SQLSaturday #500 - Boston 2016
Event Date: 03/19/2016 00:00:00
Event Location:
- Microsoft Conference Center, Kendall Square
- 1 Cambridge Center
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
This event has completed. All data shown below is from the historical XML public data available.
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Sessions
This is a list of sessions from the event, based on the schedule in the XML files.
Title: XML Without Xanax: How to Handle XML in SQL Server
Abstract: Do you cringe whenever you have to look at an XML document? Does the very thought of XML data living in your database make you scream? Do you have a panic attack any time you have to parse XML? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this session is for you!
We’ll start with reasons why having XML in SQL Server might be a good thing, then we’ll face our fears and turn tabular data into XML, and finally we’ll confront the true source of our anxiety by parsing XML back into tabular data using xQuery.
If you survive this session, you’ll have faced your fears about XML in SQL Server, you’ll have a solid understanding of creating XML from tabular data, and you’ll know how to use xQuery to parse XML.
Speaker(s):
- Adam Belebczuk
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Hawthorne
Title: SQL Server Agent : All the Knobs You Need to Know
Abstract: As a production DBA, do you struggle to schedule heavy jobs to avoid times when the server is already overloaded? Have you ever felt like your end users notice data corruption, blocked processes, or a full tempdb even before you do? And have you ever been frustrated by the fact that Agent never stores quite enough job history to help you troubleshoot job failures? The fact is, SQL Server Agent can do way more than just schedule jobs at a fixed time. In this session you’ll learn how to make SQL Agent run jobs only when ample CPU resources are available, how you can be the first to get notified when data corruption has occurred, and how to use Agent for monitoring data file size issues. You will also walk away with a set of scripts that will help you customize job history retention. By the end of this demo rich session you will understand how to leverage SQL Agent’s hidden gems that will make your database management job more efficient without requiring additional development time.
Speaker(s):
- Taiob Ali
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Concord
Title: Virtual SQL Servers, Actual Performance
Abstract: Virtualizing your business-critical SQL Servers should not imply that they will run slower than if they were physical. When properly architected and managed, virtual SQL Servers should be equally as fast as their physical counterparts, if not faster. However, if not properly constructed, silent and seemingly random performance killers can strike and significantly hurt your database performance.
This session is packed with many tips and tricks for getting the most performance from your virtual SQL Servers. The major roadblocks to performance are discussed, and the knowledge gained can help you work with your infrastructure engineers so that you can optimize the system stack for performance. Tools, techniques, and processes are demonstrated to help you measure and validate the system performance of the key components underneath your data.
Speaker(s):
- David Klee
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Thoreau
Title: Enhancing your career: Building your personal brand
Abstract: In three years I went from a complete unknown to a popular blogger, speaker at PASS Summit, and a SQL Server MVP. Along the way I saw my yearly income triple. Is it because I know some secret? Is it because I am a genius? No! It is just about laying out your career path, setting goals, and doing the work. It’s about building your personal brand and stepping out of your comfort zone. It’s about overcoming your fear of taking risks. If you can do those things, you will be rewarded. I will discuss how you too can go from unknown to well-known. I will talk about building your community presence by blogging, presenting, writing articles and books, twitter, LinkedIn, certifications, interviewing, networking, and consulting and contracting. Your first step to enhancing your career will be to attend this session!
Speaker(s):
- James Serra
Track and Room: Professional Development - Constitution
Title: Advanced PowerShell Development
Abstract: Many people know how to use PowerShell for administration tasks but did you know you can use PowerShell for any type of application development? However, to develop effectively with PowerShell, you need to understand its unique features. In this presentation you will learn how to:
• Maximize Reuse with Advanced Functions using CmdletBinding
• Increase Extensibility with Script Modules
• Add Support for User Interaction
• Efficiently Access SQL Server
• Add Support for Application Configuration
• Add Support for Pipeline Processing
Learn how to take your PowerShell skills to the next level. For those not familiar with PowerShell, here’s your chance to see what the buzz is about.
Speaker(s):
- Bryan Cafferky
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Constitution
Title: Spatial Analysis Jumpstart: Beyond Bubble charts
Abstract: Explore advanced spatial analysis techniques that are useful for combining existing spatial data with more traditional tabular data. You will learn how to leverage publicly available datasets with data that is internally created within your organization. Although the focus is on how the analysis techniques are applied to any industry, the demonstrations show specific cases, including health care, asset management, and earth science. Join us for a discussion where we’ll explore the options available for visualizing the results and discuss the pros cons and limitations of each technology. You likely already have spatial data, this session shows you how to use it effectively.
Speaker(s):
- Jason Horner
Track and Room: BI Information Delivery - Lexington
Title: An Introduction To Big Data For The SQL Server DBA
Abstract: The boss comes to you and says that he wants to implement big data technologies into your environment. Is this the end of your career with SQL Server? Where do you start learning about this rapidly changing world of big data?
This presentation will answer all those questions, and will introduce you to the concepts that are the driving force behind a move to utilize “big data” technologies. It will introduce you to some of the key vendors and tools that are the most recognized today, which can help get a SQL Server DBA working on these systems very quickly. During the presentation we will cover those scenarios where big data technologies can be helpful, where they really just don’t fit, and why.
Finally, there will be an introduction on how Azure is playing a significant role in this move, and how this could potentially benefit you in your environment.
