Thank you for Support

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all those in the community who shared their condolence with us on the death of my mum and who celebrated the life of a remarkable person. 

I particularly want to thank SQLBits for this year for making The SQLBits 2025 Charity, the main charity for the event with donations going to The National Museum of Computing 

The National Museum of Computing is also a fantastic visitor attraction, recognised as one of England’s top 100 ‘irreplaceable places’, allowing visitors to follow the development of computing from the ultra-secret pioneering efforts of the 1940s, through the large systems and mainframes of the 1950s-70s, to the rise of personal computing in the 1980s and beyond. The museum hosts lots of events throughout the year and does not receive government or Heritage Lottery Funding. I feel it is important to preserve the past and help the museum with some ambitious projects in the future. If you missed the opportunity to donate there is a direct page where you can make donations. 

I would also like to thank the #MVPCommunity and the team at #DataToboggan for there tremendous support during this time. #MVPBuzz

You can read more about my mum, Joan Frances Holt here 

Thank you again my #sqlfamily #datafamily

The SQLBits 2025 Charity

I am not attending SQLBits this year, the first time ever due to the sad loss of my mum the week before. 

It is incredibly kind of SQLBits to set their charity in celebration of her remarkable life.

SQLBits’ charity of 2025 is the National Museum of Computing, the world’s largest collection of working historic computers, based at Bletchley Park. This fantastic charity has been chosen by longstanding SQLBits helper, Dr Victoria Holt, in honour of her mum, Joan Frances Holt (nee Clark), who she sadly lost last week.

If you would like to donate this is the page here.

Read more about her remarkable story and this remarkable charity here https://lnkd.in/gsjRpFMP

The SQLBits 2024 Event

SQLBits 2024 was amazing as ever. The organisers creating another well choreographed event. It was held in Farnborough, the birthplace of British aviation. 

There was a huge number of tracks including all types of sessions.  

The Sessions 

The agenda covered various types of sessions

• Tuesday Training Day
• Wednesday 100 minute sessions to gain more depth into a variety of areas
• Thursday General Sessions Day One
• Friday General Sessions Day Two
• The Free Saturday

SQLBits Extra Events

There was a wide range of extracurricular things to get involved with to enable a different slant on networking:

• Meet the Trainer Monday 18th March, 6.30pm, The Aviator Hotel
• Welcome Drinks and Burgers & Board Games Night Wednesday 20th March, 6pm
• Ask the Experts Wednesday 20th March - Saturday 23rd March
• The SQLBits Run Wednesday 20th March, 6pm & Friday 22nd March, 6am
• User Group Bonus Sessions Thursday 21st March, 6pm
• The Pub Quiz Thursday 21st March, 7.30pm
• The Friday Night Party Friday 22nd March, 7.30pm

The Keynote

This was delivered by a number of speakers.

SQLBits announcements

Public Preview:  Managed Instance General Purpose Next-Gen; Migration Assessment in Azure Arc; Database Watcher.

Private Preview : T-SQL Regex; Copilot in Azure SQL Database

Learn more: 

Introducing Azure SQL Managed Instance Next-gen GP

Introducing database watcher for Azure SQL

Azure SQL migration assessment enabled by Azure Arc

Introducing Copilot in Azure SQL Database

SQLBits Buddies 2024

I was part of a team of helpers at SQLBits who are Bits Buddies. We are all experienced helpers and have attended lots of SQLBits. We are dedicated to help attendees who might want a bit of extra company and support, whether it’s a persons first time at the event or a regular attendee at the event.

We ran pre event meet up opportunities in the run up to SQLBits. The weekly drop ins for delegates and those interested in attending for an informal chat about the experience of attending SQLBits and to make connections before the event. It was nice to meet a few people before the event. This year the bits buddies wore orange hats so we could be seen easily around the venue.  It was really nice to speak to people at the event and help with questions. Till next year.

