. . . getting to know all about you!  Everyone says it—getting to know other SAS users is the best part of a SAS conference. The other “best part” are the resources available in the exhibits and demo areas.  I’d have to agree.

Well, this year’s organizers at the 2013 Western Users of SAS Software Conference (WUSS) found a creative way to blend both.  During opening session, conference co-chairs MaryAnn Depesquo and Cynthia Leardmann issued a challenge:  how well do you know helpful folks in the demo area?

Our registration packets included a matching game, and we were encouraged to visit the Exhibits and Demo Area and get to know the Code Clinic doctors, exhibitors and booth sponsors working there.  Conversation starters included probing questions like:

• Did you live next door to a murderer?
• How many states have you visited?
• Are you wearing your lucky earrings?
• What do you know about chinchilla ranching?
• You met your wife before you were born!  How’s that even possible?

Prizes were awarded to winners at the Closing Session with Bill Benjamin taking top prize.  Answers to the WUSS 2013 Challenge have been posted on the conference Web site.

Lunch on Thursday was another opportunity for playing and winning and getting to know the folks at your table!  This time conference organizers awarded those with the most knowledge of Las Vegas trivia:

• What is the total number of spots on a pair of dice?  (Read carefully.)
• If you wanted to run a time-to-event model, what PROC would you use?  (Several answers accepted since there are often many ways to accomplish the same task with SAS!)
• What does “Las Vegas” mean? (I knew this one!)

Don’t you love these ice-breakers?

Many thanks to this year’s organizers. WUSS 2013 was a great conference and another great opportunity for me to get know more about SAS users and regional users groups. By the way, WUSS 2014 will be Sept. 3-5 in San Jose.  Mark your calendars!