Microsoft at LACC

LOS ANGELES –  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer welcomed the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) to Los Angeles, the largest convention ever held in the City. With more than 15,000 delegates registered and 53,500 hotel room nights booked, the convention’s estimated economic impact on the City is $48 million.

Microsoft at LACC
Microsoft at LACC

“We are so thrilled to host the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, the single, largest convention ever held in Los Angeles,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “It is fitting that the global capital for creativity and innovation is hosting one of the most high tech, influential and ground-breaking companies in the world.” 

More than half of the delegates attending this year’s Microsoft WPC will be arriving from all corners of the world with more than 130 countries represented. The five-day format includes some 26 business tracks, 600 sessions, 25,000 networking meetings and more than 200 exhibitors.   

“Every facet within the city—from hotels and restaurants to attractions, public safety and transportation—have come together to make this one of the best conventions Los Angeles has had the honor of hosting,” added Mayor Villaraigosa. 

Villaraigosa joined Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Gail Thomas Flynn, vice president of state and local government affairs at Microsoft and Councilmember Jan Perry at a private reception where Los Angeles leaders met with local Microsoft partners to discuss the impact technological innovation is having in the Los Angeles community. 

Several leaders in technology and innovation are expected to speak at the five-day convention, including Sir Richard Branson who will address an audience of approximately 15,000 at the premier partner event on Wednesday, July 13, at the STAPLES Center. 

“We’ve been working closely with Microsoft over the past year to ensure this conference is their best ever,” said Mark Liberman, president and CEO of LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau.  “During the day, the bulk of sessions and exhibits will be housed within the LA Convention Center (LACC).  Come evening, delegates will fan out across the city attending nearly 100 off-site events from Downtown to Hollywood ranging in size from 25 to 7,000 guests.  They’ll experience our many fine hotels, dine at our award-winning restaurants and visit our many cultural landmarks.  This is L.A.’s moment to step into the spotlight and shine as one of the world’s premiere convention destinations. It doesn’t get any better than this.” 

There will also be 26 high ranking executives from Microsoft, including Ballmer and Microsoft COO Kevin Turner, making the pilgrimage to Los Angeles, which is home to nearly 1,400 Microsoft partners.  They will be joined by CEOs and executives from retail and computer giants such as Best Buy, Dell Computers and Hewlett-Packard. 

“We are proud to welcome and host Microsoft Partner’s premier event in Los Angeles. The LACC team is prepared to represent and reflect the best of Los Angeles in supporting Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference’s global technology and business community,” said Pouria Abbassi, CEO and general manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center. “The Los Angeles Convention Center is an ideal place to host an event which represents such an advanced integration of cutting-edge technologies,” he added. 

Participants at this year’s Microsoft WPC are expected to gain insights into the company’s business and technology roadmap while learning to expand their capabilities with Cloud services, Windows 7, Windows Phone and the latest technological solutions.  Microsoft WPC hotspots include STAPLES Center featuring Vision Keynotes; JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE and its roster of Business Model Keynotes, sessions and interactives; and L.A. LIVE Campus serving as the backdrop for the Partner Celebration.


By daryl

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