Idera was a sponsor at the SQL Server 2008 Launch Event in Toronto last week and I got the chance to represent Idera at the event.  For those of you I haven't met, I am Bullett Manale, Manager of the Sales Engineering Team at Idera.  However, I can’t say that I had the chance to show off much of my technical knowledge at the Toronto launch event!  It was simply too busy and too crazy to do any demos at the show!  So, if you'd like to see demo of any of our tools for SQL Server, feel free to check them out at your convenience, simply click here! 

• It was the coldest day in a 2 year history in the Toronto area on the day of the event.  (That’s really saying something since we are talking about Canada.)  I think the temperature got around -15 degrees.
• I learned that SQL Server Superheros are a very popular item – everyone wanted them.

  

• We also got the chance to meet some "real" superheros -- from Microsoft.

 

• The bad news: Our original giveaway was going to be a Nintendo Wii.  However, Microsoft was none too happy that we were giving away a competing product. (Oops.) So we decided to change our strategy right before the show started and giveaway a Zune.

 

• The good news: The Microsoft Zune is not yet available in Canada -- so our new giveaway (a Zune) was very popular! Maybe even more popular than a Wii (as evidenced by this guy at our booth!) 

• I learned how to speak like a real Canadian.  To describe anything that is cool, you simply say “Sweet, eh?”  For example, “Those heroes are sweet, eh?”

• I managed to get a ski trip at Blue Mountain – which was great.

• We were visited by the "famous hat man" while at the show.  I guess he travels around having everyone try on his hat.  Maybe this is my fifteen minutes of fame!  Here's a link to his blog http://www.rowsell.org/

• Did I mention it was really cold?