Covering Three Tracks: Database Administrators, Application Development and Business Intelligence CHICAGO--The Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), the largest SQL Server user group and host of the PASS 2008 Summit, announce today highlights for its pre-conference seminars. PASS is the first independent, user-run global association of SQL Server professionals and represents more than 28,000 SQL Server users. This year’s summit will take place in Seattle, Washington at the Washington State Trade & Convention Center from November 18 to 21, 2008 with the pre-conference seminars starting Monday, November 17. With the success of last year's pre-conference seminars, PASS has added more valuable content to their line-up by offering 14 different sessions to meet the needs of database administrators, application developers and business intelligence professionals. Of the 14 pre-conference seminars, two will be presented by members of the Microsoft Product Support Services (PSS) team and four will be presented by other Microsoft teams. Details for the Microsoft-led sessions will be available in June. “These seminars provide real world solutions by teaching through examples,” said Brian Knight, president of Pragmatic Works and a PASS pre-conference speaker. The seminars are all day, in-depth, educational opportunities conducted by industry leaders from the SQL Server Community and offer the attendees hands-on educational experience coupled with insights and ideas for the future. Tailored to meet the specific needs of individual, the seminars are divided into three tracks: database administrators (DBA), application development (App Dev) and business intelligence (BI). Attendees can choose from a variety of seminars including: DBA Track: SQL Server Data Storage Formats: Internals, Performance and Best Practices, led by Kalen Delaney Database Maintenance: From Planning to Practice to Post-Mortem, led by Kimberly L. Tripp and Paul Randal System Performance Monitoring & Troubleshooting, led by Andrew Kelly App Dev Track: Advanced T-SQL Querying and Programming in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2008, led by Itzik Ben-Gan SQL Server 2008 Features for Developers, led by Bob Beauchemin Securing SQL Server from Predators, led by Peter DeBetta BI Track: SSIS 2005 and 2008 Boot Camp, led by Brian Knight Designing, Planning, and Tuning a Scalable BI Solution, led by Erik Veerman PASS 2008 Summit Pre-Conference registration is required. The cost of each seminar is US$395. For more information on the pre-conference topics and registration, please visit www.sqlpass.org. Early bird conference registration rates apply through June 30, 2008. About the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) The Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) is the first independent, user-run global association of SQL Server technology users. PASS is the definitive global community for more than 25,000 SQL Server professionals. PASS’ mission is to provide SQL Server technology users with the resources they need to meet their organization’s strategic and tactical objectives using SQL Server while also enhancing both their personal and professional competitive advantages in the marketplace. PASS offers its members a variety of unique educational opportunities, including user conferences, distinctive Web offerings, unparalleled professional networking opportunities and direct advocacy to Microsoft. For additional information on PASS and the benefits of becoming a member, please visit the PASS Web site at www.sqlpass.org.