Conference Planning

**OPEN TO EVERYONE – NO TICKET REQUIRED** The PHP UK Conference returns on 20 February 2026, and as always we’ll be hosting a pre-conference meetup the evening before. This year we’ll be at The Traitors Gate, in their private space **The Vaults**, located at 14 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AA. This meetup is open to all PHP London members, so feel free to come along for a drink and a catch-up with fellow PHP-Londoners and conference attendees. You can find full conference details at https://www.phpconference.co.uk/.

🏎️ **If you’re not automating yet… you probably are.** Be honest: how much of your job are you already secretly automating, and how much of it is just automation in disguise? In this session, **[Ellis Pratt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellispratt/)**, director of **[Cherryleaf](https://www.cherryleaf.com/)**, will take a clear, no-hype look at automation in technical communication. He’ll rewind to where things stood just over a year ago, then discuss what’s changed since. We’ll explore how automation shows up across the technical writing lifecycle, and common pitfalls that come with it. Finally, we’ll look ahead. What does increasing automation really mean for our careers as technical writers and documentarians? Join us for an honest, practical conversation about what to automate, what not to, and how to stay relevant as the tools keep changing. **📣 This event is aimed at technical writers and those working in closely related roles. The discussion will focus on automation and AI specifically in the context of technical documentation and technical content workflows.** **When:** Thursday 19 February, from 6.30pm **Where:** The Yellow Room @ Remark! 18 Leather Lane, EC1N 7SU **What:** 18.30 - 19.00 Arrival 19.00 - 19.45 Presentation 19.45 - 20.00 Short break 20.00 - 20.45 Presentation 20.45 - 21.30 Networking *All times are approximate.* **Photos:** Note that the organizers will take some photos for the WTD group.

NOTE: Access to this hackathon is limited. Please ensure you register on [Luma](https://luma.com/2lkuky4i). AI Impact Summit Fringe Event Hackathon – Opening India’s AI Future with Bharat AI Mission 19 Feb 2026, 10:00 – 16:00 IST IIT Delhi, Research and Innovation Park, Auditorium New Delhi, India

