The purpose of the mvpaward.com (also known as “MVP Award site”) is to inform MVPs of their award, allow online acceptance of the NDA, and activate additional MVP benefits including MSDN or TechNet subscription, MVP Newsgroups, and access to the MVP Member Site.

Ongoing management of “My Profile”, including contact information, can be done at the MVP Member Site.

Why must Microsoft MVPs be 18 years or older?

Microsoft is committed to the safety and privacy of minors. Minors are defined as anyone who is not 18 years or older. To help ensure this safety, the Microsoft MVP Program has implemented a policy that all Microsoft MVP awardees awarded as of April 2006 affirm that they are 18 years or older.

What if I am a current MVP and I am younger than 18 years old?

All current MVPs who are younger than 18 will retain their MVP status and may be considered for re-award in subsequent MVP Program award cycles.

MVP Award Package

I’m being asked to pay for customs fees for the MVP Award package. Does Microsoft cover this and what should I do?

Do not accept the MVP Award package if you are asked to pay for customs fees.
Do not pay for customs fees related to your MVP Award package.
Contact support@mvpaward.com for support and carbon-copy your MVP Lead. We will contact the shipping vendor to resolve the issue and ensure proper shipping.

It is important to note that if you live in a country or region that does not support free domicile shipping, you will be responsible for customs fees. If you do not want to pay the customs fees, please reject the shipment and contact your MVP Lead to confirm that alternative shipping methods are not available.

I’ve been told that additional information is required for the package to clear customs. What do I do?

Contact support@mvpaward.com with details. We will work with the shipper (typically FedEx) to supply required documentation or resolve any questions that customs in your region has.

MSDN & TechNet Subscriptions

What subscriptions can I choose?

Select your choice of a MSDN or TechNet one year free subscription. After selecting the destination country of your subscription, a list of language packs supported in your country will be available to choose from.

How do I change media types (CD/DVD) for my subscription?

Media types vary depending on what subscription you choose during the subscription selection process at www.mvpaward.com.

To change your subscription’s media type after completing your subscription order, contact MSDN or TechNet directly for subscription media or language pack changes.

How do I retain an existing MSDN or TechNet subscription number?

During the MVP Award registration process, a field is provided for entering an existing subscription number for renewal. There are a couple criteria that need to be met to successfully renew an existing subscription through the MVP Program:

The subscription must still be active. Expired subscriptions cannot be renewed.
The number entered must be accurate and match your information.

If you enter an invalid subscription number, a new subscription will be ordered, rendering a new subscription number. You will find your subscription information in your first shipment.

If the subscription has time remaining on it, 12 months will be added to the existing subscription.

When I order MSDN or TechNet, what happens next?

The MVP Award Team orders your subscription through an internal ordering process. Once your order has been submitted, a confirmation email will be sent when the order is received – typically within five days of your order. From then on, MSDN and TechNet will directly manage all aspects of your subscription including start and end dates, shipping address, subscription fulfillment, language pack, and media type. Contact MSDN or TechNet directly to check on the status of a shipment or to change any aspect of your subscription. It is important to note that your order may not be visible to MSDN or TechNet customer support interfaces for as long as 45 days from the date you order at www.mvpaward.com.

For more information, contact MSDN or TechNet directly:

MSDN Support: http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/resources/support.asp

TechNet Support: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/bb521230.aspx

When can I expect my first shipment?

The MVP Program will complete your order within five business days after you have completed the registration process on www.mvpaward.com. MSDN and TechNet each respectively manage the order fulfillment for your order. Below are timelines by region which you can use to benchmark the expected arrival date of your subscription’s first shipment.

N. America	2-4 weeks
Europe, Middle East, and Africa	4-6 weeks
Latin America	4-8 weeks
Asia Pacific / Japan	4-8 weeks

My Passport access to MSDN Downloads is no longer active. What do I do?

If you did not enter a subscription number during the subscription ordering process, the number you entered for subscription renewal is incorrect, or your subscription has expired before ordering, then your subscription order will by default be fulfilled on a new subscription number. Take a look at the first MSDN shipment of your new order to confirm your MSDN subscription number and contact MSDN directly for details.

