Frequently Asked Questions

 
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Technical



General Conference Information

What is Visual Studio Live!?
As the development world’s trusted educational provider of developer-focused content for the past 18 years, Visual Studio Live! provides attendees with cutting-edge techniques needed to solve development challenges with shipping or soon to be shipping technologies compatible with the .NET Framework and Visual Studio. No other conference, no corporate trainers, no one else compares to the Visual Studio Live! standard of editorial excellence and commitment by speakers, such as Microsoft Development Team members and renowned industry experts, to provide real-world, practical information.

Who is Visual Studio Live! for?
Those involved or interested in using the Microsoft application development platform. For example, people in technical roles, e.g., architects, developers, designers, and technical managers.

When is Visual Studio Live! Redmond?
Visual Studio Live! Redmond takes place October 17-21, 2011.

Where is Visual Studio Live! Redmond?
Visual Studio Live! Redmond will be held in the Mixer Building at The Commons on the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington. For more information about the conference location, please visit the Visual Studio Live! Redmond Venue page.

Who can attend?
The conference is open to the public.

What meals are included with registration?
For all paid Visual Studio Live! attendees, morning coffee and pastries and lunch is provided on all days they attend sessions or workshops at the conference.

Will I be able to request special meals (i.e. kosher, vegetarian)?
Yes, you will be prompted for special meal requirements during the registration process.

How can I request assistance with special needs (i.e. hearing impaired)?
You will be prompted to tell us about your special needs during registration. We will make every effort to accommodate your request.

Where can I find information about Sponsorship opportunities?
If you are interested in sponsoring Visual Studio Live! Redmond, please contact Brent Sutton at (415) 518-1962 or [email protected]  

Can I bring my spouse or companion to the conference?
Due to the business focused atmosphere of the conference, we respectfully request that, as a conference attendee, you do not bring your spouse or any companion to the conference sessions. Your hotel concierge would be happy to provide information on local attractions and related visitor materials about the Redmond / Seattle area. Thank you for your understanding.

Where can I find things to do in Redmond and the Seattle area?
Visit the www.visitseattle.org for information on places to visit and things to do in Redmond and the Seattle area.

Travel/Transportation

Shuttle Service to and from the Microsoft Campus
Visual Studio Live! will be providing daily complimentary shuttle transportation between the Bellevue Hilton, Marriott Redmond Town Center, Residence Inn Seattle East/Redmond, and the Commons on the Microsoft Campus. This shuttle service will be available for all attendees who are staying at one of the conference hotels listed above.

Airport Transportation
Area hotels do not provide airport transportation, but there are several options:

Shuttle Express
(425) 981-7000
Two hours advance reservation is required and the fare is approximately $19.00 each way. Please call for pricing on more that 1 person in your group. Shuttle Express is located in the parking garage on Level 3 near the Taxi’s.

Taxi
One way fare averages $40-$45. Taxi’s are available on the third floor of the parking garage. Sedans and large vans are also available. Call (206) 622-6500, or use the curbside phones on Baggage Claim Level.

Limousine (STILA)
One way fare averages $40-$45. Stationed at the Airport, STILA offers town cars, SUVs, and stretch limos and picks up passengers either at the curb outside of Baggage Claim or on the third floor of the Parking Garage.

To arrange for a limousine or town car, use the touch screen to access "Ground Transportation" on any of the Travelers' Information Boards in Baggage Claim (located near the escalators), use curbside phones, or go to the Ground Transportation Booth on the third floor of the Parking Garage. You can also contact STILA at (206) 930-1966.

Directions to the Microsoft Commons (Mixer Building):
The Microsoft Commons (Mixer Building) is at the main Microsoft Headquarters Campus in Redmond in the eastern suburbs of Seattle, across Lake Washington.

Directions from Sea-Tac Airport:

  • Follow signs to Freeways; this will put you on SR 518 eastbound.
  • Follow signs to Interstate-5 and Interstate-405.
  • Take I-405 North-Renton (center lane). 
  • Continue on North I-405 through Renton and Bellevue, approximately 14 miles.
  • At Exit 14 take ramp right for SR-520 East exit toward Redmond.
  • Follow signs for NE 40th St.
  • Turn LEFT onto NE 40th St. ** If you reach 150th Ave. NE you’ve gone too far! **

Directions from I-405 in Bellevue:

  • Take Exit 14 onto SR-520 East, toward Redmond
  • Go about three miles to the 40th Street Exit and you are almost there
  • Turn LEFT onto NE 40th St. ** If you reach 150th Ave. NE you’ve gone too far! **

Directions from I-5 in Seattle:

  • Take I-5 Exit 168B, onto SR-520 East
  • Take SR-520 about 10 miles across the Lake Washington floating bridge, through Bellevue, and past I-405
  • Take the 40th Street Exit and you are almost there
  • Turn LEFT onto NE 40th St. **If you reach 150th Ave. NE you’ve gone too far! **

Parking:
Parking is available in The Commons underground parking garage. There is an entrance off of NE 40th Street and another entrance off of 150th Ave. You will need to know your license number to present at registration.

