We’re live at the opening keynote for the PASS Summit, on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014. Tom LaRock opens the conference learning with a welcome to everyone, those here in person, and those at home watching on PASS TV.
Tom introduces the board, and say they’ll be in the Community Zone, as well as at a Q&A on Friday. Please ask questions, and talk to the board. It’s not just the elections where you can influence how PASS grows and changes.
Hint: Ask for the Summit to move if you want it to.
A few stats for the organization. In the last year, we have:
- 285 chapters
- 27 VCs
- 25 24 HOP events
- 86 SQL Saturdays (Thanks, Karla!)
We’ve grown on member at a time. I was at the initial Summit in Chicago in 1999, and I think it’s amazing how PASS has grown. It’s really been amazing to see new people constantly come into the community, be welcomed, and become involved.
Microsoft CAT and many support people are here on the fourth floor, near the bridge, in the SQL Server Clinic, ready to talk about issues you’re having. These are the people you reach on the phone when you call in, so this is a good resource.
You can get certified here, and I’m not sure I’d take time out of the week to do that, but I can see the value. If there’s anywhere that you can get motivated and inspired, it’s at these events. Whether it’s at the Summit, or at a SQL Saturday, I think the boost to your confidence as a SQL Server pro come from interacting with the rest of the community.
Nice to see the vendors being thanked. I know that many of you don’t want to be bothered by salespeople, but keep a few things in mind. First, vendors really make events work. Both large and small, because of their support. It’s worth thanking them, just for the vent.
However vendors also make tools that solve problems. They might not solve your problems right now, or they might not fit for you, but more and more as I grow, I find that there are places where products fit in our company, and solve problems. It’s not everywhere, for all problems, and maybe not now, but at some point. It’s worth learning what products are out there, what options you have, and what you might consider when the need arises.
Now on to the Keynote speakers.
Voice of the DBA 