SQLSaturday #104 - Colorado Springs 2012
Event Date: 01/07/2012 00:00:00
Event Location:
- Mr. Biggs Fun Center
- 5825 Mark Dabling Boulevard
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Sessions
This is a list of sessions from the event, based on the schedule in the XML files.
Title: Devs are from Mars, Report Servers are from Venus
Abstract: Do you remember what it was like to fall in love? Wasn’t it wonderful?
Lately it hasn’t been the same. There’s no spark anymore. You’ve been stuck doing the same old charts and tables. Maybe Reporting Services won’t tell you what’s wrong, and you’re even thinking about seeing other reporting products.
In this session, Doug will re-ignite your passion for RS by reminding you how reports perform best, what RS has been trying to tell you (but you haven’t been listening), and show you some new – and easy – tricks you may not have known RS can do. You’ll leave knowing more about troubleshooting with the execution log views, understanding how to design reports for high performance, how to deal with blank pages, and more.
Speaker(s):
- Doug Lane
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: SQL Azure: Future-Proofing Your SQL Career
Abstract: SQL Azure’s not just coming; it’s here. In your role as the local expert on all-things-SQL-Server, you will need to know how to talk intelligently about it. You may also want to be able to whip up an impromptu SQL Azure demo for co-workers and decision makers. This demo-heavy session will help get you to that point.
We’ll look at what kind of usage scenarios work best for SQL Azure. We’ll look at what SQL Azure does, and what it doesn’t do. We walk through the process of creating, loading and querying databases, at what management tools are available, and how you will create and manage your account. We’ll explore what cost-efficient ways there are for an individual to get access, and how to monitor the costs on an ongoing basis.
Speaker(s):
- Chris Randall
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: The Periodic Table of Dynamic Management Objects
Abstract: Taking the periodic table of elements into consideration I’ve created The Periodic Table of Dynamic Management Objects as a reference tool for these functions and views that have become so critical for today’s SQL Server DBA to performance tune and gain metadata insights into their various SQL instances. In navigating the table we will examine key DMVs and DMFs of interest: requests, sessions, wait stats, indexes, system information will all be covered. We will also delve into how these DMOs - just like their elemental counterparts - can be combined to yeild interesting insights into your servers. We will also look at how things can go awry as well! Like mixing vinegar and baking soda, sometimes combining DMOs can cause a big mess too!
Speaker(s):
- Tim Ford
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Edge Case Testing for the Database Professional
Abstract: Are you confident that your application performs as expected on Leap Day? Do you know how long it would take to run out of identity values in your major tables? Can you support case-sensitive collations and non-standard sort orders? If not, odds are good that you are not edge and corner testing your application. In this session, learn how to define the edges of your application and start to stretch those boundaries by setting up challenging test and development environments. For database administrators, learn what configurations in your environment may be a source of bugs in application code and what you can do about it. Learn about edge cases that you can start hardening your code against on Monday morning!
Speaker(s):
- Vicky Harp
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: Choose Your Own Adventure: Performance Tuning
Abstract: Life is all about choices, and when it comes to SQL Server it is no different. If you don’t have a methodology for researching questions and resolving issues then you need to get one, and soon. Join Microsoft MVPs Jason Strate from Digineer and Thomas LaRock from Confio Software as they help guide you while YOU make the choices in this interactive performance tuning adventure.
Speaker(s):
- Thomas LaRock
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: But it worked great in Dev! Perfomance for Devs
Abstract: If you’ve ever found yourself stating the above, this session is for you. For many developers, writing T-SQL that works is not the challenge. But too often, functional T-SQL is not the same as good T-SQL. In this session, we will examine why “SQL that works” is not good enough. Understanding indexes, exectuion plans, sargability, and more are all critical to writing good T-SQL. We will also examine several real-world examples of T-SQL that “worked great in dev” but caused major issues when it hit production.
Speaker(s):
- Randy Knight
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: PowerPivot for Excel
Abstract: Microsoft BI Architect and SQL Server MVP Bill Pearson overviews PowerPivot for Excel, the client side of Microsoft’s foray into self-service BI. The targeted audience includes BI professionals who are seeking an introduction to what PowerPivot offers their organizations. Among others interested will be Excel power users who are fluent with PivotTables and want to understand the new capabilities.
