
What we’re about
Are you a Data Platform Professional? This meetup is for you. We cover all things SQL Server in the Data Platform with local and international speakers covering topics from Basic to advanced. No topic is off the agenda.
We aim to provide you a one stop place for you to learn and expand your professional networking with like minded SQL Server Data Professionals.
Sign up now to join this new and expanding Meetup to learn and grow your professional network.
Code of Conduct
The Data Platform Downunder Meetup Group supports the diversity of our community. We strive to welcome different perspectives in a community where everyone feels respected and valued, and are committed to inclusion across race, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, geography, religion, identity, and experience.
Above all, we ask that all Data Platform Downunder members be kind to one another and conduct themselves respectfully, creating a positive experience for everyone involved.
• Be friendly and welcoming
• Listen with purpose and create space for others’ communication preferences.
• Ask yourself how you can make someone life easier.
• Be patient
• Remember that people have varying communication styles and preferences.
• Recognize that not everyone is using their native language. Meaning and tone can be lost in translation.
• Be thoughtful
• Think about how others will interpret your words. Aim for clear and productive communication.
• Remember that sometimes it is best to refrain from commenting.
• Be respectful and inclusive
• Respect differences of opinion.
• Seek to understand and build bridges, not condemn or criticize.
• Make a conscious effort to include people who differ from you.
• Be open and curious
• Assume good intent and interpret others’ statements or questions in good faith.
• Ask questions to understand, not denounce.
• Focus on continuous learning. Improve upon the things you already know, tackle new things, and ask others about their expertise to deepen your own knowledge.
If you are subject to unacceptable behavior, notice that someone else is being subject to unacceptable behavior, or have concerns that this Code of Conduct is not being followed, notify us via the Meetup Group Email as soon as possible.
Data Platform Downunder reserves the right to bar any person who violates our Code of Conduct from attending any of our events in entirety or in part, and/or to cancel tickets of any person.
Sponsors
See allUpcoming events (1)
See all- Next-Gen AI Insights Native Vector Search in SQL Server 2025Link visible for attendees
Abstract: SQL Server 2025 extends your existing data platform with a native vector search, enabling AI-powered similarity queries directly within the database. New vector data types and built-in index structures allow you to efficiently store and query high-dimensional embeddings (e.g., from NLP or image models). Thanks to optimized Approximate Nearest Neighbor algorithms, you’ll achieve millisecond-level response times—even with millions of vectors.
This feature unlocks a variety of use cases: you can implement real-time personalized recommendations for e-commerce, semantic analytics on text or image data, or anomaly-based security scans without the need for an external search infrastructure. Seamless integration with Azure hybrid scenarios also lets you scale your vector searches both on-premises and in the cloud. All of this runs on your proven SQL platform, complete with role-based access control and Always Encrypted support for sensitive embeddings.
Speaker: Torsten Strauß
Speaker Bio: Torsten (MVP, MCSE, MCT), CEO of inside-sqlserver and Principal Microsoft SQL Consultant at Sarpedon Quality Lab, specializes in Azure DevOps as well as the performance optimization and development of SQL environments. He has delivered over 300 presentations on these subjects at various national and international conferences and user groups. Torsten has been honored as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for Data Platform since 2018, and Sessionize has recognized him among their most active speakers for three consecutive years.
Linked In
https://www.linkedin.com/in/torsten-strauss/Blogging
https://inside-sqlserver.com/Agenda:
• 12:15-12:30pm: Sign-in & network
• 12:30-12:35 pm: Announcements & Intro
• 12:35-1:35pm: Presentation
• 1:35-2:00pm: Q&A, wrap-upLocation:
Online. You must register for the link