Global Knowledge MVP becomes first woman to win Microsoft Tech∙Ed Speaker Idol award

17th December 2007 - UK, A lead Global Knowledge Microsoft instructor, Ilse Van Criekinge who became a Microsoft Most Valued Professional (MVP) earlier this year, has become the first woman to receive the Speaker Idol Award at the vendor’s European Tech∙Ed IT Forum event.

According to Microsoft’s estimates, only 1 percent of attendees at the annual gathering of experts are female. This year’s event, which was held in Barcelona, between 12th and 16th November 2007, attracted more than 5,000 delegates, who came to hear about the latest Microsoft technologies and share views and ideas with other Microsoft professionals and the company’s own experts.

Van Criekinge, who is Microsoft Business Development Manager for Global Knowledge and based at the company’s Belgium office, delivered a presentation on the new AutoDiscover client configuration feature in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 at this year’s Tech∙Ed event. She was subsequently named on a short-list of four contenders for the Speaker Idol award, which is presented to the best young or new speaker at the event. Each of the contenders had to give a five-minute presentation from which the final winner was decided by an expert panel of judges.

Commenting on her award, Van Criekinge says: “I was surprised but also absolutely delighted to win the award. This year’s Tech∙Ed was extremely valuable and very well organized. I certainly gained a lot from attending and I’m pleased that I was able to make a useful contribution as well.”

Global Knowledge had a strong presence at the event where it was showcasing its unique ability to deliver consistent high quality learning experiences in Microsoft technologies across the entire EMEA region. As well as being Europe’s largest independent training provider, Global Knowledge is also the leading Microsoft Certified Partner for Leaning Solutions (CPLS) and the only company to hold this accreditation throughout the region.

In addition, Global Knowledge’s acquisition of Synergy Professional Services (SPS), the leading Certified Partner for Learning Solutions (CPLS) in the Middle East and Africa region, earlier this year, enables the company to offer a consistent and comprehensive schedule of Microsoft curriculum courses throughout the EMEA and North America regions.

Jeffrey Smithies, Microsoft Product Director EMEA at Global Knowledge, says that Van Criekinge’s award capped what was a very good event for the company and for Microsoft. “As well as underlining her undoubted expertise, Ilse’s achievement demonstrates that Global Knowledge’s lasting commitment to developing high level skills in Microsoft technologies and sharing and exposing that expertise to the widest possible community of its customers and partners, is of real value.”

During 2007, Global Knowledge has worked closely with Microsoft on a number of key skills development programmes, including the Microsoft Readiness Program for Office Communications Server 2007. It has also been delivering in-depth briefings on the unified messaging solutions to major customers and partners worldwide.

About Global Knowledge
Global Knowledge is the worldwide leader in IT and business training. We deliver via training centers, private facilities, and the Internet, enabling our customers to choose when, where, and how they want to receive training programs and learning services.

Our core training is focused on Cisco, Microsoft, Nortel, and Project Management. Our IT courses include networking, programming, operating systems, security, and telephony. Our business courses feature project management, professional skills, and business process curriculum, including ITIL. Our more than 700 courses span foundational and specialized training and certifications.

Our OnDemand Software division provides enterprise application training software solutions that enable rapid user adoption and accelerate the return on investment for enterprise application implementations.
Founded in 1995, Global Knowledge employs more than 1,500 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cary, N.C. The company is owned by New York-based investment firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson, and Stowe. Learn more at www.globalknowledge.com.

Media contacts:

Harminder Sangha
Global Knowledge EMEA
+44 (0) 118 9121839
Email: harminder.sangha@globalknowledge.net
  
Neville Street
Stella Six
Tel: +44 (0) 1743 240917
Mobile: 07967 717258
Email: nev@stellasix.com