XML FeedsOn 5, 6 and 7 March 2013 Microsoft Belux is organizing Techdays 2013, 3 days of sessions for IT Pro's and developers. But when checking the calendar there are no sessions about SQL Server.
The reason is that the Belgian SQL Server User Group organizes yearly a 2 day event about SQL Server the SQL Server Days and this is where the SQL Server enthusiasts should get their knowledge.
But I disagree, as a full-time SQL Server consultant, I can't justify going to an event where there is no SQL content at all. I know there are some other interesting sessions about Windows Server, SCOM, etc. but they aren't the core of my job so I can't register for this event and thus I will miss the opportunity to:
- learn about new features in Windows server, SCOM, PowerShell...;
- network with current and former co-workers outside the office;
- network with other SQL Server DBA's and developers;
- enthusiasm young developers and system administrators to learn more about SQL Server;
- visit the partner booths, to learn what's new in the hardware world;
- bring home a bag of goodies to make the kids happy and win some awesome prices.
And how about young, all-round system administrators and developers who can't justify a visit to Techdays AND SQL Server Days because their main focus is not on SQL Server, wouldn't they like to discover the wonderful world of SQL Server and learn:
- how they can tame the never ending growth of the T-log;
- the developers don't need SSMS anymore
- SQL Server supports Server Core
- cursors are bad for SQL Server
- there such things as graphical execution plans
- ...
Anyways that's my vision on the subject, feel free to agree or disagree in the comments, discussing this with me at the Techdays will probably be a no show.
Axel started his IT career more than a decade ago. After a few months he was the accidental DBA for the SQL Server 6.5 running the Service Desk application. It didn't took long or Axel started to focus on SQL Server and after another year he became the full-time DBA in a large Belgian datacenter managing the SQL Servers for the hosted customers.It's more than five years now since he switched to consulting and teaching SQL Server.
Axel is a Microsoft Certified DBA and Trainer.
Make this man president! 
Belux? What happened to BeNeLux? 
They are left out because they only want free events, but that's another post :D 
SQL Server has become the lepra of the IT world: put those who were in contact with it apart and try to keep them there. Luckily our colony has another nice evening session scheduled for tonight :-) 
There are a limited number of session slots at the TechDays and a lot of content to cover. This year we are focusing on products e just launched. Office, SharePoint, Lync, Exchange, Windows Server 2012, System Center SP1, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, etc... so you can imagine that it is difficult to add sql content to the conference like we did last year. In the past we saw a very low attendance in most of sql sessions we organized.
I am the SQL Server lead for Microsoft in BeLux and wanted to give my support to the TechDays team on this decision.
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