So, come with an open mind, and be prepared to get excited about what a future with big data might hold for you!
Speaker(s):
- David Benoit
Track and Room: Strategy and Architecture - Constitution
Title: Picking the Right Fights with Your Server Team
Abstract: Being a DBA is more challenging than ever—virtualized infrastructure, tiered storage and the cloud mean you may not know where you servers are, what disks your data is on, and you have less control than ever. In order to keep your databases performing and to provide an optimal environment you have to pick your battles. You have limited capital, and you only want to pick the most important fights. In this session you will learn about how to choose battles and win (with data!): • How to configure storage and file systems for SQL Server • Why you should always compress your backups • How your virtual machines should be configured for SQL Server • What rights you and your servers need in Active Directory • Many more and more importantly—which battles NOT to fight After attending this session, you will have a good understanding of how to talk with your peers in the infrastructure teams and make sure the key SQL Servers in your environment have the resources they need to perform great.
Speaker(s):
- Joseph D’Antoni
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Thoreau
Title: Refresh a 1TB+ database in under 10 seconds
Abstract: The presentation covers recoverability options in SQL Server over time. It will take us through many different ways of recovering a large 1TB+ database. It will also walk us through many different options for creating development/test/uat environments. It will highlight the benefits and shortcomings of these options while delivering a business value of each. It will also evaluate a high level ROI of each of these options. Finally, the presentation will focus on an architecture based on SAN technologies with respect to SQL Server. I will demonstrate an architecture put in place resolving many business needs in a financial trading environment, working with large data sets and many different environments. This section will highlight the benefits of using SQL Server together with newer SAN solutions and show the potential for reliability, scalability, and the delivery of a high quality HA/DR solution. That is where things get interesting…
Speaker(s):
- Andrzej Pilacik
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Thoreau
Title: Architecting Availability Groups
Abstract: You are a DBA familiar with some basic Windows clustering and database mirroring concepts, and now you are considering AlwaysOn Availability Groups. This session will cover the pros and cons of four typical configurations of AlwaysOn Availability Groups; stand-alone instances, fail-over cluster instances, multi-subnet, and a hybrid approach that I call disaster-recovery-on-the-cheap. It will also include their exclusive features such as read-only routing and backup off-loading. In addition, you’ll learn how to use the Availability Group Listener correctly and why you should be using Windows Server 2012 R2 or above, along with some of my own personal lessons learned.
Speaker(s):
- Derik Hammer
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Thoreau
Title: The New Revolution in Data Science, R Integrated into SQL Server
Abstract: Data Science is an ever increasing topic in the Data Analytics space and the R language is at the center of most conversations. R is an open source statistical language that is rapidly gaining popularity due to a robust set of machine learning functionality and a never-ending set of R packages that are used to increase functionality of the core R language. The R language is run as a desktop application and was not built with performance and scale required to accommodate Big Data. Revolution Analytics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft, has solved the performance and scaling issues of a desktop application by creating a more robust enterprise architecture. SQL Server 2016 brings the power of R and Revolution Analytics into the industry leading relational database.
This session will demo the functionality and power of using R within SQL Server.
Speaker(s):
- Reeves Smith
Track and Room: Advanced Analysis Techniques - Hawthorne
Title: TempDB- More permanent impact than you think
Abstract: As a DBA you hear different theories and “gospel truths” about TempDB from many people. Frankly there is no single version of the truth except that if you don’t use and manage it well, it will make your life a real h*ll. What works for you in one situation may not work for you in another situation. What works for a situation today, might not guarantee its success for a similar situation tomorrow.
We will talk about Temporary User Objects, Work Tables, Interim Results Version Store for Data Standards for its configuration Contention Data Files Per CPU - Myth or Reality? Dynamic Growth or Pre Sized? Trace Flags to Manage Tempdb? Should we store the entire Tempdb on SSDs? Should we shrink TempDB or not?
Hopefully at the end of the session your knowledge on Tempdb won’t be Temp.
Speaker(s):
- Paresh Motiwala
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Concord
Title: Managing Security in SSIS
Abstract: In the world of extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL), everything we do involves moving data from one point to another. However, very often the focus in SSIS package development is on functionality, not security. When building internal data transformation and movement processes, it is easy to forget that these operations broaden our security footprint, and must be actively managed to ensure that ETL doesn’t become the weak link in the security chain.
In this presentation, we’ll discuss the security features in SQL Server Integration Services, while reviewing best practices for securing your ETL infrastructure while providing enough (but not too much) access to those ETL assets. Among the topics we’ll cover: Properly securing connection passwords in SSIS Using package protection levels Restricting access to deployed packages Using role-based security for SSIS deployment and execution Using execution proxies
Speaker(s):
- Tim Mitchell
Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - Hawthorne
Title: Never Have to Say “Mayday!!!” Again
Abstract: December 1978: 10 people die in a commercial airliner. Why? Bad troubleshooting skills and poor maintenance – disaster-causing attitudes. As you’ll learn in this session, the doomed airliner ran out of fuel while the crew of three wasted time troubleshooting a false alarm. We can draw some parallels in the database world. Poor troubleshooting, disaster-causing attitudes, and a lack of disaster preparedness lead to needless downtime and serious user impact across our environments.
