Launch Your First AI Agent: A Hands-On Google ADK Workshop for Builders and Inno

Launch Your First AI Agent: A Hands-On Google ADK Workshop for Builders and Innovators 
About the Session
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll dive deep into building your own AI agents using Google’s Agent Development Kit (ADK). Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a startup founder prototyping with LLMs, or a developer ready to move beyond basic prompt engineering, this session will provide the skills and tools to build real-world agentic systems from scratch.

Using a practical, open-source crash course as our guide, you’ll walk through the process of coding, configuring, and orchestrating intelligent agents that can reason, act, and collaborate.

What You'll Learn

From Solo to Synergistic:
The session begins with designing a foundational agent that can respond to user queries. You'll then explore how to evolve that agent into a multi-agent system—where agents take on different roles, collaborate, and pass information between each other using well-defined interaction protocols.

Tools as Extensions of Thought:
Discover how agents can extend beyond pure language capabilities by integrating tools such as search engines, calculators, or custom APIs. You’ll learn how to embed and trigger tools within your agent workflows for dynamic action-taking.

Memory That Matters:
Understand how to manage state and session memory, so agents can maintain context over time. This includes building short-term memory for chat continuity and persistent memory to recall information across restarts or longer-term engagements.

Integrating Open Source Models with Ease:
The session introduces the LiteLLM framework to help you integrate open-source and commercial models like Gemini, Claude, and others. You’ll learn how to swap providers without modifying your core logic, improving flexibility and reducing costs.

Design Patterns and Reusability:
Throughout the session, you’ll explore practical design patterns—from interactive tool-enhanced agents to complex multi-turn conversations, feedback loops, and structured output responses—so you can build modular, reusable systems.

Why You Should Attend

Gain hands-on experience with Google’s Agent Development Kit in a guided, practical environment

Learn to build autonomous, decision-making agents that go far beyond LLM prompt-response models

Architect robust agentic systems for your product, prototype, or internal tooling

Discover scalable and flexible design strategies used in real-world applications

Join a community of innovators, developers, and founders shaping the next wave of AI technology

No prior experience with Google ADK is required. This session is your launchpad into the agentic era—where LLMs don’t just respond, they collaborate, remember, and act.

This is a virtual event. On the day and time of the click, click the join button on this page.

Agenda

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Hosted By

Angelo Thalassinidis, GDG Organizer

Spotlight on Angelo Thalassinidis: Empowering the Future of Tech and Education

With over 25 years of experience in education and professional services, Angelo Thalassinidis is a proven leader in shaping the future of technology programs, and supporting founders and innovation. As a first-generation college graduate, Angelo is at the forefront of social mobility efforts and creating impactful degrees, certifications, and industry partnerships that bridge the gap between academia and the tech industry.

🔧 Transforming Technology Education
Angelo has spearheaded the development of new academic programs, especially in MedTech, AI, and Information Systems, preparing students for the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

🌐 Building Communities and Connecting Innovators
As a co-organizer of GDG Baltimore and GDG Annapolis, Angelo is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where tech enthusiasts, developers, and entrepreneurs can connect, learn, and innovate. Events like the StartathonAI, Chesapeake Innovation Summit, and DevFest Annapolis offer invaluable opportunities to engage with the latest in AI, data analytics, and emerging technologies.

💡 Entrepreneurial Leadership
Angelo led multimillion-dollar projects and corporate ventures in business intelligence, data warehousing, and IT service management with MCI Systemhouse, EDS, ATT GIS, and various startups. His leadership has created high-impact solutions and successful ventures in both the US and Europe. Angelo has also founded several companies in both Europe and the US.

📊 Shaping the Next Generation of Tech Leaders
Angelo’s expertise extends to program development, having created graduate and undergraduate degrees in IS/IT, as well as custom educational solutions for corporations. His experience at Tampa Bay Tech and Tampa BSides further underscores his commitment to fostering tech communities and knowledge sharing. Angelo has planted the seed and mentored several startups and has a goal to increase the pipeline of founders.

💬 Driving Strategic Growth
Known for his ability to drive strategic initiatives and data-driven organizational change, Angelo’s leadership focuses on value creation, customer-centric solutions, and continuous improvement. He consistently helps organizations harness emerging technologies to scale and succeed.

James Gibbons,

James S. Gibbons Founded Alpha Pointe Capital in 2012-Present. James took his wealth management and 401(k) service experience from 1998 as a financial advisor to an independent, entrepreneurial business model focusing on bringing Wall Street sophistication to Main Street- Emerging Industry Executives and Companies.

Outside of his duties as Founder of Alpha Pointe Capital www.alphapointecap.com, James is passionate about facilitating entrepreneurial ecosystems and emerging industries in the Chesapeake Region through his efforts on various councils, trade organizations, and advocacy groups.

His involvements include:

Co-Chair of the Chesapeake Regional Chapter of the Maryland Tech Council

Former Board Member of the Maryland Tech Council

Co-Producer of ChesaPitch, Co-Producer of Chesapeake AI Hackathon,

Co-Founder of GDG Annapolis (Google Developer Groups),

Co-Led several Summits and Conferences aimed to serve Emerging Industries,

Member of many emerging industry and entrepreneurial teams and groups.

Member of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)

Member of the Americans for Safe Access

Why?

He strives to be a part of the movement and to help emerging industry businesses and entrepreneurs “make it”.

Mary Leaf, Co-organizer

Mary Leaf is the founder of MLof Strategies, where creativity meets strategy to elevate brands. Specializing in Brand Identity Design and Content Creation, she excels at developing compelling brand narratives and visual identities. Her approach integrates brand development, marketing, and artistic talent with a holistic mindset.
Mary believes a brand’s strength comes not only from its logo but from a clear, deep understanding of its core identity and the narrative it tells. By blending creative design with marketing insights and data-driven strategies—including the innovative use of AI and advanced tools—she enhances content performance and overall brand development.
Leveraging her business acumen, Mary also excels in crafting executive summaries and strategic roadmaps, providing clients with actionable steps to clarify their vision, define their unique position, and achieve sustainable growth. As a Marketing Content Creator, she utilizes SEO and data analytics to help businesses improve their online presence and engage meaningfully with their target audience.
With a background in operational optimization and project management, Mary ensures that every project is executed efficiently from concept to completion. Whether supporting startups to define their brand or helping established businesses refine their strategy, Mary is dedicated to positioning every brand for success in a rapidly evolving market.

Jesse Alton,

Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-annapolis-presents-launch-your-first-ai-agent-a-hands-on-google-adk-workshop-for-builders-and-innovators/.