Introduction to dbt — what it is, why it matters, how to start

A free live intro to dbt — the tool data teams use to turn raw data into reliable models. Live discussion, drinks, & time to network.

dbt has become the standard way data teams transform raw data into clean, tested, well-documented models. If you've heard the name but never used it — or you want a sharper mental model of how it works — this session takes you from zero to your first working models in one evening.

It's an introductory, practical walkthrough, not a sales pitch. You'll see dbt in action and leave with enough to keep going on your own.

What you'll walk away with

• A clear picture of what dbt is and where it fits in a modern data stack (the "T" in ELT)
• How to structure transformations as modular, reusable SQL models
• Why built-in testing, documentation, and dependency management matter — and how dbt handles them
• The steps to set up a project and run your first models
• A solid foundation to continue your dbt journey afterward

Who it's for

• Analysts and data / analytics engineers adding dbt to their toolkit
• Anyone new to data or analytics engineering looking for a real starting point
• Engineering and data leads weighing up dbt for their team
• Anyone in the Barcelona data community who wants to swap notes over a drink