
About SAS® Global Forum

Did you know that SAS Global Forum got its start in 1976? Back then, the conference was actually called SAS.ONE. The event, held in Kissimmee, FL, consisted of a couple dozen sessions. My how times have changed!
Fast-forward to 2020 and our event was transformed into an immersive online experience. We’ll do the same in late spring 2021. Despite the evolved format, one thing will never change: The conference remains an incredible event for those seeking to broaden both their SAS skills and their analytics futures.
Explore Event Details
Mission
Champion the needs of SAS users worldwide to help them learn, connect and grow.
Vision
To be the SAS community’s most vibrant facilitator by connecting SAS professionals to expert content, best practices and thought leadership.
Strategy
In partnership with SAS, the SAS Global Users Group Executive Board supports the continued growth of a global community of professionals by providing engaging opportunities to meet, present and share ideas. This is accomplished through a broad professional platform that includes an annual conference designed to inspire people to learn more about SAS and create opportunities for personal and professional achievement.
Objective
To be the premier international SAS conference for developing SAS professionals.
Scope
In partnership with SAS, the SAS Global Users Group Executive Board drives strategies that provide SAS users with exceptional content and networking opportunities throughout the year, including SAS Global Forum, media activities, blogs, e-learning and other venues.
Advantage
With more than four decades of experience managing the conference, the SAS Global Users Group Executive Board is a diverse group of individuals who bring a myriad of perspectives on how people use SAS products and services. The board advocates on behalf of the community in order to support its growth.
Your Executive Board
John Amrhein
McDougall Scientific Ltd.
SAS Global Forum 2017 Chair
Christopher Blake
Boemska
SAS Global Forum 2022 Chair
Goutam Chakraborty
Oklahoma State University
SAS Global Forum 2018 Chair
Jennifer Chase
SAS
Gavin Day
SAS
MaryAnne DePesquo
Health Care Consultant
SAS Global Forum 2019 Chair
Dina Duhon
BMO Financial Group
SAS Global Forum 2021 Chair
Marje Fecht
Prowerk Consulting
SAS Global Forum 2014 Chair
Jim Goodnight
SAS
Kenneth L. Koonce
Louisiana State University
SUGI 6 Chair
Scott Leslie
MedImpact Healthcare Systems
SAS Global Forum 2023 Chair
Lisa Mendez
IQVIA Government Solutions
SAS Global Forum 2020 Chair
J. Philip Miller
Washington University School of Medicine
SUGI 8 Chair
Sean O’Brien
SAS
Jerry L. Oglesby
SAS
SUGI 18 Chair
Duke Owen
Mile High Healthcare Analytics
SUGI 29 Chair
Jennifer Waller
Augusta University
SAS Global Forum 2016 Chair
Your Content Team
SAS Global Forum includes an abundance of incredible sessions from which our attendees can learn, develop and grow their SAS knowledge. An elite panel of content reviewers and approvers help make it possible.
Future Conferences
SAS® Global Forum 2021
May 18-20 2021
Virtual Event
Dina Duhon
Conference Chair
SAS® Global Forum 2022
April 10 - 13, 2022
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Christopher Blake
Conference Chair
SAS® Global Forum 2023
April 30 – May 3, 2023
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Scott Leslie
Conference Chair
Past Conferences
-
SAS® Global Forum 2020
Virtual Event
Lisa Mendez, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2019
April 28 – May 1, 2019
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Dallas, TX
MaryAnne DePesquo, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2018
April 8 - 11, 2018
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, CO
Goutam Chakraborty, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2017
April 2 - 5, 2017
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Orlando, FL
John Amrhein, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2016
April 18 - 21, 2016
The Venetian
Las Vegas, NV
Jennifer L. Waller, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2015
April 26 - 29, 2015
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Dallas, TX
Tyler Smith, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2014
March 23 - 26, 2014
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
Washington, DC
Marje Fecht, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2013
April 28 - May 1, 2013
Moscone West Convention Center
San Franscisco, CA
Rick Mitchell, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2012
April 22 - 25, 2012
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Orlando, FL
Andrew T. Kuligowski, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2011
April 4 - 7, 2011
Caesars Palace
Las Vegas, NV
Debbie Buck, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2010
April 11 - 14, 2010
Washington State Convention and Trade Center
Seattle, WA
Lauren Haworth, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2009