Data Toboggan Slide Preparation at SQLBits

This year SQLBits Thursday 21 March 2024 , added User Group Bonus Sessions.  It was announced as

After the main sessions, two UK user groups are running sessions that you’re welcome to join:

-  London Fabric User Group - SQL Bits Special - Ask Me Anything Panel (Gate 4)

-  Data Toboggan - Ask the Fabric Experts (Gate 1)

Running from 18:00 - 19:00, each with a panel of experts ready to answer questions or discuss hot topics.

Data Toboggan Slide Preparation ran its FIRST in person User Group hosted by Richard Munn at SQLBits.

The panelist were  Richard Munn, Dr Victoria Holt,  Cathrine Wilhelmsen, Mark Pryce-Maher, Emilie Rønning and Andy Cutler taking questions from the audience.

James Reeves reported 

'Data Toboggan User Group Celebrates First In-Person Meetup

🎉 The Data Toboggan user community recently celebrated an exciting milestone: their first-ever in-person meetup. After connecting and collaborating online, members finally had the chance to gather face-to-face and connect with fellow data enthusiasts who share a passion for uncovering insights through data.

💡 A highlight of the gathering was a session focused on Microsoft Fabric, a comprehensive analytics and data platform. Attendees engaged in a lively discussion about how tools like Microsoft Fabric are revolutionizing the field of data analytics and shaping the future of the industry.

🙌 The organizers expressed their gratitude to everyone who made the meetup possible and to all who participated. The energy, enthusiasm, and sense of community at the event were truly remarkable. They look forward to more opportunities for the Data Toboggan user group to connect, both virtually and in person.' 

SQLBits 2023

SQLBits 2023 at the ICC in Wales, was an event with so many moving parts.  It was the biggest ever with 2576 registrations. There were people there from many countries United States, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, France, Netherlands, Austria, Spain and Poland as well as the UK. It was both In-Person and Virtual.  We have Community Corner, the BitsBuddies, helpers, a quiet zone, prayer room, a counsellor on site and more. I have attended every SQLBits and helped for 10 of those. 

So many things are amazing about #SQLBits. For me it is the sharing of ideas, community and helping new people join the community. I think we often forget how hard it was when we first started attending events, standing around feeling disconnected and no one to talk to. Being female at events then was very hard. It was amazing to be a helper again and also one of the #Bitsbuddies #community .  See you next year.

SQLBits Business benefits of good governance

I am am pleased to be talking about the business benefits of good governance at SQLBits. My session includes discussion on the CODEX, a framework to help you think holistically about the management of data and database systems in an agile approach. 

SQLBits 2023 WIT Interview Series

The UnitedWeTech interview series continues by featuring the Women In Tech who are speaking at SQLBits 2023.  It was great to be a part of the SQLBits 2023 WIT Interview Series.  I talked about my upcoming session on governance and why it is important and ways to implement it. My interview can be seen here.

List of women speaking at data platform events can be found here.  

Tech in Ten at SQLBits

Great to see SQLBits post this. 

We keep getting more and more from the team at @venturi_ltd  with their Tech in 10 Podcast - Recorded at SQLBits!

@victoria_holt

from

@CoeoLtd

discussed

@datatoboggan

and more #data-related subjects, as well as SQLBITS! Listen on any podcast platform https://pod.co/tech-in-ten/ep-9-dr-victoria-holt-enterprise-data-architect-coeo

https://pod.co/tech-in-ten/ep-9-dr-victoria-holt-enterprise-data-architect-coeo-9-dr-victoria-holt-enterprise-data-architect-coeo

Tech in Ten, On the Road by Venturi!

I was excited to be a part of the Tech in Ten podcast by Venturi discussing SQLBits, Data Governance and Data Toboggan. It has been released as Episode 9.

The Tech in Ten team went down to the SQLBits data platform conference held at ExCeL London. Ben sat down with some of the speakers and data professionals at the event to talk about all things data and the ever-changing industry.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify. 