Speaker(s):
- William E Pearson III
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: PowerShell for the Reluctant DBA / Developer
Abstract: This presentation will provide a brief overview of how to get started with powershell and will be demo intensive. Demo topics will include common challenges that database professional’s face including: basic code generation, deployment automation, and database discovery. We will also attempt to touch on automation and general script development best practices.
Speaker(s):
- Jason Horner
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: 7 Ways to Fix Bad Parameter Sniffing
Abstract: Parameter sniffing is a misunderstood issue on SQL Server. Most of the time parameter sniffing is helping performance on your servers. But sometimes, circumstances change and what was helping you is now hurting you, bad. In this session we’ll gain an understanding of what exactly parameter sniffing is and why it’s usually so helpful. Then, we’ll explore how parameter sniffing can go wrong and I’ll show you seven different ways you can deal with it when it does. You’ll bring back a wealth of knowledge so that you can identify and resolve bad parameter sniffing in your own environment.
Speaker(s):
- Grant Fritchey
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Using Columnstore Indexes in SQL Server 2012
Abstract: Columnstore Indexes in SQL Server 2012 will allow you to significantly improve the processing time of common data warehousing queries without creating cubes, aggregated tables, or other techniques normally used to improve performance. This session will show how to implement this new type of index in SQL Server and demonstrate their advantages compared to traditional solutions. Carlos will also discuss the scenarios for which columnstore indexes should be implemented to provide powerful but flexible BI solutions.
Speaker(s):
- Carlos Bossy
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: To the Cloud and Back Again!
Abstract: This session will discuss developing applications that make use of SQL Azure databases, and will address some of the challenges of off-premise data. This session will also discuss developing Windows Azure applications that take advantage of on-premise databases and the various security mechanisms that are involved. Attendees will learn how hybrid cloud solutions are architected and built. Attendees will also learn about the various security implications of cloud and on-premises data applications.
Speaker(s):
- Ted Malone
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: 10 Things That Every DBA Should Know!
Abstract: Are you just starting out in the DB world? Are you unsure of things that you should know? Are you a developer wanting to gain further insight on how to improve your SQL Skills? If you answered ‘Yes’ to any of those question, then this is the session for you! John will be talk about things that he’s seen in the trenches that every DBA should know and understand.
Speaker(s):
- John Morehouse
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: PowerShell and VBScript for the DBA
Abstract: There are times when T-SQL, DMV’s and system tables can’t tell you what you need to know or do what you need to do. Knowing the basics of PowerShell VBScript can provide functionality when you need to work “outside of the box”.
Speaker(s):
- Mark Halstead
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: GASP Real-time user defined sets in SSAS
Abstract: Given in the form of a case study, this session will highlight a real-life implementation done of an interesting user request. Using the functionality of SharePoint, SSIS, and SSAS attendees of this session will learn how to give analyists the ability to generate, define, and immediately use Custom Defined sets in an Analysis Services cube.
This session will highlight some of the power of SharePoint lists, third party SSIS providers, and many-to-many relationships in SSAS cubes. Additionally, the flexibilty of this solution will be shown though the use of several different user reporting tools.
Speaker(s):
- Josh Fennessy
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Dimenional Modeling 101
Abstract: This session is going to help create a dimensional Data Mart from the AdventoureWorks database that includes dimension tables and 2 example fact tables. The Kimball spreadsheet for documenting a Data Mart will be used to reenforce the need for Requirements and Functional specifications. A brief review of ETL for Slowly Changing Dimension and population of the Fact will be deomstrated as well as a simple cube for reporting.
Speaker(s):
- Thomas LeBlanc
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Discovering the Plan Cache
Abstract: Execution plans are stored after execution in the plan cache. This metadata about how queries are executed can provide insight into how your SQL Server environment is functioning. By using XQuery to browse and search the plan cache you can find potential performance issues and opportunities to tune your queries. This information can be used to help reduce issues related to parallelism, shift queries from using scans to using seek operations, or discover exactly which queries are using what indexes. All of this and more is readily available through the plan cache. In this session we will explore the plan cache and start you on the road to discovery.