March 22 - 25, 2009
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
Washington, DC
Lori Griffin, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2008
March 16 - 19, 2008
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
San Antonio, TX
Warren E. Stinson, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS® Global Forum 2007
April 16 - 19, 2007
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Orlando, FL
Robert C. Fecht, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 31
March 26 - 29, 2006
Moscone West Convention Center
San Francisco, CA
Kim LeBouton, Conference Chair
Proceedings
-
SUGI 30
April 10 - 13, 2005
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philadelphia, PA
Greg S. Nelson, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 29
April 9 - 12, 2004
Le Palais des congrès de Montréal
Québec, Canada
Duke Owen, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 28
March 30 - April 2, 2003
Washington State Trade and Convention Center
Seattle, Washington
Art Carpenter, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 27
April 14 - 17, 2002
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Orlando, Florida
Cyndie Gareleck, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 26
April 22 - 25, 2001
Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, CA
Frank Fry, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 25
April 9 - 12, 2000
Indiana Convention Center
Indianapolis, IN
Nancy Wilson, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 24
April 11 - 14, 1999
Fontainebleau Hilton Resort & Towers
Miami Beach, FL
Mic Lajiness, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 23
March 22 - 25, 1998
Opryland Hotel
Nashville, TN
Sally Goosetry, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 22
March 16 - 19, 1997
San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina
San Diego, CA
Janet Bosomworth, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 21
March 10 - 13, 1996
Chicago Hilton & Towers
Chicago, IL
Paul Grant, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 20
April 2 - 5, 1995
Walt Disney World Dolphin
Orlando, FL
Neil Howard, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 19
April 10 - 13, 1994
Loews Anatole
Dallas, TX
Peter Kretzman, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 18
May 9 - 12, 1993
Hilton & Towers/Sheraton
New York, NY
Jerry L. Oglesby, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 17
April 12 - 15, 1992
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Honolulu, HI
E. Jeffrey Hutchinson, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 16
February 17 - 20, 1991
Hilton Riverside & Towers
New Orleans, LA
Martin J. Rosenberg, Conference Chair
Proceedings
-
SUGI 15
April 1 - 4, 1990
Opryland Hotel
Nashville, TN
Tony L. Oña, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 14
April 9 - 12, 1989
San Francisco Hilton & Tower
San Francisco, CA
Richard LaValley, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 13
March 27 - 30, 1988
Orlando World Marriott
Orlando, FL
Robert M. Hamer and Gerald Hobbs, Conference Chairs
Proceedings -
SUGI 12
February 8 - 11, 1987
Loews Anatole
Dallas, TX
Pat Hermes Smith, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 11
February 9 - 12, 1986
Atlanta Hilton & Tower
Atlanta, GA
Don Henderson, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI 10
March 10 - 13, 1985
MGM Grand
Reno, NV
Mike Farrell and Rod Strand, Conference Chairs
Proceedings -
SUGI '84
March 18 - 21, 1984
Diplomat Hotel
Hollywood Beach, FL
Sally Carson, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI '83
January 16 - 19, 1983
New Orleans Marriott
New Orleans, LA
J. Philip Miller, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI '82
February 14 - 17, 1982
San Francisco Hilton and Tower
San Francisco, CA
Helene Cavior, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI '81
February 8 - 11, 1981
Dutch Inn
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Kenneth L. Koonce, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI '80
February 18 - 20, 1980
St. Anthony Hotel
San Antonio, TX
Rudolf Freund, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SUGI '79
January 29 - 31, 1979
Sheraton Sand Key
Clearwater, FL
Ramon Littell and William Wilson, Conference Chairs
Proceedings -
SUGI '78
January 30 - February 1, 1978
Caesar's Palace
Las Vegas, NV
Mike Farrell and Rod Strand, Conference Chairs
Proceedings -
SUGI '77
January 3 - 5, 1977
Fairmont
New Orleans, LA
Rod Helms, Conference Chair
Proceedings -
SAS.ONE '76
January 26 - 28, 1976
Hyatt World
Kissimmee, FL
Julian Horwich, Conference Chair
Proceedings
Outreach/Award Winners
The SAS Global Forum Executive Board is committed to giving back. One important way the board does so is in the form of scholarships and awards. The recipients of such awards are among the best and the brightest. Learn more about each award below, and review the list of previous winners.
