SQLSaturday #190 - Denver 2013
Event Date: 09/28/2013 00:00:00
Event Location:
- Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church - Community Life Center
- 10150 E. Belleview Avenue
- Englewood, Colorado
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Sessions
This is a list of sessions from the event, based on the schedule in the XML files.
Title: Implementing Data Partitioning and Tiered Storage
Abstract: Support of the large databases is not a trivial task. Large amount of data negatively impacts system performance and make administration and SLA compliance much more complicated. Data partitioning can help to solve those problems and reduce support and hardware cost. This session demonstrates various approaches of data partitioning available in SQL Server. It compares pros and cons of different partitioning techniques from performance, scalability and administration standpoints. The session also discusses how to reduce hardware cost by implementing tiered storage and demonstrates how to move data between filegroups and/or disk arrays keeping the system online in the different versions and editions of SQL Server.
Speaker(s):
- Dmitri Korotkevitch
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: SQL Server Murder Mystery Hour: Dead Reports Don’t Talk
Abstract: SABOTAGE? MURDER?
Before a pivotal meeting to secure venture capital, a key report vanishes from the server without a trace, leaving Cromulent Technologies’ future in jeopardy. Our group must solve the crime. Time is critical as the CEO has promised to explain the matter to investors just sixty minutes from now. Only with your investigative skills, SQL Server knowledge, and teamwork can we find the missing report, bring the perpetrator to justice, and save Cromulent Technologies!
SQL Server Murder Mystery Hour is part technical presentation, part networking event. We’ll focus on Reporting Services administration in areas that are vital to business continuity: security roles, encryption keys, and backups. All attendees have a part to play.
Speaker(s):
- Doug Lane
Track and Room: Power BI - N/A
Title: Interview Tips
Abstract: Have you been asked for an interview for that perfect job? The job that you would love to have on a team that you really want to be a part of? It is time to sharpen those interview skills.
Every interview is different. During this session we will talk about my observations from many interviews that I have been a part of. There are many examples in this session on how not to present yourself, during an interview. We may laugh at some of the observations, but there are many lessons to learn. Get an inside look at how hiring managers make decisions, and make sure you know what to look for as the candidate.
Have you been tasked with conducting an interview? We will complete the session with some tips on how to make sure that you get the information you need to make a good decision.
Speaker(s):
- Chris Shaw
Track and Room: Professional Dev - N/A
Title: SMO Internals for High Performance PowerShell
Abstract: Ever wanted to know what happens in SQL Server when you use PowerShell and SMO to manage a SQL Server? How fast can your automation really go? I will take you through the most common objects in SMO and the internals of what happens when you use those objects. We will examine the TSQL that is generated, and learn techniques that lead to high efficiency. We will dive deep through the collections that make SMO the powerful tool it is. Combining the flexibility of PowerShell and SMO Internals is a recipe for awesome sauce. Come peek behing the curtain and squeeze the speed out of your automation scripts using PowerShell and SMO. You’ll be glad you did.
Speaker(s):
- Ben Miller
Track and Room: DEV/DBA - N/A
Title: Common Table Expressions - Advanced
Abstract: You have been introduced to Common Table Expression, you understand the ;WITH syntax, but you want to know more. Learn how to recursive queries work with CTEs and how to display hierarchical data. Did you know that you can INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE data from CTEs. Some of the common use cases for CTEs will be covered including finding holes in patterns, finding and removing duplicate data, string parsing, and more. See how CTEs compare to SQL Server 2012 offset and fetch paging techniques. Get an in depth understanding of the performance behind a common table expression. Understand when the CTE is the right solution, and the wrong solution to use. Finally we will take a look at some classic recursive algorithms and how they can be implemented with CTEs. This session pairs well with the Introduction to Common Table Expressions session.
Speaker(s):
- Steve Stedman
Track and Room: DEV/DBA - N/A
Title: The Accidental Report Designer: Data Visualization Best Practices in SSRS
Abstract: Whether you are a DBA, a developer, or an analyst, there is a good chance that you will have to create reports for coworkers, company executives, or clients. As with any UI design, careful consideration should be given to your data visualization design to ensure you are effectively communicating the intended message and providing a good user experience. While the principles are applicable across reporting platforms and tools, this session will contain demos and examples implemented in Reporting Services using SQL Server Data Tools. Learn how to make information (not just data) the focus of your report and provide your audience with something better than just shiny!
