TechEd 2005: Top 10 Fun Things to Do at TechEd

I just finished my schedule for TechEd. It was incredibly challenging trying to narrow down what sessions to attend, what time slots to staff the Author/Publisher Community Lounge and bookstore and my BOF. There is such a huge selection of great topics to choose from and so little time to see it all (that's probably why they send each attendee a set of DVDs!)

In the process of planning, I came up with a top 10 fun things to do at TechEd (in reverse order):

10) Community Cabanas: Chat with the MS Product Teams and MVPs face to face
     Details: http://www.microsoft.com/events/teched2005/communitycabanas.mspx

9) Authors’ Reception and Book Signing: Get your Tech Books signed, meet famous authors and win prizes!
     Details: http://www.msteched.com/content/events.aspx         

8) TechEd Store: Buy MS and TechEd merchandise
     Details & Hours: http://www.msteched.com/content/agenda.aspx

7) TechEd Jam Sessions: Watch illustrious developers/authors/bloggers sing and play instruments! 
     Details: http://www.msteched.com/content/events.aspx
     Preview: Don Box singing at PDC03 - http://www.developers-association.org/review.aspx?f=donboxshow
 
6) CommNet: Surf and blog anywhere at the conference!
     Details: http://www.msteched.com/content/faq.aspx#12

5) Birds of a Feather: Chat and debate informally with your peers (plug: be sure to visit BOF013  
    XAML vs WinForms for an engaging chat on Avalon and the future of Windows Forms!)
    Details: http://www.msteched.com/content/sessions.aspx

4) See SteveB speak: He is quite an entertaining and dynamic speaker
     (you can look at pictures I've taken of SteveB on my website)
     Details: http://www.stormpixel.com/news/msphotos/
                 http://www.msteched.com/content/speakers.aspx

3) Microsoft Virtual Labs: Try out tons of MS software over lunch.
     Over 100 hands on labs!
     Details: http://www.msteched.com/content/sessions.aspx

2) PC Gaming on souped up AMD PCs: Tournament or Solo
     You can win an Alienware Gaming Box!
     Details: http://www.msteched.com/content/events.aspx

1) Universal Studios Attendee Party: Free rides, free food and drink.
     Details: http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website