Search results matching tags 'Conferences', 'Community', 'Professional Development', and 'Education'

PASS Summit 2011 - What you can expect at the Conference - Summary

RickHeiges — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:30:00 GMT

As I finish up preparing for the Sep 20 (@1pm ET) webcast, I thought a final blog post may be appropriate in order to quickly reference many of the areas that I have touched upon. Naturally, much of this information is geared towards First Timers, but Alumni are welcome to join in the webcast as well and are encouraged to help spread even more tips/tricks around to all who attend.

PASS Summit 2011 - What you can expect at the Conference - Part 6

RickHeiges — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Now that I have covered just about all of the "official" Summit activities, it is time for a blog post about "After Hours" activities.

There is a webpage that lists some of the activities that we are currently aware of. You can find that page here.

Monday Night Networking Dinner - Last year, Andy Warren and Steve Jones started a Netowrking Dinner (Food / Drink is your own responsibility). It will be Monday Evening at Lowell's. More information is available on the link provided above.Follow general #sqlpass on twitter to see what's going on.

Photo Walk - Pat Wright and Tim Ford started this tradition several years ago. Essentially, Pat / Tim coordinate a place / time to start on a tour of Seattle. Bring your camera andprepare to have a great time discovering Seattle.Follow #photowalk on twitter to obtain more information.

SQL Kilt Day - It will be Thursday this year. Several years ago, three SQL Community leaders decided to wear kilts one day. Many more joined in last year (even some vendors). I don't havve an exact count, but I suspect that thee were at least 50 people wearing kilts last year. I suspect that number will be over 100 this year. Wearing a kilt on #sqlkilt day will definitely bring you some attention. :-)

SQL Run - Running is a favorite fitness activity of quite a few members of the SQL Community. Would you like to run with some others who are attending the conference? Follow #SQLRun on twitter to find out when/where to meet up for a run.

SQL Karaoke - What happens when you mix an open mic, SQL Professionals, and some libation together? SQL Karaoke at a Dive Bar. See the Link above for more information on locatoin. This year it will be on Wednesday Evening and now enjoys a limited sponsorship by NEC and Genesis Hosting Solutions. Follow #SQLKaraoke for more information - especially on Wednesday.

SSC / Redgate Party - SQL Server Central and RedGate will be hosting another party right after the Welcome Reception on Tuesday night. More info may be found here.

Other Vendor Parties - Many other Vendors will also host parties or other get togethers. Be sure to visit all of the vendors in the Exhibit Hall. I encourage you to visit all of the vendors and perhaps score an invite to an "after hours" event.

There is more, but I don't know about it yet. Denny Cherry has put together a website that lists "after hours" events that he is aware of.

PASS Summit 2011 - What you can expect at the Conference - Part 5

RickHeiges — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:30:00 GMT

One of the most valuable parts of the entire Summit experience is the networking that goes on. In this post, I will go over some of the opportunities for you to network with others. Once again, this post will not focus on "after hours" activities which will come later.

Badge and Ribbons - Once you get to the Summit and pick up your materials, you will have a badge. The badge will have the following information on it:

Nick Name
Full Name
Company Name
Where you are from
Twitter Handle

You will also receive at least one ribbon (Alumni or First Timer). You may notice that some people have more than one ribbon. These ribbons identify how a person contributes to the SQL Community. Be curious. When you see a person with more than one ribbon, ask them about it. It is a great way to start a conversation. These people are very interested in meeting YOU.

Don Gabor - We have asked Don Gabor to once again run a 2 hour Networking Workshop on Tuesday. It is inexpensive ($70) and a great way to invest in yourself to make the most of the Summit. You can go online and modify your registration add this mini-pre-con or sign up onsite. Don will also be leading a special Speed Networking Session during the First Timer Orientation. I want to particularly encourage First Timers to take advantage of this session based on feedback from former First Timers.

Big Brothers / Big Sisters - There is also a Big Brothers / Big Sisters orientation program. It is not too late to sign-up. We match a willing and eager Alumni with a small grooup of First Timers via email. The Big Brother/Sister will then contact the First Timers prior to coming to the summit to answer any questions or to simply "break the ice" before actually getting to Seattle. If you are a First Timer, I encourage you to take advantage of this program. If you are an Alumni and would like to help out some First Timers, your help will be appreciated by the First Timers and the entire PASS organization. Visit here to sign-up.

Other places to Network at the Summit:

Welcome Reception (Tue Evening)
Expo Hall Reception (Wed Evening)
Attendee Party (Thu Evening)
Breakfasts
Lunches - especially Chapter, WIT and Birds of a Feather
Expert Pods
Before the Keynotes
At the PASS Booth
Anywhere!

Remember that only you can make the most of your Summit Experience. I have outlined a number of opportunities where you can network with others who are doing the same thing. Go Forth and Network!

Untapped Benefit?

RickHeiges — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:59:00 GMT

Are you using your benefits to further your SQL Server skills? The other day, the company I work for (Scalability Experts) had a benefits meeting where open enrollment for insurance and other similar things were discussed. Since we are a small company, we outsource HR/Payroll/Benefits and I discovered a new benefit that I was unaware of previously. Perhaps you have it too. THere is an Educational Assistance Benefit of $1500/year to help with courses that count towards a degree. I was somewhat familiar with that one. There is also an Educational Assistance benefit that is geared for attending seminars (especially those offered by a Professional Association). The benefit offered through our plan is $500/year to spend on educational seminars. There is some criteria the seminar must meet under our benefit structure such as: helping develop skills that you use in your line of work and it can't be in-house or custom training. That sounds like a perfect fit for a PASS Summit Pre-Con! Of course your organization may have different criteria and /or benefit amounts, but don't let that education benefit go to waste. There is a great selection of Pre-Cons to choose from that offer a full day of learning for only $395! Tap into your benefits and receive some great learning practically for free!