TEDx

Got a project running on your laptop but not sure how to take it further? This workshop is for you. Join us for a hands-on session led by **Stephen Siegert**, Senior Developer Advocate at **Amazon Web Services**, specializing in Agentic AI, AI builders, and developer experience. We’ll walk through the full journey of turning a side project into a live product using **Kiro** — from early prototype to deployment. You’ll learn what it actually takes to move past “it works on my machine” and make your project accessible to real users. **What we’ll cover:** * Moving from local development to production * Key steps in the product lifecycle * Deploying and hosting your project * Common mistakes (and how to avoid them) * How to think like a builder, not just a coder **Perfect for:** * Students working on side projects * Anyone interested in cloud, AI, or startups * Members preparing for internships or technical roles Come learn from someone working directly at the forefront of cloud and AI, ask questions, and start thinking about your next launch! 🚀

Wizards of Ecom, **Youtube Livestream Link** [https://youtube.com/live/C_d7iPVwFBU?feature=share](https://youtube.com/live/C_d7iPVwFBU?feature=share) In today's event Focus on High-Value Strategy: A VA handles the "24-hour grind" (customer service, case logs, and inventory monitoring), freeing you up to focus on product R&D and brand expansion. Specialized Expertise: Many VAs in 2026 are specialists, not generalists—hiring one specifically for PPC management or A+ Content design often yields a higher ROI than trying to learn those complex skills yourself. Cost-Effective Scalability: You can scale your workforce up during peak seasons (like Prime Day) and down during lulls without the overhead of full-time employee benefits or office space. **Instagram Handle** @wizardsofecom **Youtube Channel** https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp8itN-dnqJ1AbANGCe1qIA **Linkedin** [www.linkedin.com/in/wizardsofecom](https://app.process.st/www.linkedin.com/in/wizardsofecom) **ALL meetups are always 100% FREE** If you want to access the recording of this event and all previous events you can do so at [academy.wizardsofecom.com](https://academy.wizardsofecom.com/) #### This Meetup event is sponsored by [#SellersFi](https://sellersfi.com/?aff=bluebird) [#PickFu](https://www.pickfu.com/wizardsofamazon) [#RimorCorp](http://www.rimorcorp.com/) [#Rivly](https://rivly.com/) [#AVASK](https://www.avaskgroup.com/) [#EcommerceChris](https://www.ecommercechris.com/) [#ConnectedCommerceCouncil](https://connectedcouncil.org/join) [ ](https://junglescout.com/)[#Alibaba. ](https://www.alibaba.com/?spm=a27aq.cp_15.scGlobalHomeHeader.4.7f804e30A4rcHw&tracelog=mkt_woe).[#Levanta](https://get.levanta.io/20off/woe?utm_campaign=20%25%20off%20Gold%20Plan&utm_source=Wizards-Of-Ecom&utm_medium=member-offer) [#SellerAssistant ](https://www.sellerassistant.app/?utm_source=wizardsofecom&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=partnership) [#Unicargo](https://www.unicargo.com/?utm_source=wizardscommunity&utm_medium=traffic&utm_campaign=wizards_traffic) [#GETIDA](https://online.getida.com/woe) [ ](http://sellerboard.com/woe)[#KLAVIYO.](https://www.klaviyo.com/partner/signup?utm_source=001Nu00000LBYK6IAP&utm_medium=partner) #### [#CPA By Choice](https://www.cpabychoice.com/woe) Get your finances in order and reclaim your time — partner with CPA By Choice today so you can focus on what matters while we handle your accounting, tax and financial needs.[https://www.cpabychoice.com/woe](https://www.cpabychoice.com/woe) Get up to $1 Million of working capital in as little as 48 hrs. to take your eCommerce business to the next level of growth with SellersFi [https://sellersfi.com/?aff=bluebird](https://sellersfi.com/?aff=bluebird) AVASK is the #1 provider in helping to expand your eCommerce business internationally, with our proven track record of supplying clients a first class service with VAT compliance, EPR, Customs and accounting services. Get in touch today to find out how we can help! [https://www.avaskgroup.com/](https://www.avaskgroup.com/) [Alibaba.com](https://www.alibaba.com/?spm=a27aq.cp_15.scGlobalHomeHeader.4.7f804e30A4rcHw&tracelog=mkt_woe) offers one-stop B2B sourcing solutions from product and supplier.Find or create your next breakthrough product by visiting [Alibaba.com.](https://www.alibaba.com/?spm=a27aq.cp_15.scGlobalHomeHeader.4.7f804e30A4rcHw&tracelog=mkt_woe) Discover Levanta, the affiliate marketing platform designed for Amazon sellers. Scale your revenue by connecting with over 6,000+ affiliates, creators, and publishers today! [https://hubs.ly/Q02RpY7l0](https://hubs.ly/Q02RpY7l0) At Unicargo, we don’t just move freight—we move businesses forward with seamless logistics, expert compliance, and world-class customer service that puts you first. Let us handle the complexities of global shipping so you can focus on growing your Amazon business—Get started today at [unicargo.com](https://www.unicargo.com/?utm_source=wizardscommunity&utm_medium=traffic&utm_campaign=wizards_traffic) GETIDA is the global leader in Amazon FBA auditing and reimbursements. An approved Amazon solution provider and audits billions of dollars of transactions daily. Get $400 in FREE FBA reimbursements to Prove it!! [https://online.getida.com/woe](https://online.getida.com/woe) Wayward connects brands with top creators and publishers that drive high-intent, high-converting, off-Amazon traffic to your Amazon listings: [https://www.wayward.com/](https://www.wayward.com/brands/amazon-brands?linkId=lp_223989&sourceId=wizards-of-ecom&tenantId=wayward&utm_source=wizardsofecom&utm_campaign=wizardsofecom&utm_medium=referral) Own Your Customer Relationships. Control Your Destiny. Start Free with Klaviyo. [https://www.klaviyo.com/](https://www.klaviyo.com/)\|

