We're the #sqlfamily on Twitter, and often in person where we often get together for a #sqlrun in the morning and a bit of #sqlkaraoke at night. In some sense, we are a tribe within the larger technology community, focused on our common work with SQL Server. I thought the title for  was fantastic, bringing together new authors to share their knowledge, and raise money for a charity.

At SQLServerCentral and Simple Talk, with the sponsorship of Red Gate Software, we decided to create some end of year awards in various categories, based on the community, not companies or products. We kick off our nominations today in a number of categories, including Advice that saved my bacon in 2013, Best Speaker, Best Outfit, and more. You can read more about the categories in today's announcement.

The idea is that the community can recognize others in the community with a nomination, and some supporting material that encourages others to nominate the same individual, and vote for the winner. The top five with the most nominations will get voted on over the holidays with awards presented in January.

I hope you have fun with this, and think back to those people and events that stand out in your mind in 2013.  Nominate them, give a few reasons, and celebrate the help that each of us gives each other as a part of the SQL Server tribe.

PS: we had a great #sqlski last year for SQL Saturday in Albuquerque and we're doing it again this year. Feel free to join us at Taos on Friday, January 24th, right before SQL Saturday #271 in Albuquerque on Jan 25, 2014.