Meeting other partners is one of the most important benefits of being part of the Small Business Specialist Community. SBSC User Groups are partner meetings run by Microsoft partners, for Microsoft partners. As each of the groups are self supported, they offer an independent forum where partners can meet one another, share best practice, learn how to better engage with IT Vendors and also, when requested by the groups, hear directly from Microsoft about our products and strategies. There are a number of user groups running across the country and they are always happy to welcome new members:

Group

When do they meet?

Where do they meet?

User Group Lead(s)
Edinburgh The Last Thursday of every month Microsoft Edinburgh Offices Archie Bell of Waverley Lane
Ian Batty or Network ROI
William Fairhurst
Kent Every 3rd Tuesday of the Month The Holiday Inn, Chatham, Kent Gareth Johns of Business Computer Solutions
Manchester Every 3rd Thursday of the Month One Central Park, Manchester. M40 5WW Simon Belt of Simply Better IT
Midlands Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month The Ardent Hotel, Solihull, Birmingham Steve Wright of BMS
South Wales This group is just starting up - first meeting 11th November! Cardiff Tim Long & Grace Long of Tigra Networks
Thames Valley Every 1st Thursday of the Month Symantec, Green Park, Reading, Berkshire Mike Bryett of Bryett Enterprise LTD
West of England Every 3rd Thursday of the month Thornbury Golf Centre, Bristol Andrew Watkins of GDS

Don’t see a group covering your area? Interested in setting up your own SBSC User Group? ... Simply email sbscuk@microsoft.com if you would like to investigate this further.

Do you already attend a local SBSC User group? ...Why not share with everyone the benefits you get from meeting up with other partners regularly. Send an email to sbscuk@microsoft.com with one or two lines and I'll collate and share with everyone.