IT/Dev Connections 2016 Speaker Highlight: Melissa Connors

Part of an ongoing series, we're highlighting the excellent speakers we have handpicked to present phenomenal and extremely valuable content at the IT/Dev Connections conference. Want more? Get the Insider’s Scoop About IT/Dev Connections 2016 on September 8!

This speaker highlight is Melissa Connors.

Melissa's IT/Dev Connection sessions:

Recently, we asked Melissa to give us a little information about herself. Here's what he shared:

ITDC: Give us a brief introduction to you.

Melissa: I live in Maine and work from home for SQL Sentry, LLC as the Special Projects Lead, which means I get to do all kinds of fun stuff.  My background is in testing, analysis, development, and software support.  I also run a SQL Server user group (Maine PASS) and organize Maine SQL Saturdays.  It’s no secret to those following me on social media that I’m also a bit obsessed with German shepherds, foxes, and wolves.

ITDC: Describe the sessions you are presenting and why you feel the topic is important.

Melissa: Ten Rules for Being My Developer - This session covers some stereotypes between DBAs and developers with an aim at improving those relationships.  It focuses on technical things developers can do to earn the trust and respect of their DBAs, which ultimately makes life easier for a developer. 

Top-tier DBA: Secrets of the World's Best Database Administrators - This session explores the extra things that the world’s best DBAs do and how they prevent many of the fires some DBAs are always fighting.  No fire is better than fighting one.

ITDC: What should attendees expect to be able to take away from your sessions?

Melissa: Both of these sessions are panels that I am moderating and they provide an excellent opportunity for the attendees to ask specific questions of the amazing panelists (Tim Ford, Kevin Kline, and Allen White).  While there will be some set topics and slides, these panels have the potential for some great dynamic discussion of the topics, and that is what I hope it will be.  The attendees should expect to take away the combined knowledge from these panelists and their remarkable careers and years of experience.   

ITDC: What is your primary reason to be excited about IT/Dev Connections?

Melissa: The last time I attended IT/Dev Connections I was an attendee, and it was a fantastic event.  A lot has changed for me professionally since then, and I’m looking forward to presenting, spending time with other speakers, and meeting attendees.  I like that this conference has an independent feel to it, the “anti-keynote conference” description is perfect!

ITDC: What is the one key technology you believe is changing the technology industry right now?

Melissa: What ISN’T a key technology changing the industry these days?  Maybe Access and PowerPoint aren’t game changers.  ;-)  I don’t think I can limit it to just one. Cloud, storage, big data, artificial intelligence… it’s all changing the industry at an incredible rate.  What an amazing time to be alive and working in this industry, right?  Former cloud skeptics are now cloud evangelists and storage is fast enough for big data.  It’s all coming together.

ITDC: Assuming attendees want to know, what’s your favorite, non-technical hobby or pastime? What’s one thing that totally irks you.

Melissa: Reading, befriending chipmunks, exploring nature trails in Maine, and road trips through Canada are some of my favorite hobbies.  I’m irked by platitudes, sunlight, the ludicrous amount of misinformation on the internet (particularly social media), and unused Oxford commas.  Oh, you asked for just one?  I’m terrible at that.

IT/Dev Connections runs from October 10 – October 13, at the ARIA Resort in Las Vegas. IT/Dev Connections has been designed specifically for IT, DevOps, and Developers. You can read all about what IT/Dev Connections offers you HERE.

And, there's still time to register!  Here's some important resources to check out:

Registration

Topic Tracks

Full Sessions Catalog

Pre-conference Workshops

Travel and Lodging Information

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