Time has flown by and we’re just five weeks from SQLSaturday #232 on September 14th, 2013. It’s a time of excitement and a bit of chaos for those of us on the organizing team. We’re trying to finalize the budget, order shirts for the speakers, get evaluation cards printed, and all the rest of the little details that make the event go. That list also includes marketing – we put a lot of effort into making sure that we reach as many people as we can to make sure they know about the event.
For those that might be new to the idea of SQLSaturday, it’s a free one day training event devoted to SQL Server. This year is our seventh time holding the event in Orlando, once again with the help of our great partners at Seminole State College. Eight tracks(rooms) this year, more than 40 different speakers presenting on more than 40 different topics – all for free. We ask attendees to pay $10 to cover their lunch, but it’s also entirely ok to bring your own lunch!
New to SQL Server? Not new, but never been to one of these events and wondering what it will be like? Wondering if free training can be worth a Saturday? Wondering what kind of people spend Saturday learning about SQL Server? All good questions!
The kind of people that spend a Saturday working on their skills are the people you want to be around. They know there is value in learning, it keeps them employable and they learn because they like what they do. The cost is free because the speakers donate their time to pay it forward and because they like what they do and they’ve spent a lot of time learning to do it. There is an amazing variety of content, the hardest part of the day will be realizing you can only watch six of them!
It’s an easy going event. Follow the signs, park, check-in, grab some coffee and a donut. Browse the sponsor area to learn about new products or just find your way to your first presentation a bit early. Along the way you’ll see a group of people that is (and I’m entirely biased) the most open and welcoming that you’ll meet. I’ve never figured out why that is, if it’s because SQL Server draws happy people for some reason, or if it’s because they just enjoy learning that much, or maybe it’s the chance to hang out with true peers for a day talking shop.
If you live near Orlando (or are willing to make the trip, Orlando in September is nice), I hope you’ll register for the event and join us on September 14th. Find me in my presentation or in the hallway, say hello, and let me introduce you to some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
