My VIP experience at Excel World Championship💚
it got freaky in the sheets really fast 🥵
Got BDE?⚡️
Hi data baddies 💅🏼
I’m headed to Dubai this week to speak at 1Billion Followers Summit on What Happens to your Data when you Hit Enter🔗 ✈️ and I’m speaking with the amazing Caitlin Sarian aka @cybersecuritygirl🔗 on how social media platforms collect and use data… and what you can do about it.
If you have jet lag tips… please put them in the comments below because you’re girl will be struggling!!
My VIP experience at Excel World Championship
When I first heard about this event earlier this year sitting in Portugal with a bunch of Excel/tech creators for a meetup 🔗, I KNEW I had to attend it this year. And I made it happen. I put it on my calendar, and right before the 2025 Microsoft Excel World Championship… Microsoft reached out to me to join the Excel creator community and invited me to their dinner at the event.
UM OK WOW!!! Here’s my full recap video of the experience:
I got to hang out with Excel legends like Excel Dictionary🔗, one of my good friends. I didn’t know what to expect at this event, so I came in excited ready to have a good time.
Below is us wearing our $60 jerseys… they seemed like a good deal okay?!
Esports Arena
I walked into the esports arena and was so amazed. On the front stage were 12 computers side-by-side with giant screens broadcasting their every move to the whole audience. There were stands for people to sit and watch and even a VIP loft I got to sit in. This was a legit sports event full of emcees, broadcasters, a hype tunnel, and everything!! There was even a bar there because yes, a glass of pinot noir hits hard with some spreadsheets 😂
Here’s a video interview 🔗 with the organizer explaining how the competition works and how people qualify to compete in the finals.
Microsoft’s Green Carpet
Microsoft did not hold back on the VIP experience… they brought in a custom GREEN CARPET with a glambot and everything. Yes, I’m proud to say my very first glambot 🔗 was for Excel 😂 They gave me so much useful information on Excel and Copilot (which is now integrated into all Microsoft products… yes even Power BI!!)
I did some interviews with Microsoft which felt like a literal dream, and everyone who worked there was so nice and welcoming. Even though we all know how much I love SQL, Excel was for sure my first love and always a staple no matter where you are in your career. So it was really fun to share how I first got started with data in Excel.
The Winner
After watching multiple rounds slowly eliminate people until 1 person was left, it was time to crown the winner, Diarmuid Early. It was his first win after years of competing, so I was SO HAPPY for him to finally get his well-deserved W. He was so proud, it was adorable and honestly made me emotional seeing him receive his trophy and belt.
It was unbelievable seeing the skills they were doing in Excel. These weren’t your regular SUM()s & VLOOKUP()s. These were complex and intricate gamified problems that only true experts would be able to solve (even folding origami). I’m so impressed and proud of everyone who competed.
You have to attend next year if you get the opportunity. It was a BLAST!!
We already have 25 people in my new SQL Interview Crash Course… if you have an interview coming up or you’re anticipating a job search soon, check it out!!
Bye BDEs 💅🏼
Jess Ramos 💕
⚡️ Social Highlights:
⚡️If you’re new here:
💁🏽♀️ Who Am I?
I’m Jess Ramos, the founder of Big Data Energy and the creator of the BEST SQL course and community: Big SQL Energy⚡️. Check me out on socials: 🔗YouTube, 🔗LinkedIn, 🔗Instagram, and 🔗TikTok. And of course subscribe to my 🔗newsletter here for all my upcoming lessons and updates— all for free!
Hi Jess! Best jetlag advice we've ever received is to adjust your schedule to your destination’s time zone as soon as you board the plane. For example, if you're on a daytime flight but it's nighttime in Dubai, try your best to sleep during the flight—and do the opposite if it's daytime there. My wife swears by this method! Wishing you an amazing time in Dubai—can’t wait to read all about your experience!