The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on many organizations and, in December 2020, PASS announced that, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is ceasing all regular operations, effective January 15, 2021.
PASS is a not-for-profit organization that supports data professionals throughout the world who use the Microsoft data platform. PASS will maintain access for members until January 15th.
In a letter on its website, the PASS board explained the situation, stating, "PASS could not have anticipated the impact COVID-19 would have on the world, and on our organization. We are all reeling from what this year has been and done, and it is with heavy hearts that we must share yet one more bit of bad news from the annus horribilis that was 2020."
In closing, the letter encouraged members to take full advantage of any access that they have to PASS content between now and January 15, 2021. "After that point, PASS servers will cease to function and members will no longer be able to access any PASS resources. So, in the meantime, you can watch sessions on our website, and download session recordings that you’ve purchased or that you have access to as a PASS Pro member. Please take full advantage of this exclusive content while you can."
The board cited the registration shortfall from PASS Virtual Summit, a lack of cash flow, and future obligations that PASS has on the books, specifically 5 years’ worth of convention center and hotel agreements, as key reasons it had no choice but to cease its operations and pursue dissolution.
For more details, read the letter from PASS at www.pass.org/PASS-Blog/ArticleID/888/ArtMID/99177/preview/true.