Slideshow

IN PICTURES: Microsoft Sydney flagship store opening - all the colour and action (+46 photos)

46 Photos Mike Gee (ARN)

Microsoft opened its new flagship store in Sydney, the first outside of North America, with some pomp and circumstance, to a big crowd of several thousand - some of whom had been queueing since 6.15pm the night before.​ There was caps and water for virtually everybody, major prizes from the Microsoft range, and the first 750 through the door got two complimentary tickets to an exclusive Jessie J concert at the State Theatre. Microsoft executives from the US, civic and state government leaders, joined MIcrosoft Australia MD, Pip Marlow, and Sydney store manager, Nick Wells, in celebrating the opening of the super store. Photos by ARN Editorial Director, MIKE GEE.

  • The front of the queue outside the new Microsoft flagship store in the Pitt St mall. Photo: Mike Gee

  • A DJ entertained the crowd. Photo: Mike Gee

  • A DJ entertained the crowd. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Obviously, the conversation was worth sharing. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Hit Network's Emma Freedman hosted the event. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Somebody took home this signed guitar. Photo: Mike Gee

  • These gentleman were in the first five in the queue and had come from Adelaide. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Up the front of the queue ... Photo: Mike Gee

  • Dominic Tresize, 20, was the first in queue at the store opening. Photo: Mike Gee

  • This young man won a laptop for best tweet. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Microsoft's Pip Marlow surveys the scene an hour before the noon opening. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Microsoft's Pip Marlow talks to a person in the crowd. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Cool. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Microsoft's partners were well represented - here's eNerds' Jamie Warner. Photo: Mike Gee

  • A good old-fashioned crowd wave. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Microsoft staff and partners. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Visiting Microsoft US executives. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Ogilvy Maher PR, Roxy Sinclair, manned the Answers Desk at the event. Photo: Mike Gee

  • The crowd ... Photo: Mike Gee

  • Some had travelled from interstate and the country directly to the event ... and then there was the youngest guy in the queue. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Waiting for opening time. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Microsoft staff pose for photos. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Paying respect to the traditional Aboriginal landholders. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Sydney flagship store manager, Nick Wells. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Microsoft corporate vice-president of marketing and operations, Peter Cray, and Pip Marlow. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Microsoft's Peter Cray. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Microsoft's Peter Cray and Pip Marlow. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Nick Wells and Peter Cray listen to Pip Marlow. Photo: Mike Gee

  • New South Wales treasurer, Gladys Berejiklian. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Nick Wells, Peter Cray, Gladys Berejiklian and Pip Marlow cut the ribbon to officially open the store. Photo: Mike Gee

  • The curtain falls, staff are waiting. Photo: Mike Gee

  • The doors open to the new store and a dancing staff. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Welcome to the flagship store, Microsoft style. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Welcome to the flagship store, Microsoft style. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Let's get this party started. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Welcome to the flagship store, Microsoft style. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Ready to shop. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Memories. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Welcome to the flagship store, Microsoft style. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Welcome to the flagship store, Microsoft style. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Welcome to the flagship store, Microsoft style. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Microsoft Band 2 attracted interest. Photo: Mike Gee

  • Impressed. Photo: Mike Gee

  • The queue was long - and full of black hats. Photo: Mike Gee

  • One happy customer - selfie with the pass to the exclusive Jessie J concert. Photo: Mike Gee

  • The new store. Photo: Mike Gee

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