Summit

PASS Summit is the largest gathering of SQL Server developers, admins, vendors and MS product people in the world.

I’m making my third trip to Seattle next week for this festival of brain-melting, best friends making insanity.   For those not in the know, there is FAR more going on over the 3 official days of the conference than any person can possibly consume.  From all day pre-conferences, to multiple sessions across multiple time slots, to just chilling in the community zone, there is ALWAYS something to do, see or learn.  Plus the vendor area and their unofficial evening events.

As with last year, I have planned out my schedule, knowing full well that I will probably skip at least one session a day to just network with other members of the #sqlfamily, or even just be a new friend to someone that is on their first trip and looking very overwhelmed.

I have also volunteered to be the “host” of the Thursday night Game Night…set up for those that either are not into or just need a night off from the bar scene but still want to be around others.   Lots of board and card games available, or bring your own and teach your new friends.

I might even attend the unofficial #SQLRun on Wednesday morning.

I think so highly of this conference and the opportunities available that I pay my own way.   As with last year, I will not be paid while there (contractor blues), unless a client needs me to resolve an emergency.   Conference fee, airfare, parking, Uber, hotel, food, beverages, etc.   This will cost me several thousand in non-income and expenses.

Worth. Every. Penny.

A short list of people I want to meet or see again:

• Jen and Sean
• Shane
• Brent
• Pinal
• Dave M
• David K
• Ola Last Name not needed
• Bob Ward
• Rie
• Andy
• Alex
• Sooooo many others 🙂

And I’ll do it again next year, Lord willing and the clients don’t dry up in between 🙂

Thanks for reading!

Kevin3NF

Why am I attending the PASS Summit?

As I type this, I’m on AA flight 439, seat 8A hurtling through the sky hundreds of miles an hour in a pressurized metal tube.  Tight quarters in here, but it’s a window seat that I picked…so still a win.   4 hour flight, direct from DFW to Seattle.

As a contractor, I don’t get paid for the three and a half days I’m using for Summit and travel.   I also paid my own way for Summit registration, flight, hotel, shuttles, parking, food, entertainment…even a couple of decks of cards for Thursday’s game night should there not be enough.   Oh…and a kilt.   Because Grant Fritchey and more importantly the Women In Tech cause.

So again…why shell out the cash?

Because I am 48 years old.   If I don’t keep fresh on the new technologies that makes me a dinosaur, relegated to taking care of the old legacy SQL Server that nobody dares to touch.   Its SQL 2000 now…but SQL 2016 will also be ancient someday.   I expect to be working until 60.   Probably more.

If I don’t attend events like this and learn, the new technologies will go flying past me and I’ll have to chase things down on the fly (like I’m doing now with PoSH).  I have a bad hip…not allowed to run!

If I don’t learn to exploit the goodness that is the cloud (which I am currently flying in) or Hekaton or the underpinnings of virtualization…I’m toast.

I’m not worried about some hotshot junior DBA taking my job.   I want them to try.   I’ll even help them through mentoring or team leadership.   I have 18 years in, and that puts me at the top of a lot of candidate stacks.

As long as I keep up.

Why Summit?

There are webinars, SQL Saturdays, MVC classes, Twitter, blogs galore and hundreds of other places to learn things that are all a whole lot cheaper.

BUT…nowhere else can you gather all of that in one place.  Add in more choices of learning such as BI, Professional development and SQL Development (I’m a pure admin)…and it gets even better.

Even more…when the best of the best are crawling all over each other to pay their own way to come and present at this event, and learn from each other…you know it’s the number one SQL training event in the world.

Add in the networking opportunities!  Between sessions, at meals, after parties, community zones, luncheons, breakfasts…if you can’t make a friend and meet people here you might want to reach out of your comfort zone and say hello to the person next to you.   But if not…that’s ok too.   I’m an introvert as well, so I get it.

I went to Summit 2008 and suffered from information overload.   Now that I have recovered, its time for a return visit.   The investment dollars pale in comparison to the future dollars in income that will likely grow organically out of being here.

I’ve been like a kid waiting for Christmas the last few days.  Figuratively jumping up and down as the time to board got closer (remember…bad hip…no literal jumping).  My teammates back at the office all say hi!  And they are glad to be rid of me for a few days I suspect.

So as I hurtle along, playing armrest games with 8B, I’m excited.  On Saturday I expect to be exhausted but happy.

Why are you at Summit?  Why didn’t you come?   Can you come next year?

Comments encouraged below!

Kevin3NF

The OnPurpose DBA