DATA LUTHIER

As someone who has been involved in running a local data user group for several years, I’ve witnessed first-hand the incredible power of community. Bringing together like-minded individuals who share a passion for data, whether they’re seasoned professionals or newcomers eager to learn, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.

However, as much as I love our regular meetups and smaller gatherings, there’s always been a part of me that wanted to do something bigger and in-person – something that would not only educate but also inspire our community on a larger scale. This year, that dream is becoming a reality with FabFest 2024.

The Unfortunate Cancellation

Earlier this year, there was a highly anticipated data event scheduled to take place in our area, a free to attend event that offers a chance for our community to come together in person and do a lot of learning.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the event was cancelled. The news was met by our group with disappointment, everyone had been looking forward to it. The cancellation left a void, and it quickly became clear that our community still craved that opportunity to connect and grow.

Turning a Setback into an Opportunity

Instead of feeling disappointed, me and the co-organiser of our user group, Lewis (blog), saw an opportunity. An idea started to take shape to host our own event, a full-day event dedicated to data, specifically Microsoft Fabric. The buzz around Microsoft Fabric at the minute is huge with a clear demand for knowledge among the data community. So what if we could pull a group of industry experts together and get that knowledge out there? Together, we started brainstorming and came up with what would eventually become FabFest 2024.

Building Something Together

I’ve written a post previously about the power of knowledge sharing and the community, and what excites me most about FabFest 2024 is the spirit of collaboration that has already begun to take shape. We’ve received an outpouring of support from local businesses and community members who are eager to contribute.

As the date for FabFest 2024 approaches, I’m filled with both excitement and a little bit of nervousness. Organizing an event of this scale is no mean feat, and there are still plenty of challenges ahead, but I’m confident that with the support of my co-organizer, our user group, and the broader community, we’re going to pull off something truly special.

How to get involved?

FabFest 2024 is taking place on Thursday 3rd October at Millennium Point in Birmingham. There are two main ways to get involved. First and foremost, attend! The event is completely free to attend, although due to venue restrictions there are a limited number of tickets available, so please join our group and RSVP here.

The second way is to spread the word. We’re publishing a lot of social media content so if you see it, please share it.

For any further information please visit the FabFest website or get in touch with me. Hopefully I’ll see you there.