We are a mere 2 days away from the Virtual Launch of SQL Server 2012 and there is a ton of great information & free training (and some pay for) that is primed and ready to go for us to digest. Here is a list of some of the events that you can partake in:

SQL SERVER 2012 VIRTUAL LAUNCH EVENT

This is it people! What we have been waiting so long for has finally arrived. There is a full day of speakers in multiple tracks to enlighten us on all that is new and wonderful in this version of SQL Server.

Date & Time: March 7th, 2012 @ 11a Eastern Time
Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://www.sqlserverlaunch.com/WW/Register
Keynotes: Ted Kummert & Quentin Clark
Full agenda: http://www.sqlserverlaunch.com/ww/Agenda

A few of the highlights:

Powerful Self Service Analysis with PowerPivot	Julie Strauss
Empowering End User Insight Through Rapid Data Exploration & Visualization with Power View	Carolyn Chau
Going Under the Hood with the New BI Semantic Model	Ashvini Sharma
A Technical Best Practices Tour with ColumnStore Index	Susan Price & Eric Hanson
Introduction to SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn, New High Availability Solution	Santosh Balasubramanian

SQL SERVER 2012 SPECIAL OPS TOUR

A 12 City Tour featuring 4 of the SQL Server Product group of highly-skilled experts who have come to divulge the most revealing facts and features around SQL Server 2012.

Date & Time: Various
Cost: Free
Registration Link: http://specialops.sqlpass.org/FreeRegistration.aspx

24 HOURS OF PASS

Join SQL Server experts as they take an in-depth look at the hottest SQL Server topics over 24 consecutive (and free!) technical webcasts.

Date & Time: March 21, 2012 beginning at 00:00 GMT (8pm Eastern Time)
Cost: Free
Registration Link: Big long ugly link

A few of the highlights:

Performance Tuning for Pirates!	John Sterrett
VertiPaq Under the Hood	Marco Russo
SQL Server First Responder Kit	Kendra Little
Moves Like Jagger – Upgrading to SQL Server 2012	Mark Broadbent
Automate Policy-Based Management Using PowerShell	Allen White

 

SQL SERVER CONNECTIONS

During the Spring Connections Conference in Las Vegas the in-person SQL Server Launch event will be taking place.

Date & Time: March 21, 2012 beginning at 00:00 GMT (8pm Eastern Time)
Cost: See website
Registration Link: https://www.devconnections.com/shows/sp2012/register.aspx?s=185
Keynotes: Shawn Bice

A few of the highlights:
SQL Server Connections happens to be going on alongside Visual Studio Connections, ASP.Net Connections, SharePoint Connections (where I will be speaking), Silverlight Connections, HTML5 Connections, and Cloud Connections.

PASS SQLSATURDAY

PASS SQLSaturday’s are free 1-day training events for SQL Server professionals that focus on local speakers, providing a variety of high-quality technical sessions, and making it all happen through the efforts of volunteers.

Date & Time: Various
Cost: Free
Registration Link: http://sqlsaturday.com/