Behavioral Design

**Got something you’re designing, experimenting with - or just looking to chat with other creatives?** **Then you’re invited to join us at sphères.** 🙂 We meet monthly to chat and connect in a relaxed, friendly setting. It’s a chance to meet new people, talk about what you’re working on, and be part of Zürich’s creative community - surrounded by like-minded people who just get it. PS: RSVPs are coming in from multiple platforms, which means the total number of sign-ups is likely higher than what you see here. 🥂 **Why swing by?** * Find new collaborators, clients, employers and friends * Swap ideas, get feedback, and share experiences * Meet in a cozy after-work drinks atmosphere * Join creatives from various fields and ages. 📍 **Where?** [sphères](https://share.google/iOZR7HY6DqyLDm2Kj), next to the Limmat river. \> Hardturmstrasse 66\, 8005 Zürich (Tram-Station Förrlibuckstrasse) ⏰ **When?** Every second Thursday of the month, starting at 6 PM / 18:00 Uhr 🔗 **Discord link** Get event reminders and connect with other members on Discord: ➡️ [discord.gg/PAyRBDhKkk](discord.gg/PAyRBDhKkk) —— **Who’s Visual Fields?** Visual Fields is a network of designers and creatives built for people to connect, support, and share with fellow experts. We have upcoming events in Zürich, Basel, and Luzern. [Check out upcoming events](https://www.visualfields.ch/) —— **Event policies** We have zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment. Be mindful not to make assumptions about gender, sexual orientation, or identity. Always ask for consent - for physical contact and work critique - and treat everyone and the space with respect. [All policies](https://experienc.es/policies) **Fine print (the friendly kind)** By joining, you agree that photos or videos taken at the event may be used by Visual Fields for promotional and communication purposes. See you soon!! 🤩

Bei der Swiss Usability Night hast du die Möglichkeit die Usability (Gebrauchstauglichkeit) von Softwarelösungen zu testen, zu teilen und gleichzeitig nette Leute kennenzulernen. Egal, ob du ein Technikliebhaber, ein Designenthusiast oder einfach nur neugierig bist - dieses Event ist für jeden geeignet! **Was erwartet dich:** * **Usability Tests:** Teste Softwareprodukte und teile dein Feedback. Deine Meinung hilft dabei, Produkte benutzerfreundlicher und intuitiver zu gestalten. Es hat 2 Test Sessions zu je 60 Minuten. * **Verpflegung:** Für Apéro ist gesorgt und selbstverständlich gibt es eine Essenspause zwischen den Test Sessions. * **Networking:** Knüpfe neue Kontakte, tausche Ideen aus, lerne interessante Menschen kennen * **Spaß:** Entdecke Softwarelösungen und erlebe, wie deine Meinung direkt Einfluss darauf haben kann, wie sie sich entwickeln. **Was du mitbringen solltest:** * Neugierde und Offenheit für neue Erfahrungen * Gute Laune und die Bereitschaft, deine Meinung zu teilen **Anmeldung:** Die Teilnahme am Usability Test Event ist kostenlos, aber die Plätze sind begrenzt. Melde dich daher am besten noch heute an, um dir deinen Platz zu sichern! **Komm vorbei und sei Teil einer einzigartigen Gelegenheit, die Welt ein Stückchen benutzerfreundlicher zu machen! Wir freuen uns darauf, dich dort zu sehen!** *Das Bild wurde mit Hilfe von DALL·E 3 erstellt.* At Swiss Usability Night, you'll have the opportunity to test and share your thoughts on the usability of software solutions while meeting interesting people. Whether you're a tech lover, a design enthusiast, or just curious, this event is for everyone! **What to expect:** * **Usability tests:** Test software products and share your feedback. Your opinion helps make products more user-friendly and intuitive. There will be two 60-minute test sessions. * **Refreshments:** Appetizers will be provided, and there will of course be a meal break between the test sessions. * **Networking:** Make new contacts, exchange ideas, and meet interesting people. * **Fun:** Discover software solutions and see how your opinion can directly influence how they are developed. **What you should bring:** * Curiosity and openness to new experiences. * A positive attitude and a willingness to share your opinion. **Registration:** Participation in the usability test event is free, but places are limited. So register today to secure your spot! Come by and be part of a unique opportunity to make the world a little more user-friendly! We look forward to seeing you there!

