The growing number and complexity of projects that companies must manage has led to rapid growth in the demand for highly skilled project management practitioners. Reflecting this growing demand is the dramatic increase in membership in the Project Management Institute (PMI), the leading membership association for the project management profession. PMI, the first project management standards body to achieve recognition by ANSI (American National Standards Institute), has seen its membership grow from 17,058 members in 1995 to nearly 220,000 in 150 countries today.

Microsoft is highlighting its commitment to customers and the project management profession as the Official Host Sponsor of the PMI Global Congress 2006 � North America in Seattle, Oct. 21 � 24. PMI Global Congresses are the premier educational and networking events for project practitioners.

During the event, the company will preview Microsoft Office Project 2007 and reveal details of a new credential program designed to set a new standard of quality in the use of its tools. Microsoft Office Project 2007, which is expected to be released to businesses by the end of calendar year 2006 with general availability in early 2007, is also the first version of Office Project to offer newly acquired portfolio management tools, reflecting Microsoft�s commitment to lead in this growing market segment.