In this session, we’ll look at case studies of real-life aviation disasters and production database downtime incidents. We’ll see similarities in attitudes that cause disasters. Come learn about the importance of preparation, troubleshooting, and teamwork. This will be an interactive session where we’ll pick apart disasters, engage in discussion around case studies, and leave prepared to change attitudes in ourselves and our colleagues and avoid disasters at work.
Speaker(s):
- Mike Walsh
Track and Room: Professional Development - Hawthorne
Title: Entity-Attribute-Value (EAV): The Antipattern too Great to Give Up
Abstract: The Entity-Attribute-Value (EAV) is a design pattern for relational databases that uses an extreme form of normalization to achieve flexibility and the ability to efficiently store temporal data that changes frequently. EAV has its critics and the flexibility it provides creates opportunities for abuse and introduction of bugs leading some to call it an Antipattern.
In many applications the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and EAV has been in use for 50 years in a variety of applications such as Medical Research, Financial Services and e-Commerce. This presentation will discuss:
• What is Entity-Attribute-Value and show variations including temporal variations • What are the problems with EAV • How to handle the problems and reduce the chance of introducing bugs • Efficiently storing EAV data through partitioning and compression • ETL on frequently changing EAV data • Pivoting EAV data for efficient queries
Speaker(s):
- Andrew Novick
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Lexington
Title: Getting Started with Extended Events
Abstract: Few subjects in Microsoft SQL Server inspire the same amount of Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) as Extended Events. Many DBA’s continue to use Profiler and SQL Trace even though they have been deprecated for years. Why is this?
Extended Events started out in SQL Server 2008 with no user interface and only a few voices in the community documenting the features as they found them. Since then it has blossomed into a full feature of SQL Server and an amazingly low-impact replacement for Profiler and Trace.
Come learn how to get started - the basics of sessions, events, actions, targets, packages, and more. We will look at some base scenarios where Extended Events can be very useful as well as considering a few gotchas along the way. You may never go back to Profiler again!
Speaker(s):
- Andy Galbraith
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Constitution
Title: Source Control practices for your BI World
Abstract: Source Control is a critical part of any development effort. For small shop developers tools like TFS can be overwhelming especially for developers that come from organizations with little to no source control experience. Let’s talk about practices and ways to implement source control for SSIS, SSRS and Database Projects in both multi-developer and multi-tiered environments. We will cover when and how to branch, merge and shelve and discuss ideas around process for deployment and continuous integration.
Speaker(s):
- Leslie Weed
Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - Lexington
Title: Minimize Data Loss with Advanced Restore Methods
Abstract: Data loss can strike any server at any time. Are you prepared for the inevitable? A good DBA takes regular backups and practices regular restores; a great DBA has advanced restore techniques planned and tested. In this session, I will demonstrate three advanced restore methods that can make you a great DBA - point-in-time restores, page restores, and piecemeal restores, and will discuss the appropriate situations when each should be considered. Attend this session to better protect your business and your job.
Speaker(s):
- Jes Schultz
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Hawthorne
Title: Smart Rats Leave First
Abstract: It is said that rats leave a sinking ship. I say that smart rats leave first. IT professionals often must change jobs to improve their careers. This session explores how, when, and why to change jobs. Learn how to recognize when a ship is sinking and how not to end up in the water. Have a plan for your next job before you need one and make sure your next job is better than your last.
Speaker(s):
- Geoff Hiten
Track and Room: Professional Development - Constitution
Title: Don’t Be Trigger Happy: Safe Use of Triggers
Abstract: Many seasoned DBA’s don’t want developers to use triggers because of the many common mistakes made when coding triggers that can adversely affect performance. We will discuss the different types of triggers: DDL and DML (Instead of and after) and see many common mistakes made and how to fix them. We will also discuss when a trigger may be the best solution and other options when a trigger is not the best solution.
Speaker(s):
- Jack Corbett
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Lexington
Title: The Query Store and Query Tuning in SQL Server vNext
Abstract: For the most part, query tuning in one version of SQL Server is pretty much like query tuning in the next. SQL Server 2016 introduces a number of new functions and methods that directly impact how you’re going to do query tuning in the future. The most important change is the introduction of the Query Store. This session will explore how the Query Store works and how it’s going to change how you tune and troubleshoot performance. With the information in this session, not only will you understand how the Query Store works, but you’ll know everything you need to apply it to your own SQL Server 2016 tuning efforts as well as your Azure SQL Databases.
Speaker(s):
- Grant Fritchey
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Longfellow
Title: Table Indexing for the .NET Developer
Abstract: In this session we will be looking at the best and worse practices for indexing tables within your SQL Server 2012 databases. We will also be looking into the new indexing features that are available in SQL Server 2012 (and SQL Server 2005-2008) and how you the .NET developer can make the best use of them to get your code running its best.
Speaker(s):
- Denny Cherry
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Longfellow
Title: SSRS 2016 - End-to-end Mobile BI on any device
Abstract: Significant enhancements have been made to mobile BI reporting in SSRS 2016. We can now enable users to get business insights, anyway, anywhere and from any device. Your device could be a tablet, smartphone or laptop, which could be running under iOS, Android or Windows. Come to this interactive session and learn how you can do it.
