Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are exceptional community leaders who actively share their high-quality, real-world deep technical expertise with the community and with Microsoft. They are committed to helping others get the most out of their experience with Microsoft products and technologies.

They are awarded by Microsoft for these reasons, in addition to their continuous feedback and consistent representation of the "voice of the customer". Their contributions help Microsoft to evolve its programs and products.  

What is the MVP Summit?

The MVP Global Summit is a multi-day event that is hosted in Bellevue and at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington. With a large catalog of technical sessions and a variety of networking opportunities, the MVP Global Summit enables MVPs to connect with other MVPs, build relationships with Microsoft product managers, and provide feedback on Microsoft products and technologies.

Who can attend the MVP Summit?

The MVP Global Summit is an exclusive event for MVPs. For the 2013 event, MVPs who have been, or will be awarded within these dates are invited: January 2012, April 2012, July 2012, October 2012, and January 2013. Registration to attend the Summit was opened up in December 2012.

Invitation to this event is also extended to Regional Directors (RDs). MVPs and RDs must have a signed Non-Disclosure Agreement on file. International attendees should review travel authorization requirements to the United States and initiate paperwork as soon as possible. You may be required to request a visa or complete an Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA). Please review the details here.

Weather/Clothing
Transportation to/from Airport
Visiting the Bellevue Area
Visiting the Seattle Area

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Weather/Clothing

Mid-to-late February weather in the Bellevue/Redmond area is unpredictable but can often be cold and wet. The temperatures range from an average low of 37ºF/2.8ºC to an average high of 50ºF/10ºC. It is not unusual for it to rain a bit every day or possibly snow. Be ready for anything. Please visit Bellevue Weather Forecast to learn what the weather will be in the next 1 to 10 days.

Dressing in layers is always a good idea, for example a shirt with a sweater. A winter coat, raincoat or weatherproof jacket is also recommended, depending on what the weather is doing at the moment. Please know that Microsoft encourages employees and guests to dress comfortably.

Transportation to/from Airport

Comfort and style: Shuttle Express is Sea-Tac Airport's official share-ride service and a very popular, green choice for travel to and from the airport throughout the Seattle/Bellevue metropolitan area. If you like to travel this way, the price will be cheaper than a taxi. They also offer town cars and vans if you want to coordinate travel to/from your hotel with fellow MVPs arriving/departing the same time as you.

Fast, simple, but not cheap: Taxis are the best way if time is of the essence and money isn’t a great concern. A typical taxi ride between Sea-Tac Airport and downtown Bellevue is $45-$50 + tip.

Reliable and Affordable: This option ONLY works if you are starting or ending your stay at a downtown Seattle hotel, versus one in downtown Bellevue. The Downtown Airporter loops between downtown Seattle hotels and Sea-Tac Airport 24 hours a day for $19 one-way, $33 roundtrip. It’s a popular service.

Cheap and Adventurous: Seattle’s Metro Transit offers the following choices if you don’t have too much luggage and don’t mind walking a little bit, depending on where your hotel is:

• Heading to/from downtown Seattle: Sound Transit Light Rail runs between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The trains run every 7 to 15 minutes depending on the day and time of day, with travel time approximately 40 minutes.
• Heading to/from downtown Bellevue: Sound Transit Bus Route 560 has departures every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 60 minutes on Saturday and Sunday, with travel time approximately 45 minutes.

Visiting the Bellevue area

Bellevue may not hold the name recognition that Seattle has, but it has plenty of outdoor and indoor activities to keep anyone with a little bit of extra time busy. Take a look at these options:

• Activities: Marymoor Park, The Parlor, and Lucky Strike Lanes.
• Museums: Bellevue Arts Museum.
• Shopping: The Bellevue Collection which includes Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place.
• General Bellevue links: Discover Bellevue and Bellevue Adventure Guide.

Visiting the Seattle area

Downtown Seattle is only 10 miles/16 kilometers from downtown Bellevue. We have compiled suggestions on places to visit and things to do:

• Attractions: Chihuly Garden and Glass, International District, Seattle Aquarium, Space Needle, and the Woodland Park Zoo.
• Museums: Museum of Flight, Pacific Science Center, EMP Museum, and the Seattle Art Museum.
• Tours: Argosy Cruises, Boeing Tour, CenturyLink Field Tour, Safeco Field Tour, and the Seattle Underground Tour.
• Shopping: Pacific Place and the Pike Place Market.
• General Seattle links: Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and Seattle Visitor Information.