This is my last year as the president of PASS. I’ve been on the board of directors since the inception of PASS in 1999. During that time, I served for 2 years as VP of Marketing, 2 years as EVP of Finance, and 4 years now as the President. I’ve seen PASS grow from a very small association in start-up mode to a stable and growing international association with tens of thousands of members worldwide. It’s been one of the most satisfying activities of my career, yet I’m happy to reach the zenith of my service with PASS.
This year Quest once again took the place of SQL Server vendor to beat. Our booth was the most happenin’, most fun, and drew the biggest crowds. Our big promo was inviting everybody to play Guitar Hero on a brand new XBox 360. The winner got the XBox and the Guitar Hero game and goodies. I was on hand to rock out for the game and shake hands with the big winners. At top left is me and the winner, while on the left hand side is me with first and second place winners.
On top of that Quest also sponsored a luncheon roundtable with some of the brightest minds in the SQL Server/Virtualization domain – MVP John Paul Cook, MVP Ron Talmage, Microsoftee Matt Hollingsworth, Questee Scott Herold, EMC’er Darren Bieniek, and SQM’er Allan Hirt. We only had an hour to get into the discussion, but we obviously touched a nerve with the topic because we could’ve used two more hours for the session. It served as the launching point for PASS to investigate a Virtualization SIG or a sub-SIG of the DBA SIG. Cool!
I’m looking forward to PASS next year – as an attendee! It’s been years since I’ve been able to attend sessions. So perhaps 2008 will be the first year for me to go to sessions.
Cheers,
-Kev
I’m lovin’ the first picture.
Not because of your expression, but mainly because the dude you’re shaking hands with is all cross-eyed.
It looks like you’re making friends at the Pre-Special Olympics Convention.
What can I say? I’m a giver. ;^)