Executive Itinerary: Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Visits Europe and Africa

Set to visit five countries in five days, Ballmer’s agenda includes signing important agreements with governments and NGOs, opening a Microsoft Innovation Centre, launching a new regional version of MSN, and engaging with business leaders, teachers and web developers. Ballmer’s tour begins at the second annual ICT Best Practices Forum in Burkina Faso, and continues on to Morocco, Italy, Belgium and Spain.

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 21 April 2008 — Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is in Africa and Europe this week to attend a round of meetings and conferences concerned with the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in schools, by large enterprises and by consumers. He is also signing numerous agreements with senior government officials and heads of international organisations, related in large part to the practical application of information technology and training to spur economic development.

Be sure to check back during the week. This itinerary will be refreshed daily to include Ballmer’s key engagements as well as news, images and links to related resources. Add the Microsoft EMEA Press Centre to your RSS reader to be alerted to each update.

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Monday, 21 April
Ballmer begins his tour in Ouagadougou, where he addresses heads of state and other government officials, NGOs and technology industry leaders at the second annual African ICT Best Practices Forum. The conference focuses on sharing the most effective strategies for applying ICT to issues of social and economic development in Africa. Ballmer will also meet with the president of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaoré, and announce new agreements with the government of Angola and the European Union.

Press Release: Microsoft Announces New Partnerships Supporting Africa’s Social and Economic Growth
Website: African ICT Best Practices Forum 2008
Website: Microsoft Unlimited Potential

Contact Kate Keefe Sullivan for more information.

Skhirat, Morocco
Tuesday, 22 April
Ballmer will give a speech to approximately 200 teachers from Arabic countries who have gathered in Morocco for a conference of the Innovative Teacher’s Forum. At an afternoon press conference, Ballmer will launch MSN Maghreb, the latest regional version of the MSN online portal.

Contact Zineb Lahlou for more information.

Milan, Italy
Wednesday, 23 April
Delivering the keynote speech at the S+S (software plus services) event to business decision makers, web designers, web developers, web agencies, media and bloggers, Ballmer will share Microsoft’s long-term strategy on the Web 2.0 and S+S arena. He will cover Microsoft’s vision, investments and technology road map both for online services and on-premises software. After this, he’ll take part in the Consumer Press Conference, highlighting Microsoft’s products and services as the touchstone for connecting people to an array of digital experiences — entertainment, information, education, community and communication.

Contact Carlo Rossanigo for more information.

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Thursday, 24 April
As part of his visit to Belgium, Ballmer will address: students and faculty at the Université Catholique de Louvain; web designers and developers during a Mix essential event; and media and advertising agencies as part of a seminar covering the status and trends in digital marketing.

Keynote presentation: Université Catholique de Louvain
Conference: Mix essentials
Seminar: Beyond Hypertext

Contact Aurélie Couvreur for more information.

Madrid, Spain
Friday, 25 April
Ballmer’s week-long tour culminates in Spain, where he will meet with high-level Spanish government officials to discuss the national plan promoting adoption of new technologies by citizens and small and medium-size enterprises. He will also discuss opportunities for Microsoft to contribute to the development of a knowledge society in Spain.

Contact Carlos de la Iglesia for more information.