**EdAlt Society Apéro** **brings together professionals, leaders, executives, managers and founders around the capabilities that matter most in technology driven world, leadership, communication and the art of understanding people.** **Each edition explores a distinct theme, in a refined setting designed for meaningful exchange, practical insights and genuine connections.** **March 12, 2026 edition: Leadership Coaching Insights** **Questions explored during the evening:** **• What is leadership coaching** **• How can leadership coaching be useful in a professional context** **The event will be hosted by [Mihai Bejenaru](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mihai-bejenaru-dragos-b559aa56/) -** **Leadership & Coaching Master · Faculty & Head of Leadership & Executive Coaching Department at EdAlt Institute · IServe Leadership Methodology™ Author · ICF PCC · EMCC SP · ITCA · ESIA** **Participation fee: 97 CHF** **To secure your place, please register here:** [https://edalt.institute/society-apero/](https://edalt.institute/society-apero/) **Apéro drinks and cocktail dinner will be served during the evening.** **Participation is limited to ensure a focused and meaningful discussion.**

Join us on Thursday, March 12th for an evening of **Flutter**, **mobile product development** and **real-world lessons** \- with talks\, networking and a community roundtable\. This meetup is for **everyone involved in building mobile products**, not just developers: Flutter & mobile engineers, UX/UI designers, product & project managers, QA, engineering leads, founders and decision makers. You don't need to write Flutter code to benefit — this is about building better mobile products, end-to-end. Event language: **English** Free **snacks & drinks** will be available on-site (while supplies last that is) **WHAT YOU'LL LEAVE WITH** • Practical patterns for moving from MVP to maintainable codebases • Architecture lessons for scaling Flutter apps beyond a side project • New contacts across dev / UX / product / leadership (and fresh perspectives) **SCHEDULE (CET / Zürich time)** • 18:30 Doors open @ Liip AG + Google Meet starts • 19:00 Talk #1 (45 min) • 19:45 Break (15 min) • 20:00 Talk #2 (45 min) • Afterwards Networking + community roundtable (demos, questions, discussion) **TALKS** • 19:00: **From MVP to Maintainable** by Radivoje Ostojic (45 min) • 20:00: **Building Production-Ready Flutter Apps: From Side Project to Scalable Architecture** by Mordecai Shekwogaza (45 min) **COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE (before / between / after talks)** Show what you're working on (even early prototypes), share open-source contributions, ask for feedback, discuss app architecture, UX challenges, performance, analytics, delivery pipelines, and the future of app development. **JOIN ONLINE (Google Meet)** https://meet.google.com/tjf-htxa-xmm **JOIN ON-SITE (Zürich)** The location will take place at the offices of: Liip AG Limmatstrasse 183 8005 Zürich Bring a colleague (dev, UX, PM, stakeholder) — the more perspectives, the better!

