A group of people dressed up in costumes at the famous SQLBits party

History

A potted history of SQLBits through the years.

SQLBits

On the 6 October 2007 we held the first SQLBits, all for free! We had over 320 people turn up to attend 20 sessions, held at Microsoft HQ, TVP Reading.

SQLBits II

SQLBits II The SQL, held on 1 March 2008 at the Lakeside Conference Centre in Birmingham

SQLBits III

SQLBits Cubed took place on 13 September 2008 at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield.

SQLBits IV

SQLBits goes Forth, on 27 – 28 March 2009 Manchester Metropolitan.

SQLBits V

SQLBits goes West, 19 – 21 November 2009 at the Celtic Manor, Newport. Our first 3 day conference: full day training sessions followed by two days of earth shattering conference sessions.

SQLBits VI

SQLBits The 6th Sets took place 16 April 2010 at the Church House Conference Centre in London. A single day event, but the best attended day of all the conferences till then.

SQLBits VII

SQLBits 7, The Seven Wonders of SQL took place 30 September – 2 October 2010 in York, breaking all previous records – a total sell out.

Image from Purple Frog Systems

SQLBits VIII

SQLBits Beside the Seaside, held at The Grand Hotel in Brighton, 7 – 9 April 2011. Perfect beach weather ๐Ÿ™‚

Image from Brad M McGehee

SQLBits IX

SQLBits 9 was held at The Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, 29 September to 1 October 2011. It was a particularly hot weekend, so obviously we gave away scarves ๐Ÿ™‚

SQLBits X

The UK SQL Server 2012 Technical Launch, Novotel Hammersmith, London, 29 – 31 March 2012. A step up from previous events complete with a Casino night, and the ultimate Pub night with Quiz and Pro Darts.

SQLBits XI

SQLBits 11 at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, 2 – 4th May 2013. A Robin Hood-themed evening, some truly memorable sights.

Image from Voice of the DBA

SQLBits XII

SQLBits 12 was held at the Telford International Centre, 17 – 19 July 2014. The Steam Punk Party complete with fun fair and a helter-skelter!

SQLBits 2015

SQLBits Superheros was our first four day event, 4 – 7 March 2015, held at ExCeL London, March 2015.

Image from Cathrine Wilhelmsen

SQLBits 2016

SQLBits in Space at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, 4-6 May 2016. Our very own moon base complete with inflatable domes for our session rooms.

SQLBits 2017

SQLBits Disco was held at the Telford Internation Centre, 5 – 8 April 2017. The first time we returned to a venue, and we managed to fill our Disco dance floor with geeks.

SQLBits 2018

SQLBits 2018 – It’s Magic, was held at the London Olympia, 21 – 24 February 2018. The magic returned to London for a spectacular 4 days of learning and networking.

SQLBits 2019

SQLBits Speakeasy, was held at Manchester Central, 27 February to 2 March 2019.

Team SQLBits

SQLBits 2020

SQLBits The Greatest Data Show switched from March in London to September online, but was still a great success, 29 September to 3 October 2020.

SQLBits 2022

SQLBits Arcade took place at the ExCel, London from 8 – 12 March, following a break for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, also offering virtual attendance.

SQLBits 2023

Held at the ICC Wales, Newport 14 – 18 March 2023. Featuring a Dungeons and Dragons theme.

SQLBits 2023 - Dungeons and Dragons themed stage during the Microsoft Keynote.

SQLBits 2024

Held at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre near London. We exhibited a wonderful theme of Aviation from 19 – 23 March 2024, which everyone embraced.