Speaker(s):
- Jason Strate
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: ETL as MDM
Abstract: Companies store data in multiple diverse formats on multiple databases using multiple versions of software and none of it is designed to integrate of work together… until that it gets to the BI systems. In the BI system data suddenly must – as if by magic - become a fully integrated and logically coherent system to generate reports for executives. This session will explore the Master Data Management (MDM) default system for many companies, their BI stack and how we can use the ETL process to get a single version of truth for corporate data.
Speaker(s):
- Michael Sexton
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Backup Basics - Know your options
Abstract: Creating backups is one of the fundamental skills every DBA should know, but there are a plethora of choices when it comes to how you will back up your databases. Learn the options with SQL server, what each choice will do for you and when to use each one.
Speaker(s):
- Meredith Ryan-Smith
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: Performance Issue Archetypes
Abstract: While a SQL Server consultant may encounter various one-off situations over the course of a career, there are also several patterns and scenarios which repeat themselves with only minor variations. In this presentation Joe Sack will walk through common scenarios based on his experiences as a field engineer at Microsoft and also as a consultant with SQLskills.
Speaker(s):
- Joe Sack
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Kama Sutra of SSIS: A guide to loving ETL
Abstract: Slow running packages? SSIS consuming all your resources? No idea what it’s doing? After attending this session, you will come out with an understanding of how Configuration, Logging, Package settings and deployment work in SQL Server Integration Services. You will also be armed with a list of transformations and perfmon counters to watch out for.
Speaker(s):
- Bill Fellows
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Reporting DBs behind Virtual IP’s
Abstract: Tips, tricks and architecture options to successfully use Virtual IP’s to give your users 100% reporting database uptime with a minimum of pain (and most importantly, learn from our mistakes, its much easier). This session describes how we used VIP’s (virtual IP’s) to present 10TB of datawarehouse to thousands of users to run user generated reports 24x7x365 with good maintenance and recoverability practices.
Speaker(s):
- John Halunen Aubra Moore
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Development Mise en Place
Abstract: Chefs and cooks have a process called mise en place (MEEZ ohn plahs) which translates to “put in place”. For cooks this means “organize and prepare” their stations. They have everything they need ready and in the right place. It also means to remove all distractions.
In this session I will show how developers and DBAs can use this method to better organize their time and efforts to get more done with less rework.
Speaker(s):
- Keith Tate
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: SQL Report Builder for Business Intelligence
Abstract: Learn how easy it is to utilize the free download from Microsoft that allows users to create charts, dashboard objects and reports against any kind of data easily without having to use Visual Studio.
Speaker(s):
- David Eichner
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: PBM and you!
Abstract: Peanut Butter and Mayonnaise? No, Policy Based Management What can it do for me? Do I really need it? How do I install and configure it? How can it help me to pass audits? Who is that masked man you got into my database. You mean each server can really be configured the same. Let’s explore Policy Based Management and what it has to offer us in better management of our Sql Servers.
Speaker(s):
- Thomas Norman
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Title: Predictive Analytics - You Can, Too!
Abstract: Predictive analytics is no longer exclusively for those shops that have the resources to design and implement an entire BI architecture. In this session, we will review a class of modeling problems that are not only quite powerful, but are amenable to implementation via relatively simple T-SQL querying. All it takes to get started is the data available in your OLTP system, a basic understanding of the math, and a bit of imagination…
Speaker(s):
- Troy Ketsdever
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Introduction to Data Warehousing
Abstract: Just starting or thinking of starting a data warehousing project but not sure where to begin. Or still not sure if your organization needs a data warehouse. This discussion is geared towards answering the what and why (or why not) of data warehousing.
Speaker(s):
- Marc Beacom
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Database Design Contentious Issues
Abstract: A highly interactive and popular session where attendees evaluate the options and best practices of common and advanced design issues, such as: * Natural vs. Surrogate keys * Classwords and other Naming Standards * Varchar Minimums *Identity Crisis * Who Calls the Shots and Who Does What? …and others. Bring your votes, your debates, and your opinions.
