Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Big news from the City of Los Angeles:  Microsoft’s biggest conference is coming to the LA Convention Center in Downtown LA in 2011!

• Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to announce today city’s plan to host 2011 meeting
  ”Los Angeles will serve as host to the 2011 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, the largest convention the city has ever hosted, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is set to announce today. Up to 15,000 people are expected to attend the convention, scheduled for July, 2011, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Some $45 million in spending at hotels, restaurants and other facilities in the city is expected to be generated as a result of the event, officials said. "Hosting this banner event for the global technology community is a major win for Los Angeles and an important boost for our local economy," Villaraigosa said. The Worldwide Partners Conference is Microsoft’s annual event to meet with its business partners from around the world. There are more than 640,000 customers who sell, market or customize Microsoft products. This year’s conference is set for Washington, D.C. The convention was negotiated with Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer and First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner. This is the second major negotiation completed by Beutner. Last month, BYD, a Chinese alternative-energy auto maker, announced Los Angeles would be home to its U.S. headquarters.”
  http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_15051541
  
• NBC LOS ANGELES: Microsoft Picks LA – The Microsoft event is expected to be LA’s largest convention
  “Next year’s Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference will be the largest convention ever in Los Angeles. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to announce details Monday about the conference. An estimated 15,000 delegates are expected to attend the July 2011 Microsoft event at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Officials said it will generate an estimated $45 million in hotel, restaurant and other spending. The Worldwide Partners Conference is Microsoft’s annual event bringing together Microsoft business partners from around the world. This year’s conference is in Washington.”
  http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/tech/Largest-Convention-Ever-93282204.html