Dear DAMA-MN Community,

October has given us much to celebrate, and the weeks ahead offer an opportunity to build on that momentum.

Our 2026 DAMA Days conference brought data professionals together for two remarkable days of learning, professional development, and meaningful connections. We witnessed the enthusiasm, generosity, and collaborative spirit that make our Minnesota data community so special.

As we approach the close of 2026, we invite you to help shape the next chapter of DAMA-MN through our annual Board elections and continued participation in our educational programs.

DAMA-MN is a volunteer-led professional association. Our success depends on members who generously contribute their time, experience, ideas, and leadership to advance the practice of data management throughout Minnesota.

Nominations are now open for three elected officer positions: President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Each position offers an opportunity to influence the chapter's direction, support our members, and help sustain a vibrant professional community.

Whether you are interested in serving or know someone who would make an outstanding chapter leader, we encourage you to participate. Board service offers opportunities to develop leadership skills, expand professional relationships, and make a lasting contribution to our community.

What an extraordinary gathering of data management professionals!

DAMA Days 2026 brought together practitioners, thought leaders, educators, exhibitors, and colleagues from across our professional community to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, share practical experiences, and strengthen the relationships that help our profession thrive.

Under the theme Powering Data. Empowering People., our conference celebrated a principle central to DAMA-MN's mission: successful data management is about much more than technology. It is about people, knowledge, collaboration, accountability, and the ability to turn information into meaningful outcomes.

Our speakers and workshop facilitators brought an impressive breadth of expertise and practical insight. Equally memorable were the conversations between sessions, reunions with longtime colleagues, and new professional relationships formed throughout the event.

An Outstanding Program and Community of Partners

Our conference program reflects the breadth of expertise shared during DAMA Days and the generous support of our keynote presenters, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Our 2026 conference program and the organizations that helped make the event possible. Click either photograph to enlarge.

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and especially to those who earned their certification! We are proud to support professionals pursuing the Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) credential and strengthening their knowledge of data management principles and practices.

With Sincere Appreciation

An event of this magnitude does not happen without an extraordinary commitment from many people.

To our speakers and workshop facilitators: Thank you for sharing your expertise and inspiring our attendees.

To our sponsors and exhibitors: Thank you for investing in our professional community and helping make this event possible.

To our volunteers and chapter leadership: Thank you for the countless hours of planning, coordination, and service that brought this conference to life.

And to everyone who attended: Thank you for making DAMA Days 2026 such a memorable success. Your participation, curiosity, and willingness to share knowledge are what bring this community to life.

DAMA Days 2026 in Pictures

Here are a few moments from our two days together in Shoreview. We hope these photographs capture some of the energy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie that made this year's conference special.

Select any photograph to view the full-size image.

Organizations invest in data lineage to understand how data flows, transforms, and supports business activities. Yet many initiatives struggle to move from technology deployment to reliable, usable data lineage.

Our November chapter meeting explores how to overcome these challenges by connecting lineage initiatives to business objectives, defining a practical scope and metamodel, and addressing the technology, data management, and organizational factors that influence success.

We will also examine emerging capabilities in modern lineage solutions, including automation and AI-assisted features, and discuss how to evaluate them against business needs.

Join us for an interactive session with practical insights and opportunities to share experiences with fellow data professionals.

DAMA-MN
Connecting and advancing Minnesota's data management community.
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