How do I change my subscription selection after ordering at www.mvpaward.com ?

Subscription orders cannot be changed from MSDN to TechNet or from DVD to Online (or vice versa).

Microsoft Company Store

How do I access the Microsoft Company Store account?

After completing the MVP Award site benefits registration process, an email will be sent to you with specific Microsoft Company Store (powered by eCompanyStore) account details.

1. Go to https://shop.ecompanystore.com/microsoft/MIC_Login.asp.

2. Select the “MVP” button on the left hand side.

3. Enter:

MVP Number: MVP<MVPID> (for example: MVP1234).

Last Name: <Last Name> (for example: Smith).

4. You will be asked to complete your personal contact profile for shipping purposes.

Once you have registered your account on Microsoft Company Store, follow the steps below:

1. Go to https://shop.ecompanystore.com/microsoft/MIC_Login.asp.

2. Enter User ID: MVP<MVPID> (your number) and the password you registered in the initial registration process at the store.

What is offered at the Microsoft Company Store?

You will have access to Microsoft software, hardware, apparel and more. The selection is limited to US English software products and NTSC / 110V hardware only.

How do I get products not currently available at Microsoft Company Store?

If products are not “in stock”, they will not be shown on the site. Localized products (French, German, and Japanese) are not available – see response to previous question above. Special requests can be made on the site by clicking on the Special Orders tab and providing the appropriate information.

How do I request products not currently available at the Microsoft Company Store?

Go to https://shop.ecompanystore.com/microsoft/MIC_Login.asp and click on the Special Order tab. Filling out this form with your request is your best way to make a special request at the Microsoft Company Store.

Can I spend more than the $150 available in my account?

No.

Can I give you my credit card number and spend additional money at Microsoft Company Store prices?

No. This benefit is structured the same way for MVPs as Microsoft employees: you cannot spend more than your limit.

When does my account expire?

Your account will expire when you have spent all of the $150 made available to you, or when your MVP year is complete, whichever is sooner. For MVPs that are renewed in the future, their accounts will be refreshed with $150 but balances from the previous MVP year will not carry over.

When completing an order at Microsoft Company Store, there is a line item for Shipping Charges. I’ve understood that I would not be charged shipping and taxes for Microsoft Company Store purchases.

I am being asked to pay customs or shipping fees for a shipment from Microsoft Company Store. What do I do?

Effective 10/1/2008, MVPs will be entitled 2 free shipments for any company store purchases using your $150 credit. Microsoft will pay shipping charges, taxes, and customs fees (when free domicile shipping is available) for each of the 2 free shipments. If the shipping carrier requests payment for any fees, taxes, or shipping charges, please contact the Microsoft Company Store for support at ecustomercare@eCompanyStore.com. For all purchases after use of the 2 free shipments, MVPs will assume responsibility to pay all shipping charges, taxes, and customs fees.

MVP Member Site

Where do I access the MVP Member Site?

www.microsoft.com/mvp.

How do I register to access the MVP Member Site?

Accessing the Member Site requires that you register a valid Passport account. Passport accounts can be created at www.passport.com. You can register your Passport account during the Awards activation process at www.mvpaward.com or alternatively, you will be sent an email after visiting the MVP Award site, which includes a unique link and instructions for this process.

Once you have clicked on the unique link for MVP Member Site registration, you will be taken to the MVP Member Site. Click “Sign In”. A dialog box will pop up asking for a valid Passport email address to be entered, along with the respective password that you registered for the account at www.passport.com.
You will be registered and taken into the Secure Site. Each time you “Sign In” into the Member Site, you should use the same Passport Account.

How do I know that I have registered successfully?

When you registered your Passport account successfully at the MVP Member Site, you will see the message: “MVP Member Site Registration Complete”.

Where do I enter the MVP Member Site after registering?

You can enter the secure portion of the MVP Member Site by going to www.microsoft.com/mvp and clicking “Sign In” and entering the appropriate Passport account information, previously registered.

I’m receiving the error “Invalid Sign In” when I attempt to sign into the MVP Member Site. What do I do?

