What is PASS?
PASS is the definitive, global community for SQL Server professionals with more than 15,000 members worldwide.
PASS is the only independent, user-run, not-for-profit association committed to providing SQL Server professionals around the world with technical resources and knowledge for professional and personal benefit.
We are an official local group of the PASS organization.
Is there a membership fee for the user group?
No. Currently, there are no fees for the local chapter. Our events are made possible by sponsors, so there is no cost for attendees to attend our meetings.
How often are the meetings held?
Typically we meet one a month, or once every other month. Our preferred meeting date is the third Wednesday of each month, but that may vary based on speaker availability, and venue availability.
If you would like to receive an alert about our next meeting, please sign up for our emails here.
What do I need to bring to a meeting?
You may want to bring a pen & paper, or a tablet or laptop to take notes on.
If you wish to network with recruiters and peers with job openings, consider bringing a business card or resume. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself and your skills.
We will provide the food and drink, but we do request to pick up after yourself and use the trash receptacles to keep the building clean.
If you haven’t attended before, write down the address for your GPS or print a map before you leave home/work.
What is the dress code for attending?
The event is relaxed. Most attendees wear business casual, jeans or slacks. Formal attire is not required.
Where are meetings held?
We meet at the Charlotte Microsoft Campus, near I 77 and Arrowood Rd (Exit 3).
The building and room may vary monthly. Check the RSVP on EventBrite for details.
- The address of Building 1 (rightmost building) is 8050 Microsoft Way, Charlotte, NC 28273
- The address of Building 2 (leftmost building) is 8055 Microsoft Way, Charlotte, NC 28273.
Do I need to RSVP for meetings?
Yes please! An accurate count is helpful so we don’t buy too little or too much food. We send out invitations through EventBrite. Make sure to sign up as a user on this site, and we’ll add you to our invitation list!
Need to check your RSVP status? Go to EventBrite and choose “My Tickets” at the top of the page. Meetings you have registered for will be shown.
Need to cancel? If you cannot attend after you have RSVP’d, we would appreciate it if you could cancel your reservation in case there is a wait list. Go to EventBrite and choose “My Tickets” at the top of the page. Click View Order next to the correct event, then the Cancel Order button.
What kinds of topics are discussed at CSSUG meetings?
SQL Server is huge topic! So big, there’s a second user group devoted entirely to Business Intelligence. Even with this extra user group, there’s still a lot to cover.
At our user group meetings we cover topics from SQL Server programming, to Database Administration, and Azure. While we occasionally cover Business Intelligence topics, we stick the “other half” of SQL.
I’m not a SQL expert. Should I even bother attending?
Absolutely. We will have presentations at all levels over the course of the year. And, we’re always interested to hear about what you’d find helpful to learn. If you’re looking for a specific topic, let us know what you’d like to learn!