“…or something”

thanks Mike, much appreciated.

thanks Jack.

I have also heard of folks who think they aren’t “ready” for the summit. You are! If you can spell SQL, have played it with in some capacity for 6 months to a year you can and will get something from the Summit.

Many sessions are geared towards beginners, many are not. Even in the more advanced ones, you will absorb knowledge you don’t even know you are getting until months or years later when something clicks.

Just 3 short years ago, I was at my first Summit thinking I knew more than I did. The sessions I chose then were awesome, a lot of new information, a lot of scribbled notes to learn something later. The past 3 years I must have done a lot more growing because I found myself understanding a lot of what was said, I found myself knowing the answer Itzik, Paul or others would give for a lot of questions. Even in those sessions, I still learned new knowledge, just at a different level or less overwhelming amounts.

Go to the Summit! No matter where you are. If you are lost, ask someone for help. The SQL community is an awesome community and you will find a ton of people who actually enjoy sharing knowledge, tips and tricks with you. Even without the sessions, that is worth going alone.

Hang out in the ask the experts areas. Sit at a table on an area you want to know more about. Even if you don’t have a question, learn through the conversations.

I completely agree with Brent’s add on as well. The “Aha” moments will come in the weeks and months following the summit and they are fun 🙂

Don’t go because you don’t think you have enough to share! I am thinking of submitting an abstract for beginner DBAs next year and there was already a lot of basics covered this and in past years.

Great comment by Brent as well.