we're creating the future, now.

Here is a sneak peek of some of the awesome line up of speakers. They all have geek DNA pulsing through their veins.

The Sleekest Geek of 'em all

Adam Spencer is hosting the Keynote and what better guy to do it? He is the co-host of ABC's Sleek Geeks – so his geek credentials are watertight.

Jarod Green is Beached Az

Jarod's the guy that created that beached whale and its feathered friend with the Kiwi accents. His viral video, Beached Az, kick-started his career by creating quite the splash on YouTube – in fact, more people have watched it than the entire population of New Zealand!

Listen up to Jane Cockburn

Jane is a Senior Product Manager at Cochlear – the leader in advanced hearing loss solutions. She'll be discussing how the technology and software she works with is literally changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of kids around the world.

Geek out with us at the Tech·Ed 2011 Keynote, starting at 4.30pm on Tuesday 30 August.