In case you missed it, in a few weeks, SQL Bits is happening. This year it’s quite close to London in the town of Farnborough. This place keeps sticking in my head as Farnham leading to the song ‘you’re the voice’. But let’s not digress.
If you’ve never been to SQL Bits, let me give you three reasons to go there. Or watch this YouTube video.
First up, it is the largest conference on data you’ll find in Europe. There are 12 parallel tracks this year for the ‘regular’ conference days and one training day with 14 options to choose from. In total you can find over 300 sessions. In all these sessions you can find top notch knowledge, advice and things to take home. It’s like a Data Saturday but in XXXXXL size. This also means there’s a LOT to take in.
Second, the track that isn’t mentioned is the hallway one. The place where you can meet, connect and interact with people in data. You can find likeminded people who are working with the same tools or start a friendly challenge between rivalling technologies. If you want to be left alone, there are always places to retreat. Part of this hallway track is the central expo where all the sponsors are ready to showcase their cool tools and products. It’s always fun to walk up to them and have a chat. Microsoft usually has a large booth with product managers and specialists ready to answer your questions but also willing to take in feedback you have on their products. Last year they had Bob Ward signing his SQL Server 2022 Revealed book which they gave out for free.
Thirdly, the volunteers. Lovingly called the ‘Orange Army’, the volunteers are like the bloodcells in your veins making sure you’re at the correct place, you get an answer to your question or help out where needed. An excellent group of people working as a team throughout the conference making sure everything runs as planned. And if not, trying to fix it as soon as possible.
As part of this, there’s a group called the Bits Buddies who are there to help you connect with other people and are there for you as an very friendly face when you need it.
When you travel to Bits, the best advice is to create a general agenda for yourself. Which sessions do you want to watch live. In most cases, sessions are recorded and made available after the event for you to rewatch or watch if you didn’t make it in the room. No matter the choices you make, there will always be the remarks ‘you should have been in this session, it was so good!’. Also, try not to focus on your own speciality but take a peek at what other tech is doing as well. In my daily work it’s usually Azure with the Microsoft tools, but there’s no harm in checking out what Databricks are doing for instance.
Bits can be overwhelming. There are the sessions during the day and almost every evening there’s an activity as well. Do not, ever, feel pressure to join in all of these. Some people thrive on jumping around all the time and doing it all. Others have a limit on stimuli. I know I have and the famous SQL Bits party is the one that hits the hardest for me. All I want to say to you is to take of yourself. And remember that the Bits Buddies are there for you.
No matter how tired I am after visiting Bits, it’s always worth it. Meeting old friends, making new ones and learning new techy things.
To close this one off, I’d like to say thank you to the organisers who, year after year, manage to keep Bits refreshing. Every year is different, both in location and theme. It takes an incredible amount of work. If you see any of them during the conference, just say thank you to them.
One last thing
The organisers have given me a discount code to share with you. Use code Reitse10 when you book your ticket at https://sqlbits.com/attend/.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in Farnborough!
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