These are brief descriptions of some of the many things going on before, during, and after SUGI 30. The information is organized into three sections:

Opening Session
Sunday, April 10
7 – 8:30pm
As the official welcome to SUGI 30, this evening event sets the stage for the days ahead. You'll hear from Gregory S. Nelson, the SUGI 30 Conference Chair, key members of the SAS Executive Team, including Dr. Jim Goodnight, the President and CEO of SAS. And SAS' most prestigious Business Intelligence Award, the Enterprise Intelligence Award, will be presented.

Immediately following the Opening Session, make plans to attend the Get-Acquainted Reception for a sampling of Philadelphia's culture and cuisine.

Technology Connection
Monday, April 11
7:30 – 9am
Presenters from SAS R&D offer a look at what's new for SAS 9.1.3, which extends and refines the SAS®9 offering. Even those using traditional SAS Foundation software for data management and analysis will benefit from the features highlighted in this year's technical session. In addition to demos, we'll review the results of this year's SASware Ballot and present the 2005 User Feedback Award, SAS' most prestigious technical award.

*Funding for both the Opening Session and Technology Connection is provided entirely by SAS.

SAS Demo Area
Monday, April 10, 10am – 7pm
Tuesday, April 11, 10am – 5pm
Wednesday, April 12, 8:30 – 11:30am
Gather the most current information about SAS software and services in SAS' popular Demo Area. You can discuss the latest software enhancements and future innovations with software developers.

• Attend presentations and demonstrations.
• Browse publications.
• Discover training options.
• Talk with technical support representatives.
• Meet members of SAS Alliance, many of whom are also SUGI sponsors.
• Ask about the newest SAS Certified Professional credential.
• Visit the Knowledge Center where you can take a one-stop tour of the integrated, award-winning SAS solutions.

New: CTO Connections
Monday and Tuesday, April 10 – 11, 10am – 5pm
Wednesday, April 12 8:30 – 11:30am
For the first time at SUGI 30! Is your organization considering the newest SAS technology? Do you need more information to plan effectively? Join SAS CTO Keith Collins for a down-to-earth discussion of today's technologies and their potential for IT organizations worldwide. You must register online for one of four topic areas using a special form. Register by April 1, 2005. Seating is limited, and your reservation will be confirmed before the event.

New: SAS Research & Development Connections
Monday and Tuesday, April 10, – 11 10am – 5pm
Wednesday, April 12, 8:30 – 11:30am
New SUGI 30 SAS Research & Development Connections sessions offer an opportunity to share lessons-learned with SAS R&D staff and experienced SAS programmers from other organizations. Topic areas and instructions for reserving a place for one of the topics are available under Connections. Please register by April 1, 2005. Seating is limited, and your reservation will be confirmed before the event.

Paper and Poster Presentations, Hands-on Workshops
Monday, April 10, 9:30am – 5:30pm
Tuesday, April 11, 7:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday, April 12, 7:30 – 11:50am
The conference leaders have arranged for a variety of presenters to speak at SUGI 30. Invited speakers, many of whom are recognized industry experts and seasoned presenters, also include SAS staff presenting the latest information on SAS software.

Abstracts for this year's presentations will be available on this site in January. We'll have a complete presentation schedule, and the ability for registered attendees to create their own personal schedules.

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Opening Night Dinner
Sunday, April 10, 5 – 6:30pm
Immediately prior to the Opening Session, meet your fellow SUGI 30 attendees over dinner. The $32 fee includes the cost of dinner and a visit from Ben Franklin! Discount meal packages are available.

Monday Networking Lunch
Monday, April 11, 12:30 – 1:30pm
Enjoy a chance to discuss the morning activities with your SUGI colleagues during this informal networking lunch. Tickets are for $32. Discount meal packages are available.

Reception Hosted by SAS
Monday, April 11, 5:30 – 7pm
Join SAS staff and fellow users at a reception in SAS Demo Area. Enjoy food, drink, music and other entertainment.

Tuesday Keynote Lunch Presentations
Tuesday, April 12, Noon – 1:30pm
Continue your networking and professional development Tuesday with two keynote options.

Option 1

Pharmaceutical Focus Session Talk
Data Standards and CDISC
Keynote: Stephen Wilson, Ph.D, FDA

Option 2

Rick Langston Talk
Keynote: Rick Langston, SAS

Kickback Party
Tuesday, April 12, 8pm – 1am
Even if SUGI 30 is your first SUGI conference, you have probably already heard about the popular Kickback Party. Enjoy food, drinks, and a night of dancing with your conference friends at this fun event.

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Sunday Seminars and Statistical Tutorials
Sunday, April 10, 8 – 12:30pm
Sunday Seminars cost $95 and you will receive a book and appropriate handouts and most of the topics are appropriate for a variety of SAS experience levels. Statistical Tutorials cost $45 and you will receive appropriate handouts.

Sunday Seminars:
8 – 11:30am

• V9 for V8 People: Exploring the SAS9 Enhancements
     Instructor: Paul Kent, SAS
• Overview of Team Building
     Instructor: Denise Brown, ATI, Inc.
• Introduction to Data Mining and Text Mining
     Instructor: John Wallace, Business Researchers, Inc.

Statistical Tutorials:
8 – 10am

• Power and Sample Size Computations
     Instructor: John Castelloe, SAS
• Analysis of Survival Data With SAS Software
     Instructor: Gordon Johnston, SAS

10:30am-12:30pm

• Introduction to Logistic Regression
     Instructor: Bob Derr, SAS
• Using Mixed Models for Repeated Measures and Random Effects Data
     Instructor: Tonya Etchison Balan, SAS

NEW: Wednesday Afternoon Seminar
Wednesday, April 13, 1:30 – 4:00pm
Continue your SUGI experience by enrolling in this new offer. On Wednesday afternoon, following the SUGI 30 Closing Session, Ralph Kimball will offer a seminar on Dimensional Data. The seminar is $125 and includes lunch and course materials. Space is limited and seats are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pre-Conference Training & Certification Testing Offered by SAS
Wednesday, April 6 – Saturday, April 9
Starting April 6, SAS Education will offer 14 courses covering frequently requested SAS topics, including a specially designed course developed and presented by SAS software developers. Classes will be offered at the Pennsylvania Convention Center April 6 – 8.

Take a SAS certification exam and leave SUGI as a SAS Certified Professional. The SAS Certified Professional Program will offer all six certification exams on Saturday, April 9, in two sessions at 9 a.m and 1p.m.

For more information, visit support.sas.com/training/sugi.

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