Connect at PASS Summit

One of the most valuable aspects of PASS Summit is the unparalleled networking. PASS Summit is all about meeting and talking with people, sharing issues and solutions, and gaining knowledge that will make you a better SQL Server professional.

To help you get the most out of the best SQL Server conference in the world, take advantage of special networking opportunities every day at PASS Summit as well as handy networking tips from our networking workshop coach, Don Gabor.

Monday, November 2

Pre-Conference Workshop: "Networking to Build Business Contacts"
A Special 2-Hour Session
Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Presenter: Don Gabor, professional coach and best-selling author of "How to Start a Conversation and Make Friends"
$60 registration fee includes an autographed copy of the book
Register now

Learn to network and make professional connections that will pay off for years to come from best-selling author, communications trainer and “small talk” expert, Don Gabor. Using demonstrations, exercises, role plays, and coaching that focuses on networking at breakfast, lunch, between sessions, and at the evening reception, Don will guide you step-by-step through the networking process. By practicing confidence-boosting skills, tips, and strategies you’ll see that connecting with your colleagues is easy, fun, and profitable! Take-aways include:

Using body language that builds instant rapport
Introducing yourself and remembering names
Breaking the ice and keeping the conversation going
Transitioning from small talk to business topics
Ending conversations and working the room
Following up and building business relationships

Each workshop attendee will receive an autographed copy of Don’s best-selling book, "How to Start a Conversation and Make Friends".

Learn more about Don Gabor. Read Andy Warren's networking posts including info on his sessions with Don.

Exclusive Networking Session for PASS Volunteers - Free for Volunteers!
Time: 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Presenter: Don Gabor
Free for PASS Volunteers (with promo code)
Register now

Volunteering as a host at PASS Summit 2009 is a great opportunity to join the PASS team, meet lots of your peers and industry leaders, and make new friends. In this 1-hour pre-conference event, Don Gabor will show you how to make attendees feel welcome and facilitate their networking at conference workshops, plus how to:

Remember attendee names
Make planned and unplanned introductions
Help others join groups already in conversation
Assist attendees with conference logistics and questions

PASS Summit Unite 2009 Welcome Reception
6:30pm - 8:00pm

Tuesday, November 3

Welcome Breakfast
7:30am - 8:30am
Connect with old friends and get juiced for the first day of PASS Summit!

Birds of a Feather Lunch
11:30am - 1:30pm

Exhibitor Reception
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Wednesday, November 4

Continental Breakfast
7:30am - 8:30am

Women in Technology Luncheon
11:30am - 1:30pm

Thursday, November 5

Continental Breakfast
7:30am - 8:30am

Summit Last Day Lunch
11:45am - 12:30pm

Meet the Chapters Lunch
12:00pm - 1:00pm

The Voice of the Community: Value of Networking and PASS

"You can't meet people at a webinar, at a virtual conference, or anywhere but in person. And while there are lots of free events, none of them bring together over 1,000 SQL Server professionals that share common interests. The PASS Summit does and it's a great conference to attend.

We have written before about the great learning opportunities at the Summit with great speakers and Microsoft developers. And those are great reasons to attend, but the chance to meet other professionals is equally important. You will get inspired, make friends, maybe even make contacts that can help you later in your career."

- Steve Jones, SQLServerCentral.com

"Why is PASS so valuable? Quite simply the PASS Summit is where you will find the greatest congregation of SQL Server influencers. It truly is the premier gathering of the best of the best…of the best…of the best. Will you be able to see some of the speakers elsewhere? Sure. But I challenge you to find a deeper list of influencers than what PASS has each and every year. Last year I was able to see Donald Farmer, Buck Woody, Paul Randal, Kimberly Tripp, Kevin Kline, Louis Davidson, Greg Low, Steve Jones, Brad McGehee, Andy Warren, Gail Shaw, Tony Davis, Dan Jones, Allen White…do I need to go on?

And on top of that I dare you to find a conference that has more dedicated database professionals (developers, administrators, etc.) that are interested in technology as well as each other."

- Thomas LaRock, SQL Server MVP, PASS Director

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