Speaker(s):
- Sunil Kadimdiwan
Track and Room: BI Information Delivery - Concord
Title: Deploy Highly Available SQL Server for Virtualization the Cloud
Abstract: While most of us still have some physical, on premises deployments of SQL Server, many of us are moving towards, or already have started deploying SQL Server instances and databases en masse either in virtual machines or in the public cloud. This session will discuss how you should approach availability in this new paradigm when things are both similar to the way we used to do things, but in other ways completely different. You will learn best practices for clustering SQL Server (both FCIs and AGs), how to think about quorum, and more.
Speaker(s):
- Allan Hirt
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Lexington
Title: Monitoring Databases in a Virtual Environment
Abstract: Differences between physical and virtual server environments adds a new layer to administrative tasks. This extra layer will result in an environment where metrics used for performance troubleshooting are often unreliable. DBAs no longer have a clear, reliable view of the factors impacting database performance.
This presentation describes the metrics DBAs must use in their performance and monitoring practices.
Speaker(s):
- Thomas LaRock
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Longfellow
Title: Data Movement with Azure Data Factory
Abstract: Ok, we have been moving data around for 17+ years with DTS and SSIS. Where did this beast come from and why do I need it?
Let’s set up a couple of data pipelines to see the strengths of Azure Data Factory and when traditional ETL is a better fit.
Speaker(s):
- Andy Roberts
Track and Room: Cloud Application Development Deployment - Concord
Title: Designing SQL Server HA/DR Infrastructure to meet the SLA
Abstract: Once you agreed to an SLA for the databases you manage its time to deliver on this promise This session will show how to select from the many HA/DR features you have in SQL Server to pick the ones that will help you meet the SLA and most important will tell you how you must combine them to be successful. For each one of the solutions we discuss we will define a series of failure modes and then check if the solution actually can fulfill the SLA as promised or if it needs more
Speaker(s):
- Thomas Grohser
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Longfellow
Title: Scratching the Surface: Designing your first Power View Report
Abstract: Dashboards have quickly become a cornerstone for decision-making by managers and business leaders in all facets of corporate operations. Microsoft Power View has enabled drastic improvements in the development of dynamic and interactive dashboards within the Microsoft SQL Stack. In this session, we will cover areas such as: Data Considerations; Deployment Options; Building your first report; and using some of the interactive features of Power View.
Speaker(s):
- Chris Seferlis
Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - Thoreau
Title: DAX and the tabular model
Abstract: With the advent of the tabular model in SQL Server 2012, another analytical option has opened to the BI Specialist. We shall be looking at what critical factors should be analyzed prior to opting for the model and that done, how to extract data from a tabular model using Data Analysis Expressions (DAX). We shall discuss many of the often used functions, discuss their ‘overloads’ (utilizing several practical examples) and see how to turn the extracted data into valuable information that may be used by decision makers to help the enterprise achieve its corporate goals.
Speaker(s):
- Steve Simon
Track and Room: BI Information Delivery - Longfellow
Title: PolyBase for SQL Server 2016: Connecting Hadoop and SQL Server with ease.
Abstract: PolyBase for SQL Server is a new feature for SQL Server 2016 which enables you to use T-SQL statemtents to access data stored in Hadoop or Azure Blobs. In this sessions we will cover: common scenarios in which customers use this feature, how to set it up, and the potential value that it can add to you and your customers. The session will include a demo of PolyBase showing how to query Hadoop data from SQL Server, import data into SQL Server, and Export data to a Hadoop distribution.
Speaker(s):
- Casey Karst
Track and Room: Analytics and Visualization - Constitution
Title: Taking the pain out of database migrations
Abstract: Database migrations are scary. The migration of a database has many moving pieces and things to think about. Some of those things have nothing to do with the DBA and are outside of their control. However, if these items are not taken into account, it is the DBA that management will hold responsible for the failure.
This session will discuss what you need to take into account to ensure a successful pain free database migration. These steps can be used for a single database, multiple databases, or an entire server. By the end of the session, you will have a checklist of the items you need to consider for a database migration.
Speaker(s):
- Chris Lumnah
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Concord
Title: Query Optimization Crash Course
Abstract: Do you have users complaining that applications are running “too slow”? Do your DB traces look like a short story written by monkeys at typewriters? This is a fun, fast-paced walkthrough of the most effective strategies for query tuning. We’ll investigate the most common causes of sub-optimal queries (and some quite unusual ones) while building a foundation for solving any optimization problem that the application throws your way!
Speaker(s):
- Edward Pollack
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Longfellow
Title: Organizational Security Compliance with SQL 2012 through 2016
Abstract: You need to deal with more security requirements in your role. How can SQL Server features help you comply? We will delve into Audit, Compliance, and Encryption. New 2016 features will be detailed at the end.
Speaker(s):
- George Walters
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Hawthorne
Title: Building your ETL Framework with BIML
Abstract: BIML makes SSIS development faster and creates reusable modules that help you apply a consistent ETL framework across solutions. In this session, we will write BIML and use it to build an SSIS package. You’ll see how BIML allows you to avoid corrupted metadata and the tedious repetition of implementing simple SSIS patterns, freeing you up to take on new and interesting ETL challenges. Then we will review how to use it to create an extensible ETL framework.
