Tag: A Speaker’s Journey

SQL Saturday Orlando 2024 was rescheduled after a hurricane, but the trip still delivered: two presentations, tons of great questions, and the kind of hallway-track conversations that remind you why the community is worth the travel. From speaker-dinner tips to learning something new about Copilot in Power BI, this is my weekend recap.

SQL Saturday Minnesota 2024 recap: travel, speaker dinner, and great Power BI sessions—then my “No Model Glue Required” talk, a Juicy Lucy tour, and a Minneapolis Sunday with classic local sights.

SQL Saturday San Diego 2024 recap: a quick travel diary plus the best parts of speaking, learning, and the hallway track—great Power BI conversations, community energy, and a few classic San Diego moments between sessions.

Data Saturday Dallas 2024 recap: travel notes, great sessions, and plenty of hallway-track conversations—plus my speaker experience and the community moments that made the weekend in Dallas worth the trip.

Data Saturday Columbus 2024 was a great mix of speaking, learning, and the best part of any event: the hallway track. From solid sessions to conversations with attendees and fellow speakers, this recap highlights the community moments that made the trip worthwhile—plus a few travel notes, what I presented, and what I’m taking back to future events.

After presenting virtually to Austin, I was asked—unexpectedly—to step in for the Nashville Modern Excel & Power BI User Group. With little prep time, I reused my Austin session and its BBQ-smoker navigation, swapping in Nashville joints like Peg Leg Porker. I was nervous, but the welcoming organizers made it easy, and the extra virtual practice was worth it today.

Preferring in-person talks, I experimented with a virtual setup—switching cameras and upgrading to a Logitech Brio after SQLBits advice. I reached out to Austin’s Power BI and Fabric User Group and presented “Power Up Your Fabric Development with DAX Studio and Tabular Editor,” using a BBQ-smoker navigation motif. The evening lacked coffee, but virtual speaking opened communities 800 miles away.

SQL Saturday Albany 2024 brought travel delays, downtime, and a reminder to use those moments to write. Between speaker dinner reunions, lightning talks on blogging lessons, and a session on powering Fabric development with DAX Studio and Tabular Editor, the community made it worthwhile. The weekend ended with Lake George, Dinosaur BBQ, and gratitude for friends met along the way.

At SQL Saturday Baton Rouge at LSU, we leaned into the conference rhythm: speaker dinner (boudin balls included), sessions and a Patrick LeBlanc keynote, plus hallway conversations that matter as much as slides. I presented “Power BI and External Tools: This is the Way,” highlighting DAX Studio and Tabular Editor. Sunday Fun Day featured Tabasco, Mike the Tiger, and beignets.