In the high-tech industry, "there's nothing as constant as change," says tech event veteran Debbie Williams, CMP, who, in keeping with the truism, walked away from an 11-year career at Microsoft Corp. on June 1. On June 2, she hung out her own shingle.

Williams' new event management company, Dynamic Event Builders, is based in Woodinville, Wash., just 20 minutes east of Seattle. She's not far from where, as part of the Event Program Management department, she most recently had responsibility for Microsoft's 5,000-attendee Worldwide Annual Sales and Marketing Meeting.

Williams wouldn't mind if some of her upcoming assignments proved to be more intimate, but she says her client focus is likely to remain on the high-tech sector. In part that's because of the tremendous number of technology firms in the Seattle area, but also because of the fluency she's gained in high-tech connectivity and cross-border issues. "There are companies you can hire [to set up on-site networks] but you better know what they're doing and what their needs are. And the requirements of moving hardware and software through customs are intense. Transferring software over international borders is a very hot issue."

The Dynamic Event Builders Web site is under construction at www.dynamic-events.com, and you can reach Williams via e-mail at dynamic-events.msn.com.

Williams Suggests:

www. sidewalk.com

Microsoft's city info center

www. sheraton.com

www. hilton.com

Williams visits most of the chains' sites, noting these among the best.

www. nolalive.com/bourbocam

Just for a laugh. . .