Speaker(s):
- Meagan Longoria
Track and Room: Power BI - N/A
Title: SQL Server encryption 3 ways - in transit, at rest and in the database
Abstract: Dude, where’s my keys??!?!
Confused about the various ways SQL Server handles encryption? Tasked with securing your environment or trying to pass an audit? There’s a lot of information that can be difficult to wade through. In this session, I’ll go over three ways to encrypt SQL Server, showing practical examples of the various techniques. We’ll look at encrypting the information at the network level (in transit), encrypting the data and backup files (at rest using Transparent Data Encryption) and encryption of sensitive information in the database (columns and stored procedures).
This will be a high level, hands-on discussion that will enable any administrator to put the techniques discussed into practice immediately. You’ll see how encryption will fit into your overall security scheme.
Speaker(s):
- Dan Hess
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Maximizing SSIS Package Performance
Abstract: So you’ve developed a whiz-bang SSIS package to push around a bunch of data. You save it, run it, and…. nothing happens - or it moves verrrrry slowly. Or perhaps you’ve got packages that run reasonably well, but you’re convinced they could run faster. Where do you start troubleshooting? How do you eliminate those performance pain points?
In this demo-packed session, we’ll work through some of the most common causes of performance bottlenecks in SSIS packages, along with recommended practices for maximizing performance. Among the topics we’ll cover: troubleshooting methods to detect performance hotspots; optimizing sources and destinations for maximum throughput; choosing the most efficient data flow transformations; and using parallelism to improve performance.
Speaker(s):
- Tim Mitchell
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Hardware 201: Selecting Database Hardware
Abstract: The foundation of database performance is the underlying server hardware and storage subsystem. Even the best designed and optimized database application can be crippled by an inadequate hardware and storage infrastructure. Recent advances in new processors and chipsets, along with improvements in magnetic and SSD storage have dramatically changed the evaluation and selection process compared to the past. Many database professionals struggle to keep up with new technology and often simply let someone else make their hardware selection and sizing decisions. Don’t let this happen to you! This session covers current and upcoming hardware from both Intel and AMD.
Speaker(s):
- Glenn Berry
Track and Room: More DBA - N/A
Title: Getting Started with Execution Plans
Abstract: You just received a phone call from your boss telling you that a certain web page or report is timing out and your users are furious. You need to quickly diagnose what the problem is. Where do you turn to first? When a query is underperforming, hogging resources or timing out, the first thing you want to examine is the query execution plan. An execution plan provides a wealth of information that can help you quickly diagnose what is wrong. In this beginner level session you will learn what an execution plan is, how to find it, and how to interpret it to see what the query optimizer is doing and find the major pain points
Speaker(s):
- Jason Kassay
Track and Room: More DBA - N/A
Title: How flash storage modernizes databases and tips for tuning databases for all flash arrays
Abstract: For decades the characteristics of spinning hard drives have acted as a tail wagging the dog requiring the processes and behaviors of software, architecture and administrators to bend to its requirements. With the advent of a new technology, flash storage, comes the unleashing of a new round of performance potential as well as a shedding of long encumbering patterns. Modernizing databases is about both vastly boosting performance and also significantly reducing the complexity and effort to maintain them. Come see a deep dive into how ultra-fast and random-optimized storage is modernizing database performance, architecture and maintenance.
Speaker(s):
- Matt Henderson
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Manage your shop with CMS and Policy Based Mgmt
Abstract: In this SQLRally #3 rated session I will talk about Central Management Server and how it can help you manage a disperse environment. I will also cover what Policy Based Management is and how you can leverage its power to better manage your environment. With PBM we’ll see what it can and cannot do to help you enforce standards in your enterprise. I will demonstrate PBM from creating and evaluating policies to receiving alerts on policy violations.
Speaker(s):
- Ryan Adams
Track and Room: More DBA - N/A
Title: Somebody got BIDS Helper in my Data Tools
Abstract: Do you develop SSIS packages, SSRS reports or SSAS cubes (multidimensional or tabular)? Then this session is for you! We’ll cover the capabilities this free tool provides as well as address some of the grating little quirks of BIDS/SSDT. Analysis Services Multidimensional: Roles Report, Printer Friendly Dimension Usage; Tabular: Tabular Actions Editor, Tabular Display Folders, Tabular HideMemberIf; SSRS: Delete Dataset Cache Files; SSIS: Deploy packages from BIDS/SSDT, Identify items with configuration/expressions, Create packages based on templates, Find differences between packages. Learn about this perfect combination from Meagan Longoria and Bill Fellows and you’ll never want to have your BIDS without the helper.
