Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 22:30:29 GMT
Reply-To: Robin Way <rew@GASCO.COM>
Sender: "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From: Robin Way <rew@GASCO.COM>
Organization: Northwest Natural Gas
Subject: PNWSUG'98 Conference Registration
=======================================================================
Pacific Northwest SAS(r) Users Group
Presents the 17th Annual Conference
June 11 & 12, 1998
Governor Hotel
Portland, Oregon
=======================================================================
Conference Highlights
Welcome
The Pacific Northwest SAS(r) Users Group (PNWSUG) Executive Committee and
1998 Conference Planning Committee are pleased to extend an invitation to
participate in PNWSUG'98, our annual conference to be held June 11-12 at
the Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Last year, we expanded the
conference from one day to two and introduced a vendor exhibit area and
expert panel discussions. This year we are introducing hands-on workshops
and educational seminars led by nationally acclaimed instructors.
Session Content
To consolidate the array of paper issues and practice areas, we have
organized the presentations in four sections: Core Skills Development,
Applications and Publishing, Analysis and Modeling, and Coders' Corner.
Core Skills Development
This section is intended to help members of our regional user community
build awareness and expertise in the use of the SAS(r) System for data
management, analysis, and presentation. Papers in this section include
beginning and advanced tutorials, training, and user support.
Applications and Publishing
Papers in this section will focus on the use of SAS(r) software to develop
applications, construct and maintain data warehouses, and publish
information using the Internet, intranets, and other resources. This
section also includes papers describing systems architecture issues and
solutions.
Analysis and Modeling
This section focuses on solving problems and supporting research and
decision-making through the application of SAS(r) software. Papers in this
section address statistics and econometrics, information visualization,
data mining and business intelligence.
Coders' Corner
Our popular Coders' Corner section is where experts, novices, and those in
between converge to discuss techniques and tips.
New Hands-on Workshops
Attendees can drop in on any of the hands-on workshops during the
conference for a tutorial and free training using a personal computer
provided by the conference. Destiny Corporation, a SAS(r) Quality Partner,
will provide training and assistance to workshop attendees. Please refer to
the "Hands-on Work-shops" section of the conference registration packet
below for more information.
New Seminars
We also are pleased to offer three educational seminars taught by SAS(r)
Quality Partners. These seminars will offer intensive training on
contemporary subjects related to the use of SAS(r) software in businesses
and organizations. Greg Barnes Nelson of ASG Inc. will lead a seminar
titled "Introduction to Data Warehousing: Building Blocks from Theory to
Application." Andrew Karp of Sierra Information Services will lead two
seminars: "Forecasting Time Series Data with the SAS(r) System" and
"Regression Analysis Using the SAS(r) System." There is a nominal charge of
$50 for each seminar. Please refer to the "Seminars" section of this
conference registration packet for more information and sign-up forms.
Accommodations
PNWSUG '98 has made arrangements with the Governor Hotel, the host site for
the conference, for special rates for conference attendees of $130 per
night. To make reservations, please contact the hotel directly at
1-800-554-3456. The Governor Hotel is located at the corner of Southwest
10th Street and Alder Street in lovely downtown Portland. There are many
excellent restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Jake's Grill, a
very popular Portland restaurant featuring fresh seafood, is located in the
hotel at street level.
Conference Registration
You are strongly encouraged to register in advance using the Conference
Registration Form in this booklet. To check in at the conference pick up
your packet at the Registration Desk. It will contain everything you need
for the conference, including your Conference Program, your name badge, and
information about the Conference Proceedings, to be sent to you following
the conference. Attendees who register during the early registration period
(before May 1st) will also receive a free SAS(r) publication of their
choice (see Section E of the Registration Form. Be sure to arrive early and
avoid long lines; the Registration Desk will be open at 11:00 am on
Thursday, June 11, and at 7:45 am on Friday, June 12.
There will be on-site registration on a space-available basis on both days
of the conference. We cannot guarantee any or all of the conference
materials, breakfast, or lunch.
Tour maps, visitors' guides, and brochures on Portland attractions will be
available at the Registration Desk.
Conference Proceedings
All papers presented at the conference will be published in a single volume
and distributed to conference registrants following the conference. This
document will become a valuable reference when you return to your
organization, will enhance your understanding and appreciation of
presentations you attended and will allow you to be familiar with
presentations you could not attend.