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)

**The Data-Driven Brand: Using Analytics to Shape Perception** Can you use analytics to improve tacos? This being CBUSDAW, we think the answer is probably “yes”, but we’re not sure how to implement or test this theory. For our April meetup we’ve got Sara Kear, CMO of Condado Tacos, to investigate this delicious question. Sara will explore how she blends quantitative data and qualitative customer feedback to shape brand positioning and drive business decisions. We all know that marketing and analytics go way beyond attribution. Sara will show how Condado uses customer insights to inform product and pricing strategy. She’ll also highlight how Condado leverages customer feedback at scale to influence operational priorities, positioning marketing as the voice of the customer across the organization. In the last 12 years Condado has gone from one location in Columbus to 52 locations across 10 states, so we’re guessing there’s more to that growth than really good guac (though the guac probably helps). Ultimately, this talk focuses on the intersection of art and science—using data to inform creativity and build a brand that resonates with customers in a measurable way. **About Our Speaker** Sara Kear is Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos, where she oversees brand, restaurant design, menu and pricing strategy, off-premise including catering, and customer data strategy. Since joining in 2021, she has helped grow the brand from 19 to 52 locations while building a data-driven marketing organization focused on loyalty and customer insights. Condado has since been named to the Inc. 5000, recognized as Breakout Retailer by Chain Store Age, and consistently ranked among FastCasual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. We will be hearing from Becca Powell, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Unchained At Last, an organization whose mission is dedication to ending forced and child marriage in the United States through direct services and systems change. Unchained At Last's mission clearly meshes and addresses several of our Humanist Ten Commitments. Becca will educate us about an issue many of us may not be familiar with--but should be. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Make sure to RSVP on the Cental Ohio Azure event! The global Azure community is coming together again, and Columbus is officially on the map. View the session lineup and speakers at [Global Azure Columbus 2026](https://coazure.github.io/cbus-global-azure-2026/) On **Saturday, April 18, 2026**, the Azure Columbus Meetup, DevOps Meetup, and Code and Coffee Meetup are hosting our local edition of Global Azure 2026. This is a free, community-driven event packed with learning, networking, and all things Microsoft Azure. Whether you’re building modern cloud-native apps, experimenting with AI agents, deploying containers, automating infrastructure, or just beginning your Azure journey, this event is for you! **What to Expect** * Engaging technical sessions * Real-world Azure architecture & cloud-native patterns * AI, agents, automation, and modern DevOps * Food and drinks (because learning burns calories) * Time to connect with fellow engineers, architects, and cloud enthusiasts **Who Should Attend?** * Software engineers (any language, any stack) * Cloud architects * DevOps engineers * Data professionals * AI explorers * Platform builders * Anyone who loves solving hard problems with great tools If you build, deploy, automate, scale, monitor, or optimize in Azure, you’ll feel right at home. **Why Global Azure?** Global Azure is a worldwide community event where Azure user groups host learning sessions on the same day across the globe. It’s grassroots. It’s technical. It’s practical. And it’s powered by people who genuinely love sharing what they’ve learned. And yes, it’s free to attend!

**Confidence & Connection: Using Your Authentic Truth to Find Your People** Confidence isn’t just about believing in yourself, it’s about knowing where you belong and who you can grow alongside. In this April Confidence Lab Happy Hour, we’ll explore how living in your authentic truth helps you find your people, build meaningful collaborations, and create spaces where vulnerability is met with respect rather than risk. Together, we’ll reflect on what it looks like to advocate for yourself with clarity and care, and how confidence deepens when it’s rooted in connection rather than comparison. Featured speaker **Lachandra Baker**, founder of **[LBB Edutainment](https://www.lbbedutainment.com/)** and author of *Your Own Biggest Cheerleader*, will share reflections on authenticity, psychological safety, and the power of community over individual achievement. Drawing from personal stories—including the significance of turning 53—Lachandra will invite us into a conversation about showing up fully, being seen, and choosing relationships that support who you truly are. Expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere with space for reflection, shared insight, and intentional connection—plus drinks, light bites, and the kind of conversations that remind you you’re not meant to do this alone. Come as you are. Leave feeling clearer about your voice, your people, and the confidence that grows when both are aligned. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).

Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting. Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting. Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot! *Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*