Speaker(s):
- Meagan Longoria
Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - Constitution
Title: SQL Server 2014 2016 Features for non-Enterprise Customers
Abstract: Since before the release of SQL Server 2014, it seems that everyone has been talking about the enhancements to Availability Groups, writable Clustered Columnstore indexes, and In-Memory OLTP (“Hekaton”). But if you are not running Enterprise Edition, what’s in it for you? In this session, you will learn about a variety of features that are available in the other editions of SQL Server 2014 as well as what’s coming in SQL Server 2016. These features are designed to make your job easier and your database applications faster.
Speaker(s):
- Aaron Bertrand
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Thoreau
Title: Build Your BI House with a Blueprint: Modeling for MS BI
Abstract: The topic for this session will be modeling for MS BI with a focus on multidimensional modeling. We’ll talk about a recommended blueprint for MS BI projects, the best option for effectively handing deleted rows, denormalization, degenerate dimensions, slowly changing dimensions, many-to-many relationships, considerations for predictive analytics, and tips for migrating from other platforms. Given time considerations, we’ll also be covering how agile methodologies and ABC (audit, balance and control) impact our modeling decisions. Come join us for an information packed hour!
Speaker(s):
- Delora Bradish
Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - Lexington
Speakers
This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.
Taiob Ali
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/SqlWorldWide
LinkedIn: Taiob Ali
Contact: http://www.sqlworldwide.com
Taiob Ali, MVP Data Platform, is an accomplished technical leader with a proven record of success. For 14 years, he has worked with the Microsoft Data Platform and MongoDB both on-premise and cloud. His experience includes all three major business sectors: finance, e-commerce, and healthcare. Taiob has hands-on experience in managing large database projects, massive data migration, intricate process design, testing and deployment, performance tuning, long term capacity planning. Taiob is currently working at “GMO LLC” as a Database Solution Manager, focusing on cloud migration, automation, improving, and streamlining operational workflow. He is a regular speaker at local and virtual PASS chapters, SQLSaturdays, and Azure conferences.
Mike Walsh
Twitter: - mike_walsh
LinkedIn: Mike Walsh
Contact: https://www.straightpathsql.com
Mike Walsh is an experienced SQL Server professional and has worked with SQL Server since version 6.5. He has been in the role of DBA, developer, and performance tuner, but always leans on his DBA and tuning experience. He has been awarded the SQL Server (now Data Platform) designation 6 times since 2011 and is a current MVP. He runs a SQL Server consultancy focused on DBA services and cloud enablement. He has spoken several times at PASS and regional events. In his spare time, he runs a small farm with his family in rural New Hampshire and is a call Firefighter in his small town.
Aaron Bertrand
Twitter: - @AaronBertrand
Contact: https://blogs.sentryone.com/author/AaronBertrand
Aaron, Product Manager at SentryOne, produces performance and optimization tools for the entire Microsoft data platform, as well as Plan Explorer, a free tool for SQL Server execution plan analysis. In his spare time, he is either playing volleyball, curling, blogging at sqlperformance.com and blogs.sentryone.com, or contributing to SQL Server conversations on Twitter and dba.stackexchange.com. He has worked with SQL Server since 6.5 and has been an MVP since 1997.
Andrew Novick
LinkedIn: Andrew Novick
Contact: http://www.NovickSoftware.com
Andy Novick is a SQL Server MVP and consultant building business solutions with SQL Server. He has expertise in database design, T-SQL coding, SQL Server security, database performance tuning, partitioning, service broker, and database administration. Andy is a frequent speaker at local user group meetings and an author of two books on SQL Server.
Bryan Cafferky
LinkedIn: Bryan Cafferky
Contact: https://www.youtube.com/user/Bryancutube256123
Bryan Cafferky is a Big Data and AI consultant. Bryan was previously a Senior Data Science Training Content Developer for Microsoft Worldwide Learning. Prior to this he was a Microsoft Data and AI Enabler for healthcare customers. He is a Microsoft 2017 Data Platform MVP and a 2016 Cloud and Data Center Management MVP. Bryan is the author of Pro PowerShell for Database Developers by Apress, available on Amazon. He leads The RI Microsoft BI User Group, and The Greater Boston Area Data Science Group. He has been working with the SQL Server stack since 1997 and implemented projects in the banking, insurance, e-commerce, utility, and health care industries. He holds a bachelor of science in computer information systems and an MBA.
Andy Roberts
LinkedIn: Andy Roberts
Contact: http://blogs.msdn.com/andyroberts
Andy Roberts is a currently a Data Platform Specialist for Microsoft in the Northeast district and has spent 12 years as a consultant for Microsoft Consulting Services. As a consultant Andy assisted customers in implementing mission critical OLTP and DW/BI solutions on SQL Server. Andy wore many hats as a consultant including application developer, solution architect, mentor to development teams, mentor to DBAs, BI lead, SCRUM Master, and the guy-that-knows-a-bunch-of-stuff-about Microsoft.
Edward Pollack
Twitter: - EdwardPollack
LinkedIn: Edward Pollack
Contact: https://www.sqlshack.com/author/edward-pollack/
Ed Pollack has over 20 years of experience in database and systems administration, which has developed his passion for performance optimization, database design, and making things go faster. He has spoken at many SQLSaturdays, 24 Hours of PASS, and PASS Summit. This led him to organize SQLSaturday Albany, which has become an annual event for New York’s Capital Region. Sharing these experiences with the community is a top priority, and encouraging everyone to take the leap into public speaking and engaging others, a passion. In his free time, Ed enjoys video games, traveling, cooking exceptionally spicy foods, and hanging out with his amazing wife and sons.