SAS(r) Institute Demonstration Room
PNWSUG '98 will feature an impressive exhibit of SAS(r) Institute products
and publications. SAS(r) Institute staff will be available to discuss and
demonstrate the latest software and services. Attendees ordering SAS(r)
System documentation and related publications at PNWSUG '98 will receive a
15% discount.
Position Referral Manual
Companies and organizations will be able to list descriptions of their
available positions, and individuals can post their resumes in the Position
Referral manual on display at the Registration Desk.
===========================================================
Schedule
Thursday, June 11
8 am to 11 am
Seminar: "Regression Analysis Using the SAS(r) System," Andrew Karp, Sierra
Information Services, Inc.
11 am to 4:30 pm
Registration desk open
12 pm to 4:30 pm
Coders' Corner paper presentations
Seminar: "Introduction to Data Warehousing: Building Blocks from Theory to
Application," Greg Barnes Nelson, ASG Inc.
Seminar: "Forecasting Time Series Data with the SAS(r) System," Andrew
Karp, Sierra Information Services, Inc.
Hands-on workshops, Dana Rafiee, Destiny Corporation
SAS(r) Institute formal online demonstrations
SAS(r) Institute Publications Center Vendors' Demonstration and
Presentations
4:30 pm to 6 pm
Volunteer Appreciation and Recruitment Social Mixer, hosted by the PNWSUG
Executive Committee
Friday, June 12
7:45 am
Registration desk opens (all day)
8 am to 9:30 am
Continental breakfast & Opening Session
9:30 am to 4 pm
Vendor demonstrations and presentations
9:30 am to 11:50 am
SAS(r) Institute formal online demonstrations
SAS(r) Institute Publications Center
9:30 am to 12 noon
Core Skills Development presentations
Applications and Publishing presentations
Analysis and Modeling presentations
12 noon to 1 pm
Random Access Lunch
1 pm to 3:50 pm
SAS(r) Institute formal online demonstrations
SAS(r) Institute Publications Center
1 pm to 4 pm
Core Skills Development presentations
Applications and Publishing presentations
Analysis and Modeling presentations
4 pm to 5 pm
Closing session and publications give-away
=======================================================================
PNWSUG '98 is brought to you by:
The PNWSUG '98 Conference Planning Committee
Logistics Co-Chair
Charlotte Corelle
Kaiser Permanente
Center for Health Research
Portland, Oregon
(503) 335-6740
corellech@chr.mts.kpnw.org
Program Co-Chair
Robin Way
NW Natural
Portland, Oregon
(503) 226-4211 x2491
rew@nwnatural.com
Registrar
Ric Johnston
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, Washington
(206) 667-4801
(206) 667-7864 (fax)
rjohnstn@fhcrc.org
ric@whotown.com
Proceedings
Mark Thompson & Cindy Thompson
Forefront Economics
Beaverton, Oregon
(503) 626-1657
met@forecon.com
cyndi@forecon.com
Lauren Haworth
Kaiser Permanente
Center for Health Research
Portland, Oregon
(503) 335-6697
haworthla@chr.mts.kpnw.org
PNWSUG Executive Committee Chair
Paul Hamilton
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
(206) 667-7883
hamilton@hivnet.fhcrc.org
ljsheprd@halcyon.com
Thursday Section Chairs
Seminars
Dennis Lavery, Standard Insurance
(Portland, OR)
Geoff Thompson, Group Health Cooperative
(Seattle, WA)
Minghui Yang, Boeing Commercial Airplane
Group (Seattle, WA)
Gregg Swanson, Kindercare Learning Centers
(Portland, OR)
Coders' Corner
Billy Kreuter, University of Washington
(Seattle, WA)
Cyndi Thompson, Forefront Economics (Beaverton, OR)
Friday Section Chairs
Core Skills Development
Tim Harris (Portland, OR)
Lauren Haworth, Kaiser Permanente Center
for Health Research (Portland, OR)
Applications and Publishing
Mark Thompson, Forefront Economics
(Beaverton, OR)
Thea Mounts, State of Washington
(Olympia, WA)
Analysis and Modeling
Ken Seiden, Essential Economics
(Portland, OR)
Sean Burnett, Burnett Consulting Corp.
