Introduction
Andy Waren (Blog | @sqlAndy), Jack Corbett (Blog | @unclebiguns), and Kendall Van Dyke (Blog | @SQLDBA) have been busy. They’re working on SQLRally – a regional PASS event scheduled for May 2011 in Orlando. Andy does a good job explaining the thinking behind the event in his 31 Aug 2010 post: Positioning SQLRally in the PASS Event Universe.
Pre-Cons
Andy’s 1 Sep 2010 post on the topic (SQLRally Pre-Con Selection Process – Draft for Comment) includes a draft document outlining a proposal for the pre-conference selection process. I see improvements over the current PASS Summit pre-/post-conference selection process (which I blogged about here). There’s even community engagement in the mix.
The Big (Medium) Deal
I think Kendall summed it up well in this tweet:
Andy and the crew also did a good job with this table:
| Summit | SQLRally | SQLSaturday | |
| Attendance | +3000 | Max 600 | Avg of 250 |
| Price | $995 – $1995 | $299 | Free |
| Duration | 3 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day |
| Sessions/Tracks | 160+ | 40-48 | 12-50 |
| Keynote | Yes | No | Sometimes |
| Exhibit Hall | Yes | No | No |
| Organizers | HQ | HQ/Local Chapter | Local leaders |
| Meals | Seated buffett | Boxed lunch | Pizza/Box Lunch |
SQLRally is positioned as a regional event. I think regional SQL Server events is a market that’s currently underserved and look forward to PASS’s offering. Given the SQL Server Community talent behind this event, I’m sure it will be awesome!
:{> Andy
Andy, thanks for the post and the compliments. Looking forward to your thoughts on the details of the pre-con process.
Well a Lamborghini is fairly impractical on a daily basis, though it looks good and might be fun once in awhile ;). I’m a Porsche guy, and it’s a great, fun, practical way to get around.
I think the Rally fits in a good slot. It helps reach out to a lot of people that will never attend a Summit. I’d like to see more events of this magnitude, a 2 day, cheaper event that helps get some of the conference experience to people.