Get the most out of Data + AI Summit 2023: Our top picks for sessions and parties | Census

Nicole Mitich
1 June 2023

Get ready, data aficionados! The highly anticipated Databricks Data + AI Summit is returning to the Moscone Center in San Francisco. From June 26-29, 2023, you can immerse yourself in an array of sessions, engaging workshops, lightning chats, and parties over four exciting days.

But let's face it, navigating through all the sessions and a plethora of after-hours parties as the conference looms can be, well, head-spinning. Which ones should you attend? Where should you invest your precious time?

We're here to help. We've painstakingly curated the must-attend sessions and parties at the conference, so you can build your own tailor-made Data + AI Summit itinerary.

Here's a sneak peek of the best sessions and parties at the conference. 👇

Sessions:

Parties:

For more on each, read on!

💡 Must-see sessions

Every event session offers its own, unique flavor of knowledge, inspiration, and networking. But as with any assortment, some stand out more than others – whether that’s because of the topics, speakers, or reputation of the companies they represent. Whatever it is, not all sessions are cut from the same cloth, and that's the beauty of a diverse conference.

So, to help you navigate this loaded agenda, we've handpicked a selection of exceptional sessions. These are a few of the hidden gems, the crowd-pleasers, and the game-changers you should add to your itinerary.

If a Duck Quacks in the Forest and Everyone Hears, Should You Care?

When: Tuesday, June 27 @ 1:00 PM

Speaker: Ryan Boyd, co-founder @ MotherDuck

Get ready to dive into the viral sensation that is "Duck posting" and uncover why DuckDB is creating such a buzz in the data community.

Once upon a time, substantial data analytics required a hefty cluster; now, all you need is a standalone 2MB executable with DuckDB. In this session, Ryan will be unraveling the technical architecture behind it, discussing query optimization, vectorized execution, and the constant upgrades in data compression that contribute to its superior performance.

🦆 Learn more about this session.

Data Democratization at Michelin

When: Tuesday, June 27 @ 3:00 PM

Speakers: Philippe Leonhart, digital transformer, corporate business services @ Michelin and Fabien Cochet, IT expert on data and analytics @ Michelin

In our increasingly data-driven world, the need for organizations to empower their teams with user-friendly data tools is becoming more crucial. In this session, Philippe and Fabien will illustrate the power of fostering a citizen data culture within organizations. They’ll shed light on the significant benefits derived from nurturing 'citizen data personas'—individuals who, despite not being technically inclined, are equipped with the tools and knowledge to create impactful reports.

You'll gain an inside look into Michelin’s successful journey in building such a culture and discover the remarkable business and personal growth that emerged from this initiative. After all, they’re promising not only a compelling argument for the importance of this citizen data culture but also a step-by-step guide to foster this evolution in your organization.

🌍 Learn more about this session.

Leveling Up SQL Transformations in the Lakehouse with dbt

When: Wednesday, June 28 @1:30 PM

Speaker: Andrew Sitz, solutions engineer @ Lovelytics

Why should you pair dbt with Databricks? Andrew will tackle exactly that in a highly anticipated session drawing from Lovelytics's wealth of experience in guiding clients to modernize their data capabilities.

By elaborating on how the SQL-first framework of dbt will empower you to build robust data pipelines on Databricks, Andrew will explain the unique advantages this combination brings and discover how it can revolutionize your data operations.

🆙 Learn more about this session.

Wrangling Your Security Data: Cybersecurity as a Data Management Problem

When: Thursday, June 29 @ 12:30 PM

Speaker: Jacolon Walker, co-founder and CTO @ Monad

The abundance of toolsets, each generating unique data through logs, outputs, and databases, inevitably creates an overwhelming data management predicament. This complexity often hinders security teams from comprehending their overall security stance and using their data effectively.

In this session, Jacolon will explore a novel approach to this issue, treating cybersecurity as a data management problem. He will demonstrate how opening up disparate cybersecurity data to queries can empower organizations to secure their systems more effectively, so folks can gain insights into the value of modeled and organized security on a data warehouse.

🔐 Learn more about this session.

🎉 Can’t-miss parties

There's no way around it: Data + AI Summit offers a long-awaited peek into the latest data advancements. But it's also an excellent opportunity to unwind and revel in some fun after a day of soaking up knowledge.

Wondering where the parties are at? We've handpicked an array of vibrant parties to light up your evenings throughout the summit.

Cocktails in the Cloud

When: Tuesday, June 27 @ 7:30 PM

📍The View Lounge, 780 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Ready to soar above and beyond in your data journey? Join Matillion, Alation, Koantek, and Sigma at their exclusive event, Cocktails in the Cloud. Immerse yourself in a setting that combines unmatched city views with an upscale ambiance. Sip on meticulously crafted cocktails and delight in a spread of seasonal small plates while chatting with like-minded data folks.

Conveniently located just a short jaunt from the Moscone Centre, The View Lounge sits atop the Marriott Marquis on the 39th floor at 780 Mission St. Join them in this sky-high setting and witness your data insights taking flight in the breathtaking panorama of the city!

✈️ RSVP for this event.

SPIN at Dark

When: Tuesday, June 27 @ 8:00 PM

📍SPIN San Francisco, 690 Folsom St #100, San Francisco, CA 94107

You won't want to miss the chance to connect with your data peers over a lively game of ping pong,  cocktails, and delectable catered bites! At this party, you’ll get the opportunity to rub shoulders with industry mavens from leading firms like Monte Carlo, Fivetran, dbt Labs, Census, Cube, Atlan, ThoughtSpot, Prefect, and Slalom.

Enjoy an atmosphere free from pitches and presentations, focusing solely on fruitful discussions and networking with your peers and local data community members.

🏓 RSVP for this event.

And that's a wrap on the top sessions and parties for Data + AI Summit 2023! But don't forget; the Summit is also packed with async networking opportunites. Sprinkle in a few sessions, parties, and networking opps for a truly unforgettable experience.

Now, all that's left is to pack your bags and get ready for an incredible Data + AI Summit 2023 in SF. We’ll see you there! 👀