**INNOtalk #18** presents "**Vom Unternehmens-Pain Point zur Lösung: Abschlussarbeiten mit Business Impact mit Studyond & Kühne+Nagel**" *«Wenn Abschlussarbeiten echten Business Impact schaffen»* Jährlich entstehen rund 95’000 Abschlussarbeiten an Schweizer Hochschulen – jedes Mal mehrere Monate Forschung, Analyse und Lösungsentwicklung. Und doch bleibt der grösste Teil dieses Wissens ungenutzt. Dabei bieten Abschlussarbeiten Unternehmen einen direkten Zugang zu Top-Talenten, aktuellem Fachwissen und neuen Lösungsansätzen. Richtig aufgesetzt, werden sie zu konkreten Innovationsprojekten – ohne klassische Projektbudgets und mit minimalem Vorlauf. Der INNOtalk #18 zeigt diesen Weg anhand eines konkreten Studyond-Projekts mit Kühne + Nagel: \- wie aus einem realen Unternehmens\-Pain Point eine wirksame Abschlussarbeit entsteht – und welche Learnings andere Unternehmen daraus mitnehmen können\. Moderiert wird die Diskussion von Viktoria Mauz, Active Member der swissICT Fachgruppe Innovation. **Worum geht es im Panel konkret?** Anhand eines realen Projekts mit Kühne+Nagel diskutiert das Panel, wie verlässlich daten- und KI-gestützte Prognosen in hochdynamischen Märkten tatsächlich sind. Im Fokus steht die Frage, wo wirtschaftliche Erklärbarkeit endet und wo Prognosemodelle unter realistischen Markt- und Schockbedingungen an ihre Grenzen stossen – und welche Konsequenzen dies für unternehmerische Entscheidungen hat. **Warum sollten Sie an diesem INNOtalk teilnehmen?** * ***Abschlussarbeiten neu denken***: Warum sie ein unterschätzter Innovationshebel sind - und wie daraus echter Business-Impact entsteht. * **Vom Pain Point zur Lösung**: Wie Unternehmen konkrete Herausforderungen in erfolgreiche Studierendenprojekte übersetzen. * **Zusammenarbeit konkret umsetzen**: Wie Themenfindung, Betreuung und Ergebnissicherung zwischen Unternehmen, Hochschulen und Studierenden funktionieren. * ***Innovation skalierbar machen***: Welche Rolle Plattformen wie Studyond dabei spielen, Zufall durch Struktur zu ersetzen. **REFERENT:INNEN & PANEL** **[Dr. Alexandra Allgaier](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-allgaier/)** Mitgründerin bei ***[Studyond](https://studyond.com/)*** **[Jonas Bläser](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonasblaehser/)** Global Head of Sea Logistics Business Intelligence bei ***[Kuehne+Nagel](https://www.kuehne-nagel.com/de)*** **[Lino Reye](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lino-reye/)** Masterstudent Business Innovation, ***[Universität St. Gallen (HSG)](https://www.unisg.ch/de/)***[ ](https://www.unisg.ch/de/) **MODERATION** **[Dr. Viktoria Mauz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktoria-mauz/)** Active Member der ***[swissICT Fachgruppe Innovation](https://www.swissict.ch/professional-group/innovation/)*** Campus Sales Manager bei ***[Nokia](https://www.nokia.com/)*** **DETAILS** 🗓️ Datum und Uhrzeit: **Donnerstag, 12. März 2026 / 17:00 – 19:30 h** 📍 Ort: **[swissICT](https://www.swissict.ch/kontakt/)** in **ZH-Altstetten** **AGENDA** *16:30 – 17:00 h*: Eintreffen am Veranstaltungsort, Apéro Riche *17:00 – 17:15 h:* Start der Veranstaltung mit einer Begrüssung durch swissICT & swissICT Fachgruppe «Innovation» *17:15 – 17:30 h:* Vorstellung von Studyond durch Dr. Alexandra Allgaier, Mitgründerin von Studyond & Projektvorstellung mit Kühne + Nagel durch Lino Reye, Masterstudent, Universität St. Gallen (HSG) *17:30 – 18:15 h:* Panel-Diskussion „Vom Unternehmens-Pain Point zur Lösung: Abschlussarbeiten mit Business Impact“ inklusive anschliessender interaktiver Fragerunde *18:15 – 19:30 h*: Diskussion & Networking *19:30 h*: Ende der Veranstaltung **ZIELGRUPPE & SPRACHE** * Offene Veranstaltung für alle Interessierten, insbesondere Fach- und Führungskräfte aus den Bereichen Forschung & Entwicklung, Innovation, Digitalisierung, Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie (ICT), Transformation, Talentgewinnung, Human Resources, Bildung sowie Talent- und Partnermanagement. * Ebenfalls offen für Vertreter:innen von Hochschulen, Wirtschaftsförderungen und Verbänden. * Die Einführung und Panel-Diskussion finden auf Deutsch statt; Fragen können gerne auch auf Englisch gestellt werden. **VERANSTALTER** Moderatorenteam der [swissICT Fachgruppe Innovation](https://www.swissict.ch/professional-group/innovation/) ([Violeta Lozano](https://www.linkedin.com/in/violeta-lozano-roxstar/), [Viktoria Mauz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktoria-mauz/)) & Geschäftsstelle [swissICT](https://www.linkedin.com/company/swissict/) ([Carol Lechner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-lechner-1181aa25/)) in Kooperation mit [Studyond](https://studyond.com/) und [Kühne+Nagel](https://www.kuehne-nagel.com/de).

