MVP Program Makeover

Wow! Already for some time there were rumors about the MVP Program getting a big makeover. But until a few days ago, it was only a rumor.

Until the 1st of February that is! On that day I received an e-mail from the MVP Global Administrator informing me about the revamped MVP Program. And yes, the changes are HUGE.

The biggest changes in a nutshell:

1. No more new MVP (aka MVP Recognitions) on a quarterly basis, but on a MONTHLY basis instead;
2. No more MVP renewal on a quarterly basis, but ONCE per year on July;
3. MVP Summit is moved to the first quarter of every year instead of the last quarter;
4. This year NO MVP Summit, first MVP Summit is planned for March 4th – 7th 2018;
5. More learning possibilities for the MVPs, like (but not limited to)  free access to a Xamarin University subscription, complete with over 80 live instructor-led and self-guided courses. 

Since the current (or better, OLD) MVP Program has to be folded into the new format, 2017 will be the year of this transition.

As such all MVPs who got recognized OR renewed in Janaury (like me) may be re-awarded in July 2018. Basically meaning that my current MVP renewal has a validity of 18 months(!), instead of the old usual 12 months.

For me this is great since it gives me much more time to work hard in order to make the best of my MVP Award and do my utmost best to be renewed in july 2018!

Main reason for this renewal is that Microsoft want the MVP Program to be more agile by being able to to recognize the very best community leaders as fast as possible. This means YOU!

So whenever you wished to become a MVP, this is the time to step up!

Another reason of the makeover of the MVP Program is the enhancement of learning opportunities for the MVPs. And here Microsoft truly delivers. Awesome!

Want to know more about this MVP Program Makeover? About how to become a MVP yourself? Read this article on Guggs blog (Steve “Guggs” Guggenheimer is Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Developer Platform & Evangelism and Chief Evangelist).

It also has a video in which he talks about the most significant changes and the WHY behind it all.

IMHO this is a great change making the MVP program more agile AND accessible to many people. Awesome!