Editors Note: Welcome back! After a brief summer hiatus, the SAS Bowl is returning in September.
For SAS Bowl LXII, we'll be focusing on Model Context Protocol (MCP). MCP is an open standard introduced by Anthropic in November 2024 that provides a universal way to connect artificial intelligence applications to external data sources, tools, and workflows. Think of MCP like a USB-C port for AI: just as USB-C standardizes hardware connections, MCP standardizes how large language models (LLMs) talk to external systems, replacing custom integrations for every single app or model.
SAS recently published its own MCP server (see links below). The SAS Viya MCP Server is an open-source connectivity layer that exposes SAS analytics, models, and decision flows as standardized, callable tools for AI assistants and agentic frameworks like Claude or Microsoft Copilot. It translates natural language prompts into secure, governed executions on SAS Viya.
Game Details
The SAS Support Community trivia event, SAS Bowl LXII - Model Context Protocol (MCP) is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, at 10 AM ET.
Register for the event and receive an invite to a Microsoft Teams meeting and a calendar event.
On game day, join the Teams meeting and access the game here.
Below are some resources to introduce you to MCP and the SAS MCP Server that will help you prepare for the game.
SAS Viya MCP Server Product Page
SAS Viya MCP Server GitHub Page
From REST APIs to AI Agents: Why the SAS Viya MCP Server Matters - SAS Communities article from @XavierBizoux
MCP Homepage
Empower Your AI Agents Q&A, Slides, & On-demand - Ask the Expert Webinar
Ask the Expert: Empower Your AI Agents With Analytics and Decisioning Expertise With SAS MCP Server - Ask the Expert Webinar
SAS Bowl and event details
For those who may be new to the SAS Bowl, you can find game history and specifics in this Community memo. There you'll also find links to previous events, which include recordings.
Register for the event and receive an invite with game details and a Teams meeting link. On game day, Join the TEAMS meeting to play, and show off your SAS and worldly knowledge while competing for bragging rights and SAS Community game gear.
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The SEASUG annual conference is taking place October 22–24, 2026, in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Hosted at the Penn State Great Valley Graduate Campus, SEASUG brings together analytics professionals, programmers, statisticians, educators, researchers, and students for three days of technical learning and professional networking. Attendees are encouraged to register by September 2 to take advantage of early registration pricing and pre-conference tutorials.
Morning Tutorials (8:30 AM – 12:00 PM):
SAS® Certification Review: Base Specialist — Jim Blum
Intensive preparation for the Base Programming Specialist certification exam, including sample questions and test-taking strategies.
Getting Started with PROC REPORT: Understanding the Building Blocks — Josh Horstman
A structured introduction to PROC REPORT syntax, formatting, summaries, and reporting logic.
Creating Custom Graphs Using SAS® and R — Richann Jean Watson
Techniques for customizing and enhancing graphs using both SAS and R.
Time for a Quick Start to Time Series Analysis — Danny Modlin, SAS®
Introduction to time series concepts and forecasting workflows using SAS 9.4 and SAS Viya.
Afternoon Tutorials (1:00 PM – 4:30 PM):
PROC SQL Unleashed — Kirk Paul Lafler
Advanced PROC SQL concepts including joins, subqueries, performance optimization, and dictionary tables.
Mastering AI Systems and Machine Learning with Python — Ryan Paul Lafler
Hands-on machine learning workflows using Python and scikit-learn for predictive modeling and AI systems.
PROC FCMP User-Defined Functions: An Unsurpassed Masterclass in SAS®! — Troy Martin Hughes
Introduction to building reusable SAS user-defined functions using PROC FCMP. Attendees also receive a complimentary hardcover textbook.
Whether you plan to attend, present, or both, SEASUG 2026 offers valuable opportunities to expand your technical expertise and connect with fellow analytics professionals. Learn more and register at www.sesug.org.