Speaker(s):
- Karen Lopez
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Eating the Elephant: SQL Server Table Partitioning
Abstract: Is your table fat? Do you need to manage a table that has billions of rows within it and are overwhelmed by index rebuilds that take more than 12 hours? SQL Server’s table partitioning gives the DBA the tools to manage this beast and support very large tables in a way where index management and data retrieval does not become unwieldy. This presentation will take you step by step through choosing an appropriate partitioning key, setting up the partitioning on the table, and finally maintaining the partitions.
Speaker(s):
- Michael Fal
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: AlwaysOn - Finally, A usable ‘mirror’!
Abstract: In the past, High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) had many limitations. Clustering and Mirroring are great, but the mirror/secondary database is not very usable since it is not online. Finally, AlwaysOn solves this limitation by merging both multi-node Clustering and mirroring. AlwaysOn also allows the secondary database to remain ONLINE, so we can use it for reporting purposes without resorting to a Snapshot! Come see this lively session with extensive demos of setting up, configuring and testing AlwaysOn. We’ll also test automatic ConnectionString fail-over using a real web app to see how well that feature works.
Speaker(s):
- Jim Murphy
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Your own Private Cloud for SQL
Abstract: Can SQL Server be offered as a service (SQLaaS) in your own private cloud? Can it provide application teams with the ability to easily procure an instance of SQL Server quickly? You may have some elements of this created in your environment but how do you create the full service offering? Creating a SQLaaS offering is a lot easier than you think and many companies are now ready for this change. In this session, you will learn how to design a SQL Server service offering for the Private Cloud that will enable your organization to react faster to the increasing project demands.
Speaker(s):
- Ben DeBow
Track and Room: DBA / DEV - N/A
Speakers
This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.
Tim Ford
Twitter: - @SQLAgentMan
LinkedIn: Tim Ford
Contact: http://thesqlagentman.com
Tim Ford is a Data Professional, Author and Community Leader whose technical passions lie in creative solutions for managing and presenting data. He#39;s been a healthcare DBA since 2000 and leads SQL Agent Man Consultancy and SQL Cruise. He takes 25 students and leaders in the SQL Community and places them on cruise ships for technical and professional development training without the distractions of the office and internet twice a year on SQL Cruises (www.sqlcruise.com). Currently Tim serves on the Board of Directors for PASS and is passionate about taking fellow Data Professionals to the next level in their careers. He enjoys telling stories with data.
Meredith Ryan-Smith
Twitter: - @coffegrl
Contact: http://meredithryansmith.wordpress.com
Meredith is the database administrator for The Bell Group. With more than 10 years of experience in IT, Meredith’s responsibilities have included everything from manning the Help Desk to VAX/VMS cluster administration. Most recently she has served as the production database administrator specializing in cluster administration and performance. Meredith has attended seven PASS Summits, and had volunteered with the WIT Virtual Chapter since early 2009. Most recently Meredith became the chapter leader for the Women In Technology Virtual Chapter, and has kept busy speaking at SQLSaturday events in the western half of the US.
Troy Ketsdever
Twitter: - @42and5
Contact: http://www.42and5.com
Troy Ketsdever is a data architect with over 15 years of commercial software development experience, and has maintained a love/hate relationship with SQL Server since version 4.2. In addition to his “day job”, Troy enjoys writing articles and presenting at user groups on a variety of database design and implementation topics. His main objective and vision is “making the right information available to the right people at the right time”.
