SQL Saturday means a lot of different things to many different people. For me, it means togetherness. Over the years I may have made the thought of SQL Saturday more complicated than it has to be. It means walking into the event with colleagues and peers from the local community who are eager to learn. It means watching and seeing speakers come from all around the country and sometimes countries to give of their time to hone in on their skill set along with helping others to grow. It is the quiet conversations you see that occur in the break areas, and it is the excitement you see in a first-time attendee when the light bulb goes off in seeing how they can fix an issue they are encountering at work.

It is the tireless work of volunteers and organizers who are not in it for the limelight or glory but to help their fellow data professionals growth in their career. That is what SQL Saturday’s mean to me; they have helped me grow as a person and have provided avenues to meet some of the best and brightest minds in the community. I believe in them and I believe in the many people behind the scenes who often are taken for granted.

If you are interested to learn more and check out the upcoming schedule of events I encourage you to go here. As a speaker, organizer, mentor, and leader I encourage you to take part. I’m thankful I did.

Forever Grateful,

Yates