Bored of standard gym routines? Same here. At Burner Gains Playground, we play intense, fun group games – castle dodgeball, Takeshi’s Castle obstacle runs, crazy tag games and more. Get hit or knocked out? Do a quick strength exercise (push-ups, burpees, squats …) before jumping back in. Play like a kid, sweat like at the gym. 😁 What to bring: → Sportswear & indoor shoes → Water → Good vibes 🤪 All fitness levels welcome, no experience needed. Just show up and have fun! 📍 Turnhalle Schulhaus Bachtobel, Bachtobelstrasse 111, Zürich

The 4th edition of the Switzerland dbt Meetup and the second one in lovely Zurich! dbt Meetups are networking events open to all folks working with data! Talks predominantly focus on community members’ experience with dbt; however, you’ll catch presentations on broader topics such as analytics engineering, data stacks, data ops, modeling, testing, and team structures. 🤝 **Organizer:** Education First is organizing this event, enabled by the community team at dbt Labs 📍**Venue Host:** [Education First AG - Selnaustrasse 30, 8001 Zürich](https://www.google.com/maps/place/EF+Education+AG/@47.3711995,8.531678,1548m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x47900a010ab1eff3:0x94baf4132723c8ab!8m2!3d47.3711995!4d8.531678!16s%2Fg%2F1td5f0p1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwNC4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA2N0gBUAM%3D) 🍕 **Catering:** Pizzas and drinks **To attend, please read the Health and Safety Policy and Terms of Participation: [https://www.getdbt.com/legal/health-and-safety-policy](https://www.getdbt.com/legal/health-and-safety-policy)** 🗓️ **Agenda** * 18:00 \| Welcome & registration * 18:30 \| Opening remarks & housekeeping * 18:45 \| What's new with dbt? * 19:00 \| First talk: “Breaking Down Silos: How Analytics Engineering Bridges Data and Software Engineering” by [Federico Colio](https://www.linkedin.com/in/federico-colio/) & [Alex Thwaites](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-thwaites99/) *(Education First)* * 19:30 \| Second talk \- “Bridging Analytics and ML at Energie360: dbt\, AI Assistants\, and Domain Modeling in Energy” by [Magnus Struckmann](https://www.linkedin.com/in/magnus-struckmann/) *(Energie360)* * 20:00 \| Food\, Drinks and Discussions 🍕🍺 **EVENT DETAILS:** **The doors open at 6:00 pm. Presentations begin at 6:30 pm. Food and refreshments will be provided.** ➡️ Join the dbt Slack community: https://www.getdbt.com/community/ 🤝 For the best Meetup experience, make sure to join the #local-\ channel in dbt Slack ([https://slack.getdbt.com/](https://slack.getdbt.com/)). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- dbt is the standard in data transformation, used by over 40,000 organizations worldwide. Through the application of software engineering best practices like modularity, version control, testing, and documentation, dbt’s analytics engineering workflow helps teams work more efficiently to produce data the entire organization can trust. Learn more: [https://www.getdbt.com/](https://www.getdbt.com/)

Hast du Träume, Wünsche oder Ideen, wie deine Zukunft aussehen soll – weißt aber noch nicht genau, wie du sie greifbar machen kannst? In diesem kreativen Workshop gestaltest du dein ganz persönliches Visionboard: eine Collage, die zeigt, was du in deinem Leben anziehen, erleben oder verwirklichen möchtest. Mit Zeitschriftenausschnitten, Farben, Worten und Symbolen entsteht ein individuelles Bild deiner Visionen – ein visueller Kompass, der dich inspiriert und motiviert. Mehr Infos und Anmeldung: [Visionenboard: Gestalte deine Zukunft | Kreativ Werkstatt](https://www.kreativwerkstatt.design/service-page/visionenboard-gestalte-deine-zukunft?referral=service_list_widget)

