Category Archives: PASS

Im At Summit Now What?

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Pass Summit 2011 - Photo Provided by Pat Wright

Pass Summit 2011 – Photo Provided by Pat Wright

We are a week out from PASS Summit 2014 and there will be many there attending for the first time. You are in the same boat I was in back in 2011. To be quite honest, I’ve never seen or attended anything quite like it before.

No, it’s not some mythical place that you hear about. It is a real conference with real people who are in the daily trenches just like you are. The key that I learned back in 2011 is to step out of your comfort zone, meet some new people, network, speak with the vendors, and get your learn on.

Will you be overwhelmed, perhaps, but keep in mind that you are not the only one. This event is by far, in my humble opinion, one of the best learning opportunities in our industry and field. There will be plenty of sessions to go through and attend along with some other activities once the sessions end ~ get involved.

 

Here are some things to note that may help you along your way:

  1. Pass Summit Schedule Builder
  2. PASS Evening Events
  3. SQL Karaoke @ Busch Gardens – Thursday night ( (check out some of the past ones here)
  4. Twitter feeds to watch for (#TSQL2sday, #sqlpass, #sqlrun, #sqllongrun)
  5. Twitter handles to watch (@sqlpass)
  6. Download the EventBrite app; if you are scheduled for things such as the sql run your event will remind you through this app
  7. Download the GuideBook app; this app will remind you of the schedules you build out
  8. Vendor booths – yes go meet them. Some of the tools you utilize everyday will be there; stop by the RedGate booth and see some of my friends
  9. Community Zone – take advantage of some of the best in our industry
  10. Eating – this might look weird putting that on here but take advantage of eating at a table with others you don’t know. Introduce yourself I promise it won’t hurt.
  11. Miss a session – yep you will because there are so many to attend. PASS has you covered and you can purchase the full tracks

I have some commitments while I am there this year, but make sure you stop me and say hi and introduce yourself. Without a doubt I look at my career and there is one thing that stands out that helped change my career outlook – attending PASS Summit.

Safe travels to everyone attending and hope to see you there.

PASS – Time To Get Your Vote On

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VoteI can remember pretty vividly the first time I attended a PASS function. It is something that profoundly changed my outlook on my career and how I view the SQL community as a whole. With that said there are three seats open for the PASS Board of Directors and you can view their profiles here.

I am familiar with just about everyone who is up for election, and while I don’t know them personally, I follow their work and what they stand for daily. All of the candidates hold what I believe to be the following:

  • Integrity
  • Character
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Share their knowledge with the community
  • All seem to want to influence the growth of our community
  • Responsible

These are just a few of the many traits that these finalists represent.

One of the very first ones that I came across on this list that stuck out to me was Allen Kinsel. It’s a no brainer from an experience standpoint along with is proven track record, but the ideas, goals, and future outlook is what has lured me to this candidate. As I stated earlier each candidate is deserving in their own right; I encourage each of you to follow up in reviewing these well deserving candidates. The decision itself will be a difficult one for me; how about  you?

To the candidates themselves I wanted to personally thank you for your time, effort, countless hours of sharing your knowledge, being proven leaders, and allowing yourselves to be nominated for such a prestigious position.

**Voting will open end of day Pacific Time Sept. 25 and close at noon Pacific Time Sept. 30. Ballots will be sent to all PASS members in good standing as of June 13, 2013**

So You Want To Go To Pass Summit?!?!

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http://www.sqlpass.org/summit/2013/ Back in 2011 I was afforded the opportunity to attend PASS in Seattle, Washington. It was the first time I had made such a journey to this conference; I really didn’t know what to expect. I’ve heard the stories, the     many positive things regarding the sessions, learning, and networking – but to be quite honest the stories do not give PASS justice until you experience it first hand. I get asked this question all the time by various  people throughout the country – Should I attend? Because of the interest I want to take a moment and lay out how it has benefited me in the span of 2 years.

