SASuser power! Does this phrase conjure up any images for you? I visualize SAS users across the globe, addressing messy data, combating fraud, and making use of business analytics to provide insight and add business value for organizations around the world. We, SASusers are powerful!

With the Potential of One comes the Power of All and, fittingly, this is the theme for SAS Global Forum 2014 (#SASGF14). Conference Chair Marje Fecht shares her POWER-ful advice for preparing your bright ideas in her message on the SAS Global Forum site. The call for content for SAS Global Forum 2014 is now open. This is an opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with the SAS global community.

As I mentioned in a video interview with Vince Cotte at SAS Global Forum 2013, SAS Global Forums are THE place to connect with SAS users and meet with SAS Research & Development. Alongside other SAS users, SAS Institute staff, customers and partners you can learn about upcoming releases in the SAS product offering, leverage the many opportunities to network in person, see live demonstrations, attend presentations, or even give a presentation.

We are now into the second half of 2013 and it is a busy time for SAS users with upcoming forums in Europe and regional user groups in the US to name but a few. In Australia the SAS Sydney Forum was held earlier this month, which drew over 1,000 attendees for this fantastic one-day event. One of the many highlights of the event was the discussion of SANZOC (SAS Australia New Zealand Online Community), an online community for SAS users in Australia and New Zealand. This is a wonderful resource for SAS users to collaborate, network and share information outside of their usual SAS user group meeting or major forum event.

Attending SAS Global Forum 2014 need not be a challenge… Start planning now, read the Five Reasons to Attend SAS Global Forum, consider submitting content – quick tips, presentation, poster or hands-on workshop, plan to register (registration opens October 2013) and use the opportunity to discover Washington D.C. while in town too.

Please share in the comments below your thoughts on what SASuser power means to you and whether you’re planning to attend and/or submit content for SAS Global Forum 2014.

I’ll be there, so be sure to say “G’Day”.
Michelle Homes

SASuser power! was published on SAS Users.