(Victoria, BC)
Thanks to SAS(r) Institute
Many thanks go to Dina Urquhart and David Baggett of SAS(r) Institute's
User Group Services department for their unflagging support and assistance.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to Jacqueline Ford and Paul
Bachteal from SAS(r) Institute's Western Division for their enthusiasm and
advice.
=======================================================================
Conference Registration Form
PNWSUG '98
June 11-12, 1998
The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon
Please register only one person per form, but feel free to make many
additional copies of this form.
In order to qualify for the free SAS(r) publication, your registration form
must be received by May 1, 1998; to be assured of space, your registration
must be received by June 1, 1998. On-site registration will be available
if space permits. Call Ric Johnston at (206) 667-4801 or e-mail at
rjohnstn@fhcrc.org for information about on-site registration. Please
mail your registration form to:
PNWSUG '98
Ric Johnston, Registrar
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1124 Columbia Street MW-801
Seattle, WA 98104
Section A: Participant Information
Name: __________________________________________________________
Company/affiliation: ________________________________________________
Mailing address: __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Daytime phone: __________________________________________________
E-mail: _________________________________________________________
Section B: Registration Fees
__ General registration: US $185 / CAN $260
__ Speaker registration: US $135 / CAN $230
__ Student registration: US $110 / CAN $185
Section C: Payment Method
Payment in US or Canadian currency must accompany this form. Make checks
payable to PNWSUG '98. We cannot accept purchase orders.
__ Check enclosed
__ Money order enclosed
__ American Express
__ VISA
__ Master Card
Card account number: _________________________
Exp. date: ____/____
Cancellation policy: Refund of fees is allowed if written notice of
cancellation is received by
June 1, 1998. Refunds will be issued within 90 days of the end of the
conference.
Section D: Survey
1. Will you be staying at the Governor Hotel (our conference host)?
__ Yes
__ No
How many days? _________
2. As a SAS(r) user, what level do you consider yourself to be?
__ Beginner
__ Intermediate
__ Advanced
3. What sessions do you think you will attend? (Check all that apply.)
__ Core Skills Development
__ Analysis and Modeling
__ Applications and Publishing
__ Coders' Corner
Section E: Early Registrants select a free SAS(r) publication
Early registrants (that is, on or before May 1st) will receive one of the
following SAS(r) publications. Please check the one you prefer.
__ An Array of Challenges: Test Your SAS(r) Skills
__ Concepts and Case Studies in Data Management
__ SAS(r) Software Roadmaps: Your Guide to Discovering the SAS(r) System
__ SAS(r) System for Elementary Statistical Analysis
__ In the Know...SAS(r) Tips and Techniques from Around the World
__ SAS(r) System for Forecasting Time Series
__ SAS(r) System for Linear Model
__ SAS(r) System for Regression
__ SAS(r) Today! A Year of Terrific Tips (Calendar)
__ The SAS(r) Workbook
__ The Little SAS(r) Book: A Primer
__ Combining and Modifying SAS(r) Data Sets: Examples
__ SAS(r)/OR Software: Project Management Examples
=======================================================================
Accommodations and Getting There
PNWSUG'98 has made arrangements with the Governor Hotel, the host site for
the conference, for special rates for conference attendees of $130 per
night. Please contact the hotel directly by May 15 to make reservations.
After May 15, the conference rate is unlikely to be available to attendees.
The Governor Hotel
611 SW 10th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
Voice: 1-800-554-3456
Fax: 503-241-2122
The Governor Hotel is located at the corner of Southwest 10th Street and
Alder Street in lovely downtown Portland. There are many excellent
restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Jake's Grill, a very
popular Portland restaurant featuring fresh seafood, is located in the
hotel at street level.
For those traveling to the conference from outside the Portland area, we
recommend two excellent online resources for travel and sightseeing
information.
The Portland International Airport Web site is located at the following
address:
http://www.portlandairportpdx.com/web_pop/pdxhome.htm
Another excellent online resource featuring information about restaurants,
travel information, and regional events and locations is hosted by
Teleport, a local Internet service provider, at the following location:
http://www.teleport.com/features/vacation
The Setting
The Rose City offers lots to see, eat, and enjoy! Portland plays a lead
role among the nation's microbreweries, offering popular brewhouses like
Widmer, Bridgeport, Portland Brewing and Full Sail. You can enjoy succulent
fresh seafood at Jake's and McCormick & Schmick's, and grilled steaks and
chicken at Red Star. Get a zesty gourmet pizza at Pizzicato, or a great
burger in a funky atmosphere at one of the many McMenamin's Pubs.
