The West Coast may be the center of the country's technology companies, and Microsoft may be based in Seattle, but when it was time for the software behemoth to launch the new Windows XP operating system, Bill Gates and his minions came to New York. Microsoft took over various Manhattan venues trying to create buzz for its new product, and The New York Post estimated that the company spent $200 million on its marketing blitz. Below is a partial schedule of its events:
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
The Windows XP Experience Pavilion was set up at Marriott Marquis, where more than 50 Microsoft hardware and software partners showed off Windows XP technologies and applications.
9:00 AM
A panel of technology industry leaders talked to the assembled journalists and techies about Windows XP as part of the launch event at the hotel.
10:30 AM
Bill Gates delivered his keynote speech at the hotel.
1:00 PM
The party moved to Bryant Park, where Microsoft sponsored a free Sting concert.
1:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Eventage Event Production produced a press event for Latin American media at the Millennium Broadway, where journalists could demo Windows XP and file stories about the launch.
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Eventage produced a reception for 250 at the Supper Club, where Microsoft hosted decision-makers from large companies and Gates made another presentation. After this event, Microsoft employees who worked on the launch had their own party at the venue.
--Chad Kaydo
Photos courtesy of Microsoft.
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
The Windows XP Experience Pavilion was set up at Marriott Marquis, where more than 50 Microsoft hardware and software partners showed off Windows XP technologies and applications.
9:00 AM
A panel of technology industry leaders talked to the assembled journalists and techies about Windows XP as part of the launch event at the hotel.
10:30 AM
Bill Gates delivered his keynote speech at the hotel.
1:00 PM
The party moved to Bryant Park, where Microsoft sponsored a free Sting concert.
1:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Eventage Event Production produced a press event for Latin American media at the Millennium Broadway, where journalists could demo Windows XP and file stories about the launch.
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Eventage produced a reception for 250 at the Supper Club, where Microsoft hosted decision-makers from large companies and Gates made another presentation. After this event, Microsoft employees who worked on the launch had their own party at the venue.
--Chad Kaydo
Photos courtesy of Microsoft.
Microsoft chief Bill Gates blitzed New York to launch the software behemoth's new Windows XP operating system.
Bill Gates and Jim Allchin, Microsoft's vice president of the platforms group, appeared at the Marriott Marquis.
