It started as a vision for expanding the reach of the Minnesota SQL Server User Group a year ago. At the time, Paul Timmerman ( T | B ) and I were discussing the fact that only one user group existed in Minnesota. As we looked at other areas and talked with SQL pros from St. Cloud and Rochester, a dream was born — what if PASSMN, a large and very mature user group, helped kick off meetings in other areas? Throughout the past year, Paul has been working with Patrick out of Rochester to make this a reality.

Source: http://binged.it/1eB310K

Tonight was our first meeting in Rochester. We had an awesome turn out with over twenty people attending. Everyone is already looking forward to the next meeting.

To begin with, the Rochester group will be supported by PASSMN as an extension group. The meetings are planned to be quarterly and we will be working with local and regional speakers to participate. Our hope is that the group will grow and can become a stand alone chapter. However, the goal of PASS is community and training. Whether independent or as extension group, the goal is to meet these needs within the SQL Server development community where ever we can.

For more information about PASS MN and PASS MN – Rochester meetings, check out http://minnesota.sqlpass.org/.