When you see the error that says "Invalid Sign In" simply click "Sign Out." That will give you an opportunity to sign in again. This should now launch the sign in dialog rather than signing you in automatically. (Note: Using this method, you will have to do this every time you visit the MVP Member Site).

If this does not work, contact your MVP Lead with reproduction steps and screen shots when possible.

What resources are available to me at the MVP Member Site?

The MVP Member Site provides general information about the MVP Worldwide Program.

Upon clicking “Sign In”, the Worldwide MVP Member Site connects you to MVP program content, tools, and services, including:

Partner level access to Microsoft knowledge base.
Microsoft Learning Opportunities.
Private newsgroups.
Microsoft MVP Source Licensing program opportunities.
Self managed MVP Profiles.
and much more…

Be sure to check the MVP Member Site on a regular basis to stay current on all the resources and benefits available to you as an MVP.

MVP Private Newsgroups

How do I access MVP Private Newsgroups?

The following directions are for Outlook Express. If you are using a different newsreader, the steps may be different, but the general procedures will be the same.

In OE, go to Tools > Accounts.
On the News tab, select Add > News from the right hand bar.
Display Name is the name that will appear in the newsgroups. Click Next.
Email Name is the Email Address that will be displayed in the newsgroups. Click Next.
For the News (NNTP) Server, enter: privatenews.microsoft.com. Check the box "My news server requires me to log on".
Enter User Name & Password. Check "Remember Login". Click Next.
Click Finished.
Click Close on Internet Accounts window.
For the "Would you like to download internet newsgroups?" dialog, click Yes. The Newsgroup Subscription window opens.
Select newsgroup(s), click subscribe, click OK.
Click privatenews.microsoft.com on left, newsgroup list appears on right.
Check Synchronization settings, click Synchronize Accounts. The messages will now download.

What is the account information for accessing MVP Private Newsgroups?

The User Name and Password information changes once per quarter. The current password can be found on the MVP Member Site.

Executive Recognition Letter FAQ

Who is eligible for this offer?

All MVPs awardees are eligible to request this benefit available in the following supported languages:

English
French
Spanish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Chinese - Simplified
Chinese - Traditional

How many letters can I request?

You can request up to 4 letters to be sent to the businesses or individuals that you identify.

I am a newly awarded MVP, how long is this offer available to me?

You can request up to 4 letters during your award period (approximately 12 months).

What if my employer contacts are at different addresses?

Separate address lines are available on the form so that you can send to contacts at different corporate sites.

I am between jobs. Can I have letters sent after I find a new position?

Yes. You can identify where you want letters sent up to 12 months after your Award date. Or, you can request a letter be sent to you, which will be addressed, “To Whom It May Concern” which you can share with new or prospective employers.

I don’t want my employer contacted, but would like a letter for my records. Can I request one?

Yes, you can request that a letter be sent directly to you. A copy that will say “To Whom it May Concern” will be sent to you.

When will the letters be sent out?

Letters will be processed and sent out approximately 2 weeks after receiving your request.

Can I have my employer contact the MVP Program if they have questions?

Yes. Your employer can send their questions to mvpga@microsoft.com so they can be routed accordingly. Alternatively, your employer can contact the MVP Program by mail at:

MVPGA
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98502
United States of America

I am self-employed. Is there an option for me to receive a letter?

Yes. You can request a reference letter. In this case a letter will be sent to you addressed, “To Whom it May Concern”.

I would like to sign up for this opportunity. However, I am concerned that my employer might not like me sharing their contact information with Microsoft. What should I do?

Microsoft respects your employer’s privacy and ensures that their contact information will be protected and used solely for the purpose of sending out this letter. However, if you feel that this is a sensitive area for your employer, you may request that the letter be sent to your address rather than that of your employer. Just fill out the form and use your address as the contact address. This will ensure that their address is not shared. However, company name and the contact name would still be required in order to properly address the letter. If you feel that this is not an appropriate option, you can have a letter sent to you addressed, “To Whom it May Concern” and it will be up to you to share the letter with your work contacts. Just fill out the form as if you were self-employed and a letter will be sent to you.