Networking

Will there be opportunities for small group discussions?
We have scheduled an evening event and other networking opportunities allowing you to learn and share in smaller group settings. We also encourage attendees to network during meals and breaks.

How can I network with peers who have similar interests?
Be a part of pre-conference networking with paid attendees by checking the "Attendee Networking" box when you register. Prior to the conference you have an opportunity to introduce yourself to other attendees and arrange to meet and network for lunch, dinner or during other break times. You can also connect with other Visual Studio Live! attendees at:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/vslive - #vslive
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/VSLive/190107439474
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com - JOIN “vslive” GROUP

Registration

Do you accept Purchase Orders?
If you would like to use a Purchase Order you may do so when registering online. If you have any questions about using a purchase order please contact our registration department at (541) 346-3537.

Where may I obtain your federal tax ID information for my accounting department?
Please contact the registration office and they will fax or mail a completed W9 form to you. Visual Studio Live! Federal Tax I.D. Number is 20-4583700.

Where can I request a receipt?
You will receive an official receipt on your badge when you check in at the conference. However, if you need a receipt before arriving onsite, you may request one by writing to [email protected] or by calling the registration office at (541) 346-3537. Receipts are processed weekly.

How may I make changes to my registration?
You may request changes to your registration by writing to [email protected], or by calling (541) 346-3537, or by faxing your request to (541) 346-3537.

What if I need to cancel my registration?
All requests for cancellation must be sent in writing to the registration office. Requests must be received by the cancellation deadline of September 7, 2011 to qualify for a refund. A cancellation-processing fee of $250 will be charged for each cancellation request. No refunds will be given after September 7, 2011.

If I cancel my conference registration will my hotel room cancelled as well?
No, these are handled separately. Please contact your hotel directly to cancel your room reservation.

If you have purchased the Visual Studio Live! Complete Conference & Hotel Package and need to cancel your conference registration, Visual Studio Live! will also cancel your hotel reservation.  If you cancel after the cancellation deadline of September 7, 2011, certain hotel cancellation fees may apply.

May I send someone in my place if I cannot attend?
Yes, you may transfer your registration to another person at any time. Requests must be made in writing and may be emailed or faxed to (541) 346-3545 or bring the request with you onsite.

Will I receive confirmation of my registration?
Yes, if you include your email address you will receive an email acknowledgement of your registration being received in the conference database.

Do you offer any student discounts?
We offer full-time college students from accredited universities a discount off of the full priced conference registration fees. To qualify for this discount, please contact the registration office at (541) 346-3537 and be prepared to provide a copy of your student identification card.

Technical

the code project logo

Will there be computers with Internet access at the conference?
Yes, the Internet Café and Power Station is available onsite for all attendees.
The Code Project is the official Visual Studio Live! 2011 Wi-Fi Sponsor.

Will printers be available for attendee use?
Yes, a printer will be available as a part of the Internet Café.

Will internet connectivity be available for attendee use?
Yes, a wireless network is available throughout the Visual Studio Live! Redmond event space on the Microsoft Campus.

Where do I get the notes for each conference session?
All conference attendees will receive online access to Visual Studio Live! Redmond session proceedings in advance of the event.

A full 500+ page Visual Studio Live! Redmond proceedings book is available for purchase at the time of registration for $50, and contains all of the session and workshop slides with plenty of extra space for taking notes.

EVENT SPONSOR:

 Microsoft

Keynote Announced!

Cameron Skinner

Visual Studio 11: Turning Ideas into Software

The world of software today is defined by the word “Experience”. You can see it in the way people have adopted new experiences for devices of different form factors, you can see it in how people want to experience their information and you can see it in the context of how people interact to build software solutions. Regardless of the solution you’re building, the fundamental need for a compelling experience exists. In Visual Studio 11, Microsoft aims to ensure that developers have all the tooling to create compelling user experiences, an IDE that sets a new bar for the developer experience and a family of products dramatically improves the team experience for everyone.

Cameron Skinner, General Manager, Visual Studio Ultimate, Microsoft

BACK ON THE MICROSOFT CAMPUS!


Make sure you're a part of Visual Studio Live! for our 2nd year at Microsoft HQ in Redmond! Expand your .NET skills, learn how to build better applications from the pros, and experience the Microsoft campus like an insider.

Our last event SOLD OUT, so you'll want to register now to secure your place.

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