Attend Virtually any Conference on the web…

I am looking forward to the SQL PASS Community Summit Conference in Seattle in November and I wrote about it in a previous blog entry. It's a great annual forum to network with other database professionals and learn how organizations are utilizing SQL Server effectively. I am very excited to be going. I have booked my flights and hotel, I've blocked out the whole week for the conference and will be travelling cross country to be there in person. Hang on, wasn't I the one harping on about the "Virtual Classroom" (see previous bog entry) to save the planet? I must admit this is a difficult one. There is nothing like being there in person, or is there?

I really enjoy being there, meeting people face to face, exchanging experiences, meeting colleagues from previous conferences, meeting ex-students from my classes. There's nothing like listening to the experts live in person, people like Kalen Delaney and Itzik Ben-Gan of SQL Server Magazine.  There's also nothing like lining up to register and get your badge, nothing like lining up early to get a good seat (or any seat at all) for the popular sessions, nothing like spending all day in planes and airports to get back and forth. Not to mention the cost of thousands of dollars and time away from the family. I wish there was the concept of the Virtual Conference out there.

Hang on, what's this in my email InBox? SSWUG.org (SQL Server Worldwide Users Group) is hosting just that: The Virtual Conference for Business Intelligence September 24-26. You can attend various sessions virtually with a live presenter using VOIP. No lining up for popular sessions. You can ask questions of the presenter during the session through online chat. You also have a choice of concurrent sessions so presumably you can switch half way thru if you wish. But don't worry, there's an On Demand feature so you can review complete sessions later. In fact, you get that feature for 2 weeks after the conference so you can review all the sessions on demand. I have attended a Virtual Conference before, offered by Centra, now part of the Saba product suite (http://www.saba.com/) and it was excellent. But it was all about e-Learning and nothing to do with SQL Server. SSWUG also has the concept of "booths" where sponsors can "walk on" and demonstrate products that you may be interested in, just like at the physical conferences. Apparently, there will be competitions and giveaways but not sure how quickly you'll get your prizes! The registration fee of $100 is irresistible. Sign me up!

I am really looking forward to attending the SQL PASS Conference in Seattle, it's my favorite conference of the year, but now I am excited by these Virtual Conferences offered by SSWUG.org. And of course, we'll be saving the planet in the process. I'll be sure to report back my findings. Maybe see you at one of the conferences...

Cheers