Speaker(s):
- Meagan Longoria
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Navigating the Options for Data Redundancy
Abstract: SQL Server has so many options for data redundancy, how do you know when you should use replication, or log shipping or AlwaysOn, etc? We will use real world examples where data redundancy is needed and discuss which is the appropriate technology and why. This is more than just a high availability vs disaster recovery discussion. If you have ever been confused or overwhelmed by all of the options, they will be broken down and made clear in this session.
Speaker(s):
- Wendy Pastrick
Track and Room: DEV/DBA - N/A
Title: Introduction to Tabular Models
Abstract: The Tabular Data Model is new with the release of SQL Server 2012 and offers a simple but powerful tool. However, the biggest barrier to learning something new is figuring out the first few steps. But where do you begin? Come learn those first few steps by attending this presentation. We will discuss what the Tabular Model is, where it shines and more importantly, how to get started.
Speaker(s):
- Marc Beacom
Track and Room: Power BI - N/A
Title: Type More, Click Less: Programmatically build SSIS packages
Abstract: Developing repetitive strain injury (RSI) from all those mouse clicks in Business Intelligence Development Studio/SQL Server Data Tools? Longing to automate the tedium in SQL Server Integration Services package creation? In this session, we’ll explore the Integration Services object model and learn how to create rich packages without ever clicking our mouse. You’ll learn about the basic object model, the EzAPI wrapper for it, as well as using BIMLScript to build moderately complex packages.
Speaker(s):
- Bill Fellows
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Lessons Learned: Hurricane Sandy
Abstract: In the life of a DBA, we rarely get to experience an actual disaster. And by “actual disaster”, we aren’t just talking about an UPDATE without a WHERE clause on a live table. At the end of October 2012, Hurricane Sandy ravaged much of the New Jersey/New York area, causing business impacts up and down the Eastern seaboard. In this talk, I’ll share experiences from my first disaster, covering what went well, what didn’t, and what we’ve put into place since to help in the future.
Speaker(s):
- Brandon Tucker
Track and Room: More DBA - N/A
Title: SQL Server TDE
Abstract: Have you ever wanted to know how Transparent Database Encryption (TDE) works or how you set it up? This session will go over all the steps and caveats that go with this technology. This is a topic that is an Enterprise Feature, but allows you to have your database encrypted on disk. We will discuss the Encryption Hierarchy as well as how it relates to SQL Server TDE.
Speaker(s):
- Ben Miller
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Bringing Sexy Back…to the Database?
Abstract: “Bringing Sexy Back…to the Database” examines the negative impact that schema changes have on the strategic business objectives of a company.
Speaker(s):
- Bruce Adair
Track and Room: Professional Dev - N/A
Title: Becoming Certified In Microsoft SQL Server
Abstract: Chris Hyde has been working with the Microsoft SQL Server stack for over twelve years and has completed certification exams in SQL versions 2012, 2008, 2005, and 2000. He is a Senior Consultant with maxIT-VCS, a subsidiary of SAIC that specializes in healthcare IT consulting for the healthcare market, which he particularly enjoys as he gets to tackle different types of SQL problems at each client. He is currently on the board of the Albuquerque chapter of SQL PASS.
Speaker(s):
- Chris Hyde
Track and Room: Professional Dev - N/A
Title: The Curious Case of Isolation Levels
Abstract: Have you ever seen or used “WITH (NOLOCK)” in T-SQL? Do you know what it does and its side effects? Is SQL Server optimistic or pessimistic when it comes to locking? Can it be both? In this session we will cover these questions and discuss how and why SQL Server takes locks and how that affects other users. We will go over alternatives for using NOLOCK and discuss when it is appropriate to use. In addition, we will discuss what are the ACID properties and how to monitor locks and blocks.
Speaker(s):
- Keith Tate
Track and Room: More DBA - N/A
Title: Dimension Modeling Design Patterns: Beyond Basics
Abstract: This session will provide a deeper dive into the art of dimensional modeling. We will look at the different types of fact tables and dimension tables, how and when to use them. We will also some approaches to creating rich hierarchies that make reporting a snap. This session promises to be very interactive and engaging, bring your toughest Dimensional Modeling quandaries.
