SQL Saturday 80 in Wheeling, WV

So, I volunteered a session for SQL Saturday 80 in Wheeling, WV and it was accepted. Now after reading Brent Ozar's blog (http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2011/01/how-rehearse-presentation/) about presenting and John Sterrett's blog (http://johnsterrett.com/2010/12/09/you-dont-have-to-be-an-expert-to-speak/), I was fired up to try and get something going. I did and then I did the slides about a hundred times updating bullet points and notes. Then there was the demo portion, which I am still not 100% sure about! I did run through it at least two times and corrected syntax and spelling.

So I am worried, but happy I made it to the hotel, and to the speaker’s dinner and back to the hotel... there are so many things. Getting ready for a presentation at the away field is hard. It reminds me of sports and when you play away there is always that uncertainty that you forgot something and that there is kryptonite around the corner. One thing is for sure, the SQL Server community is great and always very helpful. I like that everyone is very eager to help and so nice.

I have to think and speak slowly, that is the key for me in my presentation. There are some many points I could cover but I also want the audience to be involved. If they get something out of the presentation then I have succeeded. I prepare for demos a lot for work but it is not the same as you are at your home field and have all the infrastructure in place and personnel to back you up if you venture into a danger spot.

Well this is my first outside of work presentation and I am going to make it a good one and get some good takeaways too. I want to present a few times a year as I find it great to give back something you learn to the others. I find myself a lot of times wondering if I could have done that presentation or if I would have done as well. I guess we will see at SQL Saturday #80 in Wheeling, WV.

I figured it was my home state, so I should try and add something to the event as I am from WV and have a solid background in databases. This is the 2nd SQL Saturday event in Wheeling and the event has more attendees than last year. John Sterrett has done a great job at getting this event started and organized. I know there are many others behind the scenes too, so thanks to all of you who I have not met yet.
Good luck to all the presenters and attendees!