It’s somewhat similar but actually our first SQL Zaterdag is inspired mostly by SQLBits, if only ours could one day become half as successful as the event from our friends in the UK.

For now, I’m happy. This Saturday we are expecting around 200 people which is the maximum the venue will hold. I’ve done a survey and it looks like most people will show up (no-shows are the biggest problem of free events, we do have to pay the caterer…).

And according to the survey the track preference is around 65% – 35% for respectively the BI Track and the Engine Track.

Looking good so far, lot’s of things to do still.

Wish us luck…..

My colleagues keep asking me if I had a nice holiday.
I’m getting tired of explaining that it’s serious business and therefore decided to post some pictures of a bunch of us engaged in the best SQL Server training event around….

I’ve submitted my session for SQLBits IV.

This time I’m bringing a guest. Henk van der Valk runs the Unisys test centre and we all wish we had his test box at home. Probably until we get the first electricity bill

The picture is from the European PASS Conference in Dusseldorf 2009, Henk van der Valk presenting together with Thomas Kejser from the SQLCAT team. Look at the task manager on the screen….

It’s a 96 core box with 1/2 Terabyte of memory (!)
During the demo in this picture it was attached to a DSI RAMSAN which can do around 600.000 IOPS….

This will be my 4th SQLBits and I’m looking forward to it again, it’s a great conference. This year they have even expanded the concept and besides  a free Community Day on the Saturday, there is also a Training Day on Thursday and a not-free-but-also-not-expensive conference day on the Friday.

Check it out at www.sqlbits.com