Data Events in Australia and New Zealand in early 2020

Over the course of the next few weeks there are some significant events taking place that reflect technologies on the Microsoft data platform and beyond.

Thursday 13th and 14th February will see Microsoft Ignite – The Tour Sydney

Saturday 15th February 2020 will see two events – focusing on Microsoft Business Applications

Power Platform Saturday Sydney

Power Platform Saturday Melbourne.

Both Power Platform events are entirely free.

Monday 17th February 202o sees the start of the Difinty conference in Auckland, New Zealand.

There’s quite a few high profile speakers that have traveled quite some distance to speak at this event – these are both members of the Microsoft Product teams and MVP’s

The Monday(17th February 2020) and Thursday(20th February 2020) are both dedicated to several workshops with the Tuesday and Wednesday being the main conference sessions

The conference is hosted by Reza Rad and Leila Etaati of Radacad – who are hosting the conference in #Auckland for the forth time.

Saturday 22nd February 2020 will see SQL Saturday Wellington taking place. This is a 100% free event and will see a lot of the speakers from the Difinity Conference traveling to give their time to benefit the community.

The day before (Friday 21st February 2020) will see SQL Saturday Wellington pre-conference events – and while these are paid training days they are substantially discounted and offer amazing value.

Later in the year will see SQL Saturday Brisbane taking place on Saturday 30th May 2020. This year they have an amazing venue that is right in the middle of the city and really convenient for public transport.

There’s a call-for-speakers currently open for the Brisbane event as well and some great sponsors lined up. You’ll need to get a PASS membership in order to submit – but that’s free and as an added bonus will give you access to some great educational content.

Later in the year we should see additional SQL Saturdays at

  • Auckland
  • Christchurch
  • Melbourne
  • Sydney
  • Perth

Keep your eye on the SQL Saturday website for these dates and if you are so inclined then submit a session in the call for speakers.

I’m looking forward to meeting many old friends at these events and hopefully making a few new ones too.

Have a great day.

Cheers

Martin.

Moving to a Modern Microsoft Platform

Melbourne Event – Monday 17th June 2019 (Free – including lunch and prizes)

PASS, in conjunction with Microsoft, Intel and community leaders are offering free training on Moving to a Modern Microsoft Platform

In case you’ve never heard of PASS, they are a not profit organisation run by, and for, a diverse data community.

PASS (formerly known as The Professional Association of SQL Server) focuses on supporting data professionals throughout the world who use the Microsoft Data Platform.

You can read more about PASS on their site

Microsoft SQL Server has been around for some 25+ years and there is a major release coming up later this year – SQL Server 2019.

Another thing that is happening this year – in fact very soon – is that Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (which includes SQL Server 2008R2) is moving out of extended supported.

So, if you are using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 / 2008R2 you’ll need to prepare for SQL Server 2008 End of support

It’s 10 years since that version was released and it was one of the most popular with a lot of organisations still relying on keeping one of their prized business assets on the 2008 platform.

To ensure that organisations stay current and to help them with some of the options that are available, PASS, Microsoft and Intel have teamed up to bring users around the globe a free in-person event in many cities to provide advice, and support to ensure that they fully aware of all options to keep their users data safe, secure and highly available in an ever changing data-driven world.

The events throughout the world are listed here.

And if you would like to register for the Melbourne event – that will run in the CBD on Monday 17th June 2019 at

Telstra Customer Insights Centre
Level 1, 242 Exhibition Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Australia

then please head to the EventBrite page and Register for FREE – we’d love to see you there, learn about your pain points, priorities and talk through your next steps on your data-driven journey to keep your clients data safe, secure and highly available to provide the insight that a modern business needs.

They’ll be information sessions, hands-on-labs (if that’s your thing), expert instruction and of course prizes.

There’s no charge and lunch will be provided.

We look forward to meeting you!