**Street Photography Workshops, what to expect:** These 3-hour workshops are **paid events** to ensure you receive a truly enriching experience. The fee covers: * A **warm welcome with coffee** to kickstart the session. * A **structured introduction**, setting the foundation for the day. * Access to a **personalized photo critique** after the workshop, where you’ll get my feedback to elevate your skills. The workshops are designed to provide more in-depth guidance, offering an educational and hands-on experience for those looking to sharpen their street photography techniques. **About tour in Zurich West:** Zurich West’s urban charm, industrial heritage, and vibrant modern energy make it a dream destination for street photographers. With its eclectic mix of converted warehouses, contemporary art installations, and dynamic street life, Zurich West offers an endless array of moments to capture. From the bustling Hardbrücke area to the quiet corners of Geroldstrasse, every turn presents unique stories waiting to be framed. Whether it's the colorful graffiti or the stylish locals, Zurich West is a treasure trove of visual inspiration. In my workshops, you’ll go beyond sightseeing—you’ll *see differently*. Whether you’re a beginner learning to compose your first shot or an experienced photographer ready to start a bold new project, these hands-on sessions will push your creativity. Together, we’ll uncover hidden gems, explore new perspectives, and turn everyday life into extraordinary images, using either your camera or smartphone. Take the first step to enhancing your craft and capturing Zurich’s soul—one frame at a time. Let’s meet new people, have fun and be creative together.

Welcome to the Competitive Play Session. This session takes place every Saturday from 10:45 to 12:15 at the Yonex Badminton Hall Hardbrücke. The number of players on the waitlist one week in advance determines the number of courts booked. If you are on the waitlist but can no longer attend, please remove yourself as early as possible. Players are accepted into the session based on skill suitability. This session is for experienced players looking for quality games. Play is focused on doubles with a competitive mindset and consistent rallies. You should be comfortable smashing, return smashes and keeping up a moderate tempo throughout the session. New players and those who are new to badminton are welcome to join the PM Session (Open Level Play). Payment can be made via TWINT after the session.

Open Sharing Circle ✨ Dieser Circle findet auf Deutsch statt. Wir kommen zusammen, um im Moment präsent zu sein und uns so zu zeigen, wie wir wirklich sind. Die Intention ist, in einem sicheren und vertrauensvollen Raum zu teilen — Gedanken, Emotionen, Ziele, Meinungen — alles, was sich für dich im Moment lebendig anfühlt. Niemand muss etwas teilen, und jede*r ist willkommen. ⸻ Worum geht es? • Stärkung von Selbstwahrnehmung & Selbstvertrauen • Persönliches Wachstum • Aufbau tiefer Beziehungen & Vertrauen • Menschen auf einer echten, menschlichen Ebene kennenlernen • Sich frei fühlen, sich authentisch auszudrücken ⸻ Circle-Vereinbarungen Frei & freiwillig Du darfst alles teilen, was du möchtest — und musst nichts teilen. Sprich aus deiner eigenen Erfahrung Teile aus deiner persönlichen Perspektive: deine Erfahrungen, Gedanken, Gefühle und Wahrnehmungen. Der Raumhalter kann dich dabei sanft unterstützen, indem er als Zeichen eine Hand auf die Brust legt. Respekt & Vertraulichkeit Wir begegnen uns respektvoll und ohne zu urteilen. Was im Circle geteilt wird, bleibt im Circle. Rede-Objekt Nur die Person, die das Rede-Objekt hält, spricht. Verständnisfragen sind willkommen. Redezeit & Raum teilen Nimm dir Zeit beim Teilen und lass gleichzeitig Raum für andere. Ratschläge & Unterstützung Sprich für dich selbst und gib Ratschläge nur mit Einverständnis. Bitte frage ausdrücklich nach, wenn du Ratschläge oder Unterstützung möchtest. Trigger & Emotionen Jede*r ist für die eigenen Gefühle und Themen selbst verantwortlich. Starke Emotionen (z. B. Weinen) sind willkommen und werden respektiert. Unterstützung wird nur angeboten, wenn sie gewünscht ist. Eigene Bedürfnisse Kümmere dich selbst um deine Bedürfnisse (WC, Essen usw.) und respektiere den Gruppenraum. Raumhalter Das Organisationsteam wählt Raumhalter, die den Ablauf des Circles unterstützen und darauf achten, dass die Vereinbarungen eingehalten werden. Der Circle kann bei Bedarf sanft unterbrochen werden. Fokusrunde Der Raumhalter kann intuitiv eine kurze Fokusrunde initiieren, wenn es unterstützend wirkt. Mobiltelefone Bitte schalte dein Handy auf lautlos und nutze es nur für Notizen, falls nötig. Zeit Dauer: ca. 3 Stunden. Du kannst jederzeit gehen, idealerweise während der Pausen (etwa alle 45 Minuten). Nach dem Circle gibt es Raum, um zu bleiben, sich zu verbinden oder weiter zu teilen, wenn du magst.

