Most Active Speakers 2023

Sessionize proudly presents the list of the most active speakers in the year 2023!

  • 754 speakers
  • Auto-generated
Poornima Nayar

Poornima Nayar

Poornima is a .Net developer with over 10 years of experience in .Net. She is passionate about learning new technologies and keeping herself up-to-date with the latest developments in technology. Outside her work, Poornima enjoys music and is undergoing training in Indian Classical music. Based in Langley, UK she mothers a little girl and spends her spare time reading, cooking and watching movies.

Poornima is a .Net developer with over 10 years of experience in .Net. She is passionate about learning new technologies and keeping herself up-to-date with the latest developments in technology. Outside her work, Poornima enjoys music and is undergo... Show more

Luise Freese

Luise Freese

Luise is an Azure & Power Platform Architect based in Germany. She is an awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) working with organizations that want to move beyond digital theatre. Her focus is on AI-enabled solutions that are designed to last in real-world environments. She helps teams build accessible apps, robust data models, and automation that respects governance, compliance, and human effort. A recurring theme in her work is making the invisible visible: unmeasured work, emotional load, operational friction, and the real cost of “quick wins”. Her motto "Changing the world one app at a time" stems from her extensive work with non-profit organizations.

Alongside client work, Luise writes and speaks about productivity myths, pseudo-agile practices, AI readiness, and why many digital initiatives fail long before technology becomes the problem. She is known for combining clear technical guidance with a sharp eye for organizational patterns; and for asking the uncomfortable questions others tend to avoid.

When not working and traveling, she is a runner, a mother of (teenage) dragons, a LEGO-builder and a lover of the number 42. Her favorite color is #ff69b4. 

Luise is an Azure & Power Platform Architect based in Germany. She is an awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) working with organizations that want to move beyond digital theatre. Her focus is on AI-enabled solutions that are designed to... Show more

Tracy Boggiano

Tracy Boggiano

Tracy, a Senior SQL Developer with Abarca Health, juggles SQL queries and civic responsibilities. When she isn't busy exchanging banter with databases, Tracy amplifies her impact in the real world. Her dedication to the NC Guardian ad Litem program since 2003 has been louder than any keynote speech, providing a voice for the voiceless foster children. SQL Server might be her day job, but it's clear that her heart beats for these kids. She's not just a member but an active voice on several councils and boards, defending those with mental illness and foster families. A Day in the Life of Tracy: from data architect to architect of change!

Tracy, a Senior SQL Developer with Abarca Health, juggles SQL queries and civic responsibilities. When she isn't busy exchanging banter with databases, Tracy amplifies her impact in the real world. Her dedication to the NC Guardian ad Litem program s... Show more

Ferdi Lethen-Oellers

Ferdi Lethen-Oellers

Ferdi Lethen-Oellers is a senior consultant in the area of Microsoft 365 and helps companies increase productivity in their everyday work. He likes to focus on the most important component in the process: people. Since the pandemic, Ferdi has been an avid jogger and regularly goes to soccer. Besides sports, his family is the most important thing to him. Ferdi is an expert on the topic of Microsoft 365 and is available for questions as well as consultations. Inquiries via mail to ferdi.lethen@outlook.de.

Ferdi Lethen-Oellers is a senior consultant in the area of Microsoft 365 and helps companies increase productivity in their everyday work. He likes to focus on the most important component in the process: people. Since the pandemic, Ferdi has been an... Show more

Nikola Ilic

Nikola Ilic

I'm making music from the data! Power BI and Microsoft Fabric addict, Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Pluralsight Author, O'Reilly Instructor, blogger, speaker...Interested in everything related to data - always eager to extract valuable info from raw data in the most effective way. Multi-year experience working with (predominantly) Microsoft Data Platform (SQL Server, SSAS, SSIS, SSRS, and Power BI). Father of 2 and true football (and Barca) fan!

