New York Times Data Artist to Launch TechEd!

Jer Thorpe, New York Times' data artist in residence will be regaling the crowds at TechEd this year with his insights about the evolution of computing and how our interactions with computers are becoming more natural. Jer is world renowned for his ability to create beautiful data visualisations that put abstract data into a human context enabling people to take control of the information that surrounds them.

The artist and educator from Vancouver, who currently lives in New York, will be joined on stage during the keynote presentation by Paul Thurrott – Microsoft blogger, published author, podcaster and the news editor for Windows IT Pro magazine. Paul will be speaking about Microsoft’s upcoming key product releases, including Windows 8 and Office 2013.

Microsoft TechEd is New Zealand’s premier technology conference for IT professionals and developers. This year, the event has been extended to four days, kicking off on Tuesday 4 September at SKYCITY Convention Centre.

More than 80 speakers will present 160 sessions throughout the conference, to an anticipated 2,200 attendees. New additions to TechEd this year include "Birds of a Feather” sessions, where delegates can discuss hot topics with experts. Microsoft has also partnered with Auldhouse to provide the Microsoft Certification Centre and an on-site Exam Cram room. As has come to be expected from TechEd, there will also be world-class technical content, high-calibre international speakers and, of course, the biggest party of the year – TechFest!

Several key businesses will be sharing their technology journeys over the past year, including Vista Entertainment Solutions and Plunket.

“TechEd is New Zealand’s largest event for the local IT community, bringing together some of the world’s best technology and solution specialists. Delegates will have the opportunity to see and hear these experts, gaining useful knowledge to help inspire them and grow their careers,” says Paul Muckleston, Microsoft New Zealand’s Managing Director.

“We hope delegates will come away from the event motivated to go out and create their own innovative solutions to support their customers and their own businesses. Development of our local IT and software industry is critical to the success of Kiwi organisations, as well as the positive impact on New Zealand's economy.”

There will be a number of goodies for attendees from companies who consider TechEd to be one of the most valuable IT training events in the country. Sponsors this year include HP, Provoke, Vista Entertainment Solutions, ACE Training and Snap. Exhibitors this year include CommVault, Express Data, Fujitsu, HP, Intergen, Nokia, Pluralsight, Polycom, Telerik and Veeam.

TechFest is the much anticipated party where delegates can let their hair down – this year it will be held in The Cloud with headline acts including The Feelers and Minuit.

For those in the IT field who are unable to attend, many TechEd sessions will be available online after the event concludes at www.microsoft.co.nz/teched. TechEd Online will also be the place to go for interviews with speakers and attendees, photos from the event, and much more after the conference.