SQL Saturday #331 – Denver – What a Great Event!

This was the first SQL Saturday that I had the honor to have been selected as a presenter. I know it is an honor, because of all the great people I met prior to, during, and after the session.  It was a great group of people who attended the SSAS Design and Performance Best Practices session. I am humbly grateful they chose to spend part of their day with me.

SSAS Design and Performance Best Practices

I am dedicating a series on this topic on my blog. As a lot of people may not have had the opportunity to read the posts or see the presentation, it is essentially a journey through a compilation of best practices in relation to scalable SQL Server Analysis Services cube design. From dimension design to SSAS engine internals we will explore SSAS multidimensional design patterns that will take you through steps to assist in getting SSAS cubes better optimized to better match the needs of your organization. My hope is that you are able to experience and have the following takeaways:

• best practice design patterns
• high level understanding of the SSAS internal engine and what role it plays
• tuning techniques that provide performance gains
• emphasis on the importance of solid multidimensional database design

The Journey to Denver

I almost didn’t make it to Denver.  Due to a police-related incident at Phoenix Sky Harbor – Terminal 4, the entire terminal was shutdown.  No one was being allowed in and those that were being let out were done so one at a time.  If it hadn’t been for my good friend Ginger Grant (see her blog here)…I simply wouldn’t have made it.  She was driving from Phoenix to Denver and allowed me to tag along.

As one of my colleagues expressed today, “you will never forget your first SQL Saturday as a presenter.”  I couldn’t agree more.

SQL Community

I don’t get out as much as I would like (working on this), and I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know people in the SQL Community.  I would encourage you if you haven’t had the opportunity to attend SQL Saturday event to do so when one is within reasonable driving distance, a short train or bus ride, or quick flight.  It will give you many reasons to want to attend future events and invite all of your SQL friends.

One final note to the organizers of SQL Saturday 331 – Denver, thank you, thank you, thank you!  You did an amazing job of organizing and publicizing the event.   Steve Wake and his amazing team of volunteers put on an outstanding event.