Welcome to the Open Level Play Session. This session takes place every Saturday from 12:15 to 13:45 at the Yonex Badminton Hall Hardbrücke. The number of players on the waitlist one week in advance determines the number of courts booked. If you are on the waitlist but can no longer attend, please remove yourself as early as possible. Open to players of all skill levels. This session is for doubles with a relaxed and social focus. Ideal for casual play, improvement and meeting new players. Payment can be made via TWINT after the session.

**[⚠️ >>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/eating-drinking/digital-detox-cafe-7434519759062868655.html) or** **[www.social-circle.ch](www.social-circle.ch)** **Unplug & Create: Digital Detox Café at Paint it Easy** Take a break from screens and reconnect with yourself and others at our Digital Detox event in Zürich’s most inviting creative space, Paint it Easy. We’ll kick off the evening with a relaxed atmosphere, setting the tone for a mindful and inspiring night. Join our craft group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/JPIASNUJGwD23UUweSe0s3](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JPIASNUJGwD23UUweSe0s3) Choose your path for the evening (workshops are first come, first served): **Connection, Play, Learn** **Workshop:** Reducing your screen time ✨ **Want to continue your digital detox after the event?** For those who feel inspired to go deeper, you’ll have the option to join a **30-Day Unplug Challenge** A gentle, playful program with small weekly offline challenges, reflection prompts, and an accountability buddy — designed to help you reduce screen time and build healthier habits, without going extreme. Details will be shared during the event **Deep Talk with Question Cards:** Dive into meaningful conversations and connect with fellow participants on a deeper level. **Boardgames:** Just for fun or to meet new people. **Creative Activities:** * **Drawing** (included) * **Canvas Painting** (CHF 10/hour + canvas, e.g., 30x40 cm: CHF 9) * **Pottery Painting** (CHF 20–45 per piece) * **Jewellery Making with Beads** (CHF 10/hour + materials, avg. CHF 20–30) * **Linocut Printmaking** (CHF 25–35 per piece) **Location:** Paint it Easy, Zürich **Early Bird Ticket:** CHF 15 (standard CHF 18) **Includes :** Welcome drink\*, drawing material, notebook, games, workshop **Doesn't include** : optional creative activity fees (depending on your choice) \*Warm drink, homemade iced tea, or lemonade Want more events like this? Join our community! [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hmm9DZP3wzaL8cXrtAAafw](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hmm9DZP3wzaL8cXrtAAafw) No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and an open mind! Whether you're painting, reflecting, or connecting, this is your space to recharge, express, and enjoy. Please note that pictures might be taken and used, if you don't want to be on them please let the host know. Tickets are not refundable. #digitaldetox

**DC Service Jam is back.** This March, SD:DC is hosting the DC edition of Global Service Jam 2026 week. We are part of a worldwide movement of designers, strategists, and curious minds who come together to build real service concepts from scratch. From **Saturday March 14 to Sunday March 15**, you'll work in a small team around a secret theme revealed at kick-off. No briefs, no client. Just hands-on design, rapid prototyping, and plenty of Post-its. This year we're bringing AI into the mix. Throughout the weekend we'll look at how AI tools can support service design work, as a sensemaking tool, to build artifacts faster, and to push prototypes further. **WHAT TO EXPECT** **Saturday March 14th** * **9 - 10am:** social / breakfast (theme reveal + team formation) * **10am - 6pm:** full day of research, ideation, and prototyping (meals provided) * **6:30pm (optional):** social / happy hour (nearby bar) **Sunday March 15th** * **9 - 10am:** social / breakfast * **10am - 12pm:** finalize prototyping & storytelling * **12pm - 2pm:** present your work and share what DC made with the world **WHO SHOULD COME** You don't need to be a service designer. If you're a UX or product designer, strategist, public servant, researcher, or just someone curious about how services actually work, you're welcome here. **LOGISTICS** * **Dates:** Saturday March 14th & Sunday 15th (ending at 2pm) * **Venue:** SteamPunk, McLean, VA * **Capacity:** 50 spots only (first come, first served) * **Attendee fee:** $60\* (covers meals, materials, and space) *\* If the fee is a barrier for you, we have a limited number of discounted tickets available, just reach out to Sergio Venegas directly for a code.* **WHAT TO BRING** ✔️ An open mind and a willingness to make things ✔️ Laptop and charger ✔️ Curiosity about Service Design (no experience needed) **Follow SD:DC on LinkedIn and @DCServiceJam on Instagram for updates!** \*\*\* Many thanks to our host and sponsor, **SteamPunk** *Design. Disrupt, Repeat. Steampunk is anchored by a startup culture with a customer-centered delivery approach. We put our Federal government clients in the center of everything we design, develop, and deliver to drive high quality mission impacts and user experiences at speed.*

