Getting Started with Power BI: A Hands-On Beginner Workshop

Curious about Power BI but don’t know where to begin? This hands-on session is your perfect starting point! Whether you're stepping into the world of data for the first time or finally opening that Power BI Desktop icon, this workshop will walk you through the essentials in a fun, beginner-friendly way.

This workshop will also set you up for a successful conference! You’ll walk in with confidence and a foundational understanding of the tool(s), making it easier to choose sessions that are right for your learning goals and interests.

Session Agenda:
1. Intro & Essentials: Understand what Power BI is and how it fits into the data ecosystem
2. Data Prep & Modeling: Learn to clean, shape, and model data using Power Query and relationships
3. Building & Designing Reports: Create visuals, apply formatting tips, and ensure accessibility
4. Next Steps: Get introduced to the PL-300 certification path

Walk away with:
1. A fully built Power BI report (that you made!)
2. Exercise files to practice even after the session
3. A starter guide to PL-300 certification

Pre-Requisites:
To get the most out of this workshop, make sure you:
1. Laptop (Don’t forget the charger)
2. Have Power BI Desktop installed (it’s free!)
3. Download the workshop ZIP file (we’ll send it before the session- it includes datasets, background images, and other goodies!)

The Power BI Glow-Up: Watch a Report Transformation Live

Do your Power BI reports feel functional but lack visual appeal? It’s time for a glow-up! Great data storytelling isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how you present them. This session will equip you with UI/UX best practices, design hacks, and practical tips to elevate your reports from basic to breathtaking.

Who Is It For?
This session is for Power BI users who want better-looking reports, Data pros who care about clarity and impact and for anyone who loves good design + great data!

Session Takeaways:
1. Quick design fixes for instant improvements
2. Smart visual choices for better storytelling
3. Color, layout & formatting tips that work
4. Before-and-after transformations to apply instantly

Walk away with practical, easy-to-apply hacks to give your reports a serious glow-up!

The Psychology Behind Powerful Power BI Reports

Ever created a Power BI report that looked great but didn’t quite land with your audience? You’re not alone. Designing dashboards isn't just about visuals- it's about how people think, see, and feel when they interact with your report. In this session, we’ll explore how basic psychology principles can help you build more intuitive, impactful, and human-friendly reports. No psychology degree needed- just curiosity!

Session Takeaways
1. How the brain processes data and visuals (and what that means for your report design)
2. Design techniques based on psychology principles
3. Real Power BI examples showing how small changes lead to big insights

Walkaway with:
1. Free downloadable: “Psychology in Power BI – Design Checklist”
2. PBIX Templates and assets

Beyond the Basics: Discover Power BI’s Best Kept Secrets

Power BI is packed with incredible features, but let’s be honest- how many of them do we actually use? Beyond the usual visuals and DAX formulas, there’s a whole world of lesser-known tools that can boost efficiency, enhance interactivity, and optimize performance. In this session, we’ll uncover some of Power BI’s hidden gems that can take your reporting game to the next level!

Who is it for?
This session is for Power BI developers, analysts, and business users who want to go beyond the basics and unlock features they might have overlooked. Use these features to level up or use them to know more about what else Power BI has to offer.

Session Takeaways:
1. Discover underutilized features that can simplify your workflow or enhance your reports/dashboards.
2. Learn how to improve navigation, performance, and interactivity in your reports.
3. Walk away with new tricks to make Power BI work smarter for you.

5 Dashboard Design Rules in 10 minutes

Join me for a quick and engaging journey through the world of data design! In this lightning talk, we'll uncover five essential rules to help you master the art of designing data effectively. Don't miss out on this opportunity to level up your data design skills – see you there!

Lightning Talk