I'm making music from the data! Power BI and Microsoft Fabric addict, Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Pluralsight Author, O'Reilly Instructor, blogger, speaker...Interested in everything related to data - always eager to extract valuable info from raw d... Show more

Gilles Pommier

Gilles Pommier

Gilles Pommier is a senior SharePoint Consultant and Office 365 MVP. During the last 15 years, he has helped numerous companies in their implementation for SharePoint architecture and development. Since 2005, he has also participated in several events such as SharePoint Saturday, SQL Saturday, Microsoft TechEd U.S., TechEd Australia, TechEd EMEA TechEd Dubai TechDays France as a speaker on Office 365, SharePoint, .Net and VSTO technologies.

Gilles Pommier is a senior SharePoint Consultant and Office 365 MVP. During the last 15 years, he has helped numerous companies in their implementation for SharePoint architecture and development. Since 2005, he has also participated in several even... Show more

Steve Campbell

Steve Campbell

Steve co-owns Analytic Endeavors, a consultancy founded by himself and Reid Havens. Working in the data platform and BI space, they deliver enterprise data solutions for clients across industries, including non-profit, education, and public sectors. Analytic Endeavors specialize in delivering streamlined data pipelines, scalable shared models, and actionable report solutions.

Steve has a background in data analytics and consulting and is a Microsoft data platform MVP. He has run global Microsoft data analytics consulting teams, specializing in deploying and implementing enterprise data solutions, self-service business intelligence, and data governance.

He is also the owner of Sunny BI, providing Power BI and Fabric training services to individuals and organizations who want to learn and leverage the power of data visualization and analytics.

Steve co-owns Analytic Endeavors, a consultancy founded by himself and Reid Havens. Working in the data platform and BI space, they deliver enterprise data solutions for clients across industries, including non-profit, education, and public sectors. ... Show more

Kathryn Grayson Nanz

Kathryn Grayson Nanz

In 2013, I graduated with a BFA and took my first job as a Junior Graphic Designer at a small, boutique ad agency. While there, my Creative Director warned me to never let anyone find out I could code, because if I did I'd be stuck doing it forever. I ignored his warning; it turns out he was completely right, but I've never been happier.

I currently work as a developer advocate on a wonderful team where I help people build web applications in React, design and maintain their UI component libraries, and desperately attempt to stop back-end devs from writing any more CSS.

In 2013, I graduated with a BFA and took my first job as a Junior Graphic Designer at a small, boutique ad agency. While there, my Creative Director warned me to never let anyone find out I could code, because if I did I'd be stuck doing it forever. ... Show more

Brian Gorman

Brian Gorman

Brian is a Microsoft Azure MVP, speaker, author, trainer, and .NET developer with deep expertise across cloud and application development. He holds MCSA: Web App Certification, MCSD: App Builder, and twelve Azure certifications, including Developer, Administrator, DevOps Engineer, Solutions Architect, Data Administrator, Security Engineer, AI Engineer, and Cosmos DB — along with multiple Fundamentals certifications. Since 2019, he has also been a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT).

Brian earned a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He brings over 15 years of experience teaching computer science, SQL databases, object-oriented programming (C#, VB.NET, Java), and Microsoft Office in online university settings.

As an educator and creator, Brian has developed numerous online training courses available across multiple platforms and has authored several books with APress, including Practical Entity Framework and Practical Entity Framework Core 6, Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure Certification Companion: Hands-on Preparation and Practice for Exam AZ-204, and is scheduled to publish the third edition of Practical Entity Framework in November along with .NET/EF 10

Brian is a Microsoft Azure MVP, speaker, author, trainer, and .NET developer with deep expertise across cloud and application development. He holds MCSA: Web App Certification, MCSD: App Builder, and twelve Azure certifications, including Developer, ... Show more

Victor Dantas

Victor Dantas

Victor Dantas has over 25 years of experience in digital transformation. Recognized as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), he is part of a select group of over 3,000 global MVPs known for their deep expertise in Microsoft technologies. Victor is the founder of Eyedeas Inc., where he helps businesses enhance productivity and innovation through Power Platform services.