New SAS® Professional Award
For relatively new SAS users who want to experience the conference for the first time, there's the New SAS Professional Award (formerly known as the Junior Professional Award). This award provides full-time SAS professionals with five years or less of SAS experience the opportunity to earn a free conference registration and one free pre-conference tutorial. Eligibility criteria: You have never attended a SAS Global Forum in the past and would not otherwise be able to attend.
International SAS® Professional Award
The International Professional Award provides SAS users
outside of the 48 contiguous US states the opportunity to attend the conference. Eligibility criteria: You must be a full-time SAS professional who has never attended a SAS Global Forum and would not otherwise be able to attend. This award provides free registration, including meals; one free pre-conference tutorial; and an invitation to an awards recognition luncheon.
Student Scholarships
SAS Global Forum provides a powerful platform for students to advance their SAS skills, network and collaborate with other SAS users. That’s why the Executive Board provides scholarships to cover costs associated with conference attendance.
Faculty Scholarships
Faculty are at the forefront of talent development. SAS
Global Forum connects academia and industry to share ideas and advance innovation. Scholarships recognize faculty and provide opportunities for them and their students to benefit from the global experience and recognition of conference participation.
Student Ambassadors
The SAS Student Ambassador program is designed to recognize the next generation of SAS users. This highly competitive program showcases students using SAS technologies in innovative ways in their respective fields of study. Award recipients get the opportunity to present on a global stage at SAS Global Forum and receive free registration, travel and hotel expenses.
SAS® Global Forum 2020 Attendee Overview
Reach & Attendance
4X More Attendees Reached Virtually (as compared to 6,646 registrants in 2019)
Global Diversity
US – 45%
EMEA – 24%
Latin America – 14%
Asia Pacific – 9%
Canada – 8%
Rave Reviews
“The interface was nice to navigate, the audio quality was great, just all of it was really, really impressive.”
“Really loved the online accessibility and selection of speakers."
"The site was very well-organized! I commend SAS. I’ve never attended anything like this – it was amazing!"
Industries
18%
Financial Services
14%
Health Care & Life Sciences
14%
Education
13%
Government
10%
Services
8%
Other
6%
Manufacturing
5%
Insurance
4%
Communications & Media
4%
Retail
3%
Energy & Utilities
1%
Hospitality
Dina Duhon
BMO Financial Group
SAS Global Forum 2021 Chair
Dina Duhon is Director of Credit Risk Modeling – Decision Science at BMO Financial Group, where she is responsible for consumer and small business credit decisioning models for North America. Prior to joining BMO, she led teams responsible for the development of adjudication, account management, collections, IFRS9 and Basel II models (PD, EAD, LGD) for retail portfolios. In addition to risk management, Duhon has experience in developing machine learning and AI solutions for marketing and customer relationship management areas. She holds an MSc in statistics from the University of Toronto.
Letter From the Conference Chair
Hi, I’m Dina Duhon – your Virtual SAS Global Forum 2021 conference chair. And one thing I know for sure is that you can always count on SAS professionals to share their incredible skills and diverse knowledge at this conference.
As a longtime SAS Global Forum attendee and volunteer, I know firsthand how valuable it is to learn from others. I believe that a single idea has the potential to change our thinking, and that idea can spark a better way of doing business. And I believe that when we bring together brilliant minds, we create powerful learning and development opportunities.
In 2021, like always, we are bringing the best of analytics together in one place – just virtually! I look forward to having you join us for this one-of-a-kind conference.
Sincerely,
Dina Duhon
Content Advisory Team
The Content Advisory Team is comprised of content experts from the SAS community. Their primary focus is to ensure the Users Program sessions meet the needs of our diverse global audience by identifying and recruiting the most appropriate presentations.
Allan Bowe
Boemska
Loreto Chiovitti
Deloitte
David Corliss
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Content Delivery Team
The Content Delivery Team is comprised of content experts from across the SAS community. Their primary focus is to ensure that conference presenters and authors have the tools and resources needed to provide high-quality presentations and papers.
Kevin Brooks
Michigan State University
Jennifer Davies
US Department of Education
Sergey Iglov
Royal Bank of Scotland
DeDe Schrieber-Gregory
The Henry M. Jackson Foundation