If you're interested in shopping, head to downtown's Pioneer Place
mall only a few short blocks from the conference. Mount Hood, the Columbia
River Gorge and the spectacular Oregon coast offer great sightseeing. No
trip to Portland is complete without wine tasting in the nearby Yamhill
Valley, which offers some of the nation's best Pinot noirs.
=======================================================================
Hands-on Workshops
(Optional, no additional fee)
Complete this section if you want to attend any hour-long instructor-based
Hands-on Workshops where students can "learn-by-doing." The workshops
allow students to practice new concepts and techniques with SAS(r) software
on laptop computers.
To help determine which Hands-on Workshops will be offered, please identify
the topic areas you'd most like to learn about and rank them in order of
preference with #1 as your first choice.
There is NO EXTRA FEE for attendance; however, each Hands-on Workshop is
limited to 18 participants. Workshop admission will be on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Selections
___ Functions in SAS(r)
___ Merge processing
___ "First dot" and "last dot" processing
___ Where clause and combining data sets
___ Do loops
___ Arrays
___ Printing SAS(r) output
___ Accessing the output of procedures
___ PROC Tabulate
___ Interactive PROC Report
___ Plots and charts
___ Advanced flat file reading (assumes some knowledge of reading flat
files)
___ Beginning macros
___ Advanced macros (assumes some knowledge of macros)
___ SQL basics
___ Advanced SQL (assumes some knowledge of SQL)
___ Understanding SAS(r) under Windows
___ Moving SAS(r)information to Word/Excel/etc.
We would also like to know what other topics you would like to see as a
Hands-on Workshop. This information will be used for future conferences.
However, if a significant number of people list the same topic, we will
consider including it in this conference.
Suggestions: ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Note: PNWSUG '98 reserves the right to decide which hands-on workshops
will be offered. Due to time and space constraints, not all workshops
listed above will be offered; some workshops may be offered more than once
at the conference if sufficient demand is indicated.
=======================================================================
Seminar A:
Forecasting Time Series Data with the SAS(r) System
Overview
This three-hour seminar provides an intensive overview of how to use key
features of the SAS(r) System to analyze and forecast data that have been
collected in the time domain.
Intended Audience
Those who want to learn how to use SAS(r) software to analyze and forecast
time series data, and who are already familiar with both SAS(r) software
concepts and the principles of time series analysis.
Topics
Preparing your time series data for analysis
Looking at your data:
PROC PLOT
PROC TIMEPLOT
PROC CHART
PROC FSVIEW
Cleaning up your time series by using PROC EXPAND
Using PROC FORECAST for:
Exponential smoothing
Auto-regressive
Seasonal models
Assessing the output generated by PROC FORECAST
Implementing Box-Jenkins models using PROC ARIMA:
Series identification
Series estimation
Series forecasting
Implementing differencing operations
Interpreting correleograms and forecast output
Using the new SAS(r) System Forecasting and Time Series System:
Demonstration
Seminar Leader
Andrew Karp
Sierra Information Services, Inc.
1489 Webster Street Suite 1308
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: 415/441-0702
Fax: 415/441-9175
E-mail: info@sierrainformation.com
Seminar A Signup Form
Please complete Sections A through C on the form following the seminar
descriptions and indicate which seminar you wish to attend.
=======================================================================
Seminar B:
Regression Analysis Using the SAS(r) System
Overview
This four-hour seminar provides an intensive overview of how to use key
features of the SAS(r) System to develop and refine models for simple and
multiple linear regression analysis.
Intended Audience
Those who want to learn how to use SAS(r) software for linear regression
analysis, and who are already familiar with both SAS(r) software concepts
and the principles of basic statistics, including analysis of variance and
simple linear regression.