David Eichner
Twitter: - @ICANSoftware
LinkedIn: David Eichner
David Eichner is a licensed CPA and is also CEO of ICAN Software Corporation, a Microsoft Dynamics amp; Acumatica ERP partner firm that sell and implements ERP and CRM software, develops software solutions and provides technology consulting. He is the host of a radio show called Business In The Cloud that airs weekly on KLAY 1180AM. He is skilled in building integrated cloud app solutions. His career spans more than 20 years in various technical/managerial positions within industries as diverse as military service, engineering/construction, municipal government, consulting and certified public accounting. Additionally, he holds various national certificates in technology (MCDBA, MCSE, CNE, CITP, Dynamics CRM and ERP, Acumatica CRM and ERP)
Thomas Norman
Twitter: - ArmorDba
LinkedIn: Thomas Norman
Contact: https://armordba.com/
Tom Norman is a Database Architect at KPA with a strong fervor to protect data. He works daily to review and improve data protection methodologies while reviewing governing laws affecting finance, healthcare, and personal data. His areas of expertise include encryption, auditing, data identification, and database object deployment. He is the current leader of the PASS Virtualization Group and Vice President of the TRIPASS user group. You can read his blog at https://armordba.com/ and reach him on twitter at @armordba. Tom speaks at a number of SQLSaturday events and SQL Server user groups.
Chris Randall
Twitter: - cfrandall
LinkedIn: Chris Randall
Contact: http://cfrandall.com
Chris, a mentor with SolidQ, who has worked with SQL Server since 1996. He has written courses on T-SQL, SSIS and BI Architecture, has taught thousands of students, and spoken at conferences worldwide.
Chris has recently helped a large global nonprofit enterprise integrate with the Microsoft SharePoint and BI stack, and has guided the adoption of SSAS and SSRS into the products of an ISV. He is an MCT and MCSE in SQL Server 2012 for both the data and business intelligence tracks.
Doug Lane
Contact: http://www.douglane.net
Doug Lane (MCITP, MCTS) is a consultant with Brent Ozar Unlimited and has over 14 years’ experience with SQL Server. He blogs about SQL Server with emphasis on Reporting Services and professional development.
Marc Beacom
Contact: http://dawabi.com/blog.aspx
Marc Beacom is President of DawaBI, a Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence Consultancy firm focusing on Making Data-Driven Decisions Possible. He has been working with SQL Server for over a decade delivering scalable solutions for organizations of all sizes. He has earned several industry certifications and degrees. Marc is an active member of the community and has volunteered for many organizations such as PASS, Denver SQL, Colorado GiveCamp, Camp To Belong, to name a few.
William E Pearson III
Twitter: - @Bill_Pearson
LinkedIn: William E Pearson III
Contact: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=02C5CD07-7511-4151-A678-3A4A3451F85E
Bill Pearson created Island Technologies Inc. in 1997, and has developed a large and diverse customer base since. Bill#39;s background as a CPA, Internal Auditor, Management Accountant, and SQL Server MVP (BI) enables him to provide value to clients as a liaison between Accounting / Finance and Information Services. Bill has implemented enterprise business intelligence systems over the years for many Fortune 500 companies and focuses his practice upon the integrated Microsoft Business Intelligence
Randy Knight
Twitter: - randy_knight
LinkedIn: Randy Knight
Contact: http://www.sqlsolutionsgroup.com/blog
Randy Knight is a data professional who has worked with Microsoft technology for over 25 years, focusing on SQL Server since 1997. He has worked in a variety of settings, including 6 years as a database architect for match.com. In 2010, he founded SQL Server Solutions Group LLC, a boutique SQL Server consultancy. A Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) in SQL Server, he speaks often at events all over the country including the PASS Summit, SQLIntersections, and numerous SQLSaturday and User Groups.
Michael Fal
Twitter: - @Mike_Fal
LinkedIn: Michael Fal
Contact: http://mikefal.net
Mike is a specialist in data management technologies. As a community advocate, public speaker, and blogger, Mike is a practicing thought leader for data and automation. He is passionate about DevOps and data, building platforms to optimize, protect, and use data efficiently.
Since 1999, Mike has been working in the database field, focusing primarily on SQL Server and specializes in automating data solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of his environments. He has been caught playing trombone in public on more than one occasion.