# ✨ Real Founder Lessons for Builders & Career Pivoters (Ashburn) **Saturday, March 14 • 2–4 PM • Ashburn, VA** What if growing your work didn’t have to come with constant exhaustion? This entrepreneur-focused session is a behind-the-scenes conversation about how to build, pivot, and scale **without burning yourself out** — and without chasing work that drains your energy. Whether you’re launching something new, navigating a career pivot, or rebuilding after a layoff, the principles are the same: 👉 protect your energy 👉 make smarter pivots 👉 build momentum that lasts 👉 apply AI practically to support smarter decisions and workflows Over 12 years, I’ve launched **7 startups and side hustles** — alongside **21 years in corporate tech leadership**. The biggest lesson wasn’t scaling tactics… It was learning when to pivot, how to sustain momentum, and how to align what energizes you with what serves your customers — an approach that generated **revenue** in my first full-time year without burnout. A key part of that evolution has been learning how to integrate AI in grounded, practical ways — helping accelerate testing, decision-making, and workflow clarity without adding complexity. During this session, I’ll share real founder insights — including a live screen walkthrough — showing how smart pivots happen and what separates intentional growth from reactive hustle. *** ## What We’ll Explore 1. **How to recognize when to pivot — and when to stay the course** 2. **Building energy-first systems instead of burnout cycles** 3. **Founder decision-making under pressure** 4. **Designing work that supports long-term momentum** 5. **Why sustainable growth outperforms hustle culture** 6. **Using AI strategically to support pivots, experimentation, and smarter workflows** This is not a lecture or pitch — it’s a grounded founder conversation for people who want to grow smarter and build work that lasts. Expect practical thinking, humor, and takeaways you can use immediately. *** ## Event Details 💵 $20 RSVP — includes coffee + snacks 📍 Ashburn, VA (exact address shared after RSVP) 🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM 👥 Max 15 attendees — intentionally small for meaningful conversation Most attendees are professionals, founders, and growth-minded builders navigating reinvention, pivots, or startup ideas. *** ## About the Space — Startup Garage Style Hosted in my early-founder style startup garage — a **bright, spacious, comfortable Ashburn living room** designed for focused conversation and practical learning. These sessions are intentionally intimate — closer to a founder roundtable than a seminar. *** ## Background — Corporate to Founder Journey After **21 years in corporate tech leadership**, including senior director role, I transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship, building on years of startup and side-hustle experience. If you’re exploring a career pivot or next chapter, you’ll find this conversation highly practical. *** ## 🔗 Builder Ecosystem & Resources 🌐 Website: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) ▶ YouTube (300K+ views): [https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness](https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness) 💼 LinkedIn (4K+ followers): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/) 🤝 Meetup Community: [https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/](https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/) 📚 Amazon Author Page (2 Books published, more on the way): [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ) Everything shared comes from lived founder experience — not theory. *** **Space is intentionally limited to ensure focused discussion, interactive learning, and practical takeaways you can use immediately.**

**Ever dreamed of designing your own backyard oasis?** Here’s your chance to make it happen! Join us at the **Premier Pools & Spas showroom in Manassas, VA** for a fun and creative evening of pool design, conversation, and inspiration. We’ll sip, sketch, and dream up the ultimate backyard retreat together! ️ **What to Expect:** * Hands-on pool design session (we’ll provide poster boards, pens, pencils, and markers!) * Learn how pool layouts, materials, and costs come together in real-world projects * Light refreshments, good company, and expert advice from our design and construction team * **Bonus:** select designs from the night will be turned into **real-time 3D renderings** by one of our pool designers! **Space is limited** — only 15 spots available (each attendee may bring one guest). Whether you’re seriously planning your dream pool or just curious about the process, this laid-back event is the perfect mix of creativity and conversation. Come ready to design, sip, and have a great time!

