Posts tagged #Community

SQLBits Unplugged: Inclusivity, Costumes & the Power of Community (with Simon Sabin)

DESCRIPTION 📄

What started as a small idea among data geeks became one of Europe’s most celebrated data conferences. In this episode, I chat with Simon Sabin, founder of SQLBits, about how the event grew from its humble beginnings into a cornerstone of the Microsoft data community.

We explore what makes SQLBits unique—from its deep commitment to inclusivity and diversity, to its legendary themed parties and creative venues that make learning feel like an adventure. Whether you’ve attended before or are considering joining next year, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what makes SQLBits unlike any other tech event.

🎉 Expect stories, laughs, and maybe a bit of costume talk.

GUEST BIO (Simon Sabin)👤

Simon runs a Data Consultancy Sabin.io enabling companies to make the most of the data they have by implementing a Dev Ops strategy.

He is passionate about the importance of the community and learning. He founded and continues to run SQLBits, the largest SQL Server Conference outside of North America, has been awarded as a Microsoft MVP since 2005 and was recently made a Microsoft Regional Director.

He has worked with data for all his career and worked with companies across all industry sectors including online retail, insurance, finance, motor sport.

RELATED CONTENT 🔗

SQLBits

Posted on October 21, 2025 and filed under Topics & Discussion.

Grow Your Skills & Visibility in Microsoft Fabric (with Shannon Lindsay)

LIVESTREAM DATE/TIME 📅

October 3rd 9:30 AM (PT)

DESCRIPTION 📄

Fabric Community Contests are a great way to get hands-on with Microsoft Fabric, grow your skills, and build visibility in the data community. In this livestream, we'll take a closer look into recent Fabric Community Contests - including Notebooks, Translytical Task Flows, and the Dataviz World Champs. We'll share how participants have gained confidence, recognition, and even new career opportunities.

We’ll also preview upcoming contests in the Fabric Skills Fest and share tips for building a portfolio that stands out. Whether you’re looking to practice your skills, share your work, or simply get inspired, this session will show you how contests can open doors.

GUEST BIO (Shannon Lindsay) 👤

Shannon’s background in global public health has shaped her commitment to community and accessibility, guiding her work leading Fabric Community Engagement at Microsoft. She loves helping people find their place in the data world—a journey that began when she first discovered the magic of Power Query, sparking a lasting enchantment with Microsoft BI tools. Now, whether she’s conjuring up data insights with the Workout Wednesday team, gathering with fellow data witches in user groups, or brewing up connections, Shannon’s focus is on making data feel less intimidating. She’s dedicated to building a welcoming community where data pros and newcomers alike can learn, grow, and connect—casting spells of empathy and connection to bring people together.

Posted on October 1, 2025 and filed under Livestreams, Topics & Discussion, Training & Teaching, Contests.

(Livestream Replay) Embracing the Rewards of Data Platform Community Involvement - Ben Weissman

DESCRIPTION 📄

Let us talk about the power of active participation in the data platform community. Through speaking, volunteering, blogging, mentoring, organizing, or other ways, individuals not only give back but also get rewarded immensely, both, personal and professional.

A focal highlight is the extraordinary support system fostered by friends within the community, acting as catalysts for growth and learning.

This conversational chat addresses the prevalent imposter syndrome by emphasizing that every member, regardless of experience level, brings unique insights and expertise to the table. We explore success stories, shared experiences, and tangible strategies to combat self-doubt.

GUEST BIO 👤

Ben has been working with SQL Server since SQL Server 6.5, mainly in the BI/Datawarehousing field.

He is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, a co-author of "SQL on Kubernetes", "Azure Arc-enabled Data Services Revealed", "SQL Server Big Data Clusters" and "The Biml Book" as well as a regular speaker at national and international events. He has also published multiple Video courses at Pluralsight and other platforms.

Ben is also a co-organizer of DataGrillen, New Stars of Data and dataverse as well as a volunteer and mentor for many other Data Platform events.

RELATED CONTENT 🔗

LinkedIn
Website
YouTube

Posted on July 5, 2024 and filed under Livestreams, Topics & Discussion.

(Livestream Replay) The Data Dojo: A Power BI Community of Practice - with James Bartlett

DESCRIPTION 📄

In recent years, data-driven decision making has become the gold standard for all organizations, and data literacy is more important now than ever before. Organizations large and small must become intimately familiar with their data or risk falling behind the competition and fading into irrelevance. One of the best ways to foster an active, passionate data culture within an organization is to establish a Community of Practice around the technologies the organization uses to process, store, analyze, and consume data.

Join us as we discuss the founding and early stages of The Data Dojo: a Power BI Community of Practice which was established at Des Moines University to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience among faculty and staff interested in analyzing data generated by the various departments and other business units in the organization.

We'll also talk about the founding principles and structure of the Data Dojo, some of the topics we've covered at our workshops, what has gone right, what we could have done better, and what we're planning for the future.

GUEST BIO 👤

James D. Bartlett III is a Senior Business Intelligence Analyst and Power BI Administrator at Des Moines University in Iowa, USA. He started working in IT way back in 2002, while he was a student in the Business Administration program at Colorado State University. After graduation, James dabbled in banking, real estate, healthcare, and even had a short stint as a resident DJ at Denver's top nightclub, before finally stumbling upon his true calling in the Business Intelligence field in 2018.

James is a Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate, co-developer of the Business Ops and Power BI Version Control apps on PowerBI.tips, and co-leader of the Iowa Power BI User Group. In his spare time, James enjoys longboarding, playing the guitar, and producing electronic music in his home studio.

RELATED CONTENT 🔗

James Bartlett's Website & Blog
James on LinkedIn
James on GitHub
James on Mastodon
James on Sessionize

Posted on June 23, 2023 and filed under Livestreams, Topics & Discussion, Training & Teaching.