Hello Marlon and everyone at DotNetKicks,

My name's Claire, and I'm part of the Exceptional DBA Awards team at Red Gate Software. I would like to take this opportunity to clear up any misunderstanding about the prizes on offer for the Exceptional DBA Awards.

A newsletter containing an announcement about the awards stated that ‘there are prizes worth over $15k to be won’. This means that the total value of the winner’s and finalists’ prizes together is over $15k. There is no cash prize to be won, as Marlon's post has suggested.

Here is a list of the prizes available, as seen on the Home page of the awards http://www.exceptionaldba.com/index.htm:

The winner will receive:

- An 'Exceptional DBA of 2008' trophy to keep.

- A SQL Toolbelt™ with 36 months' support and upgrades, worth $2792.

- A full conference pass for the 2008 PASS Community Summit.

- Four nights' hotel accommodation and $300 towards travel expenses for the 2008 PASS Community Summit.

Each of the four remaining finalists wins:

- A certificate to recognize success.

- A SQL Toolbelt™ with 36 months' support and upgrades.


I hope that this information is helpful, and best of luck to all our entrants in the awards! We're delighted to offer these awards to the community.

Claire Brooking
Red Gate Software
Cambridge, UK