Cape Town-based Saratoga recently sponsored the first SQLSaturday conference in the Mother City. The event, jointly organised by SQLCape (Cape Town SQL User Group) and Saratoga, is the second event of its kind in Africa: SQLSaturday crossed continents in May of this year with a Johannesburg event.
The SQLSaturday concept (founded in 2007) grew out of a belief in the importance of grassroots education for the future of SQL Server and its user communities. It is a training/conference event aimed at local SQL Server professionals and students, and provides a necessary platform for technical experts to share their knowledge. In addition, it's a unique networking opportunity for like-minded people in local SQL industries.
A range of speakers presented at the Cape Town SQLSaturday event, including some Joburg talent and a virtual session with US-based Steve Simon (MyWebGrocer.com). Participating speakers were: Jason Haddock (Saratoga), Peter Willmot (Willmot.net), Toufiq Abrahms (Osmosis Consulting), Mark Stacey (Pragmatic Works), Stephan Lawson (Nedbank), Rupert Nicolay (Microsoft Consulting), Alistair Pugin (Intervate), Theo Potgieter (MCI Consultants), Steve Simon (MyWebGrocer.com), Siqhamo Mashologu and Monty Swanepoel (both from ITB), as well as conference organiser Jody Roberts (Saratoga).
Judging by responses, there appears to be a need for events of this calibre in the broader South African SQL community. Entrance was free, and the event was quickly booked out, with participants flying in from around the country. One attendee - Vanessa van Gelder from HomeChoice - exclaimed that “it was fabulous, and I was so pleased to be there; can't wait for the next one”.
Plans are in the pipeline for a second Cape Town SQL conference in March next year.
This Cape Town event was hosted by iSolve, a Microsoft Worldwide Learning Solutions Partner, in the trendy Upper East Side in Woodstock.
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