Welcome to the December Hot Sheet, a schedule of training opportunities for Microsoft U.S. partners, so you can plan ahead. In light of the holidays, no events are scheduled after December 20. This is a good opportunity to utilize the on-demand training in the Learning Plan Tool or one of the product release Hot Sheets: Special Edition: Windows Server 2012; Special Edition: Windows 8; Special Edition: The New Office. 

Featured Promotions

Partner Sales Excellence Sweepstakes – Chance to Win a Trip to Aspen

Earn prize drawing entries when you prepare for and pass your Microsoft sales specialist and pre-sales technical specialist assessments through December 31, 2012. Prizes include Aspen travel packages and $200 Columbia gift cards. Official Rules.

Save Up to 40% on Competency Exam Packs and a Free Second Shot

Partners can now purchase a Competency Exam Pack and save up to 40% on select Microsoft certification exams taken by May 31, 2013. Plus, they’ll receive one free retake for each exam they don’t pass the first time. Terms and conditions.

December Training Sweepstakes Features Sample of Cloud Products

Improve your ability to sell, deploy or manage Windows Azure, Windows Intune and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. For each featured course you take this December, you’ll be entered to win an Xbox 360 Pro Console. Official rules.

In-Person Learning

December 17 in Irvine, CA: Microsoft Lync 2013 Technical Ignite

Stay ahead of the market with this four-day workshop. Presentations will cover a wide variety of topics for Lync, both on-premise and online, and there will be hands-on labs that create an interactive Lync experience.

January 22 in Boston: Windows Server 2012 Ignite Technical Boot Camp

Update your skills and knowledge to Windows Server 2012 with this four-day, intensive training. This course is also exam preparation material and maps directly to Exam 70-417: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012.

Engage with HP Event Series

Learn how HP is making technology work for you and your business. At these events, you'll have an opportunity to network with industry execs, hear from IT experts about the latest technologies, and learn about hot new products – including the new HP business tablet featuring Windows 8.

Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 Developer Events

Attend a free developer event in a city near you. Events include: Windows 8 DevCamp for JavaScript and HTML5 Developers and Make it Happen in the Cloud: Windows Azure Developer Camp.

Microsoft Dynamics In-Person Events

Visit PartnerSource for in-person training on Microsoft Dynamics products.

Live Online Events

View a six-week outlook of in-person and live online training by Region on the partner portal: http://aka.ms/eastregion, http://aka.ms/centralregion and http://aka.ms/westregion.