InstantForum.NET v2.9.0SQLServerCentralhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/notifications@sqlservercentral.comWed, 22 May 2013 06:51:00 GMT20http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxI have no doubts at all that most of them are worth it. the problem is just about how much it costs to commute and stay for a night even at a location away from home. I have run 5 sql saturdays and next year will be the 6th. As Steve said my satisfaction comes from bringing free training home to those who have a hard time with travel/commute in locations away from home. I'd love to do more per year but constrained by the sheer effort and also funding in some ways.(more effort than funding). But sql saturdays have really made a huge difference to training, quality training for free in most towns - a great advantage to many people.Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:01:02 GMTdma-669038http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Steve Jones - SSC Editor (9/26/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]dma-669038 (9/26/2012)[/b][hr]15 years ago it took two days to get from south of india to Nepal (by train). Our school did an excursion - Nepal tourism promotes visits by foreigners/school kids by offering many discounts, but my parents still could not afford it. Two days air travel is very much within limits to get that far even in today's world!! and do dress warm and take plenty of warm clothes since there is no indoor heat and very cold.Am not sure how people travel to sql saturdays all over. It is very expensive. We have a group of us from my user group who car pool and go to events close to us - that is as far as we can afford. [/quote]Thanks for the note. If I get to go, I'll be covered all over.Most people don't go to SQL Saturdays, even one. That's why we started the event, because the vast, vast majority of people we'd met at user groups, in town, etc. never get to attend an event. Even today, most people can't get to an event even in their own city because of timing. It's why I'd like to get multiple events in a small area in a year.People that attend an event usually only go to one in their city. A few travel 50-60 mi to a city near them.The only people that usually go out of town are those that are speaking, and this is an investment in their career. However most of them only go to 1-2 a year and it's because they have friends/family, or it's a vacation in the area.Those of us that go to multiple ones usually have a company paying for us to speak there.[/quote]I have been to 5 SQL Saturdays, all more than 125 miles from home. Every one was absolutely worth it. I run a user group and we are considering doing one next year.Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:49:43 GMTDaniel Bowlinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxGiveaways should be small, and I think you'll find a few people make noise about them and most don't care. The idea is to train people, and most appreciate that.Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:48:35 GMTSteve Jones - SSC Editorhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxIn theory yes you are 100% right. If we charge for lunch really there shouldn't be any overhead running an event. But expectations have been hiked esp around swag/giveaways/before/after parties and so on with other mega events that get too much funding. Most of our feedback has to do with lack of things like that. We try to ignore it for the most part but sometimes it does get to us, and i'd like to treat my speakers well - give them something in return for their trouble. That costs $ too. Yes i couldn't agree more on having more small town events. I'd personally feel more motivated on that count if we have more people supporting us (like you do:))Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:50:56 GMTdma-669038http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxI think you might be surprised how cheap an event can be. I've seen 200 person events run for about $2k. I've seen 200 person events run for $8k. I prefer the former model and getting 2-3 events a year.Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:34:53 GMTSteve Jones - SSC Editorhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx"Multiple events in a small area in a year" Wow, Steve that would be a dream !! Small events are already in a struggle for funding for sql saturdays, and what with Microsoft UGSS changing their funding strategy too, it has only gotten harder, not easier. I'd be thrilled if our local sql saturday keeps going the way it is, without a fund struggle. One per year.Wed, 26 Sep 2012 09:40:43 GMTdma-669038http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]dma-669038 (9/26/2012)[/b][hr]15 years ago it took two days to get from south of india to Nepal (by train). Our school did an excursion - Nepal tourism promotes visits by foreigners/school kids by offering many discounts, but my parents still could not afford it. Two days air travel is very much within limits to get that far even in today's world!! and do dress warm and take plenty of warm clothes since there is no indoor heat and very cold.Am not sure how people travel to sql saturdays all over. It is very expensive. We have a