The Beginning

When asked to go to PASS I figured it would be like any other business conference I had been to (boy was I wrong). Leading up to my departure I had a lot of work to get done and wasn’t really in a place I felt like I should go. I started to review the sessions online and I quickly saw how vast the information really is. Looking at the sessions I began to look at the speakers, some I knew and some I did not but what was obvious to me is that a lot of the leading leaders in my industry (DBA) were going to be there; hearing them speak on topics of interest to me I thought to be an extreme plus…..moving on

The Expectations

My expectations were that of learning some new techniques from the Jason Strate’s (B|T), Brent Ozar’s (B|T), Chris Shaw’s (B|T), etc. but what I walked away with were new connections with a SQL family that was over 2k strong and memories that I will take with me for the rest of my life. PASS has so much to offer to each individual, from the sessions, to the vendors interacting, the kick-off speakers, and much more.

Perspective

From my own personal experience attending is something that kick started my career into overdrive. From it I became more active in the community, started to speak locally, created the SQL Corner, and made many new friends along the journey. No, PASS is just not another business conference where you go and sit in on meetings; of course you do that but it is much more. Being part of the SQL community means you are part of a family and all the family comes together to gain more knowledge within the perspective fields.

Summary

Why should you go; glad you asked. I think PASS sums it up better than I ever could here. This year in 2013 PASS is going to be in Charlotte, N.C.; if you haven’t reserved your spot yet I hope you do so. It is one of the best conferences I’ve ever attended from both a business and personal standpoint. Do you want to kick start your career? Are you eager to learn more and connect with other people that are trying to do the same? If you are then PASS Summit is for you. If you have questions you can contact them here or drop me a line and I will do my best to get you an answer.

PASS Summit 2012 ~ A Different View

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This year’s PASS Summit of 2012 is nearing and end and while this year I was not able to attend I was able to catch a lot due to PASS TV making it’s debut.

I saw some very good sessions by many good speakers and while I wish I could have been there in person this gave me an avenue to feel like I was still a part of the Summit.

My hat goes off to the many volunteers and speakers that made this happen!!

PASS Summit 2012 – Closing In

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Last year, 2011, I had the opportunity to attend this conference. I never had been to Seattle and my peers who have attended before me said that I would be amazed at what I would be getting myself into.

I’m not sure how to explain it other than by telling you my experience about it.

NETWORKING

Upon arriving to the conference I was amazed to see that I was there with roughly 3 to 5 thousand of my fellow community brothers and sisters. I am not by any means an introvert; but I can see how people would be awestruck when walking into the convention center.

I quickly found that networking, sharing issues, sharing solutions, and gaining knowledge was at the forefront. Each day PASS puts on a daily luncheon, now I tell you one thing…..food…..SQL…..community…can’t really top that.

Last year I had the opportunity to meet some of the most respected SQL MVP’s in the industry such as Chris Shaw, Jason Strate, Brad Mcgehee, Grant Fritchey, and Steve Jones.

FIRST TIME ATTENDING

First and foremost let me congratulate you on attending. Secondly, don’t be alarmed or get to overwhelmed. PASS does a great job of orientation and getting attendees acclimated to the week ahead.

For an insight into the workshops and orientation you can go directly to the PASS website  for reference.

GET IN THE GAME

This will be the most beneficial conference SQL related you could attend. If you are looking for something that could change your career or outlook I would seriously consider attending; where else will you get

REGISTRATION

Registration is simple; for exact information you can visit the PASS site directly here

PASS 2012 Elections Ballot

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Top of the morning to everyone. It’s that time again, today marks the kick off for electing three new seats to the PASS Board of Directors. If you are part of the PASS SQL community I implore you to take a moment, read up on the candidates and select the ones you think will best fit the positions.

This years candidates is yet again another stellar pool. They are:

  • James Rowland-Jones
  • Sri Sridharan
  • Allen Kinsel
  • Wendy Pastrick
  • Kendal Van Dyke

You can view the candidate pages that PASS has put together here

Voting will run through October 12th

I personally would like to wish all of the candidates luck as all five of them would be a great fit.

Get out and vote!