Between 2006 and 2017 and then again in 2018 I have received the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award annually for a total of 12 times. Initially, it was in the Visual C++ category, which later on was merged in what became Development Technologies. I have been awarded for contribution to online communities focused on Microsoft products and in particular Visual C++. This allowed me to meet great people from Romania and around the world, who share the same passions and interests in technology.
You can read more about the MVP program and award at the MVP official home page. My MVP profile was available here.
Below are some pictures from some MVP events in Romania and USA.
C++ MVPs of The Year 2010: Sheng Jiang, me and Kate Gregory +
Diego Dagum, Windows C++ community PM (on my left)