Speaker(s):
- Jason Horner
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Documentation – you know you love it
Abstract: We will discuss some of the most important things that you as a Data Professional can document to make your job much easier, ensure information consistency between groups, and better prepare your organizations for raising the bar on your day to day business. Think of this as a sort of Database Library that allows you to finally detail the processes you follow currently to perform repetitive tasks. This Library will also allow you to simply document your systems for your and others knowledge.
Speaker(s):
- TJay Belt
Track and Room: DEV/DBA - N/A
Title: Virtualizing Critical SQL Servers
Abstract: You probably have already virtualized most of your SQL Servers by now. But, have you virtualized the big, hairy, temperamental machines that everyone fears but the business simply cannot live without? Or have you virtualized them and they are performing worse than when physical? Do you work where virtualization is one of those hands-off black boxes and you have no way to tell what is happening underneath your virtual machines? Never fear! David Klee (@kleegeek) will be presenting an interactive session where practical management and configuration tips will be presented.
Speaker(s):
- David Klee
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: High Performance SANLess Clustering
Abstract: Powered by Fusion-io, Protected by SIOS: Learn how to eliminate the bottlenecks and costs of SAN-based clustering. Leverage the performance of high-speed Fusion ioMemory and achieve higher levels of availability with SIOS. It is the best of both worlds - performance and protection – at a price you can afford. Join us and you could win a $100 American Express gift card.
Speaker(s):
- Sios Technology and Allan Hirt
Track and Room: More DBA - N/A
Title: Self Service BI using Office 2013 and SQL 2012
Abstract: This session covers the Self Service BI solutions available using Office 2013 and SQL 2012 for business users to do their ad-hoc analysis. In addition, the Analysis Models can be used by Power View for visual representation of the analysis.
Speaker(s):
- Akesh Gupta
Track and Room: Power BI - N/A
Title: DBA Survival Guide: Daily Checklist and Server Mon
Abstract: You are responsible for the health and welfare of the servers and the databases under your command. What should you check daily? How about weekly? Should we automate? We will talk about all these things and discuss how having a Daily Checklist and monitoring your server will help you maintain balance in the galaxy.
Speaker(s):
- AJ Mendo
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Get Into Evaluation Context with DAX, the Language of PowerPivot and Tabular
Abstract: Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) is the language of PowerPivot and the BISM Tabular Model. Review the basics of the DAX language and get introduced to evaluation context: including row and filter context. Learn why different cells return different results based on the same formula. Understanding evaluation context is the driving force behind releasing the potential to create truly dynamic DAX formulas. The demo will walk through various examples the DAX query language and demo row and filter context
Speaker(s):
- Reeves Smith
Track and Room: Power BI - N/A
Title: A Brief overview of SQL Server performance management using Spotlight on SQL Server and Performance
Abstract: This will be a live demonstration of how to easily diagnose SQL Server performance problems using Dell Software’s (formerly Quest’s) Spotlight on SQL Server and Performance Analysis for SQL Server.
Speaker(s):
- Trent Mera
Track and Room: Power BI - N/A
Title: Dashboards - Introducing Pyramid Analytics
Abstract: Presenting BI in a sophisticated look that is both user friendly and easy to use can be challenging. In this session I will review the three major types of dashboards (Operational, Strategic, and Analytical). Using Visio, SSRS, SharePoint and Pyramid Analytics I will demonstrate examples of each of the dashboard types.
Speaker(s):
- Jeff Renz
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: What secrets does your database schema hold?
Abstract: Flaws in database design can hurt you in many ways. This session will look into one of the most basic building blocks, using the correct data type when designing a table. We will look at different databases with best practices in mind to uncover any underlying design flaws. Having a solid foundation can help eliminate data integrity and performance issues that could be lurking. Inconsistent field lengths and data types are examples of secrets that will be unveiled.
Speaker(s):
- Andre DuBois
Track and Room: DBA - N/A
Title: Backup Basics
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: DEV/DBA - N/A
Title: Data Vault Data Warehouse Architecture
Abstract: Data vault is a compelling architecture for an enterprise data warehouse using SQL Server 2012. A well designed data vault data warehouse facilitates fast, efficient and maintainable data integration across business systems. In this session Leslie and I will review the basics about enterprise data warehouse design, introduce you to the data vault architecture and discuss how you can leverage new features of SQL Server 2012 help make your data warehouse solution provide maximum value to your users.
