Michael H. Smith joined SAS in 1988. He has enjoyed working directly with SAS users groups throughout the US since 1995. He currently supports PharmaSUG and other special-interest groups. He has been blogging about SAS users groups since 2009.
I’ve had the good fortune to support the Pharmaceutical Industry SAS Users Group as their SAS liaison for the majority of their conferences since 1996. That’s meant a lot to me personally and professionally over the years. I’ve developed some genuine friendships with the dedicated volunteer leaders who organize the
Actually, luck had little to do with it. The twenty two recipients of Student Scholarship and Junior Professional Awards are attending the Pharmaceutical Industry SAS Users Group (PharmaSUG) from May 17-20 because of their qualifications. This marks the fifth year that PharmaSUG has offered these special programs, which are funded
If you’re one of the hundreds of SAS users registered for PharmaSUG, scheduled for May 17-20 in Orlando, you should give extending your stay some serious thought. In just a few hours, you can set yourself apart with a professional certification from SAS! SAS is offering something no theme park
For more than 25 years, PharmaSUG has been the premier educational experience for SAS users in the pharmaceutical industry. Whether you're new to using SAS or a seasoned veteran, this year's event in Orlando, May 17-20, has something for you!
If you are one of the thousands of SAS users soon to be in Dallas for SAS Global Forum, you've probably already used the online tools to help you view sessions related to your industry. It’s easy to do by filtering on your own particular industry, such as banking, or
During Opening Session at this year’s Pharmaceutical SAS Users Group (PharmaSUG) conference, attendees heard from teacher Heather Poland and two of her 14 year-old students. These special guests were representatives of Perkins K-8, a San Diego middle school classroom (7th and 8th grade) that is struggling with illiteracy. Located less
This year’s conference moves to San Diego, and it’s packed with great learning, networking and fun things to do. I’ve had a small part in the planning, but the bulk of the work is being done by a very hard-working group of volunteers. If you want to be a part of
San Antonio plays host to this year’s South Central SAS Users Group (SCSUG) Educational Forum. Instead of the usual Sunday to Tuesday schedule, this year’s forum is being held on a Thursday (Oct. 31) and Friday (Nov. 1). But don’t worry – Halloween costumes aren’t being encouraged – the focus
There’s always plenty to learn at PharmaSUG, which is one reason it draws attendees not only from the US and Canada, but from countries such as Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico and the UK. Learning Highlights Technical Keynote Address: "CDISC Standards: Now and To Come" from Wayne
Two weeks ago SAS hosted over 20 users group leaders from across the US and Canada for our annual Users Group Summit. The purpose of the summit is to plan for 2013 conferences, and one of those in attendance was Craig Brelage, academic co-chair for PharmaSUG. It was a great opportunity
We’ve already heard from more than 900 SAS users! Now we need to hear from you!
Apply now for the SAS Global Forum Junior Professional Award. Only 20 professionals will be selected. Congratulations to the SCSUG awardees!
Never been to Houston? November 5-6 is perfect for your first trip. Make plans to see some of what the fourth-largest city in the US has to offer; there are some famous visitor destinations - and some not well-known. The South Central SAS Users group is holding its annual SAS Educational Forum in this
It may only be early October, but now is the ideal time to plan, save and prepare for SAS Global Forum 2013, scheduled for April 28 – May 1 in San Francisco. Three Quick Recommendations 1. Check out the pre- and post-conference classes – The topics are great and the
In August 2011, we expanded the scope of the SAS Global Forum blog and rebranded it as the SAS Users Group blog. Our goal was to create one vibrant and dynamic spot for content related to SAS users groups and SAS user presentations. The result has been terrific! Many new
When I first attended SAS Global Forum, you had to wait until you arrived at the conference to get connected with other attendees. There wasn’t a good way to find out in advance who was going to attend or what they were interested in. And if you weren’t attending for
The smallest aircraft I’ve ever flown on was the one I took from Raleigh to Hilton Head, South Carolina to attend my first PharmaSUG – the Pharmaceutical Industry SAS Users Group. That was in 1997, and it’s been my pleasure to work with this great group of volunteer SAS leaders
Sara started it, and I like the idea - the Unofficial Official Guide to SAS Global Forum. My contribution to this unofficial guide is “The Agenda Builder and why it matters to me." In case you're wondering, I use it to:
I’ve been fortunate to see a lot of the US through my work with SAS users groups. My latest trip was to Fort Worth, Texas, where I saw my first rodeo and attended the South Central SAS Users Group (SCSUG) Educational Forum.
The road to becoming a SAS Rock Star often starts at SAS Global Forum. Start making your mark by sharing how you use SAS at the 2012 SAS Global Forum, to be held in sunny Orlando, FL, from April 22 to 25. Submissions are being considered in the technology
More than 175 users attended the recent one-day conferences sponsored by the Pacific Northwest SAS Users Group (PNWSUG). Conference chairs Sara Beck and Mark Thompson, supported by the PNWSUG Executive Committee, created another great learning experience for SAS users in Seattle (Sept 19) and Portland (Sept 21). However, change is
Did you know that the Pacific Northwest SAS® Users Group (PNWSUG) is the oldest regional SAS users group in the U S, offering conferences since 1981? This year PNWSUG updated their usual multi-day, one location conference. They'll offer two convenient one-day conferences: one on September 19 in Seattle and one September
This is your chance to be a part of what has made SAS Global Forum a focal point of innovation in the SAS community for more than three decades. Now through November 14, paper submissions are being considered in the technology and industry solutions tracks. It’s time to write up
Now that I’m finally adjusted to the three-hour time difference from my home, it’s time to head back to SAS World Headquaters in Cary. What a terrific conference this has been! In case you didn’t catch it all, or were unable to make it to Vegas this year, be sure
Rick is another guy I've gotten to know through the SAS users group community, mainly through mutual work with the NorthEast SAS Users Group (NESUG), where's held various leadership positions, including that of conference chair. I wish I had his stamina and motivation. Wait until you find out what he
I've had the pleasure of knowing Andy Kuligowski for years through our mutual work with local and regional SAS users groups. He's a huge hockey fan, and he's not afraid of rats, snakes or alligators (more about that later). His sense of humor is also famous. Read on to learn
SAS Global Forum appreciates the support of its sponsors. I asked a Red Hat representative some questions so that we could get to know this valued Gold sponsor better. 1. What initiatives or goals are you trying to achieve by partnering with SAS? To help SAS and its customers exploit
SAS Global Forum appreciates the support of its sponsors. I asked a Teradata representative some questions so that we could get to know this valued Premier sponsor better. 1. Can you provide some background information on the Teradata Corporation? Teradata is the world’s largest company focused solely on raising intelligence
I recently asked chair Debbie Buck some questions to help us learn more about the upcoming conference. Here’s what she had to share – good reading ahead! 1) How is this year’s conference different from SAS Global Forum 2010? What’s New? SAS Global Forum 2011 includes a number of changes
There are over 400 hundred presentations to choose from at SAS Global Forum 2011. With all of these options, it pays to plan ahead. Why not start building your agenda now? The Personal Agenda Builder tool allows you to plan your conference schedule with point and click ease. It has