Victor is also an international speaker, sharing his knowledge on digital transformation with audiences around the world. His work has not only improved numerous organizations but has also inspired many in the tech community. Victor continues to guide businesses through digital transformation, solidifying his reputation as an expert in the field.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZeroToHeroesAcademy

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevictordantas

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thevictordantas

Victor Dantas has over 25 years of experience in digital transformation. Recognized as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), he is part of a select group of over 3,000 global MVPs known for their deep expertise in Microsoft technologies. Vict... Show more

Danilo Dominici

Danilo Dominici

Danilo Dominici is a senior consultant, speaker, and author specializing in SQL Server since version 6.5, mostly in the design, implementation, monitoring, and performance tuning of SQL Server-based solutions, both on-premise and in the cloud (Azure/AWS). He is also specializing in PostgreSQL performance tuning, high availability and monitoring. Danilo is a Microsoft Certified Trainer since 2000, a 6-times Data Platform MVP (2014-2020) - now MVP Alumni, an active member of UGISS (the Italian SQL Server User Group), and has been the co-leader of the PASS Global Italian Virtual Chapter. He wrote some of the chapters of the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 and 2014 Upgrade Guides and co-authored the book "Azure Data Solutions: an Introduction" published by Microsoft Press.

Danilo Dominici is a senior consultant, speaker, and author specializing in SQL Server since version 6.5, mostly in the design, implementation, monitoring, and performance tuning of SQL Server-based solutions, both on-premise and in the cloud (Azure/... Show more

Mohamed Taman

Mohamed Taman

Adopts Java SE.next(), JakartaEE.next(), a JCP member, was a JCP Executive Committee member, JSR 354, 363 & 377 Expert Group member, EGJUG leader, Oracle Egypt Architects Club board member, speaks Java, loves Mobile, Big Data, Cloud, Blockchain, and DevOps.

An International speaker, book and video author of “JavaFX essentials,” “Getting Started with Clean Code, Java SE 9”, and “Hands-On Java 10 Programming with JShell”, And I won Duke’s Choice 2015, 2014, and 2013 awards, and JCP Outstanding Adopt-a-Jar Participant 2013 awards.

Adopts Java SE.next(), JakartaEE.next(), a JCP member, was a JCP Executive Committee member, JSR 354, 363 & 377 Expert Group member, EGJUG leader, Oracle Egypt Architects Club board member, speaks Java, loves Mobile, Big Data, Cloud, Blockchain, and ... Show more

Johan Ludvig Brattås

Johan Ludvig Brattås

Johan Ludvig Brattås is a director at Deloitte, and a dedicated community guy. He has worked with MS SQL server since late 1999, mostly with BI in one form or another. Since 2015, most of his work has been in the cloud working on data platform services such as Snowflake, Databricks and Synapse.

Combining his passion for MS SQL Server with his passion for sharing knowledge, he started speaking at various events in the SQL Community. This is also a way to give back to the community for all the things he has learned over the years. When not working, Johan Ludvig either spends his time with his kids, playing with new technology or teaching coeliacs how to bake glutenfree food.

Johan Ludvig Brattås is a director at Deloitte, and a dedicated community guy. He has worked with MS SQL server since late 1999, mostly with BI in one form or another. Since 2015, most of his work has been in the cloud working on data platform servic... Show more

Magnus Ahlkvist

Magnus Ahlkvist

Magnus works as an independent SQL Server consultant at his company Transmokopter SQL AB, with everything from on-premise to cloud databases, from database design and T-SQL programming to infrastructure planning and administration, from transaction intensive databases to data warehousing workloads.
When paid work stops, community work starts. Magnus is a long time co-leader for SQL Server User Group Sweden, he's organising SQL Friday every Friday noon and he's speaking and volunteering on data events, small and large. In October 2020, Magnus was awarded the Microsoft Data Platform MVP award.

Magnus works as an independent SQL Server consultant at his company Transmokopter SQL AB, with everything from on-premise to cloud databases, from database design and T-SQL programming to infrastructure planning and administration, from transaction i... Show more

Jorge Levy

Jorge Levy

Microsoft MVP, recognized in the areas of Developer Technologies and Microsoft Azure. My journey as a dedicated programmer spans over two decades, fueled by unwavering conviction and a deep passion for technology.

I proudly serve as a community leader, leading 'Latino Net Online', a vibrant community that unites .NET developers across Latin America. I also lead the 'Asp.Net (Spanish)' community on Facebook, fostering connections and knowledge sharing within the Spanish-speaking programming community.