Speaker(s):
- Jeff Renz
Track and Room: BI - N/A
Title: Branding Yourself for a Dream Job
Abstract: Everyone wants a dream job that they enjoy going to each week. However finding that job, and getting yourself hired can be hard for most people. Steve Jones will give you practical tips and suggestions in this session that show you how to better market yourself, how to get the attention of employers, and help improve the chances that the job you want will get offered to you. Learn about networking, blogging, and more.
Speaker(s):
- Steve Jones
Track and Room: Professional Dev - N/A
Title: T-SQL Tips Tricks
Abstract: Do you ever wonder how you can make T-SQL do what you really want? Do you want to know how to make it jump through loops, perform amazing twists and turns, and execute other wondrous performances? In this session you’ll learn about various features such as CTE, ROW_NUMBER, and other great features that will enable you to make your T-SQL queries and stored procedures more efficient and give you the results you really want.
Speaker(s):
- Aaron Cutshall
Track and Room: DEV/DBA - N/A
Title: Getting started with Big Data and BI
Abstract: HDInsight is the latest evolution of Hadoop on the Windows platform. It allows you to manage big and unstructured data while using the rich Business Intelligence tools provided by SQL Server. This session will cover big data architecture and demonstrate map/reduce, the nucleus of big data technology. You will also see how you to get maximum value out of big data by incorporating it into your BI architecture with tools such as Hive, Excel, PowerQuery, and Tabular models.
Speaker(s):
- Carlos Bossy
Track and Room: Power BI - N/A
Title: Periodic Table of DMVs: Part Two - The SQL
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 the first version of this presentation we discussed organization of the DMOs - this time around we’re going to get our hands dirty and see how we can use them to diagnose, tune, and get deep insight into your SQL Servers.
Speaker(s):
- Tim Ford
Track and Room: More DBA - N/A
Title: Women In Technology Roundtable
Abstract: It has been shown many times that diverse teams create better products and develop more creative solutions to issues. Given that why does Technology still have problems with diversity? It seems for every article that you see highlighting a group doing good work that encourages women to consider STEM career choices, there is another that points out the issues women face inside STEM. Join a group of prominent women from data professions as we discuss the current state of WIT, and what can be done to create a more welcoming space for all.
Speaker(s):
- Meredith Ryan-Smith
Track and Room: Keynote/Lunch - 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.
Keith Tate
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/keith_tate
LinkedIn: Keith Tate
Contact: http://thesqlchef.com
Keith Tate is a Senior Database Administrator with over 17 years of experience as a data professional. During Keith#39;s professional career he has been a developer, DBA and data architect. Keith is also active in the SQL Server community and is currently the chapter leader of the Albuquerque SQL Server User Group.
Ben Miller
Twitter: - DBAduck
LinkedIn: Ben Miller
Contact: https://dbaduck.com
Ben has been a member of the SQL Server Community since 2000. He loves a challenge and has fixed many SQL Servers and helped hundreds of people get more out of their DBA jobs. He is a Data Platform MVP a SQL Server Certified Master (MCM). He has worked at various companies throughout the USA, as well as at Microsoft for 7 years. He is passionate about SQL Server Infrastructure, High Availability, Automation and Integration using SMO and PowerShell. He teaches DBAs how to use PowerShell to do their job and teaches SQL Server Internals. He is @DBAduck all around the web (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Blog) so let’s catch up.
Wendy Pastrick
Twitter: - @wendy_dance
Contact: http://wendyverse.blogspot.com
Wendy Pastrick is from Chicago, IL, and for the past 15 years has served as a Database Administrator supporting both development and production environments. Her many years of involvement with PASS include WIT Virtual Chapter and the Chicago Suburban User Group, serving as Regional Mentor, and as a PASS Board member since 2013. Wendy has organized several highly successful SQLSaturday events in Chicago.
Meagan Longoria
Twitter: - mmarie
LinkedIn: Meagan Longoria
Contact: http://datasavvy.me
Meagan Longoria is a business intelligence consultant with Denny Cherry Associates, and lives in Denver, Colorado. She is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP. Meagan spends a lot of time thinking about how to use data integration, DAX, and data visualization techniques to make data useful for people. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences at conferences and user group meetings, as well as through her blog (DataSavvy.me).
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.
