I got back from PASS Europe on Saturday. It was a GREAT convention! It was the first ever PASS Europe and I’m proud to have been a part of it. I hope this convention will grow to command the reputation and attendance it deserves.
All the usual suspects were there in fine form - e.g. Kimberly Tripp, Gert Drapers, etc. It was great to meet people face-to-face with whom I’d only had a virtual relationship. Chris Webb’s presentation entitled New Cube Design Features in Analysis Services 2005 and Darren Green / Allan Mitchell’s presentation entitled SQL Server 2005 Integration Services: Thinking Outside of the DTS Box were my favourites.
I presented on SQL Server 2005 development; specifically SQL-CLR and TSQL. It went very well and I am pleased because it was the first time I presented at PASS. It was great preparation for the PASS 2005 Community Summit in Texas this September where I will also be presenting. There were about 300 attendees in total at PASS Europe. They normally expect about 3,000 for PASS USA! Not to mention that it will take place just prior to the release of SQL Server 2005. The anticipation will be immense and I wouldn't be surprised if Bill Baker announces the RTM date at the keynote. We think there may be considerably more than 3,000 this time around; plus a lot of press.
I’m particularly looking forward to Aaron Johal's session entitled Unlocking the understanding of locks in SQL Server 2005 and .NET and Bob Beauchemin’s pre-conference seminar entitled New Features in SQL Server 2005/.NET 2.0 for Developers.