The Second PAL's Meeting at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, Houston in July 2008
The PALs initiative was officially started in July 2008 by Microsoft with the aim to bring together a select group of proactive and enthusiastic SBSC Partners to discuss issues around the Microsoft SBSC Program and the Community of Partners that has grown around it over time.
For the FY 2009 PALs see here.
The PALs are not paid Microsoft representatives nor do they represent Microsoft official views in any way. They are independent people running their own Microsoft Partner Busnesses who are engaging constructively with Microsoft as representatives and "voices" of their respective local Communities. PALs are there to take feedback from other SBSC Partners and to bring this to the attention of Microsoft.
The PALs have access to senior Microsoft Executives and currently they have a face-to-face meeting with the current Microsoft SBSC Global Lead, Andrea Russell at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference. During the year the PALs have quaterly conference calls with Microsoft to discuss issues, suggest ways to grow the community, comment on Microsoft products/services and also make concerns within the Community known. The PALs also receive information regarding upcoming offers around the products/training, program changes, marketing campaigns and sometimes other NDA information.