Last week the 2024 PASS Data Community Summit conference was held in Seattle. 1,700 of my closest friends got together for a week of learning (well, technically it's a three day conference, but there are two days of pre-conference seminars) and sharing. I'm still exhausted a week later (although, old age and an aggressive travel schedule this year may be contributing to that). However, I had such a great time last week. The vibe, the feeling in the hall, was really up, positive, and just generally good this year. Further, it reminded me of things to keep centered.

First, friends and acquaintances. Those who know me well, personally, will attest that I'm not always the greatest about reaching out and keeping in touch. However, seeing a lot of people I hadn't seen for a while, some not for years, reminds me just how important it is to actually maintain your contacts. I'm insanely lucky to know some pretty amazing individuals. I need to do a better job of keeping in touch with them.

Next, the hallway track. If you've never been to a large conference, you may not have seen the hallway track on full display. It's not the same at smaller events like a Data Saturday or SQL Saturday. Larger events will see people congregate in the halls, sometimes in designated spots, like the Community Zone at Summit. There, you frequently can get as good answers as you will asking a speaker in a session. Sometimes better. I made a point this year of spending more time out there and had some really meaningful and helpful conversations because of it.

Your hotel room is primarily for sleeping, but make sure you sleep. I get it. We're nerds (or geeks, or whatever your preferred term is for IT people). As such, introverts are probably overly represented amongst us. Further, as nerds, we can be much more comfy communicating with machines than people. However, if you want to truly take advantage of an event like the Data Community Summit, you need to spend the week, out with people. Make those contacts. Be open, aggressively friendly, and ready to talk to others. Sure, by the end of the week you're exhausted, but you only get a shot like this once in a while. These are your peers. Get to know them.

I'm sure you see a pattern. As much as I love attending sessions, and I do, I think these in-person events are all about the people there. Like it or not, we're not far removed from our cavemen ancestors and still largely communicate as they do. Our, and their, best way of communicating is face-to-face. So, when you get that opportunity for the best communication, take advantage of it. It's how you build your network. A good network, makes you happier, smarter, and more employable. If you haven't had the opportunity to make it to the PASS Summit, or another big in-person event, I'd strongly recommend you try it out. Just, when you go, plan to focus at least some of the time on getting to know a few people.