topic Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022? in SAS Global Forum Discussion

What is the state of SASGF 2022?

Kurt_Bremser — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 07:50:31 GMT

Is it still planned for San Diego in April as an in-presence event, or will it be turned into another virtual conference because of Covid?

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

yabwon — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 09:34:58 GMT

@ChrisHemedinger

Chris, any news?

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

ChrisHemedinger — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 11:58:34 GMT

Hi Bart,

I believe that plans are not yet final so nothing to announce yet -- stay tuned. However, some associated events are underway, like The Curiosity Cup (formerly "Student Symposium") -- check it out!

Chris

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

pmbrown — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 11:02:46 GMT

what are the typical key dates for SAS GF? eg submission of abstracts? thanks

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

Kurt_Bremser — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 11:13:56 GMT

@pmbrown wrote:

what are the typical key dates for SAS GF? eg submission of abstracts? thanks

Usually, the call for papers would have been out at this time.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

Quentin — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 11:26:05 GMT

"Typical" might not help, as we're living in outlier times... : )

My advice for folks planning to submit to SGF would be to start writing your paper now. It's never a bad thing to be ahead of schedule. And even if you decide not to submit this year, there is always next year, and plenty of LUG / RUG meetings in between.

(Also I'm a very slow writer, and I never have the confidence to submit an abstract until I've written a draft paper as a way to prove to myself that I can handle the material...)

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

pmbrown — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 11:31:10 GMT

i was wondering/hoping if they require only an abstract this year, then the paper could be drafted later (if the abstract is accepted for the conference)

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

Kurt_Bremser — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 11:36:23 GMT

My paper is basically finished, as it was planned for Washington. I only need to redo it with the current templates, once those are out.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

Quentin — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 11:40:58 GMT

@pmbrown wrote:

i was wondering/hoping if they require only an abstract this year, then the paper could be drafted later (if the abstract is accepted for the conference)

I have no insider information as to planned submission requirement. But I've been a reviewer of SGF submissions in the past (it's an impressive, well-coordinated review process with multiple reviewers of each submission) and while abstract-only submissions were allowed, it's really hard to judge an abstract. I think the last time I reviewed they encouraged you to upload *something*. It could be a paper draft (which I prefer, but it's a lot of work), an outline (hopefully fairly detailed) or a draft slide deck. I think last year they asked people to submit brief videos, since they knew it would all be pre-recorded.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

ChrisHemedinger — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:14:56 GMT

Hi All,

Thanks for your enthusiasm for this event and for your willingness to share your expertise. Details are still being finalized but to help in your planning, I want to share some important updates:

There will not be a global SAS users conference in the Spring (April). The Spring event will be smaller and feature content aimed at analytics decision makers.
There is a large global SAS users event planned for early Fall (Sept). This event is planned as a virtual summit. Keep working on your content ideas – we’ll want you to share them at this big marquee event!
Additionally, there will be an event for SAS Partners as well as our now-annual SAS Hackathon event.

More details about all planned events are now available, along with an announcement from SAS Chief Marketing Officer, Jenn Chase. We’re continuing to work with Regional and Local user groups to help connect them with the content and support they need too. Check out this group for SAS User Group leaders/volunteers and join the discussion.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

TashaChapWUSS — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 17:37:48 GMT

Is there a reason that a large global event is being scheduled for Fall, when the Regionals usually have their events already scheduled? And is this going to be the future for SGF?

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

ChrisHemedinger — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 18:23:22 GMT

Hi @TashaChapWUSS,

We know this makes for a crowded Fall season with SAS users events, and that some regional groups are very far along with their plans for in-person conferences. I personally hope to attend some of those. We're still working to plan how it will all work for this year and for the future. I know that our "announcement" here generates more questions, but we wanted users to know what to expect in April since many were making plans. More to come soon.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

TashaChapWUSS — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 21:37:37 GMT

Chris, I am completely stunned, and quite honestly troubled by this news. When you say that Regional groups are far along in planning, as a Regional group leader and conference chair for WUSS 2022, I feel I should clarify what that actually means. Our organization currently holds multiple contracts with hotels, which have been set years in advance, and are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue (or losses) for our organization. And we are not the only Regional in this situation. SAS has been fully aware of the dates of our Regional conferences ever since those contracts were signed. This announcement puts us in direct competition for attendees, speakers, class instructors, sponsors and exhibitors, SAS support, and other resources.

This is in direct violation of a longstanding agreement between SAS and between all the other regionals to not "cannibalize" each other, by steering clear of set conference dates as much as possible, an agreement that was put in place for everyone’s benefit. Who benefits from SGF moving to the Fall?

