Microsoft Software Architect Tour Karachi went away quite well. Although the event started a little later then 9:30 but the 150 seated auditorium was jam packed as we entered to take to our seats, Gurkan Sulk, Vaqar Khasmani, Haseeb (the Winqual Guys) represented Microsoft from MEA, Pakistan and USA while I from INETA Pakistan and Khurram from Kalsoft were the local speakers there.
I also met Jawad Rehman the Microsoft’s country manager for Pakistan and Dr. Wahab (former IBA chief) and had very interesting conversations on history, Pakistan and their polices and outlooks before the event started and in the lunch break.
The day was long and I got a headache in the end but I am was really pleased to be offered sponsorship of a venue by the kind MAJU people and the general reaction of the 150+ attendees to bring in the developer community revolution in Pakistan. My speech was in fact accepted quite well by all the senior architects and members. In the end 15 lucky people got Microsoft goody bags and all the speakers got bouquets of flowers and table clocks from MAJU as a token of appreciation for being there and all participants got the SAT 2004 trapper keeper with printouts of all the slides.
There was a lot of still photography and also a video recording of the event. I will get some pictures up as soon as I get my hands on them.
The Lahore and Islamabad events to happen on the 3rd and 4th of April are completely booked and Microsoft is planning to fly in speakers from Belgium. While INETA Pakistan is using the services of our User Group Leaders Misbah and Yawar to make there speeches.