Situation

In 2014, Microsoft’s new CEO decided to make a major change in the company’s annual company meeting, stretching it to an entire week, and making the company’s new employee-centered Product Fair its centerpiece. Accessibility was one of a dozen major groups that earned space on the floor of the Product Fair, which an estimated 15,000 employees would visit. Microsoft’s Chief Accessibility Officer tasked me with co-leading Accessibility’s activities and presence at the first annual Product Fair.

Task

I managed a team of 25 volunteer employees to design and organize our product space and interactive exhibits, which included several learning activities for Product Fair participants, including screen reader demos, eye gaze control technology, interactive guide dog runs, and a game that simulated a dozen different disabilities. I also directed and produced my team’s Product Fair video, using a professional grade video setup that I purchased and ran.

Result

The Accessibility portion of the Product Fair served thousands of employees during the week, allowing many participants to learn about how Microsoft products enable customers of all kinds and abilities to seamlessly reach their goals. The booth earned appreciative visits and comments from Microsoft’s CEO, as well as a number of VIPs, VPs and product leaders.

 

Photo Credit: Scott Eklund, Red Box Pictures