It’s hard to believe, but SAS Global Forum 2016 is less than two months away. As chair of this year’s conference, I’ve been preparing for the event for nearly two years. Now, it’s right around the corner!

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time reading and contributing to the 2016 SAS Global Forum community group. This group was designed to help users stay updated on all things SAS Global Forum 2016. It's a great place to post questions, share ideas for content, and connect with others about the event.

As I was perusing the community recently, I started thinking about what I’m most looking forward to at the conference. Since I really can't choose one single thing, I thought I’d share with you the ten things that excite me most about SAS Global Forum 2016.

1) The First-Timers’ Session

This year, our First-Timers’ session takes place on Monday, April 18 from 2:30-3:30. I always enjoy seeing new faces at the conference and this session is a must if it’s your first conference experience.

2) The Academic Summit

Held on Monday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., this event showcases our SAS Ambassadors, Student Scholarship winners, Faculty Scholarship winners, and the Student Symposium semi-finalists. If you’re in academia, it’s a great time to see the award winners and network with fellow educators and students.

3) The Charity Event

This is event is SOOOOO much fun!  It is a great way to get to know fellow attendees and give back to the Las Vegas community at the same time. This year, attendees will roll up their sleeves on Monday at 7 p.m. to build, decorate and fill wagons with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) items.

4) Monday Evening Mingle and the #SASGF TweetUp

I can’t miss this event. Held from 7-9:30 p.m., this is the perfect place to eat, drink and tweet! It’s a great event to see old friends and make new ones.

5) SAS Student Symposium presentations

Conference sessions begin bright and early Tuesday morning and a few talks I definitely want to attend are the presentations from the first SAS Student Symposium. In these sessions, the semi-finalists will present their solutions to the analytics problem of their choice. I always love seeing the next generation of SAS users in action.

6) Conference Sessions

Getting to attend sessions in general is always a great experience. I always learn something that I can take back to my workplace and immediately implement!

7) Technology Connection

Held on Wednesday morning, the Technology Connection gives me the opportunity to learn about the new things being implemented at SAS. Also during this time we will be announcing the winners of the Student Symposium, and hear from Ben Casnocha, one of our super keynote presenters.

8) David McCandless

Though I’m looking forward to all the great talks, I am particularly excited about David McCandless. His keynote presentation will take place from 2:15-3:15 p.m. on Wednesday. David is the visualization king and I’m looking forward to the creative ways he tackles data presentation.

9) The Kick Back Party

All work and no play makes for a very boring Jennifer and I plan on being front and center at the Kick Back Party to dance and sing along with Capital Cities! This event will take place from 8:00-11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

10) Susan Cain

Another keynote that really excites me! Susan is our final keynote presenter (8:30 on Thursday) and best-selling author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. Her talk promises to be an excellent one.

So there you have it. Jenn’s ten things to be excited about at SAS Global Forum 2016.

What about you?  What are you looking forward to at SAS Global Forum?