GPS, ACAWC and MOSWC

When I first started working at Certiport, I was overwhelmed by the number of acronyms that people used on a daily basis. QBCU, MTA, ACA, QBR, etc. But there were three that were especially important: GPS (Global Partner Summit), ACAWC (Adobe Certified Associate World Championship), and MOSWC (Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship).

These three acronyms are three events that occur simultaneously each year. It's a competition for students all around the world who have earned Microsoft or Adobe certifications. They come with our partners (distribution channel members) from Singapore, Indonesia, Ecuador, Brasil, Czech Republic, Holland, New Zealand. The list goes on and on.

This event showed me what an amazing impact our work has on students' lives. Here's a little peak into the week I spent in Disneyland.

I arrived on Saturday with some other team members. We landed in Orange County in the late afternoon. After picking up our rental car (upgraded to a Mercedes), we headed over to Disney's Grand California Hotel. The place was gorgeous.

Front Entrance Stained Glass

Lobby

Everything was perfectly Disney, even the room key holders. 

Adorable!

We paused for a few minutes and got to work. We had the convention center to ourselves so we started setting up signage and getting all our materials organized for the next day. This was one of my favorite parts. 

GPS/ACAWC/MOSWC Welcome Structure

We had a reservation at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen for dinner, which I would highly recommend if anyone is going to Disneyland soon. The food was delicious, Creole style eats. I'm a huge fan.

The Team

Our View from the Balcony

My Delightful Coworkers

We had delicious food and stayed late enough to see the fireworks inside Disneyland.

Perfect View

We worked really late Saturday night and I came back to my room to find this.

Cookies and Milk Turndown Service

Sunday was busy. All the partners arrived with their students and it was great to see all their excitement. I got to meet the Brasilian competitor and it felt great to use my Portuguese again. I have to say though, the students from Macau were my favorite. They were freaking out over everything Disney.

All the students settled in early Sunday night because Monday was testing day. The students looked so nervous. My coworker and I were laughing because we realized that our job was to host the largest nerd convention in the world. That being said though, they are still normal teenagers. We set up a student lounge with an X-Box, an air hockey table, games and tons of treats to keep them entertained while they waited for their testing time. My favorite part were the caricature artists. The staff even got in on some of the fun. 

Does She Look Like Me? 

Some of the Certiport Team

Mickey even decided to stop by. 

Lucky Ladies and Mickey

After the students finished their exams, we gave them all their competition t-shirts and tickets to Disneyland for the next day. Aren't they cute?!

Microsoft Competitors

Adobe Competitors

While the students were at the park on Tuesday, I spent the day with the partners in breakout sessions and prepping for the annual partner dinner. Hours of prep work turned out to be worth it. Our theme was "Road to Success", and I think we captured it quite well. 

Fancy Right? 

The food was delicious too.

Chocolate Mousse

Steak and Lobster

After the dinner ended, we got special seating at the World of Color show in California Adventure. It's a light and water show they put on right in front of the ferris wheel.

Beautiful

Even though I loved all of it, the awards ceremony was the best part. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures. I got emotional watching these students who worked so hard win scholarships and opportunities for a better future. I feel so blessed to be a part of a company that helps change the lives of people around the world. I am so grateful for my job and the amazing people with whom I am privileged to work.