**——————————** **Event Description:** **——————————** Welcome product enthusiasts! We're a meet-up group that hosts regular speaking events for those interested in the world of **digital products** and **doing things differently!** Each meet-up features new guests from some of the most influential product companies around the world, providing unique insights, tangible ideas, and new techniques to help drive change from the inside out. **————————** **Event Format:** **————————** 🚨 **This is an in-person event only.** 🚨 **————** **Venue:** **————** **Our Product Unleashed London Event:** We are hosted in the beautiful event space @ **[Accurx](https://www.accurx.com/)** We're looking forward to seeing you there! **———————** **What to expect:** ⚡ This event will be made up of 3 X speakers dropping knowledge bombs in the form of 20 minute talks straight into your minds 🤯 **———————** **SPEAKER 1** **———————** **Micaela Dixon** Micaela Dixon is a Senior Product Designer at Picsart, working on AI-powered creative growth experiences used by millions of people worldwide. She specialises in designing human-centred AI systems that balance trust, delight, and user agency. Alongside her industry work, Micaela is the founder of The AI UX School, where she teaches designers how to confidently design, prototype, and think critically about AI products. Her work sits at the intersection of UX, AI, growth ethics, and product strategy. **————————** **About the Talk:** **————————** **Building Trust and Encouraging Critical Thinking: Designing AI Experiences That Do Both** In this talk, Micaela explores how teams can intentionally build AI experiences that create trust without encouraging blind reliance. Through real product examples and practical UX patterns, she shows how interaction design, language, feedback loops, and system transparency can help users stay engaged, informed, and thoughtful when working with AI. ***The session reframes trust not as “users believing the system,” but as users feeling supported, capable, and in control.*** **———————** **SPEAKER 2** **———————** **Erin Casali** Erin is a VP/Director of both product and design, with over 10 years of experience in each. She has a hybrid approach with design, product, and engineering in her background, and a skillset including psychology and change management. Her unique blend of skills, including psychology and change management, enables her to foster collaboration and break down silos. Driven by a passion for improving lives through her work, she empowers teams to reach their full potential. She advocates for purpose, transparency, and diversity, fostering a culture of trust and agency. **————————** **About the Talk:** **————————** **Engaging with genAI Beyond the Hype** The world of genAI is split between doomers and boomers (the other kind), where it can be really hard to distinguish between what’s useful and what’s not. According to one side, everything is amazing and our jobs are going to disappear soon. According to the other, genAI is evil and needs to be resisted at all costs. ***This talk will provide pragmatic tools to navigate the world of hype between the two sides, and define how to gain valuable skills.*** **———————** **SPEAKER 3** **———————** **Chris Compston** Chris is a London-based product coach who has led product operations for brands like Bumble, Farfetch and Reward Gateway. He specialises in designing Product Operating Models that drive organisation toward impact. A prolific speaker and writer, Chris focuses on how intentional, repeatable practices help modern product teams thrive. **————————** **About the Talk:** **————————** **How to Woo** How do you steer the ship when you aren't the captain? In product development, your success rarely depends on your ability to give orders. Instead, it relies on your ability to influence people that you have no direct power over. We often call this stakeholder management, but in reality, it is the art of the "Woo". An approachable, human way of winning people over to your side. In this talk, we will explore why the hard sell often leads to friction and how you can shift from pushing requirements to pulling people toward a shared vision. Drawing on real-world successes and failures from Bumble, Farfetch, and Reward Gateway, we’ll look at how to navigate conflicting interests and complex personalities. ***You will learn a practical approach to understanding hidden motivations, shaping the narrative around your ideas, and ultimately empowering others to feel they are making the right choice for themselves. The goal isn't just to get a yes. It is to build a partnership where everyone feels they’ve won.*** **—————————————** **Support from:** **—————————————** We are kindly hosted by our friends at Accurx. **——————————** **About your hosts:** **——————————** Product Unleashed is brought to you by your hosts **[John Griffin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-griffin-designer/)** and **[Dominic Port](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-port/)**. The duo has worked on the design of products of all shapes and sizes and bring their energy and enthusiasm to this unique meet-up, packed with great guests and knowledge - for anyone interested in levelling up their game in the world of products.

**Kindly note that this is a paid event and the average number of attendees for our events is 60-70 people. You can register on [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-pr-marketing-connector-founders-entrepreneurs-business-leaders-tickets-1981956376876?aff=meetup]( https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-pr-marketing-connector-founders-entrepreneurs-business-leaders-tickets-1981956376876?aff=meetup)** An exclusive evening for founders, entrepreneurs, and AI, PR & marketing leaders to connect, collaborate & grow through meaningful talks. The **AI, PR & Marketing Connector®** is a curated networking experience for **founders, company directors, marketing leaders, PR professionals, and AI innovators** who believe in building meaningful, human-to-human business relationships. This premium event brings together senior decision-makers working at the intersection of **artificial intelligence, public relations, and modern marketing** to connect, collaborate, and grow together with a **win–win mindset**. ## **Who Should Attend 👥** ### **For AI Founders & Builders 🤖** * AI startup founders and co-founders * Applied AI, MarTech, AdTech, and automation leaders * AI consultants working with brands, agencies, or enterprises * Product leaders focused on responsible, real-world AI adoption You’ll connect with decision-makers who are actively exploring how AI can enhance **brand visibility, communications, customer insight, and growth**, opening doors to pilots, partnerships, and long-term collaboration. ### **For PR & Marketing Leaders 📣📊** * PR agency owners and senior consultants * CMOs, Heads of Marketing, Brand & Communications * Growth, digital, and performance marketing leaders * Consultants supporting brand reputation and audience growth You’ll engage directly with AI founders and strategists shaping the next generation of **PR tools, marketing intelligence, automation, and storytelling**, helping you stay ahead of industry change and identify trusted partners. ### **For Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders 🚀** * Company founders, co-founders, and business owners * Managing directors and growth-focused leaders * Entrepreneurs exploring AI-led marketing and PR strategies * Business leaders seeking visibility, credibility, and scalable growth * You’ll connect with trusted AI, PR, and marketing professionals who can support **brand growth, customer acquisition, reputation building, and operational efficiency**, while forming long-term, win–win business relationships. ## **Why Attend 🌱** * 🤝 Curated, values-led connections * 🧠 Insightful conversations on AI in PR & marketing * 🚀 Collaboration opportunities across industries * 💬 Senior-level, conversation-first networking ## **Format & Agenda 🕕** **6:00 PM** – Arrival & welcome**6:15 PM – 10:00 PM** – Fully hosted, free-flow networking with curated introductions**10:00 PM** – Close ## **Our Values 💡** * Human before business * Win–win collaboration * Integrity & trust * Knowledge sharing * Community-driven growth ## **Hosted By** **London Connector®** – a leading UK business networking community connecting founders, directors, and senior professionals through premium, values-driven events. 🎟️ **Attendance is curated. Places are limited to ensure quality conversations and strong alignment.** 🟢 **GET TICKETS** 🟢👉 Click **Get tickets to** Join founders, AI innovators, and senior PR & marketing leaders for an evening of meaningful connection and collaboration. * [United Kingdom Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/events/) * [Greater London Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--greater-london/events/) * [Things to do in London](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ttd/united-kingdom--london/) * [London Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/networking/) * [London Business Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/business--networking/) * [#business](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business/) * [#networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networking/) * [#marketing](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23marketing/) * [#entrepreneurship](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23entrepreneurship/) * [#networkingevent](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networkingevent/) * [#london](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23london/) * [#businessnetworking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23businessnetworking/) * [#business_professional](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_professional/) * [#londonconnector](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23londonconnector/) * [#january2026](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23january2026/)

