Disclaimer: This is a sponsored conversation and giveaway on behalf of Microsoft and The Motherhood. As always, all opinions expressed are my own!
You may have seen them in your mall… the new Mega Microsoft Stores popping up around the nation? If you are like me, you’ve probably walked by your local Microsoft Store a dozen times, have been curious, but have never gone in. I always assumed they were just for people looking to buy computers. Little did I know what all the new Microsoft Stores had, well, in store!
Last week, I had the opportunity to sit in on a webinar explaining all the features the new Microsoft Stores have to offer. I also visited the local Microsoft Store here in Kansas City and was so impressed! Moms and dads with kids home for the summer, get ready for the low down… I have a feeling you’ll be wanting to spend a lot of time here this summer!
First of all, did you know that many of the Microsoft Stores offer FREE camps for kids during the summer? Isn’t that awesome? The Youth Spark Summer Camps begin June 3rd and are for kids ages 8-13. They are held Monday – Friday for 2 hours a day and cover different topics like Digital Movie Madness, Digital Art Smart, Gamemasters, Storyteller Studio and more! Some of the stores even offer App Builder classes for kids 15-18! I don’t know about you but I know my oldest kids would really love to learn this kind of technology – and I love that it’s free! Check out the Microsoft Store Community Pages to see what’s being held in your area.
Technology can be confusing, especially when you are learning something new. The Microsoft Stores offer an in person “Answer Desk” where anyone can enjoy worry free technical support and protection. Answer Techs can answer your questions, resolve your problems, and help safeguard your new device. From your X-Box, to your Windows Phone to your Surface Tablet… you can get hands on technical support…that’s a very cool thing! Again, it’s FREE!
There are 35 full line Microsoft Stores across the country that have a “Theatre” space that can be reserved for small groups. The theater space can be used for many different things: birthday parties, social networking and other events (food and drink are allowed). Those interested can tailor-make workshops, whether you’re a homeschool group or blogging group, anything, to whatever meets your needs. . You can even request to come in and learn a specific curriculum! And guess what the cost is? FREE!
For gamers, for mom’s night out, for technical help and so much more, the Microsoft Store has so much to offer beyond just being a retail space. Stop just passing by… next time, make sure you stop in, say hi, play an X-Box game or browse the newest technology Microsoft has to offer (like The Surface tablet or the Windows Phone… so much fun!).
$100 Microsoft Store Giftcard Giveaway!
In the meantime, Microsoft would like to give one lucky Dine & Dish reader a chance to win a $100 Microsoft Store Gift Card!
To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what you like the most about the new Microsoft Stores.
For additional entries, share a link with info about this giveaway on any of your social media outlets. Return to this post and leave a comment letting me know where it was shared. Each place you share it will grant you an additional entry. Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc are all great places to spread the giveaway love! You can easily share by using the buttons at the end of this post.
Entries must be received by midnight CST on Monday, May 20th, 2013. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and notified via valid email address.
For more fun and prizes, make sure to join us on Twitter for a party! Details below.
When: Tuesday, May 14, at 1 p.m. ET (the party will last one hour)
Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #GoMicrosoft hashtag to track the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/GoMicrosoft
Prizes: We will be giving away six prizes to randomly selected winners. Five winners who answer trivia questions during the party will receive $25 Microsoft retail store gift cards, and one grand prize winner will be chosen for a $500 Microsoft retail store gift card!
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Microsoft and The Motherhood. As always, all opinions expressed are my own!
Justin says
I haven’t visited one of the stores and haven’t been to a mall in ages so I don’t even know if we have one here, but I LOVE the help desk. Seriously, free tech support? That’s a huge plus because if something happens after the warranty or isn’t covered, it’s expensive to pay for that, and to pay so you can get a simple question answered to a problem you can probably fix yourself? That’s the worst.
Justin says
shared on pinterest
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Justin says
shared on twitter
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Justin says
shared on google+
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christina says
the answer desk is super helpful!
Michelle @ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
I don’t have one of these stores in my town yet, but after reading this, I really hope they bring one to Boise, Idaho! I love the idea of the classes for kids! I’d totally let my kids try those out and I bet they’d love them.
Michelle @ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
I shared on Facebook!
Lisa Brown says
I like the Answer Desk – no appointment needed.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Lisa Brown says
https://www.facebook.com/lisa.brown.50364592/posts/10200588060976604
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Lisa Brown says
https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/334273251360522241
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Lisa Brown says
stumble – http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/LisaLuBrown/likes
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1VFdyw/dineanddish.net/2013/05/what-you-need-to-know-100-giveaway/
Lisa Brown says
http://pinterest.com/pin/277675133247685002/
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Lisa Brown says
https://plus.google.com/u/0/117322433833774024546/posts/FxzuNDuFA4e
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Lisa Brown says
tumble – http://frangiepani.tumblr.com/post/50414730219/microsoft-stores-what-you-need-to-know-100
Meagan says
Oh most definitely the computers / gadgets are the best part 🙂
Kristina says
I love that the stores extend out into the mall, with the fun interactive video games.
Kelly D says
I like the workshops. I think it would be a great place to take my son’s boy scout troop so they can learn more about technology.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/kellydsaver/status/334327819607896064
Rebecca says
The answer desk with free technical support sounds like it would be awesome!!
Jennifer Laneaux says
I love the free camps for kids and the theater space…plus, the place just looks really cool!
Jennifer Laneaux says
Shared on Facebook
C R Williams says
I love the look of the store.
Lauren says
I love all their new products
rich morris says
i really like being able to try their stuff and the training sessions
rich morris says
https://twitter.com/unevenfist/status/334385092225015808
rich morris says
https://plus.google.com/u/0/108729574073075915172/posts/P4P5hnYe4k2
rich morris says
http://pinterest.com/pin/265290234272402882/
Tammy S says
I love the Answer Desk. You don’t need an appointment and can just walk in for help.