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – Resource Presentation** **Why Not Today? Build Systems That Support Your Growth** **Presented by Leslie Kane, Founder of Why Not Today?** **Wednesday March 25th \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for a powerful resource presentation designed to help entrepreneurs move from scattered effort to sustainable momentum. *** ## **About the Session** Entrepreneurs rarely struggle because they lack ideas. They struggle because everything lives in their head. In this session, **Leslie Kane**, founder of **Why Not Today?**, will explore how developing intentional systems creates clarity, focus, and forward progress in business. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and working with hundreds of entrepreneurs, Leslie shares how structure reduces overwhelm, simplifies decision-making, and transforms inconsistent action into repeatable success. If you’re building a business and constantly feeling stretched thin, this conversation will challenge you to ask a powerful question: **Why not today?** *** ## **What You’ll Gain** * Insight into why systems are critical for growth * Practical perspective on turning ideas into structured action * A framework for reducing overwhelm * A mindset shift from reactive to intentional leadership This is not about adding more to your plate — it’s about building the foundation that allows your business to grow without burning you out. *** ## **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through conversation and collaboration. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us for coffee, connection, and a conversation that may completely change how you approach your business growth.

Whether you're new to Insight meditation or an advanced practitioner looking for like-minded people to sit with, you're welcome to join us at our Sunday morning drop-in group, sponsored by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. Insight meditation cultivates our natural wisdom and compassion. Meditation practice develops concentration, which allows us to calm and steady the mind. This class includes a 30-minute lightly-guided meditation, followed by a short talk and time for questions and discussion. The size of the group usually runs somewhere between 25-40 people in-person and between 12-25 online. Chairs are provided, or you may bring a sitting cushion or bench. You may also use the blankets and bolsters offered by the yoga studio. **We offer both in-person and online attendance.** To learn more about our topics and teachers, view our videos or **get the Zoom link**, visit our [class page](https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=735&utm_source=MeetUp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=vienna-drop-in).

Leads come in, but they don’t move. Prospects engage, but they don’t convert. Customers join, but they don’t stay. And most teams are guessing where the breakdown actually is. At this DC Marketing Tech Talks event, Geoff Livingston will walk you through a practical, end-to-end AI workflow designed to help you identify and fix the gaps in your customer journey. This session is about using AI to analyze how buyers are actually moving through your funnel, uncover where engagement drops off, and turn that insight into measurable improvements. You’ll learn how to: * Map your real customer journey * Identify friction points across your lead funnel * Use AI to analyze messy marketing data in a structured way. Geoff will show you how to turn disconnected touchpoints into a clear picture of behavior, how to surface usable insights, and how to feed those insights back into your campaigns to improve performance. This session will give you a detailed playbook. You will see the specific tools, the specific processes, and the step-by-step structure to implement this workflow inside your own organization. From auditing your journey to identifying measurable gaps, to prioritizing the highest-impact fixes, to building a repeatable optimization loop, you will walk away knowing exactly how to execute this approach from start to finish.

**Agenda:** * 6-6:30 pm: Networking and food/drinks * 6:30-7:15 pm: Announcements and presentation * 7:15 pm-7:30 pm: Q&A and close-out **Hacking the Stack: Using OpenSearch Dashboards as an Application Framework** Most developers treat OpenSearch Dashboards (OSD) strictly as a visualization layer—a place for charts and graphs. They are missing the bigger picture. OSD is a powerful, untapped environment for full-stack application development. In this session, we peel back the architecture of **an enterprise-grade risk, compliance, and security platform built entirely *on top of* OSD**. We moved beyond simple plugins and pushed OSD to its limits to create a seamless, interactive application experience. Join us for a deep dive into the engineering reality of the OpenSearch stack, including: * **The Analysis:** Why the OpenSearch stack beat out the competition. * **The Build,** **Beyond Visualization:** How to implement custom React components to build complex workflows and interactive UIs within OSD. * **The Integrations:** Integrating Wazuh for agent management and ingesting data at scale. * **The “Gotchas”:** Honest, real-world lessons on data handling, state management, and what to look out for. **If you are ready to push your plugins from “reporting tools” to “robust software,” do not miss this session!**