Voice of the DBA

Tag: SQL Saturday

  • SQL Saturday at the Summit

    At the PASS Data Community Summit today, I’ll be in the Community Zone to talk about SQL Saturday and answer questions from people. I have a few other times reserved as well, and the room will be open today through Friday. My time commitments are:

    • Wed, Nov 10, 2021 – 16:00-17:30 EST
    • Thu, Nov 11, 2021 – 12:00-13:30 EST
    • Fri, Nov 12, 2021 – 10:00 – 11:13 EST

    Stop by then and let’s talk about how to build local events in the future.

    Pass the word to others as well.

    When you enter the Community Zone, the list of rooms is on the right. Look for the SQL Saturday room.

     

     

     

     

  • Memories from SQL Saturday Orlando 2021

    A few memories from this past weekend, during the first live SQL Saturday event in the US this year.

    I’ve had plenty of plane flights this year, actually this was my 10th trip in 2021. However, most of those have been for personal reasons and with my wife. This was one of the few my myself, and the first where I was flying to an event by myself. I spent a few minutes reflecting on how often I’ve done this, how my first SQL Saturday was in Orlando, and how much I’ve missed this.

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    The morning of the event, I drove over from across the street. It was lightly raining, and while I knew roughly where things were, I’ve missed seeing these signs.

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    An older logo, but this still works. This brings back memories of setting up for the evnet in Denver, and being glad that we had signs arrows pointing both ways and trying to get sorted out to put the right sign in the right spot to point to the event. We messed that up a few times.

    Registration was quiet. I am a little sad about that, but I understand a few things. Likely some people were busy with kids, thinking about Halloween the next day (or that night). Some were nervous or not ready for events, and some thought this was virtual. All fine with me.

    Glad to see @sqlgene there.

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    The rooms were small, and a minor hiccup. The screen fabric was supposed to tape up, but the fabric walls didn’t work. Fortunately, the hotel had magnets. Who knew, the walls were steel.

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    I had never met Jean Joseph, but I was impressed with his efforts this year to help the community. He ran a Data Saturday, then did the Future Data Driven event. I was impressed with his work, effort, and enthusiasm.

    A real pleasure to meet him in person.

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    There were a few vendors there, but it was good to see the interaction. Even with a smaller crowd, it seemed that plenty of people stopped by to chat with them. Shawn Myers here, from Tintri, talking with Patrick, one of the attendees.

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    It was great to see friends from the past. Jamey Johnston drove down and joined us to deliver a Power BI and Row Level Security talk.

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    I got to talk with him a bit as well. Jamey is a friend and one of the few people I’ve hung out with away from events. We have had a couple ski trips together and are hoping to get another one this season.

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    I had the chance to also catch up with Kendal Van Dyke, Microsoft employee, and a friend I’d see both in Florida and Colorado at times. It’s been too long and I was glad to see Kendal come and support the event.

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    Catching up with fellow speakers is always a pleasure. I don’t know when I last saw Kevin Feasel in person, but I do remember sitting in the top of a double decker bus in Cambridge with him, driving to an after event dinner a few years ago, and I miss the chances to sit and chat with him and others.

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    Aaron Cutshall is another speaker I’ve run into all over the country and I have no idea when the last time was, but it has definitely been too long.

    I caught up with fellow SQL Saturday board member, Taiob Ali as well, and I loved his excitement about the event. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to come see him at an event in Boston sometime in 2022.

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    I missed taking a picture with Rob Volk, and I’m sorry. He is a dear friend that I’ve literally seen all over the world. The US, Europe, the UK, and Australia as well. We got the chance to have breakfast Sunday morning before I left, and as usual, it was another memorial few moments, too short, but very enjoyable.

    I also updated the About page on SQL Saturday, as I realized Rob had crossed 100 events as a speaker. Contrats to him!!!! Please let him know as he’s volunteered his time and effort to teach and inspire people all over the world.