Tammy S says
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G+ share
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Kari M says
Free tech support! On-Site?! Fantastic!
Jenny says
I haven’t seen one yet but I’d love to just go in and play x-box!
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
I think I would really like the free tech support!
Amy Tong says
Wow, I can’t wait to walk in to a MS store and check it out. 🙂 I didn’t know they have so much to offer until I read your post. What I love the most about the Microsoft Stores is that it offers an in person “Answer Desk” where anyone can enjoy worry free technical support and protection! How often can we do that? Almost never. Either we get email support or wait forever over the phone and got transferred to India. hahaha….So, in person tech support is totally new and I considered that a very wonderful service. 🙂
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong says
Shared on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/334487912513167360
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong says
Pinned:
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Elena says
I like the variety of computers they sell
Elena says
https://www.facebook.com/elena.istomina.12/posts/452241824866937
Elena says
http://pinterest.com/pin/113715959314067898/
Elena says
https://plus.google.com/118285255600147977444/posts/ZKdW5mNjgBi
Terri says
I like that they offer camps for kids in the summer!
Terri says
http://pinterest.com/pin/550002173213106265/
D SCHMIDT says
My favorite thing is the answer desk, it would be so helpful to have real people to answer my questions. The workshops are also a fantastic idea!
D SCHMIDT says
Tweeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/334500198845919232
Annelise says
I love my new Windows 8 computer, and am glad that the stores have in-person support!
Marissa says
A new Microsoft store just opened near my house. I can’t wait to visit it. It looks great from the pictures. Very bright and colorful inside.
Katie Contests says
My favorite thing about the stores is that they even exist! I never knew they had stores..
Katie Contests says
FB: https://www.facebook.com/katiecontests/posts/280595375411303
Katie Contests says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/katiecontests/status/334725933271498757
Katie Contests says
G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114793576759243530653/posts/LsiHyhn8Fkc
Katie Contests says
Pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/164662930098613973/
Tammy S says
5/15 FB share
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5/15 Pin
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5/15 tweet
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5/15 G+ share
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SU share
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Patti says
I like the answer desks. I always have technology questions!
Patti says
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/leblancpatti/status/334790263048376323
Elaine says
Would love to win a Microsoft gift card would love to see more stores in rural areas
Amy L says
I love that they are helping kids and adults learn how to use their products for free! Having an actual person, not just a telephone “techie” on hand to guide you through everything is a great idea.
Amy L says
I shared on twitter
https://twitter.com/amylou61/status/334821922758078465
Amanda Sakovitz says
I love the in person answer desk. That is definitely helpful!
Amanda Sakovitz says
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Amanda Sakovitz says
http://pinterest.com/pin/216735800789962283/
Amanda Sakovitz says
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Jessie C. says
The Answer Desk sounds gret
Jessie C. says
Like the post
Jessie c.
Jessie C. says
Google+1 the post
Jc c
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/334878229296992257
Jessie C. says
-https://www.facebook.com/tcarolinep/posts/4974978808391
Jessie C. says
-http://pinterest.com/pin/177329304050574917/
Jessie C. says
stumbled the post@tcarolinep
Stacey B says
What I like most is that you can test products, and ask questions
Stacey B says
https://twitter.com/aMomOfBoys/status/335085079753809920
Stacey B says
http://pinterest.com/pin/520588038146799355/
Patti says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/leblancpatti/status/335127181468520449
Tammy S says
5/16 FB share
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5/16 SU share
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Tammy S says
5/16 Tweet
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Nutmeg Nanny says
Wow, this looks great 🙂 I love the idea of the free kids classes!
Tammy S says
5/17 pin share
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Tammy S says
5/17 Tweet
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Patti says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/leblancpatti/status/335438756691730434
Nicole S says
I love how it genuinely seems like it wants to help the community by educating our youth!
Harmony B says
the free classes for kids is great
Harmony B says
pinned 5/18 http://pinterest.com/pin/28780885091385436/
Harmony B says
tweet https://twitter.com/hburmeister/status/335738124489596929
Harmony B says
G+ https://plus.google.com/109415590317514880834/posts/FyYbxMiXYf2
Harmony B says
stumbled http://www.stumbleupon.com/to/s/1VFdyw?m=C_PF%3D7634a30dab77cd5dd9b9c268ece84944&meta=25751958
Tammy S says
5/18 FB share
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5/18 SU share
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Tammy S says
5/18 Tweet
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Patti says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/leblancpatti/status/335814767656722432
Nancy says
I like that they have a theater space you can rent out for occasions.
Nancy says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/njhhb/status/336118448688087040
Tammy S says
5/19 G+ share
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Tammy S says
5/19 Pin
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Tammy S says
5/19 Tweet
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Patti says
Tweeted again! https://twitter.com/leblancpatti/status/336195610560569345
Tabathia B says
That it’s interactive and you can test out the computer
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Tabathia B says
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Tabathia B says
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Tabathia B says
shared on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.barrett.562/posts/625059140856921
thu says
the theatre space sounds like a great venue for meetups!
Thomas Murphy says
i love the special theatre space
Thomas Murphy says
pinned
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Thomas Murphy says
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Thomas Murphy says
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Thomas Murphy says
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Cheryl M says
I have shared the competition on Facebook and tweeted it.
I love the open feeling and the upgrades so that we can meet with others for gaming etc it is great
Patti says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/leblancpatti/status/336510706524512256
Catherine says
I love the new style of the stores and the upgrades I can get for my computer!
Tammy S says
5/20 G+ share
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5/20 FB share
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5/20 Tweet
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