Tag: SQLBits

No In-Person SQLBits For Me

~ sqlswimmer ~ 4 Comments

I am saddened to report that I will not be able to attend SQLBits in person this year as originally planned. I was involved in a terrible car accident on 9-February, that has left me (hopefully) temporarily immobile and unable to travel for 3-6 months. I am on the road to recovery, but it will be a very long road.

This makes me sad for so many reasons. I will miss:

    1. All the hugs from my #SQLFamily
    2. All those smiling faces of delegates
    3. The excitement that comes with travel
    4. The anticipation of presenting live and in-person
    5. Pub Quiz night
    6. Fancy dress party night
    7. Catching up with all my #SQLFamily
    8. Impromptu conversations over hot chocolate or beers
    9. Meeting new people
    10. Stroopwaffles
    11. Austrian Chocolates
    12. Australian Chocolates
    13. Hanging out in the Community Corner
    14. My fellow Bits Buddies
    15. Did I mention Stroopwaffles?
    16. And so many more

    The most excellent organizers of SQLBits have been amazing and have accommodated my request to present remotely on very short notice, so I will still get to present my session, it will just be from my bed, instead of in-person. While I will miss the (famous) Fancy Dress party, I will be wearing my costume during my session, but you have to attend my session to see it (not even going to give any hints as to what it is!) There may even be a prize for who guesses correctly.

    My session is Identifying and Preventing Unauthorized Power BI Gateways. It’s a 20-minute session, check the agenda for the most accurate date and time.

    Bits Buddies

    ~ sqlswimmer ~ Leave a comment

    SQLBits is fast approaching, in fact, Training Days start 2 weeks from today, on March 8, 2022.

    I’ve attended SQLBits before, as well as other large conferences, but I still remember the first conference I attended. I was attending on my own and didn’t know anyone at the conference. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I felt a bit ill at ease. Just seeing one friendly face would have made a world of difference.

    With this in mind, the good folks at SQLBits have created a program called Bits Buddies. It’s a program where first timers or those thinking about attending but aren’t quite sure yet, can reach out to a few folks who are not affiliated with SQLBits to provide insight into what SQLBits is about. It also gives you an opportunity to meet someone BEFORE you attend, so once you arrive, you will see at least one friendly face (actually we are all very friendly, but this is someone you will know!).

    I have volunteered to be part of the Bits Buddies program and would love to be that one friendly face for those that may be ill at ease. We are holding a few virtual drop-in sessions and would love to chat with you, so stop by and meet some friendly faces.

    I hope to see you there.

    Cheers.

    Speaking at SQLBits

    ~ sqlswimmer ~ Leave a comment

    I got an early Christmas present this year, I found out I had been selected to speak at SQLBits!  That’s what I call a gift that keeps on giving.

    I have always wanted to attend SQLBits so I decided that 2019 would be the year I would finally attend.  Since I had decided to attend, I thought, “what the heck, why not submit session?  I’m going to be there anyway.”  But never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to be selected.  I will be presenting my Profiling Your Data session.

    It’s been twenty years since I was in England and I am super excited to be going back.  I have family ties to England so I added a few extra days for sight seeing.  Last time I was there I visited Malvern Link, home of the Morgan Motor Car Company, my dad’s favorite auto manufacturer.   This time I am planning a quick trip over to Liverpool so I can see where my Dad’s favorite band (and one of mine) was started, you may have heard of them, they’re called The Beatles Winking smile