Five minute lig

1. Can you host a SQL Saturday?
Lightning Talk
John Sterrett
Senior DBA
Remote DBA Experts
October 11-14, Seattle, WA

2. About Me….
I am a Remote DBA Expert
• Responsible 100+ Instances of SQL Server
• Senior DBA on Integration Team
Mid-Atlantic Region Mentor
Founder of WVPASS (SQL UG)
Host of SQL Saturday #36 and #80
I reside in Wheeling, WV (Pittsburgh, PA)
Session Code | Session Title 2

3. My SQL Saturday Story..
• Been to code camps but never attended
SQL Saturday
• Wanted to put West Virginia on the SQL
Server Map.
• Wanted to test the waters to see if we
could build a user group.
Session Code | Session Title 3

4. Tips from previous SQL Saturday’s
• Find a very cheap facility for your event.
• Form a team of at least two people to
organize the event.
• Team up with other organizations
• Provide nametags
• Don’t be a presenter if you are hosting an
event.
• Make sure you attend a session.
Session Code | Session Title 4

5. If you build it they will come..
• Target cities within three hour driving
distance.
• Focus marketing on SQL User Groups, .NET
User Groups, AITP and other IT groups.
• Target local companies IT staffs.
• Blog, tweet and hit the message boards
• Try to provide a unique experience for
people traveling to your event.
Session Code | Session Title 5

6. How do I build my budget?
Budget = Money Raised – Money Spent
Use Microsoft UGSS to help fund your event.
Include local headhunters, training companies
and economic development groups in
potential sponsors list.
Session Code | Session Title 6

7. Where can you go for help?
PASS Headquarters
Regional Mentors
Sponsors
Microsoft Evangelists and UGSS
People who organized a SQL Saturday
#SQLHELP
SQLSaturday wiki
SQL Saturday LinkedIn Groups
Session Code | Session Title 7

8. Finally….
A quote from Aaron Nelson @SQLVarient
“ If a SQL Saturday can happen in
Wheeling, WV it can happen anywhere.”
Session Code | Session Title 8

9. Complete the Evaluation Form
to Win!
Win a Dell Mini Netbook – every day – just for
submitting your completed form. Each session
evaluation form represents a chance to win.
Pick up your evaluation form:
• In each presentation room Sponsored by Dell
• Online on the PASS Summit website
Drop off your completed form:
• Near the exit of each presentation room
• At the Registration desk
• Online on the PASS Summit website
Session Code | Session Title 12

10. Thank you
for attending this session and the
2011 PASS Summit in Seattle
October 11-14, Seattle, WA

11. Microsoft SQL Microsoft Ask The Experts Hands-on Labs
Server Clinic Product Pavilion @ Dev Pods
Work through your Talk with Microsoft SQL Meet Microsoft SQL Get experienced through
technical issues with SQL Server & BI experts to Server Engineering self-paced & instructor-
Server CSS & get learn about the next team members & led labs on our cloud
architectural guidance version of SQL Server SQL MVPs based lab platform -
from SQLCAT and check out the new bring your laptop or use
Database Consolidation HP provided hardware
Appliance
Room 611 Expo Hall 6th Floor Lobby Room 618-620
Session Code | Session Title 14