    A quick trip, Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, and a nice view as I left Orlando. I enjoy taking pictures coming in and out of cities, and then seeing if I can recognize them years later when they pop up at memories.

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    Another great set of memories, and inspirational to think about going this more often in the future. A few people were excited about the future and looking forward to helping more events come about in 2022.

  • The First Live SQL Saturday in 2021

    I’m getting ready to board a plane now, heading to Orlando for the first live SQL Saturday in 2021. I’m excited and looking forward to seeing friends that I’ve missed. I hope to meet new people and enjoy the event.

    This is only a live event, so no hybrid broadcast, but I’ll get pictures and video and write up a report next week on how things went.

  • Everyone Run a SQL Saturday in 2021

    With SQL Saturdays being rebooted, and the SQLSaturday.com website live, it’s time for events. I am reaching out to some people that have run events in the past, but I really would like a more people to think about running an event in 2021. Please, contact me if you need help.

    We are still in a pandemic around the globe, and while vaccinations are happening, I don’t know that many people will be able to attend a live event in 2021. With that in mind,

    2021 is about the schedule.

    By that, I mean that attendees don’t have to travel and block out a particular day to go to a SQL Saturday at a local venue. Instead, they can attend any SQL Saturday in a close time zone, if they have the time. Therefore, I don’t care when the Denver SQL Saturday takes place, but rather, I care that I watch a session or two when I do have time. I may not be able to spare an entire Saturday, but I can watch a session or two if I have the choice on any given Saturday (or other day).

    Therefore, I have a goal.

    A SQL Saturday every week for the rest of 2021.

    I realize it won’t be every week, as it takes at least a few weeks to get an event together, but I want to plant the seed now. Let’s aim for one every week from June 1 on.

    To make it easy, I’d give organizers these targets:

    • Stick to 2-3 tracks only, 4-5 sessions each.
    • Broadcast in a cheap, simple format. Streamyard is cheap, and Agorify looks interesting.
    • Use mostly local speakers but pick others if you need them. Make this “local” with local talent.
    • Use a short call for speakers (2 weeks) and then just promote your event.
    • Promote locally as much as you can to attract and engage your local people for 2022.
    • Don’t worry about speaker gifts or other extras.
    • Make it a fun day for you and your fellow organizers, but easy.

    No matter when you normally have a SQL Saturday, think about just scheduling one for some time this year. We will get dates on the site, and without the need for a venue, you just need a Saturday when you are free. Or really, any other day of the week. Don’t let the “Saturday” limit you. There have been physical events on other days. Run your event on a Friday, or a Wednesday. Whatever suits you.

    If a full day is too much, try to do a half day, 2-3 sessions across an afternoon and evening.

    If you have never run an event, a virtual one is much easier, and it’s a good first step before you run a physical one. Take this year to practice giving back to the community.

    Why Run Virtual Events?

    Many of us are tired of physical events. We miss seeing others, and we miss the networking. Virtual events do not do a good job of duplicating what a live event is like.

    I get that. I tend to dislike virtual events, both as an attendee and speaker. I am tired of video “stuff”.

    However.

    We want events to come back in 2022 and beyond. We also want to keep learning and growing. This is for attendees and speakers.

    Running your local event, say the Elizabeth SQL Saturday (my local city), means that I can engage my local audience and speakers. I can use this as a way to excite some of my local membership and get them thinking about the future. They may long for the event next year, even if they find attending a virtual SQL Sat LA to be better than my SQL Sat Elizabeth.

    This also gives speakers opportunities to practice their skills, deliver new content, and get excited. There are fewer opportunities virtually and having a locally focused event might give some people a chance to improve, or start, speaking to give back to the community.

    I really, really, really, really (can’t use enough reallys here) hope we get back to physical events by the end of this year, but I’m not counting on it. I do think we will be able to get venues and run events in 2022, which means looking forward, but keeping SQL Saturday going.