Microsoft MVP, recognized in the areas of Developer Technologies and Microsoft Azure. My journey as a dedicated programmer spans over two decades, fueled by unwavering conviction and a deep passion for technology. I proudly serve as a community l... Show more

Rabimba Karanjai

Rabimba Karanjai

Rabimba Karanjai is a full-time graduate researcher, part-time hacker, and FOSS enthusiast. He works with I2C lab at University of Houston and Habenaro lab at Rice University as part of his PhD. He has previously worked with Mozilla Research Mixed Reality team and IBM Research Systems group. He is a Google Developer Expert in Web Technology and Machine Learning, Google Champions Innovator in Cloud AI/ML, an avid reader, loves to watch anime

Rabimba Karanjai is a full-time graduate researcher, part-time hacker, and FOSS enthusiast. He works with I2C lab at University of Houston and Habenaro lab at Rice University as part of his PhD. He has previously worked with Mozilla Research Mixed Re... Show more

Alex Thissen

Alex Thissen

Alex is an application development enthusiast since the late nineties and works as an architect, lead developer and mentor at large enterprises and small companies. He spends his time teaching other developers the details of the Microsoft development platform and frameworks, and coaches architects to design and build modern distributed applications at cloud scale. He has received the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award for Visual Studio and Development Technologies since 2007. In his spare time Alex likes to participate in all kinds of sport, and loves playing and programming new and retro video games.

Alex is an application development enthusiast since the late nineties and works as an architect, lead developer and mentor at large enterprises and small companies. He spends his time teaching other developers the details of the Microsoft development... Show more

Gianluca Sartori

Gianluca Sartori

Gianluca Sartori is a Data Platform MVP, independent consultant and performance tuning specialist. He has been working in the software industry since 1999 and has been working with SQL Server ever since. He also works as a SQL Server trainer and in his spare time he writes technical articles and participates the SQL Server forums. Gianluca enjoys presenting SQL Server topics at conferences in Europe and US. He is currently working as lead DBA at a famous Formula 1 team.

Gianluca Sartori is a Data Platform MVP, independent consultant and performance tuning specialist. He has been working in the software industry since 1999 and has been working with SQL Server ever since. He also works as a SQL Server trainer and in h... Show more

Tomasz Poszytek

Tomasz Poszytek

With a passion for enhancing organizational effectiveness through digitalization and process optimization, Tomasz brings extensive expertise as a seasoned Business Analyst. As a distinguished Microsoft Power Platform expert, recognized with the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) title and multiple certifications, including Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), Tomasz possesses a robust analytical acumen. With proficiency in SharePoint, Nintex, Webcon, and other process implementation tools, Tomasz continuously updates his knowledge to deliver cutting-edge solutions and shares insights with both clients and technical communities.

Renowned for crafting user-friendly business processes and applications, Tomasz prioritizes simplicity and reliability, ensuring seamless adoption and comprehension. As a dedicated co-organizer of community events in Poland and an active blogger, Tomasz contributes actively to the technical community and serves as an esteemed international speaker.

With a passion for enhancing organizational effectiveness through digitalization and process optimization, Tomasz brings extensive expertise as a seasoned Business Analyst. As a distinguished Microsoft Power Platform expert, recognized with the Micro... Show more

Dan Bergh Johnsson

Dan Bergh Johnsson

Dan Bergh Johnsson works at the intersection of software craftsmanship and organisational change. With roots in high-performance development and a long-standing commitment to the philosophy of secure by design, he helps organisations build systems that are both technically sound and practically sustainable. His focus is on combining depth in software design with an understanding of how teams and structures evolve.

He is co-author of Secure by Design (Manning) and a contributor to 97 Things Every Programmer Should Know and LESS! Essays on Business Transformation. A long-time advocate of Domain-Driven Design and developer autonomy, he regularly speaks at international conferences about how to create systems and organisations that are resilient, sustainable, and secure.