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

DeannaGregory — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 23:13:15 GMT

As a conference chair for SESUG 2022, I am equally concerned. SAS support through speakers/presentations and presence at the conference is very important to our attendees. It is beneficial for everyone to have that face-to-face interaction. We had a harmonious existence in years past by providing these opportunities throughout the year (SASGF in Spring, Regionals in Fall). This threatens this balance by either forcing RUGs to consider moving dates to the Spring (drastic moves like this have been deliberately avoided due to several logistical reasons - in obvious addition to the desire to maintain harmony) or needlessly saturating a time of year with decisions on professional development that directly abut and overlap the established routine of fiscal and domestic demands that impact the decisions of organizations and individual employees every year. In addition to this, we have no real idea of what a post-COVID conference world will look like. Those of us running the regional conferences this year and next have already been trying to build and share our knowledge and insight so as to create the best experience for our collective community. This decision by SAS event planning - while simultaneously excluding the RUGs, LUGs, and IHUGs that support the development of SAS's end users - serves as a huge red flag that SAS event planning has insight or information that they have neglected to share with community organizers for the benefit of the community on the whole. Instead of collaborating with us to ensure the best 2022 experience for our community, we were slapped with a lack-luster update via post on this forum that has significant potential to impact our ability to best serve our community. It is too late to reschedule our conferences to the Spring to maintain harmony, so we are left to wonder what other surprises SAS has for us, and how to plan for them.

It definitely feels like this was either an oversight by SAS, or deliberate. It goes against our established relationship for years. I hope that since this move has had significant internal planning and support, that insight will be shared with the RUGs as well? We still want to create the best experience for our users, it is the most important thing to us. What is SAS's vision for our community moving forward?

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

ChrisHemedinger — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 11:55:40 GMT

@TashaChapWUSS & @DeannaGregory and other user group leaders --

We realize that the Regional groups are far along in their planning and their commitments. As I attended SESUG I could see the exciting plans coming together for Mobile, AL in 2022.

We all agree that in-person events are irreplaceable with their experiences of networking and face-to-face interactions. I'm hopeful that local and regional events can help fill that gap.

We'll connect offline with you and the other regional leaders so we can have a proper discussion. As far as I'm concerned we're as committed as ever to help Regional and Local group events succeed and thrive.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

TashaChapWUSS — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 15:21:21 GMT

I appreciate the opportunity to continue this discussion offline. However, SAS needs to be aware that this has generated *significant* conversation (and concern) within the community, among leaders and users alike. I can't speak for all of them, so I anticipate that you will continue to hear from all of those affected, here and elsewhere.

I cannot stress enough the gravity of this situation. We're coming off of the heels of COVID, which rocked us as much as any organization. And now SAS is putting a free, global, marquee event (your words) directly on top of us at the most sensitive time. Nothing about that indicates a desire for Regional and Local groups to succeed and thrive.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

CJac73 — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 20:19:03 GMT

With this change from Spring to Fall for SGF, this will impact the regionals since they are usually scheduled during the fall. As a regional user group planner, my group's concern will be with the level of SAS support for our groups since we would be planning for the same time frame that the SGF will be held. There are other issues that will impact how the regional groups plan their next few forums.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

ChrisHemedinger — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 20:32:05 GMT

I appreciate your points, Clarence. We'll talk more at our meeting next week (I know you'll miss -- Happy Veterans Day! -- we'll have notes to share) and in the coming weeks and months as the plans become more formal. But in general our intent is keep supporting the Regionals and Locals and maybe even amp things up if we can. Since SAS isn't hosting a big global in-person event, this presents the regional groups with a more exclusive opportunity for that experience. And we would love to help make that happen with your collaboration.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

ChrisHemedinger — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:27:39 GMT

Sharing an update for those of you following this conversation. The new SAS events lineup has been published. In addition, SAS' Chief Marketing Officer, Jenn Chase, has published an announcement here. (I've edited the "solution" message on this thread with these details.)

We're continuing to meet with user group leaders -- including SESUG and WUSS who have firm plans for in-person events in Q3/24 2022 -- to re-affirm our support for these user events and work on ways to ensure all of these engagements are additive and not competitive. If you aren't already part of these conversations and you have ideas to share, please reach out directly to me or to @kateulveling.

Re: What is the state of SASGF 2022?

Kurt_Bremser — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 08:19:05 GMT

So it looks as if I have been a presenter at the last in-person SASGF, and the last SASGF overall. Another way to be part of history 😞