Reid Havens

Power BI Desktop shines with the right tooling. This workshop dives into external tools, governance services, modern modeling features, and scalable self-service patterns so you can build reliable, high-quality semantic models end to end.

In this rapid-fire lightning talk, you’ll learn about often invisible but important Power BI settings that quietly wreck performance, inflate models, and scramble results. With quick demos and instant fixes, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what to check so your reports stop fighting you.

Learn how to design and maintain a clean, scalable Power BI semantic model that supports growth and self-service. We’ll cover what belongs in the core model vs. the report layer, how to extend safely with composite models, when to use UDFs vs. calculation groups, and how tools like Tabular Editor, Semantic Link, and the Power BI MCP server can automate refactoring and model governance.

Think public speaking isn’t for you? Think again. In this quick, energizing session, I’ll share bite-sized, practical tips for delivering talks when you’re not a natural performer. From managing nerves to structuring your opening lines, these tricks come from years of speaking at events—with all the awkward stumbles along the way. Whether you're prepping for your first user group or a big-stage conference, you'll walk away feeling a little less terrified (and a lot more prepared).