22-25 April 2026 DBAs Thrive at SQLBits
SQLBits equips DBAs with the knowledge and confidence to troubleshoot faster, design smarter, and keep critical systems performing at their best.
Every year, hundreds of DBAs come to SQLBits to stay ahead of platform changes, sharpen their performance tuning skills, and prepare for what’s next in SQL Server and beyond. From SQL Server 2025 and Managed Instance to Fabric integration, performance internals, and AI-enhanced tooling, you’ll find sessions designed to help you run, optimise, and future-proof your platforms.
Whether you’re running mission-critical systems on-premises, in the cloud, or across hybrid environments, SQLBits gives you the depth and practical insight to keep your estate secure, stable, and fast.
Common challenges for DBAs
Do any of the following sound familiar? You can find sessions at SQLBits to help you succeed with the following common workplace challenges:
- Recurring performance issues that are hard to isolate? Learn proven troubleshooting techniques, wait statistics analysis, and execution plan strategies that pinpoint real bottlenecks.
- Upgrades or migrations that feel high-risk? Understand version changes, compatibility levels, and safe deployment approaches that reduce downtime and surprises.
- Managing hybrid or cloud estates in Azure? Explore high availability, disaster recovery, and cost-aware architecture best practices.
- Security, compliance, and governance pressures? Strengthen your approach to auditing, encryption, access control, and proactive monitoring.
- Increasing automation expectations? Discover practical ways to streamline maintenance, monitoring, and operational workflows without losing control.
SQLBits equips DBAs with the knowledge and confidence to troubleshoot faster, design smarter, and keep critical systems performing at their best.
Take a look at the 2026 sessions
Take a look at our 2026 sessions, filterable by technology, process, and other useful criteria to help you find the sessions you need, fast.
Or if you’re looking for further inspiration, our 2026 topics offer a broader view of what’s shaping the agenda. Each year, our topics help focus session submissions on the trends that matter most in the data industry right now. You can explore them here.
Relevant key speakers
SQLBits brings together the best speakers in the business – DBAs and data platform practitioners who design, secure, tune, and run mission-critical SQL Server and cloud environments in the real world. You’ll hear from people who deal with the same uptime pressures, performance challenges, and migration decisions you face every day, sharing practical techniques, hard-won lessons, and strategies you can apply immediately.
SQLBits is highly interactive by design. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, work through practical issues, and leave with actionable insights and solutions you can apply immediately back in the office.
Network with people like you
Each year, SQLBits welcomes a rich and diverse mix of attendees from data practitioners to CDOs, creating an environment where perspectives are shared openly and learning is rooted in real-world experience. You’ll leave with insights and ideas you can apply immediately back in your role. You can expect:
- 300+ hours of expert-led content across SQL Server, AI, Fabric, and modern data platforms, delivered by 200+ world-class speakers
- Outstanding networking opportunities, with conversations that go beyond surface level
- Sessions designed for practical learning that sticks and supports real professional growth
- A deep commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and psychological safety, with thoughtful provisions including childcare and on-site counsellors