Episode 202
| July 22, 2020
| 51 minutes
Virtual Conferences
As COVID-19 prevents us from gathering in the same place and has us moving to virtual platforms, I was curious to see how other events would handle what I feel is the most critical piece–interaction. Technical content is important, but Google can’t be your only friend and sometimes you just want to talk through a problem with someone. The first events I attended simply slapped some technology on remote presenting and called it a conference. While I can see a value to ‘real time’ training, you couldn’t ask questions–you didn’t know who else was in attendance. How do organizers continue to put on compelling events?
This had a major impact on my thoughts around SQL Trail–SQL Data Partners’ in person event. I had thought to cancel the event; however, after talking with Matt Gordon, he has given me reasons to reconsider and we are looking forward to having an event in October. Matt put on an event in April and I was interested to get his take on how things went and how he accomplished his goals for the event. I have also participated in several online events and in the episode we discuss the pros and cons of virtual events and we give our take on how to make them better.
A virtual event, if you have it and nobody shows up, you’re out a few bucks because you bought the domain and whatever. Where an in-person event, if you go to all that trouble and 5 people show up, it’s a big screw up.
Meet the Hosts
Carlos Chacon
With more than 10 years of working with SQL Server, Carlos helps businesses ensure their SQL Server environments meet their users’ expectations. He can provide insights on performance, migrations, and disaster recovery. He is also active in the SQL Server community and regularly speaks at user group meetings and conferences. He helps support the free database monitoring tool found at databasehealth.com and provides training through SQL Trail events.
Eugene Meidinger
Eugene works as an independent BI consultant and Pluralsight author, specializing in Power BI and the Azure Data Platform. He has been working with data for over 8 years and speaks regularly at user groups and conferences. He also helps run the GroupBy online conference.
Kevin Feasel
Kevin is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and proprietor of Catallaxy Services, LLC, where he specializes in T-SQL development, machine learning, and pulling rabbits out of hats on demand. He is the lead contributor to Curated SQL, president of the Triangle Area SQL Server Users Group, and author of the books PolyBase Revealed (Apress, 2020) and Finding Ghosts in Your Data: Anomaly Detection Techniques with Examples in Python (Apress, 2022). A resident of Durham, North Carolina, he can be found cycling the trails along the triangle whenever the weather's nice enough.
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