Category: SQL Saturday

I’m Speaking at #SQLSatBrisbane

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I’ve always wanted to go to Australia, in fact we have a trip planned for Martin’s 60th birthday in a couple of years.  But with all that’s happened in this social distancing world, we’re not sure if it will even be possible by then.  So, when SQL Saturday Brisbane (986) decided to go virtual, I jumped at the opportunity to attend and possibly even present.  I submitted my sessions and crossed all my fingers and toes.  I am excited and honored to announce that I’ve been selected to speak at this event on May 30, 2020!

I will be delivering my Intro to Azure Data Catalog session.  I really like this session, so many people have no idea that it exists, let alone what it can do for you.  To be able to see the light go on in their eyes during this session is the absolute best.  Even though I won’t be able to see their faces, because it’s a virtual event, I am still super excited.

Join me “down under” for what will be a fantastic event with 28 different sessions being offered by some really great presenters.  There’s still time to register.

I’m Speaking at #SQLSatRVA

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I am super excited, and humbled, to have been selected to speak at the very first PASS virtual SQL Saturday, SQL Saturday Richmond, on Saturday, April 25, 2020.

I find it very fitting that my first virtual SQL Saturday will be for Richmond.  As some of you know from previous posts, Richmond holds a special place in my technical heart.  It is the first SQL Saturday I was ever accepted to speak at three years ago.  It was the first SQL Saturday to allow me to do a pre-con.  But most importantly, Richmond is where I got to drive a go kart for the very first time in my life.  All these firsts are thanks to Wayne Sheffield (B | T).  He’s the lead organizer for SQL Saturday Richmond.

I will be presenting my Intro to Azure Data Catalog session.  It was a huge hit with our local user group when I presented it back in January this year.  If you’re “jones-ing” for a SQL Saturday fix, then get registered and stop on by.  There are some great sessions being offered and I’d love to “see” you.

I’m Speaking at #SQLSatSpokane

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I am super excited to announce that I have been selected to speak at SQL Saturday Spokane on March 21, 2020.  Not only have I been selected to speak, but I’ve been selected to give a pre-con on Friday, March 20, 2020 as well.

I will be delivering my Power BI Zero to Dashboard pre-con.  This is a full day introductory session to Power BI that focuses on: introducing the Power BI eco-system, what it can and cannot do for you; the importance of data cleansing and modeling;  and data visualization best practices.  My target audience is those that have little to no experience with Power BI, but want to learn more.  If this sounds like something you could benefit from you can Register Here.

I will also be delivering my What is Power BI? session on Saturday, March 21, 2020.

If you’re in the Spokane area on Saturday, March 21, 2020, stop by and say, “Hello”.  I’d love to see you and chat.  There are still registration slots open, so register now.

I’m Speaking at SQL Saturday Victoria

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I am so happy to announce that I have been selected to speak at SQL Saturday Victoria on March 14, 2020. This will be my second time speaking at this event.

I will be delivering my Data Types Do Matter session. I love giving this session, it’s not anything new or sparkly, but it’s so important. Get the data type wrong and you can cause yourself a world of hurt later.

If you’re in the area, stop be and say, “Hello”, I’d love to see you and chat a bit.

I’m Speaking at #SQLSatCleveland

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I am so excited and honored to have been selected to speak at SQL Saturday Cleveland #930 on February 1, 2020.  This will be my second time speaking at SQL Saturday Cleveland.  I first spoke at SQL Saturday Cleveland back in 2018, when it was SQL Saturday #708.  To be selected to speak at an event once is an honor, but to be selected to speak for that same event a second time, is truly amazing.  It shows that the organizers believe in me, my speaking ability, and my commitment to the community.

I will be presenting my Data Types Do Matter session.  As some of you know, I am very passionate about this topic and it is honestly one of my favorite sessions.  If you are in the Cleveland area on February 1, 2020, I hope you will check out SQL Saturday Cleveland #930, it’s a great opportunity for free training and as a bonus, you get to see me.  What better way could you spend a Saturday in Cleveland in February?!

I’m Speaking at #SQLSatDC

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I am so excited to announce that I will be speaking at SQL Saturday DC on Saturday, December 14, 2019.  I am so honored to have been selected.

