When is IT Forum and TechEd EMEA? Where is the best source of Microsoft oriented technical information in Europe?

You can read the details at the mseventseurope site. The names have changed to "TechEd EMEA 2008 IT Professionals" and "TechEd EMEA 2008 Developers" and they're running in the reverse order to last year - the IT Pro event will run from 3rd to 7th November, the Dev event will run from 10th to 14th November - both will be in Barcelona as before.

I know it's a long way off but it will come around before you know it and I've posted about it now as am planning the rest of the major activities I'm going to get involved with during the rest of 2008 and I guess many of you need to get these things in your diary with plenty of notice too.

It's a little early to register - according to the events site you'll be able to do so in June.

Interestingly enough there's a third event too named "Convergence 2008 Microsoft Dynamics" which is promoted on the same events site - it will take place in Copenhagen - there's going to be a "partner day" on the 18th too.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the last three TechEd/IT ForumĀ EMEA's I've been fortunate enough to be involved with and find them a great place to learn and share ideas. It is a chargeable event though the focus is on recouping the cost of putting the event on rather than making a profit - this shows in the relatively low cost for delegates - particularly if you register early enough for the "early bird discount". In my experience what you get out of the event is directly proportional to how much effort you put in - you can take the passive "sit and listen" approach OR get involved in the interactive sessions, community activities and seek out the speakers and other experts in the "ask the expert" area - this way you can drill deep into the technical areas that most interest you.

Both events sell out really quickly so I strongly recommend you start watch the registration site early in June (I don't know when it will go live) and start making the business case with your boss/self(if self employed) so that you don't miss out.

BTW: Microsoft employees only get to go to the event if they "work their passage" meaning that they speak, run the hands on labs or volunteer to work on "ask the experts".