This article is intended to help you understand the type of support that you can request and expect from SAS. Each group has different needs, especially as the nature of in-person events continues to evolve. If you have a request for additional help or have questions about what you see here, please let us know at ugsupport@sas.com

What support can you provide our user group with?

Currently, all SAS-sponsored Sales and Marketing events for employees, customers and partners will either be virtual or deferred to a later date. While SAS’ travel plans are in transition as we continue to determine our future for events, here’s what support and resources are made available to all user groups:

• Virtual speakers
• Content
• Email (invitation, reminder, thank you email)
• Event listing on SAS website
• Event listing on SAS Communities with post-event highlights, recording and write-up
• Giveaways/SAS-branded swag items
• Book certificates
• E-learning certificates

We recognize that every User Group operates in its own, unique way. There is no “one-size-fits-all” or universal approach when it comes to our work together.

I am happy to create Microsoft Teams meetings to coordinate your events. We can add a registration to gather any information you may want from registrants and attendees. In addition to the meeting recording and transcript, I will provide you with the list of registrants for your reference and/or to build out your email lists in the future. 

Is there a list of available speakers for our upcoming meeting and/or conferences?

Yes, you can view that document by clicking on the attached hyperlink at the top of this article. 📎 

We are currently gathering a list of "keynote" speakers as well. These presenters will cover a wide variety of topics that are positioned with a more holistic approach that all SAS Users, regardless of their focus area, can benefit from. 

We want to create a new Users Group in our community, where do we start?

Fantastic news! We are excited to hear that. Now that you’ve decided to form a SAS users group, it’s time to make the decisions that will put your group on the way to gaining the most from its experiences together!

These include the group’s objectives, structure, leadership, meetings and administrative functions.

1. Check first to see if there is already a SAS users group in your geographic area or company.
2. Form a UG committee. This is usually made up of two to five people who share responsibility for ongoing group activities to help the users group succeed.
3. Confirm interest/viability. Many people who have started users groups — particularly local groups — have found that surveying potential members before formally organizing helps gauge backgrounds, interests and expectations.

Use the survey to elicit opinions about:

-Organization of the group (structured or informal)

-Time, length and frequency of meetings

-Structure of meetings (number and format of presentations, etc.)

1. Create a mission statement or statement of purpose for your new group. It will help keep your group focused and let people know why they should join this new group.
2. Define structure. Will this group meet in person or virtually? Maybe it varies. Are the meetings monthly? Quarterly? Twice a year? Making this decision early on keeps the group working toward its purpose without confusion.

Each group maintains their own webpage and/or social media accounts where they post meeting notices, highlight events and members, etc. Consider poking around on the different local and regional User Group sites to get a feel for how each group operates.

For more information, check out the SAS Users Group Development Guide

Why Form a Users Group?

Believe it or not, the collaboration between SAS and its users actually predates the official formation of the company itself.

The very first SAS users group conference took place Jan. 26-28, 1976, in Kissimmee, FL — and SAS wasn’t incorporated until later that year! More than 300 people attended, sharing information with each other and SAS leadership. The tradition that began there is alive and well today.

We continue to honor the voice of our customers and deliver new initiatives based on your input. That’s why we’re proud to support the active and engaged users in our local and organizational communities.

If there’s not an existing SAS users group within your area or organization, consider forming your own group to help you:

• Foster connections and collaboration with other SAS professionals
• Increase your understanding of SAS products and services
• Stay up to date on new offerings and the latest techniques
• Enhance your leadership and presentation skills

IHUG or LUG? Which users group is right for you?

In-house users groups (IHUGs) reside within a single organization and are a great way for colleagues to exchange ideas and improve organizational knowledge, methods and practices. IHUGs enable discussion of confidential topics and use of actual data. IHUGS are usually formed in partnership with the SAS account team for the customer so it is imperative that the IHUG leaders check there first. If that does not pan out then we can try to work with the group to help.

Local users groups (LUGs) bring together a broad range of SAS software users from different organizations within a specific geographic area, such as a city, county or state. They meet throughout the year based on their needs.

What is the best way to communicate our needs?

 I encourage you all to ask questions right here in this Communities group! Some people may be wondering the same thing as you and in other cases, they may have the answer.

Otherwise, please send your direct inquiries via email to ugsupport@sas.com or contact me directly at kate.ulveling@sas.com.