Looking Back at 2018
2018 is almost over, and it's been an incredibly busy year for me. I've done more speaking and community activities this year than ever before, and had something big going on almost every month! In this, my final post of 2018, I thought I'd take a look back at some of the highlights.
January
I started off the year with my first-ever trip to SQL Saturday Nashville. While the weather didn't cooperate on Friday (an ice storm shut the venue down, leading to the cancellation of pre-conference sessions) things were back to normal by Saturday and it was an excellent event that I will be happy to return to sometime!
Best photobomb of #sqlsatnash! pic.twitter.com/JZE4Ien6bV
— Kevin Kline (@kekline) January 13, 2018
February
I made my first trip to SQLBits where I volunteered and presented two sessions! I've heard so many great things about this conference and had wanted to get there for a few years. I'm extremely grateful I was chosen to present. It was an amazing week in London and I got to meet so many new and awesome people. I can't wait to return in just a few short months!
March
In March we held our ninth SQL Saturday Chicago (my 8th as an organizer), in a new, larger venue. We were able to accommodate more attendees and pre-conference sessions than ever before, and a great time was had by all!
After an eternity of planning, #SQLSatChicago is under way! Thanks to our event team, speakers, & sponsors for making today happen! pic.twitter.com/papvJT1S5S
— Andy Yun (@SQLBek) March 17, 2018
April
One of my favorite SQL Saturdays takes place in April, and it is also one of the closest to my home; I was very happy to return to SQL Saturday Madison, Wisconsin in early April as a presenter.
Locks, Blocks, and Snapshots: Maximizing Database Concurrency with @SQLBob #SQLSatMadison pic.twitter.com/0GrvbE4G3y
— SQL Saturday Madison (@SQLSatMadison) April 7, 2018
May
I presented for the PASS DBA Virtual Group for the first time!
June
Another personal first for me came in June, when I presented a webinar as part of the SSWUG Spring 2018 Virtual Conference.
August
I was very happy to return and speak at the Chicago SQL Server User Group on an exciting new topic: Azure Cosmos DB!
September
September was my busiest month ever, in my busiest year ever.
I've long-wanted to present at SQL Saturday in Oslo, Norway, and this year the stars aligned and I got my chance! It was an amazing trip and my favorite SQL Saturday by far.
The Rob and replacement-Bob and Bob and Rob at #SQLSatOslo :D @sqldbawithbeard @bob_duffy @SQLBob @sql_r pic.twitter.com/w8jQsm3MBi
— Cathrine Wilhelmsen (@cathrinew) September 1, 2018
I also presented for the Chicago Suburban SQL Server User Group, and I returned to Boston and presented at my second SQL Saturday there.
October
As a Friend of Redgate, I was very happy to help out and speak at Redgate's SQL in the City Summit in Chicago.
Great session @SQLBob at #sqlinthecity pic.twitter.com/ehdJYEa7BH
— Lynn Ballard (@WidowPage) October 26, 2018
November
I was once again very fortunate to go on a week-long marathon and present at SQL Saturday Portland, ride the SQLTrain, and deliver two sessions at PASS Summit in Seattle. Not only did I receive extremely positive feedback, but I also had the second-best-attended session of the entire conference!
December
I finished up the year by traveling to Boston and presenting at the New England SQL User Group!
And thanks to @SQLBob for coming out to present at @NESQLServer! Definitely learned some new things to take back to the office. pic.twitter.com/cmQ274Mhxj
— Deborah Melkin (@dgmelkin) December 13, 2018
Looking Forward
2018 has been a great year of growth for me, both personally and professionally. I believe that 2019 is going to be even better, and can't wait to see how things turn out!
I hope all my readers enjoy the last few days of 2018, and I'll see you next year!