20's

Product people sit at the intersection of what gets built and what drives the business — but commercial conversations can feel like a different language. This session is designed to change that. Shing will walk through how SaaS Product businesses are measured and valued, giving you the grounding to engage confidently in discussions about growth, efficiency, and business performance. You'll learn to read the metrics that your CEO, CFO, and investors are watching, understand what drives them, and spot when something is off. The session moves from the fundamentals through to the sharper edge of efficiency — how to tell the difference between growth that compounds and growth that costs too much, and how the decisions made in product directly shape the numbers that matter commercially. By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of how your work connects to the business outcomes your company is chasing — and the language to talk about it with confidence. **Meet Shing** Paul Shingles (Shing) is a seasoned tech operator whose senior leadership experience spans operations, product strategy, sales, commercial proposition development and governance. As COO at Auror he is responsible for driving both Product and Commercial success leading to safer communities for everyone. Previously, as COO of Pushpay, he guided the business from scrappy startup through IPO to becoming one of New Zealand's handful of tech unicorns. He then joined Timely as Chief Customer Officer and later COO, driving international expansion and playing a key role in the company's sale to EverCommerce in 2021. Since then, he has focused on advising a number of New Zealand's leading CEOs, including working with the Movac portfolio. Huge thanks to Auror for hosting and sponsoring this event! You can join the livestream here: [https://meet.google.com/trs-aggn-xxk](https://meet.google.com/trs-aggn-xxk). As always the livestream will kick off from just before 6pm. Note that our host venue has asked that we send you the exact location of the event on the day a couple of hours before the start time - the venue is in the Britomart area. Those of you who have attended events at Auror before will know where it is!

Be prepared for an entirely different type of sci-fi movie! Unofficially, the second movie in director Lars von Trier's "Depression Trilogy," 2011 Melancholia depicts the events that occur before a rogue planet is about to collide with the earth. Considered by many to be a masterpiece, the film was included in BFI's 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of the greatest movies of all time. It is available at the library as well as on Kanopy.

The ultimate Thursday night out is back. Join us for BAM Thursdays (Bar, Art, and Music) at the Columbus Museum of Art. Live music, great art, delicious bites, vendors and fresh cocktails in the garden space. Limited seating is also available inside Schokko Café (yummy sharable plates). **FEE:** BAM Thursday evenings offer **FREE general admission** from 5:00–9:00 PM. See what’s on view [here](https://www.columbusmuseum.org/art-exhibitions/on-view-now/) (special exhibits are $5.00 fee). **TOUR**: I'll lead a tour of the main museum from 6:30pm til 7pm. FREE **PARKING** behind the museum is $7.00. Nearby parking a little cheaper. **SEATING**: *Tables are available on a first come first serve basis for dining. In the event of inclement weather, BAM Thursdays will move inside to the atrium.* **DRESS**: Summer dressy casual

🇺🇸 Red, White & BOOM: A Black Love Summer Social ❤️ Skip the downtown chaos and celebrate with great people instead! Join Black Love & Friends as we spend the evening together in the beautiful, historic King-Lincoln District, just steps from Mayme Moore Park, with an incredible view of the Red, White & BOOM fireworks. This isn't a formal event—it's a relaxed summer gathering. Come early or stop by later. Stay for an hour or stay all evening. We'll have our own private meetup space where you can kick back, meet new people, play a few games, enjoy light refreshments, and simply enjoy the holiday together. Throughout the evening we'll explore the King-Lincoln District, soak up the atmosphere, laugh, connect, and then settle in as the Columbus skyline lights up with one of the biggest fireworks shows of the year. ✨ What to expect: 🎆 Great views of the Red, White & BOOM fireworks 🏙️ Historic King-Lincoln District ⛺ Private Black Love & Friends meetup tent 🎲 Lawn games & conversation 🥤 Light refreshments 🤝 New friends & great vibes 📸 Perfect summer photo opportunities Event begins: 6:30 PM Fireworks begin later in the evening, so arrive whenever works for you. Feel free to come and go throughout the night. ⚠️ RSVP is required. Space at our tent is limited, so we'll only be able to accommodate those who register in advance. Bring a chair if you'd like, wear your favorite red, white, and blue, and come celebrate community, connection, and summer with Black Love & Friends. Good people. Great conversations. Amazing fireworks.

Let’s meet and discuss John Updike's Rabbit, Run, the first in his series of four novels following the life, hopes, and disappointments of former local basketball star, Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, as he fitfully confronts and evades adulthood.