I am extremely honored to be speaking at a new online conference – the very first Data Community Weekender Europe! Data Community Weekender Europe was created to address the need for an online data platform conference since so many in-person events around the world have been cancelled as of late. It's taking place on …

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I'm always honored to be chosen to present at events, but I'm especially happy to be speaking at the first ever Data Platform Discovery Day! Data Platform Discovery Day is "A free one-day virtual conference introducing you to the Microsoft Data Platform", and it's new this year. It's actually 2 days, …

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A while back I wrote about starting a not-for-profit, detailing the genesis of the Chicago SQL Association. This organization allows us to better manage the finances of our user groups and our SQL Saturday event. That post has proven quite popular, so I can only assume it has been helpful to others looking to set up …

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The Friday before I left for PASS Summit, I was shocked and surprised to find out that I had been presented the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for Data Platform. My shock was genuine, as this was just about the last thing I was expecting. And then the congratulations and other kind words started …

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I don't know where the last year went, but it's once again time for PASS Summit. It really doesn't feel like a year has passed! This will be my eighth PASS Summit as an attendee and my seventh as a speaker. I know I'm extremely fortunate to have been able to attend and present so many times, and am looking to the …

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With PASS Summit 2019 quickly approaching, PASS is organizing a sneak peek at some of the sessions presented at Summit in a 24 Hours of PASS event coming up on September 10-11. I'm very happy to be delivering a brand new session entitled Dipping Your Toes In: Azure Data Lake for DBAs. If you've worked with data or have …

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SQL Saturday Indianapolis is coming up quickly – it's in less than two weeks! I am very happy to be returning to Indy on Saturday, August 17 to deliver my session Dipping Your Toes Into Azure Data Lake for DBAs. Abstract: As a data professional, you know what data is, and hopefully know what a lake is too. But what's a …

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This year, PASS is introducing the PASS Summit Official Blogger program, and I'm very happy to announce that I'm a part of the inaugural group! For many years there has been a bloggers' table at PASS Summit keynotes, where community members can live blog all the latest happenings and announcements. This year, PASS is …

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Another SQL Saturday Chicago has come and gone, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we have spent the last 11 months planning. It truly was our best SQL Saturday yet, with 422 attendees. We also ended with 130 on our waiting list, which is another record. Even with this larger venue it appears our demand …

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With SQLBits coming up quickly (it's next week!) I wanted to take a few moments to write about what very quickly has become my favorite conference. It's an awesome experience and I am so grateful that I am able to attend, volunteer, and present there for a second year. It's Not PASS Summit I love PASS Summit – no …

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