Chris Shaw
Twitter: - @SQLShaw
LinkedIn: Chris Shaw
Contact: http://chrisshaw.wordpress.com/
Chris Shaw started his database career in 1993. Following the Marines, Chris continued working with databases for companies such as Wells Fargo, Pulte Mortgage, and Yellow Pages Inc. Chris has been writing and speaking about SQL Server for over 15 years at events such as SQL Connections, PASS Summit, and SSWUG Ultimate conferences. Chris received his 5th Microsoft MVP award.
Dan Hess
Twitter: - @SQLDCH
LinkedIn: Dan Hess
Contact: http://www.expressnetsolutions.com/sqldch
Dan has been in IT for the last 18 years, graduating from California State University, Chico with a computer science degree. He#39;s been focused on SQL Server since 2007 when he was given the quot;accidental DBAquot; title. After learning to swim in the deep end and moving jobs to Sacramento, he saw the need to help others who were in a similar position and helped to form the Sacramento SQL Server user group. Database administration is his primary focus.
Ben Miller
Twitter: - DBAduck
LinkedIn: Ben Miller
Contact: https://dbaduck.com
Ben has been a member of the SQL Server Community since 2000. He loves a challenge and has fixed many SQL Servers and helped hundreds of people get more out of their DBA jobs. He is a Data Platform MVP a SQL Server Certified Master (MCM). He has worked at various companies throughout the USA, as well as at Microsoft for 7 years. He is passionate about SQL Server Infrastructure, High Availability, Automation and Integration using SMO and PowerShell. He teaches DBAs how to use PowerShell to do their job and teaches SQL Server Internals. He is @DBAduck all around the web (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Blog) so let’s catch up.
AJ Mendo
Twitter: - @SQLAJ
Contact: http://sqlaj.wordpress.com/
AJ has over 14 years of experience working with a variety of databases. He has worked for military, civilian, and federal government organizations supporting a wide variety of applications.
AJ is a frequent speaker at user groups, SQLSaturday#39;s, and PASS Virtual Chapters, and is a board member POSSE and CACTUSS. He is a PASS Programs Committee volunteer, and he loves being a part of the SQL Community.
Steve Jones
Twitter: - way0utwest
LinkedIn: Steve Jones
Contact: http://www.voiceofthedba.com/
Steve Jones is a Microsoft SQL Server MVP and has been working with SQL Server since version 4.2 on OS/2. After working as a DBA and developer for a variety of companies, Steve co-founded the community website SQLServerCentral.com in 2001. Since 2004, Steve has been the full-time editor of the site, ensuring it continues to be a great resource for SQL Server professionals. Over the last decade, Steve has written hundreds of articles about SQL Server for SQLServerCentral.com, SQL Server Standard magazine, SQL Server Magazine, and Database Journal.
David Klee
Twitter: - kleegeek
LinkedIn: David Klee
Contact: http://davidklee.net
David Klee is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and VMware vExpert with a lifelong passion for technology. David spends his days focusing on the convergence of data and infrastructure as the Founder of Heraflux Technologies. His areas of expertise include cloud, virtualization, performance, and business continuity. David speaks at a number of national and regional technology related events, including PASS Summit, VMware VMworld, SQLBits, SQLSaturday events, and many SQL Server User Groups.
TJay Belt
Twitter: - @tjaybelt
LinkedIn: TJay Belt
Contact: http://tjaybelt.blogspot.com
TJay Belt is an outdoorsman at heart who enjoys riding dirtbikes, waterskiing, boating, playing racquetball and spending time with his family. When he can’t be out playing, TJay loves to tinker with databases. TJay has been an IT professional for over a decade and a half. Currently serving as a Senior Database Administrator with Imagine Learning. TJay has progressed through several roles in his database career including developer, data guy, database developer, database analyst and DBA.
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
Brandon Tucker
LinkedIn: Brandon Tucker
Over the past 7 years, Brandon has explored SQL Server as a developer, admin, and consultant. After graduating school, he has translated his academic knowledge base into real-world scenarios in the financial, health insurance, and education industries. Brandon has presented at Code Camps/User Groups in multiple states and was elected as VP, Events for DSSUG in 2010. When not pounding away on a keyboard, Brandon can be found wandering the globe in search of great music, beers, and experiences.
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.