Dan Bergh Johnsson works at the intersection of software craftsmanship and organisational change. With roots in high-performance development and a long-standing commitment to the philosophy of secure by design, he helps organisations build systems th... Show more

Erin Dempster

Erin Dempster

Erin is currently the Enterprise Architect at Trean Corporation in Wayzata, MN, USA. Since 2023, Erin is a Data Platform MVP for her involvement in the SQL Server/Fabric community. She has been working with SQL Server for 20 years, both as a developer and a database administrator. Over the past several years, PowerShell and Azure DevOps have become areas of focus.

Erin is currently the Enterprise Architect at Trean Corporation in Wayzata, MN, USA. Since 2023, Erin is a Data Platform MVP for her involvement in the SQL Server/Fabric community. She has been working with SQL Server for 20 years, both as a develope... Show more

Sergey Chubarov

Sergey Chubarov

Sergey Chubarov is a Security and Cloud Expert with over 15 years of extensive experience in Microsoft technologies. As an instructor, Sergey is dedicated to guiding companies through the complexities of securely adopting cloud solutions. His consulting experience spans both the red and blue sides.

Certifications and recognitions include Microsoft MVP: Cloud Security, OSCP, OSEP, MCT, MCT Community Lead, EC Council CPENT & LPT, CREST CPSA & CRT, and many more.

Frequent Speaker at Prestigious Conferences: Black Hat, Hacker Halted, DEF CON, Wild West Hackin' Fest, Workplace Ninja Summit, Midwest Management Summit, and many others.

Prefers live demos and cyberattacks simulations.

Sergey Chubarov is a Security and Cloud Expert with over 15 years of extensive experience in Microsoft technologies. As an instructor, Sergey is dedicated to guiding companies through the complexities of securely adopting cloud solutions. His consult... Show more

Deepthi Goguri

Deepthi Goguri

Deepthi is a SQL Server Database Administrator with several years of experience in Administering SQL Servers. She is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Microsoft certified trainer and Microsoft certified professional with an Associate and Expert level Certification in Data Management and Analytics. Deepthi blogs for DBANuggets.com. Deepthi is a Co-Organizer for Microsoft Data and AI South Florida user group, Data TGIF, Cloud Data Driven User Group, Future Data Driven Summit, Databash Conference and Data Platform Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Virtual Group. She is also DEI Steering Committee member for PASS Data Community Summit. She is a Redgate Community Ambassador. Along with this, Deepthi loves arts and crafts. You can contact her on Twitter @dbanuggets.

Deepthi is a SQL Server Database Administrator with several years of experience in Administering SQL Servers. She is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Microsoft certified trainer and Microsoft certified professional with an Associate and Expert level Ce... Show more

Wim Matthyssen

Wim Matthyssen

Wim is an Azure Technical Advisor and Trainer with over fifteen years of Microsoft technology expertise who specializes in helping companies transition to the Cloud.

Wim is also a Microsoft MVP in the Azure category, a founding board member of the MC2MC user group, and an active community contributor, sharing his experiences through blogs and speaking engagements.

Wim is an Azure Technical Advisor and Trainer with over fifteen years of Microsoft technology expertise who specializes in helping companies transition to the Cloud. Wim is also a Microsoft MVP in the Azure category, a founding board member of the... Show more

Santiago Porras Rodríguez

Santiago Porras Rodríguez

Solutions Architect & Frontend Lead at ENCAMINA
MVP Developer Technologies
User Experience Developer Expert.

Passionate about new technologies, highlighting Windows Platform, Xamarin, ASP.NET, Microsoft Azure and SharePoint. I contribute to the developer community writing articles in my personal blog at Geeks.ms and occasionally at CompartiMOSS.com about SharePoint. I am also one of the TenerifeDev leads, user group about .NET Tenerife, and WPSUG user group about Windows Platform

You can find me in Twitter with the user @ saintwukong

Solutions Architect & Frontend Lead at ENCAMINA MVP Developer Technologies User Experience Developer Expert. Passionate about new technologies, highlighting Windows Platform, Xamarin, ASP.NET, Microsoft Azure and SharePoint. I contribute to the... Show more

Antonio Liccardi

Antonio Liccardi

Antonio Liccardi is a seasoned speaker, book author, and trainer, currently serving as Chief Technology Officer at Blexin. His passion for knowledge sharing led him to co-found "DotNetCampania," an Italian .NET community where he helps others enhance their skills in DevOps, the .NET ecosystem, and software development in general. Antonio is a frequent speaker at both national and international conferences, including Microsoft Build, and has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for Visual Studio Developer Technologies since 2015. He also hosts a live show called "DevOps Time" for UgiDotNet, Italy’s largest .NET community, and runs the podcast "Il corriere del DevOps."

