Community and user group

Where the data community comes together

We are proud to support and run events that bring the data and AI community together. From the Microsoft Data Platform Group Birmingham, one of the UK's longest-running Microsoft data user groups, to FabFest, our dedicated Microsoft Fabric conference. Find out how to get involved, learn, and connect.

FabFest conference Microsoft Data Platform Group

About the group

What is a Data Platform Group?

A Data Platform Group is a community dedicated to discussing and supporting data technologies and practices. It provides networking opportunities, educational resources, and events for professionals in the data field, including database administrators, data engineers, and data analysts, to share knowledge, solve problems, and stay updated on industry trends.

Our community

About the Birmingham group

Purple Frog Data is proud to sponsor and manage the Microsoft Data Platform Group Birmingham, part of the Azure Data Community groups and PASS local groups across the UK. Founded by Alex Whittles and now hosted by Joe Billingham, and Lewis Prince, the group has grown into one of the UK's most active Microsoft data communities.

We customise sessions based on your interests, so if you have specific topics in mind, come along and share your ideas.

Join us

Do you use the Microsoft Data Platform?

Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned expert, we would love to welcome you to the next Microsoft Data Platform Group, hosted on the first Thursday of every month at 1pm GMT/BST. Attendance is completely free.

Sessions are an informal gathering of like-minded people, with one to two speakers presenting hour-long sessions covering tips, techniques, and information on old, new, and upcoming technology.

Ready to join the community? Sign up on Meetup to get reminders for upcoming events and connect with over 3,000 data professionals. First Thursday of every month, 1pm GMT/BST, free to attend, virtual via Microsoft Teams.

Join the group on Meetup

Get involved

How to get involved

Find us on Meetup

Find out more information including a full list of past and future events, and sign up to receive reminders directly to your inbox. Membership is free and takes seconds to set up.

View on Meetup

Keep up with event reminders, speaker announcements, session recordings, and updates from the wider Microsoft data community on X and Bluesky.

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Submit a session

Would you like to share your knowledge with the Birmingham Data Platform Group? We welcome speakers of all experience levels. Sessions are virtual and held on the first Thursday of every month at 1pm.

Submit via Sessionize

Our story

A decade of data community in Birmingham

2011

SQL Midlands event

Our very first community event, bringing together SQL Server and data professionals from across the Midlands.

2014

SQL Midlands event

The community grows, with more sessions, more speakers, and a wider audience of data professionals across the Midlands.

2015

The group is founded

The Microsoft Data Platform Group Birmingham is officially established, with our very first logo and a growing community of members.

2016/2017

Events in full swing

Regular in-person meetups in Birmingham, attracting speakers and attendees from across the UK Microsoft data community.

2020

Going virtual

When COVID-19 closed the doors on in-person events, we took the group virtual via Microsoft Teams, reaching an even wider audience across the UK and beyond.

2021

Brand refresh

A fresh new logo to reflect the group's growth and its place within the wider Microsoft Data Platform community.

2024

Another new look

Our latest logo update, reflecting the evolution of the group and the Microsoft data platform it supports, with over 3,000 members and counting.

What is FabFest?

Birmingham's free Microsoft Fabric conference

Inspired by Birmingham's city motto, "Forward," FabFest was created by Joe Billingham and Lewis Prince, hosts of the Birmingham Data Platform User Group, to bring the data community together face-to-face once again.

A chance to discuss and learn about how Microsoft Fabric is driving forward the Data and AI worlds for businesses. Whether you are a business user seeking insights or a technical professional who wants a deeper dive, FabFest has you covered.

Join us at Millennium Point, Birmingham on Thursday 15th October 2026 to get ahead of the Microsoft Fabric game. Seats are limited so sign up while you can.

Why did we start FabFest?

Joe Billingham

Why start FabFest?

"Carrying on the spirit of the group, it's about getting people together again in a learning space to simply educate and bounce ideas around. There is nothing quite like being able to talk to something other than a screen."

Lewis Prince

Why start FabFest?

"It's great to get back to speaking and talking with people face-to-face. Joe and I run the Birmingham Data Group and we wanted to bring the local community back together whilst keeping our new online family members too. From a personal point of view I want to help spread the word on AI — it should be something we embrace, not be scared of."

FabFest in pictures

See what FabFest is all about