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.
SAS users groups are run by SAS users, with support, but not directives, from SAS. During my 15 year tenure in the SAS users group program, I’ve seen up close how important user feedback is in helping to improve the conference experience. Typically we gather feedback informally in presentation sessions
Every person in my department at SAS (User and Customer Marketing) is involved in supporting SAS Global Forum in one way or another. One of the major roles is to coordinate the SAS Demo Area. I recently had a chat with my co-worker Katie Strange, who is responsible for teaming
As Dr. Goodnight explains, SAS Global Forum (formerly known as SUGI) was started by SAS users, who held their first conference in 1976, several months before SAS was even incorporated as a company. The successful tradition of a user run conference, guided by an Executive Board of SAS users, continues
Last month I pointed you towards the conference t-shirt contest on sasCommunity.org. The designs and coding techniques on display were quite creative, and the contest triggered some fun conversation among community members. Now the votes have been cast. And the winner is …self-proclaimed “new kid” Lynne Krajevski. I loved what
Back in December I wrote about the t-shirt contest on sasCommunity.org. Meanwhile, awards season kicked into high gear with the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards - just to name a few. Now it’s time for the first annual Best SAS t-shirt Award Show, and it’s
I hate shopping. Going to the local mall is a form of torture for me. But send me to a virtual store, and I’ll happily browse online and likely place an order. Now I can do the same thing, of sorts, with SAS Global Forum since the presentation schedules and
There is an ancient t-shirt that I have from my first users group conference. It dates from 1995, and it shows a cat holding a floppy disk and the words WUSS (for Western Users of SAS Software) on it. Never mind that I can’t fit into it anymore; Nor can
If you want to save money when you register for SAS Global Forum 2010, check out the two new package offers. Both offers bundle popular registration options at a discount. Not only will they save you money, these special packages may also help you with getting conference approval. It’s an
The route that I use from my home in Raleigh to the SAS Cary headquarters takes me by two exits for the now-running NC State Fair. Last year’s total attendance was 765,067, and hopes are high that this year’s 142nd fair will be another success. So what does the State
Graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the SAS Student Ambassador Program, which covers the cost of travel expenses and registration fees paid to attend SAS Global Forum 2010. What’s the “catch?” You must complete an application and submit a presentation abstract and working draft by midnight October
