NOTE: Best Contributed Paper Awards from SAS Global Forum 2013 #sasgf13

I continue to be foxed by the lack of a Closing Session at this year's SAS Global Forum (SGF) in San Francisco. One of the highlights of each Closing Session at previous conferences was the presentation of Best Contributed Paper awards for each stream of the conference. Recognition for those who have provided the "show" has always seemed important to me. Contrary to popular opinion, presenters who contribute papers pay the full conference fees; they get no discount.

I saw no announcement and heard no drumroll, but I see that the best paper award winners have at last been listed on the SGF 2013 web site.

I offer my congratulations to all 15 winners. A couple of winners deserve special mention:

• Steve Overton won best BI paper this year and has won it consistently for several years previously


• John Heaton won two awards - Data Management, and Systems Architecture & Administration

Let's hope the Closing Session returns in 2014.

Best Contributed Papers 2013
Best Contributed Papers 2012
Best Contributed Papers 2011
Best Contributed Papers 2010