SQLServerCentral and the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) have agreed to a merger with SQLServerCentral taking over the management of the PASS organization. In trying to grow the DBA profession, and an independent organization for SQL Server professionals, a bid by SQLServerCentral to Computer Associates and Microsoft, both founding sponsors of PASS, was accepted. Terms were not disclosed.

Microsoft and CA have been looking for PASS to substantially grow its membership and have been impressed by the efforts at SQLServerCentral. "We see SQLServerCentral as an independent entity that can stimulate the user community around SQL Server, " says an anonymous source at Microsoft. SQLServerCentral is committed to keeping PASS as an independent entity and will be spun off from Red Gate software as an independent entity. They will get funding from both the Summit as well as begin accepting advertising from all vendors.

The current PASS Board of Directors will continue to work with SQLServerCentral's editorial board in an advisory capacity. Phil Factor has been appointed CEO of the PASS organization and will make the daily decisions on how the organization functions. CCEvents will continue to provide support services.

PASS was founded in 1999 as an independent organization for SQL Server professionals. SQLServerCentral was founded in 2001 by Brian Knight, Andy Warren, and Steve Jones. This is, of course, an April Fools joke. SQLServerCentral has always supported PASS in numerous ways and we have an agreement with them for an opening night party each year at the US Summit. Brian Knight and Andy Warren have served on the board of PASS as well.

This year's Summit is Nov 2-5, 2009 in Seattle, WA. We've published the Top Ten reasons you should attend, and once again, SQLServerCentral will have an opening night party catered by West Coast Entertainment featuring a variety of casino games. It's a great time, all in fun, and we'll literally have dozens of prizes to randomly give away.

Use the "SSC3D" code to register for the Summit and get $100 off the early bird registration ($1195 right now) and also get a ticket to the SQLServerCentral party. You can also paypal $30 to sjones@sqlservercentral.com for a ticket as well.

The Summit is a great time for you to learn about SQL Server, network with professionals, and get the chance to talk to the developers from Microsoft that are hard at work designing SQL 11, patching bugs in SQL Server 2005 and 2008.