Inspired by Sheila Liming's 2023 book, Hanging Out, this event is about "daring to do nothing much, and even more than that, about daring to do it in the company of others." If you're curious, you can read more about my rationale for the event [here](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/p/hanging-out), and how our pilot event went [here](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/p/it-worked). We'll make use of the fantastic indoor public spaces on London's South Bank to spend time in the company of other people. There are plenty of places to buy refreshments, but you can also bring your own if you prefer. This event will take place in the foyer of The Southbank Centre. You can find us by looking out for: * Me - I will be wearing a black T-shirt with HANGING OUT written on the back * Our table - which will have a red flag draped over it with THE SUNRISE CLUB emblazoned on it (though this clearly isn't THE SUNRISE CLUB! If you want to find out about that, you can do so [here](https://www.meetup.com/the-sunrise-club/).) * Other writers - who may be spread out across the centre. They will have white pieces of paper with the WRITE CLUB stamp at the top of the page. And if you feel like using the hanging out as a carrot for some creative work, please join us an hour earlier for [WRITE CLUB](https://www.meetup.com/experimentsin/events/312790327) \- an hour of silent writing/reading in the same location\. WHATSAPP GROUP: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FgGCrGc8TNzF8q7lvwozbR](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FgGCrGc8TNzF8q7lvwozbR) Looking forward to meeting and hanging out with you :-) Bonny

**Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) Community Meetup📍 Location**: Delta Bakery Coffee Shop Join a relaxed, in-person meetup to practise speaking Spanish - whether you’re just starting out or want to build confidence through conversation. We’ll chat over coffee (everyone just covers their own drink), with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and support for those who need help getting started. The session includes guided introductions, vocabulary practice, and friendly conversation - all entirely in Spanish. Afterwards, you’ll join a WhatsApp group to keep practising together every day. 🎟 Free to attend – This community is open to all, and no contribution is required to join. That said, if you find the session helpful and would like to support my service and the time I’ve invested, any contribution would be **greatly appreciated**. If times are tough, please don’t worry - **your presence is more than enough**. We’ll cover: • Introducing yourself in Spanish (with gentle guidance) • Icebreakers and essential vocabulary • Coffee & conversation—all in Spanish • Building our WhatsApp practice group • Sharing why you’re learning Spanish Let’s learn, connect, and grow—¡en español!

