So this year the MVP program had a bit of a change to how it handled the renewal and awarding process, a change that I fully supported, as it would allow for the program to become, in my own opinion, more agile and therefore recognise more and more memebers of the amazing community on a more reasonable, and sustainable, cycle process. 

My only gripe, and this is so minor that I can look at it and laugh at it, as it only really affected me in a personal manner, was that the change to the renewal cycle meant that this year I got a free extension of 3 months from April till July (yay) but I lost the receiving the award as an early birthday present from Microsoft like I had for my 26th last year. 

I instead got a much better reward from Microsoft in the longer and grander scheme of things, and that was seeing 6 of the 8 of my nominees also being rewarded and recognised as well in the last year and I also notice and nominate others as I notice their impact to the communities that I’m a part of.
I’m looking forward to the rest of this year and a number of interesting user groups and conferences in the near future, including a first with a joint Presentation at SQL Saturday Manchester with my buddy Mr “SQLDBAWithABeard” & newly minted MVP, Rob Sewell. 

If you haven’t already signed up for the free SQL Saturday Manchester Event then please do at http://www.sqlsaturday.com/645/EventHome.aspx

Once SQL Sat Manchester has passed I will be starting to get myself back to blogging more regularly again but until then you can catch me on LinkedIn or Twitter.

*EDIT – I seemingly missed that I was Renewed as an MVP – happy to be part of the growing community and looking forward to the year ahead!