I originally posted this on LinkedIn a while back, but try searching for it now - good luck. All the more reason to own your data - and host the canonical home for it as well.

I recently started asking the following questions of each company that wants to exhibit at one of my events: Will their presence make the event better? Will they add to the energy in the space?

MotherDuck is now pretty much my benchmark.

I've known Ryan Boyd for a decade - first with Neo4j - and now as co-founder of MotherDuck. I've always been happy with what Ryan and his colleagues brought to an event.

And then, earlier this year I attended MotherDuck's Small Data SF - where I watched MD's Board Certified Event Badass, Carly Spoljaric, create something magical. The conference space felt like it was put together by a professional designer - and was specifically tailored to the venue like a wedding dress (or bespoke suit - if you have the level of tailor who does three fittings).

And here's something I almost never see - the entire SDSF event staff was not only happy to be there, they all seemed committed to providing a great experience for everyone.

So it was a no-brainer to invite MotherDuck to join the final Data Day Texas as an exhibition sponsor, and I offered them a room to host - because I knew that they would do it right.

Carly asked if she could bring a mascot.

When she began describing the mascot, I realized that it belonged in the main ballroom.

THE DUCK had to be trucked in. It got its own stage. Next to the main stage. It presided over the whole day.

I have no idea how many people took selfies with THE DUCK. A lot. Dozens of those photos ended up on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and elsewhere - attached to Data Day Texas - that's what happens when you bring joy into a room instead of a sales pitch.

Thank you MotherDuck. Thank you Ryan Boyd, Carly Spoljaric, and everyone on your team who came to play.

Kudos
-Lynn

And thanks to everyone who captured memories of the day with The Duck.