I just ran into Phil Fawcett, who had an idea seven years ago that became the original TechFest, which has since become Microsoft Research's signature event. The fact that I could barely manage to squeeze through the throngs to get to Phil speaks volumes about his foresight--and the power a simple idea can have.

"I started this as an idea in 2001," says Fawcett, principal research program manager in Microsoft Research's Program Management team, "and it's been amazing to see this grow to the size it has--and the popularity. The energy that's created by the new technology is just awesome, and the opportunity for actually getting the ideas into our products, and the potential there, is awesome, as well. I really love for everybody to come out and see that Microsoft is an innovative company and that we've got a ton of new technology that we're going to get into our customers' hands."

In 2001, Fawcett actually had a hard time convincing his colleagues that the TechFest idea was worthy of consideration.

"When we first started, there was a lot of resistance in Microsoft Research on why we needed to do this," Fawcett recalls, "After I got it sold through, the first TechFest was from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and most of the researchers could not talk afterward because it went so long. We've kind of strung it out a little bit, so now what happens is that we get six or seven thousand over two days, which is a lot better."

The idea, shall we say, has taken hold. But before the inaugural show, it was difficult to be sure.

"I had no idea," Fawcett smiles. "I was taking a big risk. They knew I was taking a big risk, but they let me do it, which was great, and now it's turned out to be a great showcase for Microsoft Research and for Microsoft as a whole."

One man, one idea, one legacy of success. Well done, Phil!

Philip Fawcett