Perhaps you’d like a group of people to go for dinner with, where you can all share your experiences at different community events? Maybe, you’d just like a chat during the day? You can come along and meet us at the Community Zone!
Why do we have the Bits Buddies at SQLBits?
We want to make it an event you will remember for all the best reasons.
Second, to make SQLBits the event you cannot wait to bring your friends and colleagues back to next year. Third, we want to make you feel like one of us. Fourth, we want to help you make new connections and maybe some new friends.
If you are unfamiliar, they are a group of the best, friendliest people around who are there to make you feel like you belong, whether it’s your first time at the event or third, there will always be a place for you. If you want a chat, someone to grab lunch with, or perhaps advise on which sessions to go to, you know exactly who to talk to and who will always welcome conversation with a big smile!
Let's meet the Bits Buddies!
Victoria Holt
Victoria is an Enterprise Data Architect at Coeo, founder of Data Toboggan and on the SQL Saturday board of directors. A regular helper at SQLBits and attended every SQLBits. She loves being a part of the data platform community and has spent a number of years completing a part-time research PhD looking at best practice and database systems management.
Victoria fills her spare time playing the trombone in orchestras, a trombone quartet, and sometimes a big band.
Victoria joined the Buddies as she wants you to feel like you’re one of us – not an outcast, or ‘newbie’ but a friend.
Twitter @victoria_holt
Malcolm Smith
Malcolm has been working with data since 2000, collecting call stats on an IT Helpdesk with Access. Then worked with DB2 & Business Objects (SAP) on a government project before moving to Microsoft SQL Server, version 2000, and later, in social housing and education sectors.
He is currently based in Hong Kong as a Data Architect for a mobile gaming company, looking after the hybrid OnPrem (legacy services) / Azure (new services) / AWS (BI stack) platform!
He decided to be a Bits Buddy as I remember my first experiences at SQLBits and wanted to help others get past the fears and unknowns, so they feel part of the SQL Family.
Twitter @mhSQL
Angela Henry
Angela is a rare IT extrovert. She will talk about anything IT, but prefers to talk about swimming, sewing, travel, sports, British sports cars, or gardening. (So basically anything!)
Angela lives in High Point, NC, USA and she works as a Senior Architect for 3Cloud. Her team preferences include: Denver Broncos, Manchester United, Springboks, Jacob, Dogs, Oxford comma, Ford, Husvarna Viking, Crocs, and Tines Down!
Mastodon: @SQLSwimmer
Emma Dolling
Emma has a history of working as a SQL On premise consultant, but she is now working with Azure SQL and data strategy. She has a keen interest in data engineering and enjoys spending time walking her lovely springer spaniel called Murphy. When Emma is not busy working with data, she likes to spend time working out at her local gym doing mainly boxing-based workouts!
Emma decided to be a Bits Buddy as she wanted to help others who maybe are a little shy or on their own to make the most out of the conference.
Twitter: @Dolled_up_data
Robert French
From the first day at university when Robert was introduced to a mainframe computer, it was love at first sight. Since then he has worked hard to establish a career in Business Intelligence. Having worked in a diverse range of industries such as Banking, Retail, Architecture, and Grant Management software. Currently the co-organizer of the Glasgow Data user group. He is always on the lookout for more computer mischief.
Robert loves helping to make connections with other people attending SQLBits and this is one of the many reasons why he volunteered to be SQLBits Buddy.
Twitter: @SqlBobScot
Barney Lawrence
SQLBits has done a lot for Barney over the years including giving him the chance to speak at one of the biggest events in the SQL Server world and helping him to find his last two jobs.
He still remembers being a new attendee who didn't know anybody and being a Bits Buddy is his way of giving back to the next generation!
SQLBits is all about the people for Barney, but he's actually a pretty shy person. Putting on that volunteer shirt and getting out of his comfort zone helps me make the most of the event for himself and for others.
Twitter: @SQLBarney
Have you read our blogs?
Read all about the Bits Buddies!
SQLBits Buddies – a volunteer success story!
At this point, you are most likely aware of our newest introduction at SQLBits – The Bits Buddies!
If you are unfamiliar, they are a group of the best, friendliest people around who are there to make you feel like you belong, whether it’s your first time at the event or third, there will always be a place for you. If you want a chat, someone to grab lunch with...
SQLBits Buddies
By Barney Lawrence
Big conferences like SQLBits can be intimidating, they can feel like you’re walking into a room of a thousand strangers all of whom have known each other for years.
That at least was how my first SQLBits felt...
We Are The SQLBits Buddies!
Perhaps you’d like a group of people to go for dinner with, where you can all share your experiences at different community events?
Maybe, you’d just like a chat during the day? You can come along and meet us at the Community Zone!
Join a bunch of like-minded people at SQLBits, and leave with a new great bunch of friends...
A Sense of Community
By Richard Munn
So, here we are, looking forward to another SQLBits event, getting our geek on with our #sqlfamily, our learns on with the best Microsoft Data Platform content there is, and generally loving the whole conference experience (be that in-person or remote).
I remember my first ever SQL Bits conference...
Views From the Volunteers!
Volunteers are the bones of SQLBits and keep us going strong! We just wanted to say an extra special thank you to you all! You all inspire us at Bits every day with your kindness and dedication to giving us that extra helping hand.
All we can say is WOW – you all smashed it out of the park this year by getting involved and helping with both virtual AND in-person, we can reassure you your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed at SQLBits.
