Important Dates
August 10, 2009
Early Registration deadline
August 10, 2009
Special Hotel Room Rate deadline
August 24, 2009
 Regular Registration deadline
August 30-31, 2009
Pre-conference,
Full-Day Classes
September 1, 2009
Pre-conference,
Half-Day Classes
September 1-3, 2009
WUSS 2009 Conference
September 3, 2009
Post-conference,
Half-Day Classes
September 4, 2009
Post-conference,
Full-Day Classes
 


Boost Your SAS Skills at WUSS 2009
September 1-3, 2009


Join us for an exciting conference filled with valuable educational,
professional development, and networking opportunities.

Raoul Bernal
Academic Program Chair

Sally Carson
Operations Chair

From the Conference Chairs ... . .
We invite you to Boost your SAS Skills at the 17th Annual Western Users of SAS Software (WUSS) Conference. WUSS 2009 will be held September 1 – 3, 2009, in San Jose, California, at the Fairmont San Jose. We are continuing the WUSS tradition of providing excellent opportunities for your professional growth and development in using SAS software. You will be able to learn new techniques that improve overall efficiency and increase productivity, attend full-day and/or half-day training courses before and after the conference, share SAS knowledge and ideas with other users, get assistance with your programming challenges from SAS experts, and work towards a SAS Certification credential by taking a SAS Certification Exam. The Exhibit and Demo Area is where you can talk to SAS developers, see product demonstrations, and meet representatives from SAS service areas such as Publications and Technical Support. While in the Exhibit and Demo Area, visit with the sponsors and exhibitors who generously provide financial support to WUSS.

WUSS 2009 gets off to an energetic start Tuesday afternoon with Michael Raithel's Keynote Address, It's Not Easy Being a SAS Programmer! After the opening session, there will be multiple opportunities to expand your SAS horizon:

Presentations on Multi-Disciplinary Topics:

Workshops:

Presentations by SAS Institute

Code Clinic

You'll be working hard, but can also take some time for fun and relaxation! You won’t want to miss the Evening Networking Mixer on Tuesday to share SAS or life stories with other attendees. On Wednesday, be sure to join us at the SAS-sponsored Customer Appreciation Keynote Luncheon with a surprise speaker from SAS! Lastly (but not leastly!), come to the Closing Session on Thursday for Awards, Announcements and Drawings.

As in the past many years, WUSS is sponsoring a Children's Book Drive. Please help us give back to our host town.

We look forward to seeing you in San Jose in September!
 

Especially for New Programmers
SAS Essentials Workshop

New programmers can boost their skills in the day and a half long SAS Essentials Workshop. The section begins on Wednesday morning with the fundamentals of the DATA STEP, debugging your programs and finding SAS resources, and concludes on Thursday morning with guided hands-on PC instruction. The workshop is included in your registration and you are welcome to attend any or all sessions.

Volunteer at the Conference

WUSS conferences are run entirely by volunteers – energetic people like YOU who get involved. Volunteering is a great way to get to know people, is easy and fun, and contributes to the success of our conference. Volunteers who contribute at least 4 hours of time will be invited to a party on Thursday night as a token of our appreciation. 

Choose from a variety of tasks, according to your interests and available time. Most jobs give you plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the conference:

  • Session Coordinators: attend a full morning or afternoon session in your favorite paper section. Assist the Section Chair with equipment, lighting, speaker introductions, and time keeping.

  • Registration and Information Desk Staff: help conference attendees before and during the conference. Answer questions, give directions, and hand out conference materials.

  • Hands-On Workshop Facilitators: provide assistance to attendees in Hands-on Workshop sessions. Requires copetency in subject content and willingness to review and understand material that will be presented. Must be able to assist with basic hardware or operating system problems.

  • Operations Support: help with setup, tear-down, signs, and catering— wherever help is needed!

To volunteer - E-mail Our Volunteer Coodinator
volunteer@wuss.org


Student Scholarship Program

The WUSS Executive Committee and SAS are providing numerous scholarships to full-time college students. Scholarships include complimentary conference registration, discounted hotel room rates and up to two half-day pre/post-conference classes. Scholarship recipients will be expected to serve as session coordinators for classes they attend.

Who is Eligible?
Only full-time college undergraduate or graduate students will be considered.

What Documents Must Be Provided?
Proof of student enrollment must be submitted with your application. ‘Proof’ includes copies of current classes, enrollment confirmation, and current student identification card.

How Do I Apply?
Application forms and instructions are found at www.wuss.org/scholarships. Complete application form and submit accompanying documents by August 3, 2009.

If you have any questions, email scholarships@wuss.org
New for 2009
Junior Professional Award Program

WUSS and SAS are offering a new awards program for Junior Professionals. Awards include complimentary conference registration and up to two half-day pre/post-conference classes. Recipients may be expected to serve as session coordinators for classes they attend.

Who is Eligible?
Applicants who have used SAS in their jobs for 3 years or less and would otherwise not be funded by their companies to attend the conference.

How Do I Apply?
Complete the application form and e-mail to jpa@wuss.org by by August 3, 2009.

If you have any questions, email jpa@wuss.org.