>Many would continue to provide great community support without the MVP program I'm sure, but it also helps to keep it going and rewards those that invest the time in providing such great support and is a worthwhile program.

That's absolutely true. In Oct 99, MS announced they were discontinuing the MVP program. The email boxes of both Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer were flooded by MVPs and customers in an attempt to reinstate the program. Three days later, the program was on again. (Info is at http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~_MVPProgramOct99Turmoil and http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~MVPProgramOct99Turmoil~People). During that three day period, many MVPs stated they would continue their same level of support.