The next Metro Friday Hackathon is on the schedule. Jim Blizzard ( Windows 8 Champ ) and myself are heading up an all day, sitnhack event on May 18 at the Tampa office. The past events have been very casual, heads down type, build or learn something events. If you want a day of coding with your fellow geeks, head on by. Send us an email letting us know you're coming too.

What: Hackathon for Metro Styled Apps on Win8 or Windows Phone
When: 900AM to 700PM - all day, May 18, 2012
What: Open format hackathon focused on Metro for Windows 8 or Windows Phone
Where: Microsoft Office, 5426 Bay Center Drive, Suite 700, Tampa, FL 33609 - directions

Ideas on what you could do:
Publish your app during the hackathon! (this qualifies you for some special drawings!)
Evaluate your app for SDK 7.1.1 256mb emulator compatibility
Work on a project with experienced folks to help you.  Jim Blizzard for Windows 8, Joe Healy for Windows Phone
Jump start your Windows 8 or Windows Phone Developer Experience Cowork for a Day!

Who: Anyone. You've got the time, we will be there....  Note the late hours if you can't come by during the day
Registration: Just email jhealy@microsoft.com that you're in

This is a head down hackathon. Very few lectures. Bring a computer to work with. Powerstrips are a good idea as well.

INSTALL THE DEV TOOLS BEFORE YOU SHOW UP.
WIRELESS AT THE FACILITY IS MARGINAL
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD DEV TOOLS THE DAY OF THE HACKATHON
Windows Phone SDK
Win8 Consumer Preview
Azure SDK
Azure 90-day Trial
WebMatrix
VS11 Express Beta for Win8

Windows Phone Developer? Live in Florida? Join our special "Florida Residents Only" Windows Phone Developer discussion group at http://fla-wimo-dev.groups.live.com .
Win8 Dev? Live in Florida? Join our special "Florida Residents Only" Win8 developer discussion group at http://fla-windev.groups.live.com .

These are not tech support or 'give feedback to Microsoft' routes, but a way for Florida Microsoft Devs to connect with each other.