Chicago Area FileMaker Developers Association (CAFDA)

We are thrilled to welcome Claris Platform Evangelist Rick Kalman as our guest speaker for the next CAFDA meeting. Rick has been driving the platform’s technical roadmap for over twenty years and will be sharing his perspective on the future of the ecosystem. He will be walking us through the recent FileMaker 2026 release and detailing where the architecture is heading into 2027 and beyond. It is a fantastic opportunity to get direct technical insights and ask questions straight to the source.
THIS FREE, LIVE EVENT CAN BE ATTENDED BOTH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE. SCROLL DOWN FOR DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO JOIN US.
Note: This meeting will NOT be recorded or republished. You will be able to ask Rick a question without fear of your own ignorance being memorialized forever on YouTube.
Meeting Schedule:

• 9:30 AM — In-person meeting room opens
• 9:55 AM — Online meeting room opens
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Meeting & discussion with Rick Kalman

HOW TO GET TO THE MEETING ROOM ON THE 20TH FLOOR OF THE EAST TOWER OF MARINA CITY (300 North State Street):
Getting yourself to a meeting downtown can be a fun and pleasant experience if you plan ahead. Sometimes we go out for tacos or sushi after the meeting.
METRA
If you are coming from the suburbs, taking the Metra train is recommended. Marina City is a 25-30 minute walk or a 10-12 minute cab ride from Ogilvie and Union stations. If you’re walking, cross the river and walk north on Wacker until it curves to the right (east). If the weather is nice, take the stairs down to the riverwalk to maximize your experience. Then, continue to follow the river to the east until you see two iconic buildings that look like giant corn cobs. The meeting is on the 20th floor of the East Tower, the building on the right.
DRIVING
If you would prefer to drive, discounted valet parking is available at $25 for 12 hours (Sully has passes). Use 300 N State St. as your destination in your preferred mapping app. Look carefully at the route before you leave - GPS signals don’t always have great accuracy between the skyscrapers or on Lower Wacker.
Once you’re at 300 N State, pull into the large ramp upward toward the Hotel Chicago and House of Blues on the west side of State Street. Follow the lines that curve left toward valet parking, right in front of the front doors of The House of Blues. Pull up as far as you can toward the glass domed valet stand. Then, turn off your car and wait for a valet to come and take your keys.
CTA (the L)
The closest L stop is Clark and Lake. Find the river (it’s north of the L stop), walk to it and look for the corn cob shaped buildings on the other side of the river. You’re headed to the one on the right.
Getting Inside The Building:
To enter the landmark Marina City East Tower, you must first find the concourse level. This can be confusing, as the concourse is below street level. There are three entrances to the concourse level.

• On State Street, at 300 N State, below street level.
• On Dearborn Street, at 323 N Dearborn, below street level.
• Inside the glass dome that houses the valet stand.

Once on the concourse level, look for the EAST tower security office. Tell the lobby guard you are here for a CAFDA meeting on the 20th floor. Be prepared to show a photo ID and sign into a guest book. Then, use any of the five elevators to go up to the 20th floor.
THE STATE STREET BRIDGE HAS BEEN REOPENED