by Amy Ly, PASS Summit 2024 Scholar

I had the incredible opportunity to attend PASS Summit 2024 as a PASS Summit Futures Scholar. This marked my very first experience at a professional conference, and I was overwhelmed (in a good way) by what was available. I was able to attend both pre-con days and all three official conference days.

Initially, I was nervous about connecting with others, and the fact that I made a career change and had little experience in the field intimidated me. However, the warm and inclusive environment quickly dispelled my worries. The pre-con sessions I chose to attend were at the perfect experience level for me and provided me with great context in AI trends (past and future) and introduced me to other aspects of SQL coding I hadn’t considered before. In addition, I found new friends by just sitting at a table around mealtime and talking about our pre-con experiences. Further attending events like the Welcome Reception and Casino Night allowed me to form more meaningful connections with my new friends and gave me the chance to meet more interesting folks! As a result, waiting in lines for swag and going up to vendors for demos became less anxiety-inducing because I had friends to join me.

I didn’t know what to expect, but I felt like PASS Summit 2024 struck a good balance between technical expertise, vendor pitches, and industry trends. While there was a clear focus on new tools and AI advancements, I was delighted to see a significant number of sessions dedicated to Data Analytics. I also had the chance to schedule a 1:1 with an industry expert to get advice on how to solve a classification and machine learning problem for a current project I was working on! Regardless of area of interest or experience level, it felt like this conference had something for everyone.

The conference was a treasure trove of insights and learning. Some standout sessions that truly enriched my understanding included:

• Redgate Keynote: Simplifying Complexity: Making the Database Work in the Real World – This session was a good start to one of my days. At my table, it helped facilitate discussions amongst attendees about shared challenges in the field.
• Effective Data Visualization: Putting the Icing on the (Report) Cake – This session inspired me to think creatively about building dashboards that are both useful and engaging. I really appreciated all the analogies to baking a cake.
• Power Hour – A dynamic and fun session packed with swag being thrown at the audience. Even though we weren’t supposed to come away with any takeaways, I was inspired by some of the silly examples of work that was shown. The playful atmosphere highlighted the potential capabilities of tools like Microsoft Fabric, many of which I hadn’t realized were possible.
• From Data to Influence: Disney+ Storytelling Techniques in Power BI – This session was particularly inspiring, displaying how to build a beautiful and functional dashboard with data. It was really validating to hear that I can just be choosy about what datasets to incorporate (especially when it depends on the audience and sometimes less is more)! I ended up playing Ticket to Ride with the presenter later at Game Night!
• Watch Brent Tune a Query in SQL Server 2022 – Witnessing live query tuning was both educational and inspiring. One of my conference friends referred me to this session and I was glad that I had a chance to pick up tips and tricks that I can apply to my work life now.
• WIT Luncheon: Amplify Your Voice: Strategies for Visibility and Influence at Work – This was a powerful discussion on how a woman could progress in her career in a professional setting. It was very relatable too because the speaker used her own personal journey to help us reflect on our wants and needs.
• Maximizing Organizational Potential: The Essential Role of Data Strategy – This session highlighted how a robust data strategy can drive organizational success. I found it particularly relatable, as many companies, including my own, struggle to effectively manage the vast amounts of data they collect and make effective data-driven decisions.

The next time I attend a conference, I will be better prepared. For anyone considering attending PASS Summit in the future, here are a few tips based on my experience:

1. Attend a preconference session – These workshops provide in-depth knowledge and are especially beneficial if you choose an advanced-level topic or one led by a seasoned conference attendee.
2. Pace yourself – It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you’re attending solo. Don’t stress about missing sessions—most content is available as recordings and presentations can be downloaded.
3. Explore the host city – Take some time to enjoy the surroundings. It’s a great way to unwind and bond with your new friends at a local restaurant. I ended up getting a rush ticket to see Wicked, which was a nice way to end the evening!
4. Join a social event – Events like Casino Night or Game Night are fantastic opportunities to meet new people. With one of my newfound friends, I had an engaging conversation about good coding practices and the importance of data quality. These interactions made the conference experience even more enriching, and I felt like I belonged to the community.
5. Talk to vendors – Don’t shy away from engaging with vendors you might not have considered before. I learned a lot about observability tools, a field I have no prior background in, and realized its growing importance for sustainability. A lot of material that I received, I ended up bringing back to my database engineering colleagues!

PASS Summit 2024 is more than just a conference. Being a first timer, I was amazed at how many people seemed to know each other and how long they’ve been attending. This conference is a vibrant community where learning, connection, and inspiration thrive. Being around seasoned professionals has left me determined to enhance my own skills – I am determined to build impactful dashboards in 2025 and have set a goal to earn a Power BI certification within this upcoming year. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend, and I look forward to continuing my journey in data analytics with renewed enthusiasm and ambition!