Join us on Friday evenings at the charming L’ETO Café for a relaxed and inspiring social meetup in the heart of Soho. Whether you’re a local or visiting London, this gathering is a simple, welcoming way to enjoy good conversation and meet interesting, open-minded people in a cozy café setting. Expect relaxed chats, thoughtful exchanges, and a friendly atmosphere - all over great coffee, tea, and indulgent cakes. What to Expect • Meet and connect with people from different backgrounds - professionals, creatives, and curious minds • Easy, natural conversations in a respectful and comfortable environment • A social evening that’s friendly and low-pressure, with no formal networking or expectations From time to time, we may include a short, light activity (such as an icebreaker or quiz) and gently rotate seating so everyone has a chance to meet new faces - always keeping the focus on relaxed coffee and easy conversation. Whether you’re new in town or a familiar face, join us for an evening of warmth, inspiration, and genuine connection. We’d love to see you there. ☕ Please note: The event is free to attend. To support our host café, we kindly encourage everyone to purchase at least one drink. 📸 We share upcoming events, community highlights, and social moments on Instagram - follow us to stay connected: https://www.instagram.com/lsc.2026 ✨ Stay Connected with London Social Connect ✨

The first rule of WRITE CLUB is that you do not talk ***during*** WRITE CLUB. This very simple meetup is based on the premise that public and peer accountability enables more productive writing than sitting at home and getting distracted by the fridge. We will write/read for an hour in silence. (I will be writing thought experiments for my other meetup group: [THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS](https://www.meetup.com/thought-experiments-in-pubs)) If you'd like to hang out afterwards, or if you prefer just to hang out, I have another event immediately afterwards in the same place :-) You can find that here: [HANGING OUT AT THE SOUTHBANK](https://www.meetup.com/experimentsin/events/312667892) We'll make use of the fantastic indoor public spaces on London's South Bank (The Southbank Centre, The BFI Cafe, The National Theatre Cafe, etc) to spend time in the company of other people. There are plenty of places to buy refreshments, but you can also bring your own if you prefer. This event will take place in the foyer of The Southbank Centre. You can find us by looking out for a big red flag with THE SUNRISE CLUB emblazoned on it (though this clearly isn't THE SUNRISE CLUB! If you want to find out about that, you can do so [here](https://www.meetup.com/the-sunrise-club/).) WHATSAPP GROUP - [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BpMwnRev0H237KMx4uPnek](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BpMwnRev0H237KMx4uPnek) Looking forward to meeting and writing with you :-) Bonny

This event is open to anyone who works in or is interested in the tech industry, whether you are a developer, designer, engineer, entrepreneur, student, or hobbyist. You will be able to meet new people, share your experiences, learn from others, and find potential collaborators or mentors. Attending our events earns you [Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points](https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/how-to-get-cpd-points). CPD offers numerous benefits, including skill enhancement, career progression, and up-to-date knowledge. It helps professionals stay competent, advance in their careers, and maintain professional credibility. We usually start around 2 p.m. at The Exmouth Arms, which offers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to suit all tastes and burgers, sandwiches, and snacks to suit most dietary needs. The pub also offers a Lunch Special between 12 and 4pm for a Cheeseburger with fries for £9 & schooners for £4. It is worth noting that whilst the event is free, the food and drinks aren't. Come thirsty, curious, and ready to have a great time!

**Brighton Seafront Walk & Talk** Kick off the year with fresh air and meaningful founder conversations. A relaxed seafront walk ideal for talking about workflows, automation opportunities, and AI tools. 9:00–10:00am Meet: Brighton Pier Walk to :Hove Lawns