Andre DuBois
Twitter: - @MtnDBA
Contact: http://MtnDBA.wordpress.com
Andre has been in the IT industry for over 25 years in various positions with the majority working as database administrator, designer and programmer. His experience has been in the financial, travel and education industries.
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.
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.
Dmitri Korotkevitch
Twitter: - aboutsqlserver
LinkedIn: Dmitri Korotkevitch
Contact: http://aboutsqlserver.com
Dmitri Korotkevitch is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Master, author of Pro SQL Server Internals and other books with years of experience working with SQL Server as an Application and Database Developer, Database Administrator, and Database Architect.
Dmitri specializes in the design, development, and performance tuning of complex OLTP systems that handle thousands of transactions per second around the clock. He blogs at: http://aboutsqlserver.com.
Meagan Longoria
Contact: http://datasavvy.wordpress.com
Meagan Longoria is a BI consultant with Valorem Consulting in Kansas City, MO. She has over 5 years of experience with the SQL Server BI stack and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences at SQLSaturdays.
Akesh Gupta
Akesh Gupta is founder of Light Speed Solutions. He has more than 20 years of experience in architecting, designing, developing and delivering successful applications of all sizes for various industries. Akesh Gupta is a certified Microsoft Trainer with a passion to bring real world experience into his training sessions. At Light Speed Solutions, he is actively involved in bringing the power of analysis using PowerPivot and PowerView to business user community.
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.
Sios Technology and Allan Hirt
Contact: http://www.sqlha.com
Cluster MVP Allan Hirt is a consultant, published author, speaker, and trainer who has been using Microsoft SQL Server in various guises since 1992. He is currently based in the Boston, MA, area and travels all over the world to work with and train clients. His most recent book is “Pro SQL Server 2008 Failover Clustering” (Apress) and is currently working on its sequel, Mission Critical SQL Server due in 2014.
Aaron Cutshall
Twitter: - sqlrv
LinkedIn: Aaron Cutshall
Contact: http://sqlrv.com
Aaron N. Cutshall is an Enterprise Data Architect with 20 years of experience in analysis, design and development for applications and databases in manufacturing and warehousing plus over 15 years in the Healthcare Informatics field. His primary focus is in designing and developing solutions for extremely large data sets that perform quite well in SQL Server. He is active in the SQL Server community and speaks at SQLSaturday sessions across the country.
Jeff Renz
Twitter: - jeff_renz
LinkedIn: Jeff Renz
Contact: http://www.revgen.com
Jeff Renz is a Senior Architect at RevGen Partners, currently working as the design architect and implementation lead on several projects for a Fortune Top 50 company. Jeff has worked with SQL Server and BI for 15+ years and has 10 years’ experience with data warehouse design and implementation. In addition to consulting, he is joining the University of Denver adjunct faculty and is expected to begin teaching in the ICT program starting in June. He received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, his master’s degree in Operations Research from Colorado School of Mines, and will be graduating from the Harvard Business Analytics Program in December.
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.
Chris Hyde
Twitter: - ChrisHyde325
LinkedIn: Chris Hyde
Chris Hyde is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Trainer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He works as an independent SQL Server BI and DBA consultant, and is the leader of the Albuquerque PASS local user group. He is also part of the Friends of Redgate program and was a member of the Idera ACE class of 2018. He loves loud music and cricket, but usually not at the same time.
Tim Mitchell
Twitter: - @Tim_Mitchell
LinkedIn: Tim Mitchell
Contact: http://www.TimMitchell.net
Tim Mitchell is a business intelligence architect, author, and trainer. He has worked with SQL Server for over a decade, specializing in data warehousing, ETL/SSIS, and reporting. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Texas AM at Commerce, and is recognized as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP. Tim is a business intelligence consultant and principal at Tyleris Data Solutions.
Tim is an active community speaker and volunteer, having spoken at over 100 events including the PASS Summit, SQLBits, Dev Connections, SQL Intersection, and scores of SQLSaturdays. He blogs at TimMitchell.net, and tweets at @Tim_Mitchell.
Jason Kassay
Twitter: - @jasonkassay
LinkedIn: Jason Kassay
Contact: http://www.JasonKassay.com
Jason Kassay is a database administrator, software engineer amp; speaker from Colorado with over 12 years of experience. He is passionate about SQL Server, programming, release process, automation amp; performance tuning. Jason is an active member of the SQL Server community amp; volunteers/presents at events such as Colorado User Groups, SQLSaturday amp; Colorado GiveCamp. When not tuning databases or coding, Jason will most likely be found spending time with his family, playing hockey or running.
