SQL Server
It’s that time of year to plan the PASS Conference again – and it is back to Seattle in November for another week of excellent networking and knowledge gathering regarding SQL Server. This conference is the best in the business and it’s in Microsoft’s back yard, which is a good thing. Let me explain… We have always wanted to be able to talk to Microsoft’s SQL Server developers directly, so here’s our opportunity. Since the conference is just down the road from the Redmond campus, Microsoft sends a good number of them to the conference and get this – they have to wear brown polo shirts so that they stand out from the crowd. We are encouraged to approach them and get answers straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. It’s actually a great process, filled with empathy on both sides as we meet and talk straight-talk – customer to vendor, no holds barred. The relationship is enhanced because of it. But the great thing is that Microsoft is a guest. They don’t run the show. It’s not a Microsoft marketing conference. It’s run by the great folks of PASS, the Professional Association for SQL Server, an independent body that hosts chapters across the world. The conference is our annual pilgrimage to network with our colleagues and hear about real-life usage of the product from the people that actually do it. If you get a chance, sign up at your local chapter and attend some local meetings. Then book your trip to Seattle and join us in November. It may rain but who cares? We’ll be inside anyway, networking, learning and enjoying the company of people who speak our SQL language. Cheers Brian
