As DBAs, we have a lot to keep up with. While the most obvious new skill we need to master is SQL Server 2008 (including the Database Engine, SSIS, Reporting Services & Analysis Services), there is Windows 2008, server and SAN hardware technology, development skills, soft skills (such as project management & communications), and much more. It seems that DBAs never have enough time to keep up with all the skills they need to master.

While I keep up my skill set many different ways, one of my favorites is by attending user group meetings, free local learning events (Code Camps or SQL Saturdays), and national conferences. Below is a list of events I am attending this fall. While this list does not include all the events you could attend, it will give you an idea of the wealth of learning opportunities that are available to you. If you know of other DBA-related learning events this fall, please post them to this blog entry.

IndyTechFest
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Indianapolis, IN
http://www.indytechfest.org/

This free event includes over 30 technical sessions and will attract 500 attendees. In fact, if you have not signed up already, it may be too take to attend, as the event is now only taking standby registrations. The event reached its 500 attendee limit in only 6 days after open registration began.

Tulsa TechFest
Thursday, October 9 and Friday, October 10, 2008
Tulsa, OK
http://techfests.com/Tulsa/2008/default.aspx

This free event ($2, or two cans of food, per person, per day, to be donated to the local Community Food Bank) includes over 90 sessions in six different tracks, and is expected to draw about 2,000 attendees. Registration is not yet full, so there is still time to register and attend.

Olympia SQL Saturday
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Olympia, WA
http://www.sqlsaturday.com/eventhome.aspx?eventid=7

This free event includes 12 sessions in two different tracks. Seating is limited, but still currently available.

SQL Server Magazine Connections
November 10-13, 2008
Las Vegas, NV
http://www.sqlconnections.com/shows/FALL2008SQL/default.asp?s=122

This, fee-based, and very popular conference (which also includes these additional conferences: ASP.NET, Visual Studio, SharePoint, Exchange, Unified Communications, and Windows) offers over 250 sessions in multiple tracks. Last year it sold out with 5,000+ people attending (includes all conferences). All SQL Server Magazine Connection attendees will receive one free copy of SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition (with one CAL).

PASS Community Summit
November 18-21, 2008
Seattle, WA
https://www.sqlpass.org/Pages/Default.aspx

While not free, this is the largest SQL Server-only event of the year, with 3,000+ attendees expected to attend. It offers over 130 sessions in four tracks (DBA, App Dev, BI, & Professional Development). Also available are 14, in-depth, pre-conference sessions.

SQLTeach
December 1-5, 2008
Montreal, Quebec
http://www.sqlteach.com/

If you live in Canada, or even if you don't, this fee-based conference (which is also run simultaneously with DevTeach), offers 54 .NET sessions, 34 SQL Server session, 11 Visual Studio session, 17 Agile, 17 Architecture, and 12 SilverLight sessions.