BASUG Boston Area SAS User's Group

12/10/2025

BASUG's Operations Committee (Quentin McMullen, Elizabeth Axelrod, Sche Arab-Lemon, Michael Sale, Inka Leprince, Dan Habtemariam, Valerie Finnemeyer, Bruno Berszoner, Karen Olson) is planning for 2026 and we’d love to hear your thoughts on what worked well and what you’d like to see next year. If you can spare a few minutes, please take our survey: https://qualtricsxm8p2ykpvl6.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8ElMfIBkCkSwzY
Thank you for being part of our SAS community!

12/09/2025

As we wrap up 2025, BASUG is reflecting on a full year of webinars and in-person meetings. Each event reminded us how strong and passionate our SAS community is. As we look forward to 2026, we’d love to hear your reflections as well. We kindly ask that you take a few minutes to complete our survey: https://qualtricsxm8p2ykpvl6.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8ElMfIBkCkSwzY Your input will help us identify which event types, formats, and topics are most valuable to our members.

12/03/2025

Hey BASUG community! We’re trying to figure out what 𝘺𝘰𝘶 want from our in-person events. Attendance at our in-person meetings this year was lower than we hoped. So tell us: What makes you excited to show up? What keeps you away? What would make an in-person BASUG event worth it for you? We’d really appreciate your input. Take the survey here: https://qualtricsxm8p2ykpvl6.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8ElMfIBkCkSwzY Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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11/19/2025

Today’s BASUG webinar with Rick Langston, “Going to Great Lengths: Using VARCHARs in the DATA Step.” If you can, pop in early for casual 'pre-game' chat with Rick starting around 11:45am ET and/or stay late to participate in the 'hallway chat' session. Rick’s presentations blend deep technical expertise with a contagious enthusiasm for programming and problem-solving. See you soon!🔗www.basug.org/events

11/14/2025

This BASUG webinar with Rick Langston explores the introduction and use of VARCHAR variables in SAS 9.4m5 and beyond. Learn how VARCHARs differ from fixed-length character variables, how to avoid silent truncation, and how they interact with DATA step functions and macros. Rick Langston’s deep technical expertise and history with the SAS System make this an invaluable session for any SAS programmer or data professional. Register now!
🗓️ Wed, Nov 19 🕛12 PM ET 🔗www.basug.org/events

11/12/2025

If you’ve ever used PROC FORMAT or PROC PRINT, you’ve benefited from the work of Rick Langston, one of the original developers behind core SAS procedures. He’ll be joining BASUG for a about SAS’s lesser-known feature: VARCHARs in the DATA step.
🗓️ Wed, Nov 19 🕛12 PM ET 🔗www.basug.org/events

11/10/2025

On Wednesday, Nov 19, Rick Langston -- the developer behind PROC FORMAT, PROC PRINT, and countless SAS innovations -- joins BASUG for a free webinar about VARCHARs. If you’ve ever battled with truncation or wondered how to handle huge text values in SAS, this webinar is for you.
🎟 Free registration open now🔗www.basug.org/events 🗓️ Wed, Nov 19 🕛12 PM ET

11/06/2025

SAS has VARCHARs?? Who knew?! 🤯 Turns out, Rick Langston is the one who developed and implemented it! Join BASUG on Nov 19 for a webinar where Rick shows us how to stretch our data (and our minds) with the VARCHAR variable type in the DATA step. Sometimes, you just need to go to great lengths to make your SAS programs shine. Register today
🐍 Bonus: Rick’s even using Python now — so bring your cross-language curiosity!
🗓️ Wed, Nov 19 🕛12 PM ET 🔗www.basug.org/events

10/24/2025

Welcome to the BASUG In-Person SAS Blowout! We’re so excited to see everyone gathering in Cambridge today for expert presentations (Jim Box, Jane Eslinger, Chris Hemedinger) and our interactive panel discussion (moderated by Michael Sale). We’re thrilled to have so many SAS users joining us in person to learn, laugh, and connect. Here’s to a day full of insights, ideas, and inspiration!

10/21/2025

⚠️ TODAY is your LAST CHANCE to register! If you’ve been meaning to sign up, this is your moment. Join us in Cambridge this Friday for a full day of SAS talks, networking, and hands-on inspiration with Jim Box, Jane Eslinger, and Chris Hemedinger. Once the clock strikes midnight, that’s it — no walk-ins, no exceptions! Save your spot now → www.basug.org/events

10/20/2025

What happens when a principal data scientist, a SAS author, and a SAS community leader sit down together? You get one amazing panel. Join Jim Box, Jane Eslinger, and Chris Hemedinger, moderated by Michael Sale, for an engaging discussion at the in-person Boston Area SAS Users Group (BASUG) SAS Blowout. Expect expert insights, shared stories, and a few laughs along the way.
🗓️ Friday, Oct 24, 2025 📍 The Link, Cambridge, MA
🎟 Registration from $40 www.basug.org/events

10/17/2025

Everybody is talking about AI and how to use it, but not enough people understand or are considering the potential problems. Jim Box (SAS) breaks down how AI systems work, what can go wrong, and the key questions every professional should ask before adopting AI-driven tools. It’s not just about using AI --it’s about understanding it.
🗓️ Friday, Oct 24, 2025 📍 The Link, Cambridge, MA
🎟 Registration from $40 www.basug.org/events