Antonio Liccardi is a seasoned speaker, book author, and trainer, currently serving as Chief Technology Officer at Blexin. His passion for knowledge sharing led him to co-found "DotNetCampania," an Italian .NET community where he helps others enhance... Show more

David Pazdera

David Pazdera

Raised and trained as an IT Engineer, transitioned to a solution architect role. Azure MVP, passionate about building tech communities, "security built-in, not bolted on" and "everything as code" principles. You can find my professional bio at https://www.linkedin.com/in/pazdedav/ and my GitHub Profile page at https://github.com/pazdedav

Raised and trained as an IT Engineer, transitioned to a solution architect role. Azure MVP, passionate about building tech communities, "security built-in, not bolted on" and "everything as code" principles. You can find my professional bio at https:... Show more

Sergio Parra Guerra

Sergio Parra Guerra

Ingeniero Técnico Informático de Sistemas por la Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Solutions Cloud Architect en Encamina, he sido MVP de Microsoft durante 4 años en la categoría de Visual Studio and Development Technologies y actualmente en la categoría de Microsoft Azure. Poseo varias certificaciones de Microsoft y me mola mucho Azure. Llevo más de 20 años utilizando y desarrollando con productos de Microsoft. Me encanta participar en proyectos que tengan que ver con la nube porque para mí no es el futuro, es el presente de la tecnología. Soy fan de las Apis, de los servicios WCF y de todo lo que huela a backend

Ingeniero Técnico Informático de Sistemas por la Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Solutions Cloud Architect en Encamina, he sido MVP de Microsoft durante 4 años en la categoría de Visual Studio and Development Technologies y actualmente en la cat... Show more

Alyssa Nicoll

Alyssa Nicoll

Alyssa is an Senior Developer Advocate for Progress and a Google Developer Expert for Angular. She has spoken at over 50 conferences locally and internationally. She is the host of the Angular Air podcast and emcees ng-conf as well as Monorepo World. She enjoys gaming, scuba diving, and has a little one that fondly goes by "Mr. Milks".

Alyssa is an Senior Developer Advocate for Progress and a Google Developer Expert for Angular. She has spoken at over 50 conferences locally and internationally. She is the host of the Angular Air podcast and emcees ng-conf as well as Monorepo World.... Show more

Stas Lebedenko

Stas Lebedenko

Stas Lebedenko is a full-stack cloud architect and platform engineer at Solidify AB. He is also a co-organizer of the Odesa Microsoft. NET User Group, a speaker and author, and an active member of the international and Ukraine .NET/Azure/Operations communities. He has been building and designing software for the last twenty years and has been the Microsoft Azure Most Valuable Professional since 2020.

Stas Lebedenko is a full-stack cloud architect and platform engineer at Solidify AB. He is also a co-organizer of the Odesa Microsoft. NET User Group, a speaker and author, and an active member of the international and Ukraine .NET/Azure/Operations c... Show more

Please note that Sessionize is not responsible for the accuracy or validity of the data provided by speakers.

Most Active Speakers 2023

Every year, we put together a list of the most active speakers. This list features the top 3% of speakers who have participated in events using Sessionize during the 2023.

The 3% is calculated from the pool of all speakers that have at least one accepted session in year 2023. We don't include inactive speakers or speakers that had no accepted sessions during the year. There are around 25 thousand unique accepted speakers this year, the 3% is 771. Not all of them have their speaker profiles set as public, and we respect that, so the list doesn't show all of them.

The calculation is based on the number of accepted events, that's the main criteria, but to get more refined results we also look at things like multiple sessions per event, sharing a session with a co-speaker and how big the event is. Number of submissions and declined sessions don't affect the list.

Please note that the count of events and sessions in this list does not represent the number of events and sessions from the year 2023. Instead, it shows the number of events and sessions featured on the speaker's public speaker profile; these numbers have nothing to do with the award itself.