The initial MSN Search Champs was held in October of 2004, a few months after the beta release of the MSN Search site was released and is described in this quote fromm a Microsoft press releases dated from February this year;

“The first technology preview of the new MSN Search was unveiled in July 2003. Beginning with that technology preview, the search team pursued a number of innovative avenues to solicit suggestions and feedback from search-industry experts, webmasters and consumers.

One of the most successful programs was Search Champs, which included about 30 of the world's most influential technology enthusiasts from the field of search. Invited to Microsoft in October, they were given a special in-depth preview of the beta release and encouraged to provide detailed input on how MSN could improve the service, both in the initial release and beyond.”

According to Oshoma Momoh, the General Manager for MSN Search Program Management, the selection process for the V2 gathering has been slightly different:

“We worked hard in our selection process for V2 to ensure diversity, a wide range of backgrounds amongst the invitees, and fresh perspectives.”

This is a great opportunity for Principius, as Mick outlines;

“I am really looking forward to attending the V2 gathering of Search Champs at Redmond. The MSN team have turned out some great stuff in the last few months especially in the area of RSS integration, and having the opportunity to play a part in what is still the early stages of the MSN Search development process is a definite honor.

While I don’t know the names of all the invitees yet, the opportunity for both myself, and Principius, to develop relationships with what are being tagged as a group of ‘influential technology enthusiasts from around the world’ is something I don’t want to miss. It also gives Principius the chance to grow our relationship with the global MSN team and to enhance our value in the relationship we have with have with ninemsn (the Australian subsidiary of MSN) at the same time. All of these relationships can only benfit our clients and the work we do for them.”

(Addendum: Sean Carver from the MSN team has sent through some more details including the invitee list....and Robin Good has worked up a blog post with most peoples details.)