Topics
Implementing a simple linear regression using PROC REG
Interpreting output for a simple linear regression model:
Slope and intercept
Model parameters and "Global" or "Model" F-test
Substantive and statistical significance of "Rejecting the Null
Hypothesis"
Testing assumptions underlying the regression model:
Homoscedasticy, independence
Linearity, normality
What to do if these assumptions are violated
Detecting and correcting problems:
Outliers/influential observations
Distributional assumption violations
Model mis-specification
Autocorrelation
Using PROC PLOT and PROC REG with results generated by PROC REG
Implementing a Multiple Linear Regression Model using PROC REG and PROC
GLM:
Standardized vs. non-standardized independent variables
Forward, backward and stepwise selection of independent variables
Stagewise selection of groups of independent variables
How to Create SAS(r)(r) Data Sets with PROCs REG and GLM
What PROC REG does that PROC GLM cannot, and vice versa
Implementing and interpreting results from a multiple regression model
Detecting and correcting problems with the multiple regression model
Seminar Leader
Andrew Karp
Sierra Information Services, Inc.
1489 Webster Street Suite 1308
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: 415/441-0702
Fax: 415/441-9175
E-mail: info@sierrainformation.com
Seminar B Signup Form
Please complete Sections A through C on the form following the seminar
descriptions and indicate which seminar you wish to attend.
=======================================================================
Seminar C:
Introduction to Data Warehousing
Building Blocks from Theory to Application
Overview
This seminar will introduce attendees to the basics of data warehousing
both in terms of theory and application. Although little or no SAS(r)
software knowledge is required, the presenter will provide a methodological
framework that SAS(r) programmers and developers will immediately
appreciate.
The goal of this seminar is to leave the participant with a strong
grounding in data warehouse terminology and methodology. We will be
discussing strategies for the design, development and implementation of
this methodology using tools available with the SAS(r) System. In
addition, we will talk about several modeling techniques, implementation of
logical and physical schemas, transformation and aggregation strategies,
and the loading and unloading of data to the warehouse.
Those with little experience with terms like OLTP, OLAP, MDBMS and RDBMS
will hopefully leave with a firm understanding of what they mean and the
implications of such systems in a data warehouse project.
Intended Audience
Those interested in the use of SAS(r) software for data warehousing.
Knowledge of SAS(r) software is not required; attendees who have various
experience levels with SAS(r) software will benefit from the discussion.
Topics
Overview of data warehousing
Building the data warehouse
Understanding the process
Managing the data warehouse
Understanding the components of data warehousing
Data modeling
Understanding database schemas
The role of meta-data
Building the foundation for the data warehouse
Populating the data warehouse
Architecture
Seminar Leader
Gregory Barnes Nelson
Director of Strategic Technology
ASG, Inc.
2000 Regency Parkway
Suite 355
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: 919/467-0505
Fax: 919/467-2469
E-mail: gbn@asg-inc.com
Seminar C Signup Form
Please complete Sections A through C on the form following the seminar
descriptions and indicate which seminar you wish to attend.
=======================================================================
Seminar Signup Form
Please complete Sections A through C below. Please register only one
person per form, but feel free to make many additional copies of this form.
To be assured of space, your registration must be received by June 1st,
1998. On-site registration will be available if space permits (call Ric
Johnston at (206) 667-4801 or email at rjohnstn@fhcrc.org for information
about on-site registration). Please mail your registration form to:
PNWSUG '98
Ric Johnston, Registrar
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1124 Columbia Street MW-801
Seattle, WA 98104
Section A: Participant Information
Name: ____________________________________________
Company/affiliation: __________________________________________________
Mailing address: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Daytime phone: __________________________________________________
E-mail: ____________________________________________________
Section B: Registration Fees
__ Seminar B: 8 11:00 Thurs. (received by 6-1-98)
US $50 / CAN $70
__ Seminar A: 12 4:30 Thurs. (received by 6-1-98)
US $50 / CAN $70
__ Seminar C: 12 4:30 Thurs. (received by 6-1-98)
US $50 / CAN $70
Section C: Payment Method
Payment in US currency or Canadian currency must accompany this form. Make
checks payable to PNWSUG '98. We cannot accept purchase orders.
__ Check enclosed
__ Money order enclosed
__ American Express
__ VISA
__ Master Card
Card account number: _________________________
Exp.date: ____/____
Cancellation policy: Refund of fees is allowed if written notice of
cancellation is received by
June 1, 1998. Refunds will be issued within 90 days of the end of the
conference.
PNWSUG'98 reserves the right to cancel this seminar if sufficient
attendance registration is not received by June 1st. Should we decide to
cancel this seminar, all attendees will receive a refund within 30 days of
the end of the conference.
