Women in Technology - wow

The Women in Technology dinner went off really well.  The team did a fantastic job and everyone was engaged as soon as they walked in the evening - and the chatter began.

The panelists did a fantastic job.  Here's who they were and how they related to those in the room:

Eileen Brown: Exchange Server guru, Team lead for Developer and Platform Evangelism in the UK.
Helen Robinson: General Manager, Microsoft New Zealand
Hayley Smith: Developer and leader of .Net User Group in Hamilton
Sonia Yoshioka-Carroll: Communications and Marketing (PR Chick)
Terry Shubkin: Sales and Account Manager, Unisys New Zealand
Kathy Kam: Program Manager and Architect, Microsoft Corp, US

They did a great job of connecting with the audience and the w omen felt that they could get real answers rather than the more common cosmetic answers.

Here are some of the verbatim feedback given in the evaluatio ns:

"Excellent Evening, Very Inspirational.  Need to have this next year."

"Again next year please!"

"Lets do it again next year!! Don't let the men in next time"

"Excellent ladies.  A job well done.  Very motivating for me"

"Please do this again"

"I really enjoyed being on of the few men that attended this dinner + feel that I can take a great deal back to the workplace. I hope to educate my fellow make colleagues"

"Excellent speakers and a great atmosphere for the exchange of ideas and meeting of other women in the industry - Thank you for this - Keep it up!"

"VERY AWESOME! DO IT AGAIN!"

 For the first time event and with no budget we seemed to manage to pull off a great event.

There are some more photos up on Flikr here.

Thanks to all the ladies who came along and set up a buzzing atmosphere!