We’re Getting Close

It’s hard to believe we’re getting close to our next season of SQL Cruises but we are! As a result, for the few remaining seats we have open, we are extending the Early Bird discounted rate of $1395 for the 2013 SQL Cruise through SQL Connections and PASS Summit events.

However, effective 11/15/2013:

• The registration rate for our Caribbean 2013 SQL Cruise will increase to the full rate of $1795.
• The registration cost for our Alaskan 2013 SQL Cruise slated for May will increase from $1395 to $1595 – still $200 off the full rate of $1795 through the end of the year.

We Want You To Register Early!

SQL Cruise is not your typical SQL technical conference. First of all it’s on a boat! Of greater importance though is the sense of community we attempt to build for each event and that requires attendees to register early and start communicating with one another through our private forums, Google Hangouts (scheduled to start after PASS Summit) and at the Summit itself with private activities just for past, present, and future SQL Cruisers.

By interacting before getting to the ship we find that we have a considerable jump-start towards our goals of not just providing top-tier technical SQL Server, Powershell, and Business Intelligence training – but building stronger, more-competent, and highly-valued personalities out of our attendees. Are you interested in making yourself more valuable to your company? Are you interested in taking your career to the next level as someone sought after not just for their technical prowess, but also their ability to articulate their knowledge to team members and customers alike, build consensuses, or utilize their network of fellow SQL Professionals to provide better service? Then SQL Cruise is exactly what you’re looking for in an educational event and the sooner you register and start participating the more you’ll benefit.

But the Company Won’t Pay for It!

If this is the case you have a couple of options.

Option One:

Ask your company if they will at least allow you to attend at your own cost, but in exchange not dock hours you’ve accrued for PTO. Yes, this event takes place in exotic locations and on cruise ships. We get it – your company thinks this is a vacation. We can point you to any of our former SQL Cruisers who could clarify this assumption with your Manager, Boss, etc. When we are at sea we are in class. When we are outside of class we’re still networking, hosting workshops on “soft skills”, and we’re also providing consulting – troubleshooting real issues in your environments with leaders in the SQL Community and your fellow SQL Cruisers – at absolutely no additional cost to your company. When you’re getting tailored technical advice from consultants routinely charging over $300/hour for their services the least your company could do is not charge you for PTO.

Option Two:

Dip into that PTO balance! 

Even if your company won’t invest in you – you can and have a great time while doing so.

Because when we are in port the days are yours and you deserve it!  You are also encouraged to bring your family with you on a SQL Cruise.  We welcome them as we do you.  They’re more than welcome to take part in all social events, and if a particular topic is of interest they’re welcome to join so long as there are open seats in our dedicated conference room.  For Buck Woody’s sessions on communication and career aboard SQL Cruise 2011 Alaska we had many spouses and partners that joined us making those workshops our first-ever Standing Room Only events aboard SQL Cruise.  (In case you’re interested too he is back this year for our Alaska 2013 SQL Cruise.)

You routinely work well over 40 hours a week. You’re responsible for critical systems 24 hours a day; 7 days a week and deserve some down time, but just like me you probably still love talking shop with anyone who will listen.  This is the best vacation ever in the history of vacations for you then:  you get downtime and are encouraged to talk shop!

Even if your company still doesn’t waver on this argument you are traveling for the benefit of education and business. Depending on your tax situation a portion of these expenses may be deductible based upon the tax laws in your region.

What are You Waiting For?

We anticipate we will be closing registration on the Caribbean 2013 SQL Cruise by the end of the PASS Summit in early November. Don’t gamble and put off registering until after the event. Go to www.sqlcruise.com/register/ today and find out how you can attend the what is sure to be one of those events you’ll look back on over the course of your career as a key moment in your success.

Learn. Network. Relax. Grow. Just Add Water.