Voice of the DBA

SQL Bits 2025 was amazing, as always. It’s been my favorite conference to attend, with lots of friends, a family atmosphere, and some amazing speakers from whom I learn many things.

This year I wasn’t picked as a speaker, which is fine. Their committee didn’t like my submissions for some reason, which happens. I’m disappointed, but that’s it. I am fine with any event who chooses me or choose not to have me. However, since Grant and Kellyn were accepted, I planned a trip to Cambridge for the following week. A month or so ago, Redgate asked me to just attend and be a part of the booth. I agreed, and extended my trip lightly to arrive Friday.

My hotel was just past the Excel center, so as I walked from the train, I stopped by Friday afternoon. Things were relatively quiet, and the neon sign wasn’t lit, but I went in and saw a number of friends.

I saw a few Redgaters as well, and loved the branding (though not the colors) on the bean bags this year.

Friday was a bit of a hangout for a few hours, but I had to get to the hotel to get some work done, including a few late night customer calls from the US.

Saturday was more fun. I spent most of the day at the Redgate booth, which had a great whack-a-mole game where two people could compete.

I didn’t attempt it, but I saw quite a few people giving it their all. There was a magnetic leaderboard to the side, with the counts climbing and climbing throughout the day. Event the Redgaters had fun.

Lots of selfies with friends, including quite a few North Americans that I relish the time to catch up with as I don’t often see them in the States.

I got recruited (again) by Daniel, who keeps trying to get me to Stockholm for his Data Saturday event. He spent some time showing me pictures of his amazing speaker dinner on an island in the area, so I might have to try and make time in my schedule for 2026 to get over there.

The event was plenty busy, with lots of time between sessions to wander the expo hall, meet friends, chat with vendors, and just relax.

I’m sure you’ll see lots more pictures, as Mikey was busy taking lots of pictures. I’m sure he got more than his 10,000 steps each day, trying to take as many shots as possible. I managed to grab one of him during a session.

I made a few new friends, getting the chance to chat with people that knew me from SQL Server Central or just had a question. A few selfies, one of which was with this cool hat in keeping with the neon theme.

Redgate had a great neon sign, which was more red in person, and I’m looking forward to seeing this in the office at some point.

Events always end too soon, though I’m usually worn out and ready to move on from early mornings and late nights. I am glad I got to hit the Pelaton each day, though my body was tired and I struggled a bit with late night conversations both days.

I was honored after a quiet dinner Saturday to sit with the organizers for a drink after they had their post-event dinner. They are great friends I’ve known for many years and I’m proud of what they’ve built. Reminiscing about different highs and lows across the various events in different cities was a memory I’ll cherish.

It was especially memorable as Alex Whittles is stepping away to focus on Purple Frog Systems after ten years. It’s bittersweet, but I certainly understand volunteer efforts are a time and place thing, and people come and go as their lives change. I wish him well and I’m sure we’ll continue to see him as a speaker, likely with a little more energy as he won’t need to be dealing with the logistics of running the event at the same time.

An amazing few days, and I hope I have the chance to come back next year.