Podcast: A Recap of SQLBits 2022

Excited to be a part of a podcast with Jessica Healy and Niall Quinn, hosted by Justin Langford chatting about SQLBits 2022 highlights and benefits. It was amazing to hear the various view points of others who attended the event.  Coeo have been an amazing sponsor of the event for many years.  Tune in an have a listen.

The SQLBits Buddies at SQLBits

I am part of an amazing new venture  - SQLBits buddies. An initiative to help people feel more comfortable and have a friend when they are attending the conference. 

The SQLBits Buddies was a new idea that was trialled at SQLBits Arcade!

They were there to help you have a fantastic experience at SQLBits and give you that person to talk to and ask about all things SQLBits! Did you need someone you can talk to about the social side of SQLBits? Did you know about the game’s night, pub quiz and party? Ask a SQLBits Buddy!

You can read more here

There are interviews with a few of the Bits buddies

Angela Henry 

Malcolm Smith

Steph Martin

Victoria Holt

We had lots of fun at the event and spoke to lots of people first timers, people who had been before but work colleagues were online or simply they had come to the conference on their own this time. We shall see you all at the next event.

SQLBits 2022: a hybrid event

What an emotional event. After 2 years of working at home, and everything virtual we all managed to meet in person. It was amazing to meet people in person again at Excel in London from 8 March to 12 March. It came with some apprehension and trying to be careful with testing daily, keeping your social distance as much as possible and some mask wearing as well. I hope this is the first of many more to come, but everyone I spoke to thought things would never return to how they were.  So I think for the time being hybrid events are here to stay.

I was a helper at SQLBits 2022, an orange shirt, helping out with room monitoring and the event. Also with the event being hybrid we also provided virtual room monitoring, chatting and helping those virtual attendees also enjoy the event.  Speakers were both in person and virtual.

Also this year was the start of something new, an initiative to try and help people on their own and first timers enjoy SQLBits.  We are the Bits Buddies.  The central hub was the newly envisioned community corner.  

In addition to that I was part of two panel discussions. 

1. Data Governance with Azure Purview - Ask the Experts with Erwin de Kreuk, Wolfgang Strasser and Richard Munn asking the questions in this open session, there was the chance to ask the panel of 3 MVPs about data governance for your business using Azure Purview.
2. Women in Tech: Keys to a Successful Career Panel Discussion with Rie Merritt, Pragati Jain and Cathrine Wilhelmsen. Our career is a journey that is unique to us, but that doesn't mean we don't have shared experiences. The panel of women data professionals had an open discussion on their winding career paths, how they got here, and where they're heading next. We talked about what it was like to be a woman in tech, what worked, and how building a strong network of people to be in your corner can help you achieve your goals.

I also took part in Venturi's Voice Podcast which focuses on tech, career and leadership. 

It was quiet a juggling act this year but it was a lot of fun and I think something special. I made new friends and the SQLBits organisers were amazing and all those who contributed to the success of the conference.  

SQLBits 2022 Sessions

SQLBits is only a few days away. It seems very strange to be attending an in person event. The SQLBits panel sessions I am taking part in are all about the community pulling together to create sessions. It is amazing that SQLBits have thought a lot about diversity, inclusion and the sqlfamily this year.

SQLBits Buddies

Bits Buddies is a new idea being trialled at SQLBits Arcade. It is aimed at the social side of the event. We want attendees to really enjoy the event and not feel isolated with no one to talk to or to share the event with. We would love you to attend the event again next year and leave the event having made new connections in the sqlfamily. We want to help you become a part of our amazing community. 

Before the event, we are having a drop in chat office hours sessions with some of the SQLBits Buddies to answer questions and so you can meet a friendly face. For more details  #sqlbits2022

SQLBits Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

SQLBits sessions for this year are looking amazing. I particularly like the addition of diversity, equality and inclusion sessions within the conference. Some exciting sessions to look out for 

Thurs at 12 - 12.50 Women's Power Hour in the Community Zone

Come to a meet & greet with other women data professionals and expand your network. Connect with women with similar interests and improve your entire Bits experience for the rest of the week and years to come!