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.
Steve Stedman
Twitter: - @sqlemt
LinkedIn: Steve Stedman
Contact: http://SteveStedman.com
Steve Stedman is the Leader of a PASS Local Group in Bellingham WA USA. Steve runs his own SQL consulting firm Stedman Solutions, LLC. He has 29 years of programming and SQL experience. He has written the book on SQL Common Table Expressions. He teaches, speaks at conferences, writes, and has taught SQL server classes at Western Washington University. Steve has previously spoken at PASS Summit, TechEd, DevTeach Vancouver, many SQLSaturdays, and more.
Trent Mera
Trent Mera has been a database performance Systems Consultant with Quest Software for 11 years. He specializes in showing customers how to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in their SQL Server systems. His experience prior to Quest includes 7 years as a Database Developer and Administrator in the Real Estate, Finance and Defense Industries.
Glenn Berry
Twitter: - GlennAlanBerry
LinkedIn: Glenn Berry
Contact: https://glennsqlperformance.com/
Glenn works as a Principal Consultant for Dr. DMV, LLC in Elizabeth, CO. He was a Data Platform MVP from 2007-2017, and he has a whole collection of Microsoft certifications, including MCITP, MCDBA, MCSE, MCSD, MCAD, and MCTS, which proves that he likes to take tests. His expertise includes DMVs, high availability, hardware selection, performance tuning, and Azure SQL Database. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at University College - University of Denver, where has been teaching since 2000. He has completed the Master Teacher Program at Denver University - University College. He is heavily involved in the SQL Server community, and is a frequent speaker at user groups, SQLSaturdays, and the PASS Community Summit.
Matt Henderson
Twitter: - @DatabaseMatt
LinkedIn: Matt Henderson
DBA and architect for over 15 years focusing on high performance SQL Server applications and large scale data warehouses. Matt has been working with SQL on all-flash databases for several years and heads the program at Violin Memory for high performance database tuning for flash devices.
Reeves Smith
Twitter: - SQLReeves
LinkedIn: Reeves Smith
Contact: http://reevessmith.wordpress.com
Reeves Smith, owner and principal architect of Macer Consulting, is passionate about applying data technologies that empower organizations. Reeves wields his knowledge and experience to lead, design, architect, and teach, working with both data center and business project teams. He approaches every project by first understanding the organization’s business challenges, and then developing a unique approach that targets those business needs accurately and effectively.
Reeves Smith has more than 20 years of experience working on the SQL Server stack. He is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Master, and regularly delivers technical presentations at international, regional, and local conferences and user groups.
Jeff Renz
Twitter: - jeff_renz
LinkedIn: Jeff Renz
Contact: http://www.revgen.com
Jeff Renz is a Senior Architect at RevGen Partners, currently working as the design architect and implementation lead on several projects for a Fortune Top 50 company. Jeff has worked with SQL Server and BI for 15+ years and has 10 years’ experience with data warehouse design and implementation. In addition to consulting, he is joining the University of Denver adjunct faculty and is expected to begin teaching in the ICT program starting in June. He received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, his master’s degree in Operations Research from Colorado School of Mines, and will be graduating from the Harvard Business Analytics Program in December.
Ryan Adams
Twitter: - @ryanjadams
LinkedIn: Ryan Adams
Contact: http://www.ryanjadams.com
Ryan Adams is a Senior Premier Field Engineer for Microsoft. He works directly with customers to help them realize their business potential and accelerate their digital transformation on premises and in the cloud.
Previously, Ryan was a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and spent 19 years working for a fortune 100 company. His passion is the SQL Server Engine, High Availability, and Disaster Recovery. He also served on the Board of Directors for the North Texas SQL Server User Group, was President of the PASS Performance Virtual Chapter, was a PASS Regional Mentor, and served as a Director for the PASS organization.
Bruce Adair
Contact: http://www.datical.com
Bruce Adair started working with technology after he started building his own rigs to play video games. To this day, his favorite game is still Jedi Knight: Jedi Outcast built on the Quake 3 engine. Since then he has worked in technical writing, product management, software development, client relations, seed financing for start-ups and sales management. Bruce graduated with a BA from The University of Texas in Austin and was captain of the University of Texas fencing team.
Sponsors
The following is a list of sponsors that helped fund the event: