Forgive me whilst I indulge in some nostalgia first. Whilst at SQL Bits 2016, I finally made the decision to start a SQL user group in Glasgow. If I remember correctly Craig Porteous attend the infamous SQL Bits party and met a gentleman dressed as a Wookie (William Durkin). Now Glasgow has a growing SQL server user group (thanks to a dedicated hard working team). Not only that we just had our second SQL conference! (Yes SQL Bits has lot to answer for ;->)
SQLGLA was a fantastic event it has left me with some wonderful feelings. This blog post is part thank you to those involved, also just to express some of my feelings / experiences of the event.
unsplash-logo rawpixel
Organizing Team
Craig Porteous, Louise Paterson and I are the people who organised this year's event. I felt we were a team (this is a theme, by the way). Each of us contributed to the success of the event, in a different way. The success of the event was not down a single person in my opinion. It was about us all coming together to make it a success. Craig did put a lot of work into making the event what it was. unsplash-logo William White
Volunteers
There are few words to express my gratitude about our team of volunteers. As an organizing team, we have all volunteered before so we knew what is expected of volunteers. There was a lovely mix of those who have done it before and few who have never done any volunteering. What a team though, they all worked really hard. Speaking personally, I am so proud of them, they made this event for me. Not once did I have to worry about if something was done or not being done. They just made it happen. Whilst I have said this before I cannot thank them enough for being such an amazing team, they exceeded all my expectations.
Speakers
Last year thanks to William Durkin we had such an amazing lineup, and yet this year lineup was even better! A few days before the event I was looking through the list. It would be a fair comment to say I was blown away by the quality of those who choose to speak at our event. The feedback that I have heard so far the attendees also agree 🙂 Looking the depth of experience and knowledge that was shared, was to me awe inspiring. Whats even better is they all came to Scotland to share their knowledge and expertise with us.
SQL Family
It’s a phrase that I've seen often on social media, these are not just words it's something that can be seen and experienced in real life. To experience it is very humbling and gratifying. A few weeks before the event I was contacted by Chris Taylor (@SQLGeordie) one of the speakers. The speakers had decided they wanted to get something for Craig & Karen Porteous who are expecting their second child. It was my privilege and honor to present the gift on their behalf. Hopefully, Craig will forgive me one day for gate-crashing the closing presentation to present the gift? As Craig knew nothing about this gift.
T-shirts
To make the event something that little different we wanted to find a design for the t-shirts that was rather special. Having worked with Emily Chappell over the years on various projects, her quirky designs and sense of style really works for me. So I suggested we should ask Emily for a design for the t-shirts. The first design was not what we wanted. So next we all got together in a coffee shop at lunchtime. We had a chat did some brainstorming, Emily then sent back a design which we all loved (see picture below). Personally, I’ve never been to a technical conference where they sold the t-shirts :-)
Next?
First there are few housekeeping duties to take care, which we are just finishing off just now. Followed by some discussions to see what will be the next step 🙂 All I can safely say is keep looking there will be some exciting news soon....
Following one my most epic failures which l shared with someone, who understood. He gave me a card with this quote “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt It’s not easy to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep going. That’s what makes some people that little bit different....
Continuing Professional Development Having worked with a number architects (they that design building) companies l have been made aware of the concept of Continuing Professional Development. In that any qualified architect is expected to learn and refine their skills for as long as they are a practising architect. Sponsors Another big part of the conference is the sponsors, they have stands set up in the main part of the conference. Yes they are their to sell their products, on the other hand they are very generous and have many have prizes to give away. Entering the competitions to win prizes can be as simple as giving your email address, others you might have to work for. Such playing a racing car or sail boat simulator, these are geeks what do you expect ! Some of the sponsors have technical evangelists who are there to speak all of whom in my opinion are worth going to just for their sessions alone. Next how often do you get to meet with representatives from Microsoft and ask them questions face to face.? Fun and Games There's even more fun to be had. So far l have only attended two SQL Bit conferences. The evening parties are well something to be experienced, the best way to put it is that these are dreamed up by geeks and attended by geeks. Both of these groups of people know how to have a good time. Also if you visit the sponsors you might just come away with tokens, for free drink, at the parties. Need l say more? The last question that occurs to me is why do l go? Personally and ultimately l want to be the best possible person doing my job. To provide my customers with the best possible service l can offer. To achieve that will take time, energy, and sacrifices. Part of that will be paying my way these conferences till l can convince my manager to pay for at least part of them. Until then l will go to learn and develop, then one day return and speak myself to starting paying back my technical debt.