Fri at 12 - 12.50  Diversity Equality and Inclusion Panel in the Community Zone

Steph Martin, Jess Pomfret, Rie Merritt, Simon Sabin, Traci Sewell, Annette Allen 

Join the group who have been working on trying to make SQLBits more inclusive. Ask us what you would like to see us do differently and how we can improve your experience at the even

Sat at 12.10 12.40  Diversity at Lunchtime  

Grab your lunch and join with other diverse data professionals and expand your network. Connect with others with similar interests and improve your entire Bits experience for the rest of the day and years to come!

Sat at 14.40 - 15.30 Women in Tech: Keys to a Successful Career Panel Discussion

Rie Merritt, Jess Pomfret, Victoria Holt, Cathrine Wilhelmsen, Pragati Jain

Your career is a journey that is unique to you, but that doesn't mean you don't have shared experiences. Join a panel of women data professionals for an open discussion on their winding career paths, how they got here, and where they're heading next. We'll talk about what it's like to be a woman in tech, what worked for them, and how building a strong network of people to be in your corner can help you achieve your goals.

There are sessions on mental health, lunch with the SQLBits Buddies, other career path sessions, sign language... So much to help us all improve our sense of whole and career. 

SQL Bits Buddies Office hours drop-in chat

 

You have registered to attend SQL Bits; now you are wondering what is it like. Who will be there, what happens, who can speak to, what should you bring, how can you get the best out of SQL Bits? Now is your chance to meet and chat with some people who have been there, done it and would love to tell you more.

Or maybe you have heard about SQL Bits? You have wondered what is it all about, maybe want to know just a little more. Yes, you have read what they say on the website, heard about and read all the stories. But, you would like to speak to someone who will tell you what it's like. Want to talk to real people, ask them questions, find out a little more.

Or you want to connect with someone who will be there on the day you attend. Someone you have spoken to, you want to see the same smiling face when you arrive at SQL Bits.

This is your chance to meet real people who want to speak to others. We want to meet you; we want to answer your questions. We are the SQL Bits buddies, and we want to meet and talk to you. So come along, chat with us or listen. All we want to do is make SQL Bits more friendly and fun to attend, so why not come along to chat with us.

Select a date

Tuesday 14 February 12:00 - 13:00 GMT

Thursday 16 February 12:00 - 13:00 GMT

Tuesday 21 February 12:00 - 13:00 GMT

Thursday 23 February 12:00 - 13:00 GMT

Monday 7 March  12:00 - 13:00 GMT

You can read more about the bits buddies here

Data Governance with Azure Purview

SQLBits 8-12 March 2022 is approaching soon. I am really excited to be a part of a session with Erwin de Kreuk and Wolfgang Strasser. The session: Data Governance with Azure Purview - Ask the Experts

To submit your questions in advance for the session we have a Microsoft form to complete.

SQLBits the greatest data show

How exciting to receive this. Thank you SQLBits for being the most amazing data conference. Looking forward to when face to face events return.

SQLBits Replay Sessions

 

SQLBits are taking a novel approach to help encourage people to continue their learning journey. SQLBits are sharing their last virtual conference sessions publicly as they normally do but with a twist. Normally videos are only on the SQLBits site. They are now also on YouTube. In addition to this on the SQLBits spatial replay platform they are enabling group viewing each and every Thursday supported by a Q&A session presented by the speaker live. 

The platform that is being used has a number of themed breakout rooms and a main stage where the recorded session will be streamed. Each session being shown is about 1 hour and this is followed by live Q&A by the speaker of the session.

Moving around the platform is great as it allows you to drift in and out of conversations as if you were walking round the conference hall. It is great to have that opportunity to chat with the presenters and attendees about the sessions.