This is a really important Saturday for me, personally.  I have submitted for the last two years and have had to cancel both times.  First cancellation was due to my partner loosing his job the week before and last year because I tore the meniscus in my left knee four days before I was supposed to leave.  So, I understand what a huge leap of faith the organizers are putting in me by selecting one of my sessions this year.  To ensure everyone that I will not cancel this year, my partner is still out of work, but it’s not such a huge impact any more and I’m wrapping myself in bubble wrap every time I leave the house to prevent injury.

My Profiling Your Data session was selected.  I love delivering this session.  Such an important topic that is overlooked way too often. If you’re in the DC area on December 14th, stop by and say, “Hello”.  I’d love to chat.

September on the Road

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I am so excited for the next three weeks.  This is a trip that has been in the planning for nearly 2 years.  I have always loved travelling and wanted to go to Africa, now I have the opportunity of a lifetime:  I get to combine my love of travel with my love of SQL Saturdays.

My first stop will be in Johannesburg, where I will have the honor of presenting my Power BI pre-con session, Zero to Dashboard, for SQL Saturday Johannesburg on Friday, September 6, 2019.  I am super excited and can’t thank local organizer & fellow Data Platform MVP, Michael Johnson (B | T) enough for this opportunity.  Then I get to do two of my favorite sessions, Data Types Do Matter and Profiling Your Data, on Saturday, September 7, 2019.

Second stop on this tour will take me to Cape Town, where I will present my Zero to Dashboard pre-con again on Friday, September 13, 2019.  I am super thankful to another fellow Data Platform MVP, Jody Roberts (T), for giving me this opportunity.  I will then present the same two sessions as Johannesburg, Data Types Do Matter & Profiling Your Data, on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at SQL Saturday Cape Town.

I will spend about 10 days in Cape Town, visiting friends that are like family before I head back to Johannesburg.  From there I travel to Prague for SQL Saturday Prague on Saturday, September 21, 2019.  I am still pinching myself because I can’t believe I was selected to speak at this event.  I will be presenting my Profiling Your Data session.

I think there are still tickets available for both pre-cons and there are still open registrations for all three events.  If you are in any of these areas, please stop by and say, “Hi”.  I would love to see you and chat.

Speaking at SQL Saturday Raleigh

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I am happy to announce that I will be speaking at SQL Saturday Raleigh this Saturday, April 27, 2019.  I have been part of the organizing team for this event for the past few years so have never been able to speak (those of you who are fellow organizers know why!).  This year we had a last minute cancellation of an afternoon session, so I decided to step up and fill the slot.

I will be presenting my What is Power BI? session at 2:30pm.  If you’re in Raleigh with some time on your hands, stop by and say, “Hello”, I’d love to see you.  You can also check out some other great sessions as well, we still have registration slots available.

Speaking at SQL Saturday Chicago

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I am so excited and honored to announce that I have been selected to speak at SQL Saturday Chicago on Saturday, March 23, 2019.  I will be presenting my Profiling Your Data session.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Chicago.  Last time I was there was when I was working onsite for a client in Michigan in 2001.  My sister and her son came to visit me over a long weekend and we decided to road trip it to Chicago.  Neither of them had ever been before, so I gave them the grand tour, we road the subway, took in the Navy Pier and even got to see a White Sox game.  To this day, my sister still laughs nervously about her first subway ride.

If you’re in the area stop by and say, “hello”.  I’d love to see you and chat a bit.

Speaking at SQL Saturday Victoria

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I am so excited to announce that I have been selected to speak at SQL Saturday Victoria on Saturday, March 16, 2019. I will be presenting my What is Power BI session.

This is another kind of homecoming for me.  When I was a kid, my sister & I lived with my grandparents for a while down in the Willamette Valley and we used to go to Victoria every summer.  I have very fond memories of Butchart Gardens and walking around The Land of the Little People.  I was super bummed when I found out that the latter no longer existed.  But if you have time, I would highly recommend Butchart Gardens and yes, they are open in Winter.

If you’re in the area, stop by and say, “hello”.  I’d love to see you and chat a while.