Thomas LeBlanc
Twitter: - TheSmilingDBA
LinkedIn: Thomas LeBlanc
Contact: http://Thomas-LeBlanc.com
Thomas LeBlanc (Microsoft Data Platform MVP) is a Data Warehouse Architect in Baton Rouge, and uses his 30+ years in IT to develop OLTP systems with normalized databases for high-performing T-SQL and dimensional data marts. Development is done in SSIS, SSAS, SSRS, Power BI, and Excel. As a PASS volunteer, he is past chair of Excel BI and Data Arch VCs and is active in the Baton Rouge Analytics and SQL Server User groups, as well as SQLSaturday in Baton Rouge. You can find his blog at TheSmilingDBA.BlogSpot.com and website at Thomas-LeBlanc.com
Karen Lopez
Twitter: - @datachick
LinkedIn: Karen Lopez
Contact: http://datamodel.com
Karen Lopez is a Sr. Project Manager and Architect for InfoAdvisors. A frequent speaker at conferences and local user groups, she has 20+ years of experience in project and data management on large, multi-project programs. Karen is a chronic volunteer, a Data Platform MVP, and an active advocate for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and data quality.
Karen’s presentations are known for their lively and interactive approach to learning. Her motto: “Love Your Data!”
Carlos Bossy
Twitter: - @carlosbossy
LinkedIn: Carlos Bossy
Contact: http://www.carlosbossy.com
Carlos Bossy (MCTS, MCP BI, CBIP) is a data and cloud analytics architect with 25 years of experience in software and database development. As a principal of Datalere, Carlos focuses on developing BI, Data Science, and Advanced Analytics solutions, including modeling data warehouses and delivering predictive models, integration, and visualization. He has developed warehouses and BI solutions for a variety of industries and state agencies, including health insurance, solar energy, foster care, telecom, and manufacturing.
Michael Sexton
Twitter: - @sqlmountain
Contact: http://datamountain.sqlmountain.com/
Stunningly handsome, yet surprisingly humble, Mike Sexton spent the first ten years of his career as a public defender in New York. Upon learning the discrepancies between his salary and the salary of newly minted college graduates working in IT, he had an epiphany and immediately learned how to program database applications. He has designed and built database applications for 12 years in both SQL Server and Oracle based systems, he has been published in SQL Server Magazine and is one of the aut
John Halunen Aubra Moore
John is a Senior DBA with 8 years working on large Online Reporting and OLTP systems for Microsoft Advertising, Atlas/aQuantive, and thePlatform, all in the online space. Currently he is working at one of the larger video over IP providers (thePlatform), a subsidiary of Comcast. Aubra Moore is currently a DBA with Microsoft Advertising. Manages the primary ETL and reporting systems for Microsoft Adserving’s Media Console systems collecting and Online Reporting systems.
Ted Malone
Contact: http://blog.sqltrainer.com
Ted Malone has worked with SQL Server since it’s inception (first version was installed from 3.5” disks on OS/2 1.1) and has architected, developed and supported database applications ranging from simple to those in use by Global 100 corporations. Ted is a Microsoft Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) MVP with a focus on Agile database development.
Jason Strate
Contact: http://www.jasonstrate.com
Jason Strate, Digineer Inc, has been a Database Architect for over ten years. His experiences include designing and implementing both OLAP and OLTP solutions involving clustering servers, database monitoring and tuning, analysis services, DTS/Integration Services, Reporting Services, and Notification Services. Jason is actively involved with the local PASS chapter (SQL Server User Group); he is currently serving on the Executive Board and has presented at monthly meetings. Jason contributed to M
Jim Murphy
Twitter: - http://www.twitter.com/sqlmurph
LinkedIn: Jim Murphy
Contact: http://sqlwatchmen.com/blogs/jim/
Jim Murphy has been using Microsoft SQL Server since version 6.0 back in the 90#39;s. He is the CEO of SQLWatchmen, LLC., a managed DBA service provider. He runs the Austin SQL Server User Group: CACTUSS Central. He has been a professional DBA and developer for over 25 years and has run a consulting company full time since 2001.
Vicky Harp
Twitter: - vickyharp
Contact: http://vickyharp.com
Vicky Harp is the Group PM Manager for the SQL Server Tools Team, which is responsible for the full set of experiences from drivers and scripting libraries, to GUI tools, to the Azure Portal. She has been building tools for SQL Server for 15 years.
