Data Saturday Columbus 2024 was a great mix of speaking, learning, and the best part of any event: the hallway track. From solid sessions to conversations with attendees and fellow speakers, this recap highlights the community moments that made the trip worthwhile—plus a few travel notes, what I presented, and what I’m taking back to future events.

After presenting virtually to Austin, I was asked—unexpectedly—to step in for the Nashville Modern Excel & Power BI User Group. With little prep time, I reused my Austin session and its BBQ-smoker navigation, swapping in Nashville joints like Peg Leg Porker. I was nervous, but the welcoming organizers made it easy, and the extra virtual practice was worth it today.

Preferring in-person talks, I experimented with a virtual setup—switching cameras and upgrading to a Logitech Brio after SQLBits advice. I reached out to Austin’s Power BI and Fabric User Group and presented “Power Up Your Fabric Development with DAX Studio and Tabular Editor,” using a BBQ-smoker navigation motif. The evening lacked coffee, but virtual speaking opened communities 800 miles away.

SQL Saturday Albany 2024 brought travel delays, downtime, and a reminder to use those moments to write. Between speaker dinner reunions, lightning talks on blogging lessons, and a session on powering Fabric development with DAX Studio and Tabular Editor, the community made it worthwhile. The weekend ended with Lake George, Dinosaur BBQ, and gratitude for friends met along the way.

At SQL Saturday Baton Rouge at LSU, we leaned into the conference rhythm: speaker dinner (boudin balls included), sessions and a Patrick LeBlanc keynote, plus hallway conversations that matter as much as slides. I presented “Power BI and External Tools: This is the Way,” highlighting DAX Studio and Tabular Editor. Sunday Fun Day featured Tabasco, Mike the Tiger, and beignets.