### 📍**CheckedIn London — Speed Networking for Real Connections** CheckedIn London is built for one thing: **helping you meet the right people faster—in real life.** We get you out from behind the screen and into the room, where real conversations happen. We show up at tech mixers, networking events, and industry gatherings across Leeds and use the **CheckedIn app** to turn quick introductions into meaningful connections—*on the spot*. ### 🚀 How Speed Networking Works with CheckedIn At each event, the CheckedIn app helps you: * Instantly connect with people you meet—no business cards required * Follow up later without awkward LinkedIn requests * Remember who you met, what you talked about, and why it mattered * Turn short conversations into real collaborations, fast Think of CheckedIn as the **spiritual successor to LinkedIn**— but built for **in-person moments**, not endless scrolling. No cold DMs. No forgetting names. Just tap, connect, and keep the conversation going after the event. Whether you’re a founder, operator, creative, or curious professional, this is a space for conversations that actually go somewhere. Come solo or bring a colleague. No pressure. No pitches. Just good people, efficient introductions, and momentum. *** ## 🌍 Help Us Grow CheckedIn CheckedIn is expanding, and we’re actively looking for **chapter organizers** to help run and grow chapters in cities around the world. If you enjoy: * Bringing people together * Hosting great events * Building real community We’d love to hear from you. 👉 Apply here: **[www.checkedIn.site/organizer-apply](http://www.checkedIn.site/organizer-apply)** *** ## 🌍 About This Chapter CheckedIn is a **chapter-based, community-driven network**. The Londonchapter is part of the wider CheckedIn community. On some occasions, the primary organizer may not be in attendance. These meetups are designed to be **self-led, welcoming, and participatory**—members take ownership of starting conversations, making introductions, and helping others connect. If you show up, you belong. If you tap in, connections start immediately. **Join us. Check in. Connect faster.** **CheckedIn — open the app and tap.**

Hey Everyone! Let's meet at Belle's Bread Bakery and Cafe. There is lots of free parking and easy access to the cafe and many shops and restaurants as well. This is a great way to meet new and old friends while chatting about life and practicing English language speaking skills. All are welcome and encouraged to join us anytime between 11am and 1pm. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the **Grandview Heights Public Library** in **Conference Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour. \*note change in location\* Grandview Heights library (1685 W 1st Ave, Columbus, OH 43212) Keeping Monday for consistency but we can discuss if there are better days/times/locations!

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message **Chris (the organizer)** with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. 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)

Save the Date 🌱 The Licking County Master Gardener Volunteers invite you to the annual gardening conference, open to everyone who enjoys growing plants. 📅 Saturday, March 14, 2026 📍 OSU Newark Campus - Reese center 🎟️ Tickets go on sale in January and this event fills fast, sells out every year 🌿 2026 Theme: Unusual Gardens in Your Backyard You will hear practical ideas that help you rethink small spaces and try new approaches at home. This conference also arrives at the perfect time of year. It helps soothe the urge to get outside while winter is still around. Central Ohio gardeners wait until late May to plant outdoors, so this day helps you plan and daydream about spring projects. Speakers • Joseph Tychonievich, author of Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style • Debra Knapke, The Garden Sage • Denise Schreiber, author of Eat Your Roses You will find vendors, a silent raffle, and friendly conversations with other gardeners. Registration • Register by January 31 to pay 50 dollars • Starting February 1, the fee is 60 dollars • Tickets at the door are 75 dollars • Boxed lunch, coffee and pastries are included MGV website: [https://fourseasonsofgardening.org/2026-spring-conference](https://fourseasonsofgardening.org/2026-spring-conference)

**\*\*\*\* More details and sign up at: https://aifalliance.org/summit-2026/ \*\*\*\*** **What is AI Freedom Alliance?** AI Freedom Alliance promotes the responsible growth of AI guided by practical, commonsense ethics. Our nonprofit is built by professionals from a wide range of industries and is made up entirely of small- and mediumbusiness representatives—never large tech companies. We provide a counterbalance to big corporate influence, focusing instead on how AI can benefit businesses and the world at large. **What’s Happening?** ***The inaugural AI Freedom Alliance Summit.*** This full-day event will explore how we can ensure AI is adopted responsibly through shared ethical standards that empower humanity. The summit will feature interactive and educational sessions led by thought leaders, technologists, policymakers, and advocates who are passionate about making AI fair, transparent, and beneficial for everyone. **Why Attend?** Learn about the legal and technical challenges with implementing AI solutions within your organization. Build better solutions while protecting your organization from legal and compliance risks. And learn how to think strategically about AI as a differentiation tool for your business. This summit is highly recommended for C-Suite leaders to learn as well as interact with each other and our sponsors.