Delora Bradish
Twitter: - @sqlsme
LinkedIn: Delora Bradish
Contact: http://www.delorabradish.com
Delora Bradish comes to SQLSaturday by way of Pragmatic Works. She has worked with SQL Server from 1999 with a primary career focus in MS BI since 2005. Delora has assisted companies of every size to implement SSIS, SSRS, SSAS and Sharepoint solutions. Some of her clients have included Hewlett-Packard, NASCAR, and General Motors, as well as state governments and prominent medical agencies. Delora is a MCSE in BI and Data Platform, and holds her MCSA in SQL 2012.
Sunil Kadimdiwan
Twitter: - @skadimdiwan
LinkedIn: Sunil Kadimdiwan
Contact: http://www.infotrove.com/events.html
Sunil Kadimdiwan Sunil Kadimdiwan has 25+ years’ experience in architecting and implementing database solutions. He has deep knowledge of the Microsoft SQL Server and Business Intelligence technology stack. He is a frequent speaker at SQLSaturdays, Code Camps, User Group meetings
Allan Hirt
Twitter: - SQLHA
LinkedIn: Allan Hirt
Contact: http://www.sqlha.com/blog
SQLHA, LLC founder, consultant, trainer, author, and business continuity, infrastructure, and virtualization expert Allan Hirt has been working with SQL Server since 1992 when it was still a Sybase product. He has also been clustering in Windows Server since the late 1990s when it was known as Wolfpack. Currently a dual Microsoft MVP (Data Platform; Cloud and Datacenter Management) as well as a VMware vExpert, Allan works with all sizes of customers, no matter if they are on premises or in the public cloud. He also delivers training and speaks at events over the world.
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.
Aaron Bertrand
Twitter: - @AaronBertrand
Contact: https://blogs.sentryone.com/author/AaronBertrand
Aaron, Product Manager at SentryOne, produces performance and optimization tools for the entire Microsoft data platform, as well as Plan Explorer, a free tool for SQL Server execution plan analysis. In his spare time, he is either playing volleyball, curling, blogging at sqlperformance.com and blogs.sentryone.com, or contributing to SQL Server conversations on Twitter and dba.stackexchange.com. He has worked with SQL Server since 6.5 and has been an MVP since 1997.
David Bermingham
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/daveberm
LinkedIn: David Bermingham
Contact: http://clusteringformeremortals.com/
David Bermingham is recognized within the community as a high availability expert and has been honored by his peers by being elected to be a MVP in Clustering since 2010 and most recently has been recognized as a Cloud and Datacenter MVP. David’s work as technical evangelist at SIOS has him focused on evangelizing Microsoft high availability and disaster recovery solutions for both on premise and cloud deployments. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and three kids where he a school board member, scout leader and musical director of an 8-piece jazz band, M-Town.
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.
Denny Cherry
Twitter: - mrdenny
LinkedIn: Denny Cherry
Contact: https://www.dcac.com
Denny Cherry is the owner and principal consultant for Denny Cherry Associates Consulting and has over a decade of experience working with platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, Microsoft SQL Server, Hyper-V, vSphere, and Enterprise Storage solutions. Denny’s areas of technical expertise include system architecture, performance tuning, security, replication, and troubleshooting. Denny currently holds several Microsoft Certifications related to SQL Server 2000 through 2019, including being a Microsoft Certified Master, Microsoft MVP and VMware vExpert Award.
Joseph D’Antoni
Twitter: - jdanton
LinkedIn: Joseph D’Antoni
Contact: http://joeydantoni.com
Joseph D’Antoni is a Senior Consultant and Microsoft Data Platform MVP with over 20 years of experience working in both Fortune 500 and smaller firms. He is a Principal Consultant for Denny Cherry Associates and lives in Malvern, PA. He is a frequent speaker at major tech events like Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, and Enterprise Data World. He blogs about all topics technology at joeydantoni.com. He believes that no single platform is the answer to all technology problems. Joseph holds a BS in Computer Information Systems from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from North Carolina State University, and is the co-author of the Microsoft book “Introducing SQL Server 2016”.
James Serra
Twitter: - www.twitter.com/JamesSerra
LinkedIn: James Serra
Contact: http://www.JamesSerra.com
James Serra is a big data and data warehousing solution architect at Microsoft. He is a thought leader in the use and application of Big Data and advanced analytics. Previously, James was an independent consultant working as a Data Warehouse/Business Intelligence architect and developer. He is a prior SQL Server MVP with over 35 years of IT experience. James is a popular blogger (JamesSerra.com) and speaker. He is the author of the book “Reporting with Microsoft SQL Server 2012”.
Thomas Grohser
LinkedIn: Thomas Grohser
Thomas Grohser has spent most of the past 26+ years exploring the deeper inner workings of SQL Server and its features while working for entertainment, pharmaceutical, and financial services industries. His primary focus is to architect, plan, build, and operate reliable, highly available, secure, and scalable infrastructures for SQL Server. Over the years he has managed thousands of SQL Server instances, processing trillions of rows, taking up petabytes of storage. Thomas has been a Microsoft Data Platform MVP for 9 years and has spoken regularly at conferences, SQLSaturdays, and user groups for 12 years.