Thomas LaRock
Twitter: - @SQLRockstar
LinkedIn: Thomas LaRock
Contact: http://thomaslarock.com
Thomas LaRock is a Head Geek at SolarWinds and a Microsoft Certified Master, Data Platform MVP, VMware vExpert, and a Microsoft Certified Trainer. He has over 15 years’ experience in the IT industry in roles including programmer, developer, analyst, and database administrator.
Keith Tate
I am the chapter leader of the Albuquerque PASS Chapter and I have been working with databases for the last 12 years.
Josh Fennessy
Senior Business Intelligence Consultant at BlueGranite, Inc., Josh Fennessy has been working with the Microsoft BI stack exclusivley for the last 5 years. He has earned MCITP in both SQL 2005 and SQL 2008 versions of the tools. Josh is also the chapter leader of the West MI SQL Server Users Group.
When he’s not building BI solutions, he enjoys spending time with his 6 year old son, slinging lead at the range, and exercising (but never in his underwear. Promise!)
Grant Fritchey
Twitter: - @gfritchey
LinkedIn: Grant Fritchey
Contact: http://scarydba.com
Grant Fritchey is a Data Platform MVP with over 20 years’ experience in IT, including time spent in support and development. He has worked with SQL Server since 6.0 back in 1995. He has also developed in VB, VB.NET, C#, and Java. Grant has written books for Apress and Simple-Talk. Grant presents at conferences and user groups, large and small, all over the world. He joined Redgate Software as a product evangelist in January 2011.
John Morehouse
Contact: http://sqlrus.com
John Morehouse is currently a Database Architect/Engineer with Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha, Nebraska. He is one of the leaders of the Omaha SQL/BI User group and and a frequent speaker at SQLSaturday’s as well as other conferences. In his spare time, you can find John running after one of his two sons or working on his 113 year old house.
Ben DeBow
Contact: http://www.sqlha.com/blog/
Ben DeBow is a MDCBA, MCSE and MCITP focused on SQL Server consolidations, data architecture and performance tuning for organizations both large and small. Ben specializes in solving diverse and complex data and infrastructure challenges for large, global environments. Ben is a longtime member of the SQL community, volunteering the last 8 years as a SQLPass committee member, trainer and SQLPass presenter. Besides his work as a consultant, Ben is a cyclist, avid traveler and photographer.
Bill Fellows
Twitter: - @billinkc
LinkedIn: Bill Fellows
Contact: http://blog.billfellows.net
Bill Fellows is a SQL Server MVP and has been a database developer for most of his career, with the past 15 years focused on ETL. He is the organizer of Kansas City’s eight SQLSaturdays and a speaker at many other SQLSaturdays, User Groups and the PASS Summit. Bill is the owner of Sterling Data Consulting where he gets to solve interesting data problems.
Joe Sack
Twitter: - @JoeSackMSFT
LinkedIn: Joe Sack
Joe Sack is a Principal Program Manager in the SQL Server product team at Microsoft, with a focus on the Query Optimizer. Joe is an author and speaker with over 18 years of experience in the industry, specializing in performance tuning, high availability and disaster recovery.
Jason Horner
Twitter: - jasonhorner
LinkedIn: Jason Horner
Contact: http://blog.jasonhorner.com
Hi, my name is Jason I’m a practice lead at Redapt. I spend most of my day helping clients solve business problems mostly in the Data and Advanced Analytics spaces. Sometimes this involves various and sundry cloud technologies including Azure Data Factory, Azure SQL Data Warehouse, Azure Data Lake Store, Azure Databricks, HDInsight and Azure SQL Database. I’m fluent in several languages including: SQL, C#, Python, and PowerShell.
I’m a Microsoft Certified Master of SQL Server (MCM) and have been recognized for my technical excellence and evangelism efforts by Microsoft by being awarded the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for the last 5+ years.
In my off hours I like to snowboard, karaoke, ride roller coasters, and play arcade games
Mark Halstead
Contact: http://www.xtivia.com
Mark Halstead is the SQL Server technical lead dba for Xtivia working in the Virtual-DBA group. He had been with Xtivia, Inc. for 7 years and has worked with SQL Server for more than 17 years. He has worked in IT for 20+ years specializing in database administration.
Sponsors
The following is a list of sponsors that helped fund the event: