One of the things that’s hard to manage for all events is scheduling. Larger events print a brochure, and smaller ones tend to post schedules outside of rooms. Most SQL Saturdays also seem to give a printed schedule out in the bags in the morning when people check in. However a few events have found a better, way, at least for some users.

Confab is an app for iPhone/iTouch/iPad that allows you to have a conference schedule online. I got a note that it was available for SQL Saturday #45 in Louisville, but couldn’t attend, so I didn’t try it. However I did use it for SQL Saturday #60 in Cleveland, allowing me to quickly and easily see what sessions were available at each time slot. I haven’t found an app for Android or Blackberry, or WP7, but if anyone knows of one, please let me know.

I know the printed schedules are nice, but those can be out of date, especially for last minute cancellations. Also, they’re not as convenient to me, someone that always has my phone, but hates digging around in my laptop bag. The SQL Saturday site is slow for the schedule, and hard to read on a small device.

I’d consider using an app for scheduling, and hopefully we’ll get some for other platforms as well.