Rick Speyer
Rick Speyer is a Senior Marketing Manager for Applications responsible for the overall marketing for Microsoft, SAP, VDI, and Oracle at Cisco. Rick started his career by purchasing the #49, 50, and 51st IBM PC that came off the assembly line and beginning a very successful computer distribution business which grew to over $50 million a year. After selling the business, he joined Compaq Computer Corporation where he led the SAP Alliance for Compaq and was responsible for increasing the Compaq market share with SAP upwards of 35%.
Adam Belebczuk
Twitter: - @SQLDiablo
LinkedIn: Adam Belebczuk
Contact: http://www.sqldiablo.com/
Adam Belebczuk is the Owner amp; Principal Consultant at Belebczuk Consulting Services, LLC and has more than 10 years of experience in IT, ranging from customer service to server/network administration to software and database development and administration. Adam is the Chapter Leader for the Ohio North SQL Server Users Group, a frequent speaker and volunteer at PASS events, and specializes in SQL Server development, performance tuning, high availability, and disaster recovery.
Chris Seferlis
Twitter: - bizdataviz
LinkedIn: Chris Seferlis
Contact: http://blog.bizdataviz.com
Chris Seferlis is a Sr Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft. He has 20+ years’ experience working in IT and solving technical challenges from a business perspective. Chris is a former CIO with an MBA from UMass, bringing a mix of business acumen and practical technology solutions, primarily focusing on Data and AI within the Microsoft Data Platform, including MCSA and MCT designations.
Chris Lumnah
Twitter: - @lumnah
LinkedIn: Chris Lumnah
Chris Lumnah began working in the IT as a programmer in 1996. He ended up becoming a SQL DBA out of necessity 15 years ago. He has worked on SQL Server version 2000 thru 2017. He likes to continue to use his knowledge of programming to create more automated solutions to assist him and his team to be more proactive. Chris lives in Providence, RI and is currently a SQL Server Solutions Architect at Rubrik Inc.
Mike Hillwig
Twitter: - @mikehillwig
LinkedIn: Mike Hillwig
Contact: http://www.mikehillwig.com
Veteran DBA Mike Hillwig is a native Pittsburgher and resident of the Boston Suburbs. He’s a DBA Manager for a financial software company that’s owned by one of the world’s largest bank. Mike has been working with SQL Server since version 7 and has a background in infrastructure and network. Today, he manages a team of DBAs around the globe.
Derik Hammer
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/sqlhammer
LinkedIn: Derik Hammer
Contact: http://www.sqlhammer.com
I am currently working as a Database Operations Team Lead with Subway World Headquarters. Server configuration, architecture, disaster recovery, high-availability, performance tuning, and maintenance automation form the bulk of my responsibilities. Almost all of my previous experience has resided firmly in the traditional / production DBA realm. I also spend as much time as I can spare attending SQL Server community functions. Currently chapter leader for FairfieldPASS.
Andy Galbraith
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/DBA_ANDY
LinkedIn: Andy Galbraith
Contact: http://nebraskasql.blogspot.com/
I’m a forty-something Microsoft SQL Server DBA of 18+ years, a devoted husband, and a father of three young boys (all aged eight and under!) I have been a DBA at a public university, at a major bank, at a healthcare system, and I now work as a consultant with customers across the United States. I write and speak primarily about the tips and tricks that I discover along my SQL Server journey.
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).
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.
Paresh Motiwala
Twitter: - pareshmotiwala
LinkedIn: Paresh Motiwala
Paresh Motiwala a Azure/Big Data enthusiast, Manager of Database Platform teams has led several large SQL implementations, migrations and upgrades. He has managed multi terabyte OLTP databases. He has also been a Sr. SQL DBA and a Solutions Architect in Fortune 100 companies. He helps/organizes and speaks at many SQLSaturdays, Azure Bootcamp, Azure Datafests and User Groups(Boston BI UG, NESQL, PASS PD VG and PASS DBA VG).
He is certified in Big Data Analytics, FinTech, PMP, Public Speaking, Business Communications. He is a avid singer, cook, open networker, and stand-up comedian. He teaches public speaking, debating, interviewing and group discussion skills and mentors children around the globe via www.circlesofgrowth.com
Rachael Martino
Twitter: - @RMartinoBoston
LinkedIn: Rachael Martino
Rachael has been both an IT Executive and a Consultant. Systems training, data based application development experience and leadership training have prepared her to build stable. maintainable and successful solutions.
Rachael has been in the industry working with SQL Server since SQL 2000. She started out her IT life as an application developer and lead a team of developers, creating data centric applications using SQL Server and Oracle. She has worked in the Business Intelligence field using SSAS, multi-dimensional and Tabular, SSRS, SSIS, and PowerBI. She has two Masters degrees from MIT, Systems Design and Management amp; Civil Engineering Information Technology. Her interests surround the Big Data and Data Science areas.
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
Jack Corbett
Twitter: - http://twitter.com/unclebiguns
LinkedIn: Jack Corbett
Contact: http://www.wisemanorwiseguy.com
JJack Corbett began working with SQL Server, Access, and VB in 1999, when he served an apprenticeship with a good friend who was the software development manager at the local paper mill. He found his niche and has concentrated on SQL Server development and administration since late 2000. He has worked with SQL Server through version 2017 and was a Microsoft Data Plaform MVP from October 2011 to October 2016.