group of us from my user group who car pool and go to events close to us - that is as far as we can afford. [/quote]Thanks for the note. If I get to go, I'll be covered all over.Most people don't go to SQL Saturdays, even one. That's why we started the event, because the vast, vast majority of people we'd met at user groups, in town, etc. never get to attend an event. Even today, most people can't get to an event even in their own city because of timing. It's why I'd like to get multiple events in a small area in a year.People that attend an event usually only go to one in their city. A few travel 50-60 mi to a city near them.The only people that usually go out of town are those that are speaking, and this is an investment in their career. However most of them only go to 1-2 a year and it's because they have friends/family, or it's a vacation in the area.Those of us that go to multiple ones usually have a company paying for us to speak there.Wed, 26 Sep 2012 09:26:32 GMTSteve Jones - SSC Editorhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Brandie Tarvin (9/26/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Steve Jones - SSC Editor (9/25/2012)[/b][hr]Nepal in Dec. I'd like to go to that one, not sure it's doable, mostly because of time. Takes 2 days to get there.[/quote]SET @GrannyVoice = ON;Back when I was a youngster, it took 2 days to get from my farmhouse in Omaha, NE to Lincoln, NE. Before we had those newfangled inventions called flying wings. Two days to get from the U.S. to Nepal?You youngsters are so lazy these days...[/quote]Time is the most valuable thing I have. Two days in a plane (30+ hours) I can endure, and get some work done, but then I have a day at the event, want to spend at least another day or two there, and two days to get back. That's a lot of gone time from the family and rest of my life. If my boss will pay, I think I'll go, but it will be a long, tough trip.Wed, 26 Sep 2012 09:22:02 GMTSteve Jones - SSC Editorhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx15 years ago it took two days to get from south of india to Nepal (by train). Our school did an excursion - Nepal tourism promotes visits by foreigners/school kids by offering many discounts, but my parents still could not afford it. Two days air travel is very much within limits to get that far even in today's world!! and do dress warm and take plenty of warm clothes since there is no indoor heat and very cold.Am not sure how people travel to sql saturdays all over. It is very expensive. We have a group of us from my user group who car pool and go to events close to us - that is as far as we can afford. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 07:40:20 GMTdma-669038http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Steve Jones - SSC Editor (9/25/2012)[/b][hr]Nepal in Dec. I'd like to go to that one, not sure it's doable, mostly because of time. Takes 2 days to get there.[/quote]SET @GrannyVoice = ON;Back when I was a youngster, it took 2 days to get from my farmhouse in Omaha, NE to Lincoln, NE. Before we had those newfangled inventions called flying wings. Two days to get from the U.S. to Nepal?You youngsters are so lazy these days...Wed, 26 Sep 2012 06:06:07 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxNepal in Dec. I'd like to go to that one, not sure it's doable, mostly because of time. Takes 2 days to get there.Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:25:51 GMTSteve Jones - SSC Editorhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Brandie Tarvin (9/25/2012)[/b][hr]OMG. Russia and the Ukraine are having SQL Saturdays?I WANT TO GO. Anyone want to pay for my travel? @=)[/quote]Yeah, I wish I wasn't already traveling so much in November. I'd love to get shipped over there. I want to go see Lenin!Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:38:18 GMTGrant Fritcheyhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxOMG. Russia and the Ukraine are having SQL Saturdays?I WANT TO GO. Anyone want to pay for my travel? @=)Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:19:47 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx#169 in Denver was great this past weekend. I might be done with SQL Sat for 2012. DC is tempting and I'll try to decide soon, but timing doesn't work for any of the other events.Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:15:30 GMTSteve Jones - SSC Editorhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Luis Cazares (9/21/2012)[/b][hr]Anyone is going to SQL Saturday 151 in Orlando?I would like to meet some of the people from SSC.[/quote]I usually do, but this year it hits at the same time as the Baltimore Book Festival, which I'm already committed to speaker-wise. @=(Mon, 24 Sep 2012 04:53:26 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Luis Cazares (9/21/2012)[/b][hr]Anyone is going to SQL Saturday 151 in Orlando?I would like to meet some of the people from SSC.[/quote]i was just at 154 in St. Louis last weekend. im thinking about nashville in October as its not to far away (i can drive.) had lots of fun and cant wait till the next one. of course ill have to see about the fundages for October.Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:56:35 GMTCapnHectorhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxAnyone is going to SQL Saturday 151 in Orlando?I would like to meet some of the people from SSC.Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:51:17 GMTLuis Cazareshttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/8/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Ray K (8/8/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/7/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Jeff Moden (8/7/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/6/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Ray K (8/3/2012)[/b][hr]I figured I'd start a thread (I don't think anyone's done so) for all things [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/]SQL Saturday[/url]!I'm heading down to NYC tomorrow for [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/158/eventhome.aspx]SQL Saturday #158[/url]Who's going to be there (that is, besides Dan, whom, I assume, I'll see on the train tomorrow morning)? Anyone want to hook up?[/quote]Will you be able to make Rhode Island in September?[/quote]Looking forward to seeing you there.[/quote]Ditto - Working out travel details currently.[/quote]Man, now you guys have me thinking about it! Let me look into it a little, and see if I'm able to swing the trip.[/quote]FWIW - Grant Fritchey will be there too. He alone is worth the price of admission (ok travel plus lunch costs).Also from the thread you might recognize the likes of Jack Corbett and Wayne Sheffield.[/quote]Yep, I've hooked up with Grant before at at least one of the previous NYC SQL Saturdays!I'd probably need to figure out lodging myself (I'd really prefer not to drive from Albany, NY at 5 AM!). Worst case, I suppose I could crash at one of my wife's aunts/uncles/cousins' places -- they live around the Boston area.Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:21:21 GMTRay Khttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Ray K (8/8/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/7/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Jeff Moden (8/7/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/6/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Ray K (8/3/2012)[/b][hr]I figured I'd start a thread (I don't think anyone's done so) for all things [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/]SQL Saturday[/url]!I'm heading down to NYC tomorrow for [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/158/eventhome.aspx]SQL Saturday #158[/url]Who's going to be there (that is, besides Dan, whom, I assume, I'll see on the train tomorrow morning)? Anyone want to hook up?[/quote]Will you be able to make Rhode Island in September?[/quote]Looking forward to seeing you there.[/quote]Ditto - Working out travel details currently.[/quote]Man, now you guys have me thinking about it! Let me look into it a little, and see if I'm able to swing the trip.[/quote]FWIW - Grant Fritchey will be there too. He alone is worth the price of admission (ok travel plus lunch costs).Also from the thread you might recognize the likes of Jack Corbett and Wayne Sheffield.Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:11:56 GMTSQLRNNRhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Lynn Pettis (8/8/2012)[/b][hr]I'm thinking about trying to get to the SQL Saturday in SLC in October. Hoping I will be able to swing it, but will probably need to find a roommate. I don't think I could pay for 2 nights at a hotel myself.[/quote]There might be a few of us around SLC that might be able to help.Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:09:55 GMTSQLRNNRhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxI'm thinking about trying to get to the SQL Saturday in SLC in October. Hoping I will be able to swing it, but will probably need to find a roommate. I don't think I could pay for 2 nights at a hotel myself.Wed, 08 Aug 2012 08:32:54 GMTLynn Pettishttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/7/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Jeff Moden (8/7/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/6/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Ray K (8/3/2012)[/b][hr]I figured I'd start a thread (I don't think anyone's done so) for all things [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/]SQL Saturday[/url]!I'm heading down to NYC tomorrow for [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/158/eventhome.aspx]SQL Saturday #158[/url]Who's going to be there (that is, besides Dan, whom, I assume, I'll see on the train tomorrow morning)? Anyone want to hook up?[/quote]Will you be able to make Rhode Island in September?[/quote]Looking forward to seeing you there.[/quote]Ditto - Working out travel details currently.[/quote]Man, now you guys have me thinking about it! Let me look into it a little, and see if I'm able to swing the trip.Wed, 08 Aug 2012 07:14:08 GMTRay Khttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Jeff Moden (8/7/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/6/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Ray K (8/3/2012)[/b][hr]I figured I'd start a thread (I don't think anyone's done so) for all things [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/]SQL Saturday[/url]!I'm heading down to NYC tomorrow for [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/158/eventhome.aspx]SQL Saturday #158[/url]Who's going to be there (that is, besides Dan, whom, I assume, I'll see on the train tomorrow morning)? Anyone want to hook up?[/quote]Will you be able to make Rhode Island in September?[/quote]Looking forward to seeing you there.[/quote]Ditto - Working out travel details currently.Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:18:45 GMTSQLRNNRhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/6/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Ray K (8/3/2012)[/b][hr]I figured I'd start a thread (I don't think anyone's done so) for all things [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/]SQL Saturday[/url]!I'm heading down to NYC tomorrow for [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/158/eventhome.aspx]SQL Saturday #158[/url]Who's going to be there (that is, besides Dan, whom, I assume, I'll see on the train tomorrow morning)? Anyone want to hook up?[/quote]Will you be able to make Rhode Island in September?[/quote]Looking forward to seeing you there.Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:15:50 GMTJeff Modenhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]SQLRNNR (8/6/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Ray K (8/3/2012)[/b][hr]I figured I'd start a thread (I don't think anyone's done so) for all things [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/]SQL Saturday[/url]!I'm heading down to NYC tomorrow for [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/158/eventhome.aspx]SQL Saturday #158[/url]Who's going to be there (that is, besides Dan, whom, I assume, I'll see on the train tomorrow morning)? Anyone want to hook up?[/quote]Will you be able to make Rhode Island in September?[/quote]Maybe. Let me see how my schedule looks. (And let me consult with my wife -- she handles my checkbook, after all! ;-))Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:06:27 GMTRay Khttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Ray K (8/3/2012)[/b][hr]I figured I'd start a thread (I don't think anyone's done so) for all things [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/]SQL Saturday[/url]!I'm heading down to NYC tomorrow for [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/158/eventhome.aspx]SQL Saturday #158[/url]Who's going to be there (that is, besides Dan, whom, I assume, I'll see on the train tomorrow morning)? Anyone want to hook up?[/quote]Will you be able to make Rhode Island in September?Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:41:30 GMTSQLRNNRhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxI'm maxed out for the rest of the year. I'll be in Oklahoma City in a couple of weeks and Rhode Island in September, but after that, it's all SQL In The City, Connections, PASS Summit and a new one in December, SQL Server Live. Next year, I should be back to a bunch of SQL Saturday events.Sat, 04 Aug 2012 06:19:00 GMTGrant Fritcheyhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Lynn Pettis (8/3/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Brandie Tarvin (8/3/2012)[/b][hr]I don't currently have money for SQL Saturday travels, so likely will stick with local ones until the financial situation improves.Anyone have a million dollar winning lottery ticket I could "borrow?"[/quote]If you find one, please share the wealth, I could some extra cash too.[/quote]Me too. I feel the pain, believe me.For me, NYC is the closest thing I have to a "local" one.It helps that I was able to scrounge up great deals on Amtrak!Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:23:34 GMTRay Khttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspx[quote][b]Brandie Tarvin (8/3/2012)[/b][hr]I don't currently have money for SQL Saturday travels, so likely will stick with local ones until the financial situation improves.Anyone have a million dollar winning lottery ticket I could "borrow?"[/quote]If you find one, please share the wealth, I could some extra cash too.Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:01:33 GMTLynn Pettishttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxI don't currently have money for SQL Saturday travels, so likely will stick with local ones until the financial situation improves.Anyone have a million dollar winning lottery ticket I could "borrow?"Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:00:18 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxNot me, though I'd like to. Camping with the family, so I'll be gone Mon/Tue as well (everyone behave).My 2012 SQL Saturday schedule moving forward is likely:Sept 22 - DenverOct 20 - Salt Lake City (tentative)Dec 8 - DC (tentative)Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:03:16 GMTSteve Jones - SSC Editorhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1339773-61-1.aspxI figured I'd start a thread (I don't think anyone's done so) for all things [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/]SQL Saturday[/url]!I'm heading down to NYC tomorrow for [url=http://www.sqlsaturday.com/158/eventhome.aspx]SQL Saturday #158[/url]Who's going to be there (that is, besides Dan, whom, I assume, I'll see on the train tomorrow morning)? Anyone want to hook up?Fri, 03 Aug 2012 06:28:43 GMTRay K