Jack is passionate about helping companies architect, design, and develop high performance applications based on the Microsoft Data Platform. He also has a passion for seeing database developers get the core application code (the database) protected under source control.
Jack has presented at many user groups and SQLSaturday even
Leslie Weed
Twitter: - @weederbug
Leslie Weed is currently a Data and BI Architect with RevGen Partners in Denver, CO. She has been a SQL Professional specializing in Business Intelligence, data analytics, systems implementation, integration, and solutions delivery for the last 20ish years, including a variety of Enterprise Data Warehouses in various industries.
Steve Simon
Twitter: - SQLServerBoffin
LinkedIn: Steve Simon
Contact: http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/simon_says/
Steve Simon is a Database Solutions Architect with Business Knowledge Services Inc. He has been involved with database design and analysis for over 35 years. Steve has presented papers at numerous PASS Summits and PASS SQL Rallies. He is also regular presenter on the SQLSaturday circuit and he is a contributor on SQLShack.com
Casey Karst
Twitter: - @cakarst
LinkedIn: Casey Karst
Casey is a Program Manager at Microsoft working on delivering PolyBase for SQL Server 2016.
Geoff Hiten
Twitter: - SQLCraftsman
LinkedIn: Geoff Hiten
Geoff Hiten is a Technical Solutions Professional at Microsoft. Geoff began working with SQL Server in 1992 with version 4.2 and has used every version since. He specializes in highly available SQL systems, performance tuning, and systems migration. Geoff is heavily involved in the Microsoft SQL Server Community and was initially awarded MVP status in 2004. Geoff was appointed in 2011 to fill an interim Director position at the National PASS organization.
Joseph D’Antoni
Twitter: - jdanton
LinkedIn: Joseph D’Antoni
Contact: http://joeydantoni.com
Joseph D’Antoni is a Senior Consultant and Microsoft Data Platform MVP with over 20 years of experience working in both Fortune 500 and smaller firms. He is a Principal Consultant for Denny Cherry Associates and lives in Malvern, PA. He is a frequent speaker at major tech events like Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, and Enterprise Data World. He blogs about all topics technology at joeydantoni.com. He believes that no single platform is the answer to all technology problems. Joseph holds a BS in Computer Information Systems from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from North Carolina State University, and is the co-author of the Microsoft book “Introducing SQL Server 2016”.
Andrzej Pilacik
Twitter: - cypisek77
LinkedIn: Andrzej Pilacik
Database Manger / Solution Architect at BraceBridge Capital 15 years of experience in Database Platforms, SQL Server 7.0 - 2019, PostgreSQL, Redis, Oracle Microsoft Certified Professional - SQL Server Working with large data in Healthcare, Insurance, and Financial Sectors Architecting HA/DR solutions Developing frameworks around DEVOPS Working with DW, SSIS, SSRS
David Benoit
Twitter: - SQLTentmaker
LinkedIn: David Benoit
David Benoit (@SQLTentmaker) leads a team of data platform architects at a large financial tech company. He has developed teams that have transitioned from standard on-prem operations to engineering teams supporting scale out platforms in the cloud.
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.
Jes Schultz
Twitter: - http://twitter.com/grrl_geek
LinkedIn: Jes Schultz
Contact: https://blogs.lessthandot.com/author/jes-borland
Jes Schultz is a Software Engineer with Microsoft who has experience with a wide range of SQL Server features from version 2005 through 2019, and is on the cutting edge with Azure technologies. Since graduating Fox Valley Technical College with an IT-Programmer/Analyst degree, Jes has worked as an SSRS developer, DBA, and consultant. Before joining Microsoft, Jes was a six-time Data Platform MVP, recognized for her community work. Jes tackles every project and problem with tenacity and her enthusiasm is unmatched in the SQL Server community. In her free time, Jes never stops moving, and counts fitness, coffee, cooking, and travel as essentials in life.
George Walters
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/geo_walters
LinkedIn: George Walters
Contact: https://georgewalters.wordpress.com/
Currently a partner technical strategist, George has been solving customer needs and issues. He can translate customer pain into potential solutions.
A seasoned Microsoft SQL and Azure expert, with over 20 years of experience with Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase, Oracle, and other relational databases.
Specialties: Partner strategy, PreSales Engineering, Cloud Architecture, Enterprise Scalability, SQL Server performance, Business Intelligence, High Availability, Scale. I volunteer and present relevant topics at SQLSaturday and internal Microsoft events
Bryan Cafferky
LinkedIn: Bryan Cafferky
Contact: https://www.youtube.com/user/Bryancutube256123
Bryan Cafferky is a Big Data and AI consultant. Bryan was previously a Senior Data Science Training Content Developer for Microsoft Worldwide Learning. Prior to this he was a Microsoft Data and AI Enabler for healthcare customers. He is a Microsoft 2017 Data Platform MVP and a 2016 Cloud and Data Center Management MVP. Bryan is the author of Pro PowerShell for Database Developers by Apress, available on Amazon. He leads The RI Microsoft BI User Group, and The Greater Boston Area Data Science Group. He has been working with the SQL Server stack since 1997 and implemented projects in the banking, insurance, e-commerce, utility, and health care industries. He holds a bachelor of science in computer information systems and an MBA.
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.
Sponsors
The following is a list of sponsors that helped fund the event: