Customer Experience

Open weekly Maracatu percussion classes for all levels – beginners to advanced – Newbies very welcome! The classes are run by Sam Alexander, a professional musician, teacher, and artist. He leads the community group Baque de Axé in London, which plays traditional Maracatu Carnival percussion music from Recife in Pernambuco, Brazil. Classes run every Monday from 6:45pm to 9:15pm (Times include set up and pack away, drumming 7:00pm to 9:00pm) and are held in Maxilla Social Club, 2 Maxilla Walk, London, W10 6SW, underneath the Westway, 5 mins from Latimer Road Tube Station on the Hammersmith & City/Circle Lines. £15/session (payable on the evening via contactless reader (referred) or cash). No booking required. Axé 💚❤️

Exited for this event where we'll have the amazing **Manfred Steyer** joining us **in person** talking about how to bring structure to Agentic AI\*\*!\*\* As usual there will be food, drinks and swag thanks to Revolution Technology and Angular.Love :D See you all soon! **AGENDA** • **6:00 pm** Networking/Food • **7:00 pm** Agentic UI Requires Standards: How AG\-UI\, A2UI\, and MCP Apps Work Together \| **Manfred Steyer** • **8:00 pm** Networking **Agentic UI Requires Standards: How AG\-UI\, A2UI\, and MCP Apps Work Together \|** **Manfred Steyer** Agentic AI promises systems that can plan, act, and use tools. In practice, integrating these capabilities into the UI often leads to tight coupling between frontend, agent logic, and specific backend technologies—resulting in vendor lock-in and limited flexibility. This session shows how open standards bring structure to Agentic UI. It introduces AG-UI, A2UI, and MCP Apps, and explains how they work together across system boundaries: AG-UI decouples the frontend from agent implementations, A2UI enables structured and dynamic interfaces, and MCP Apps provide reusable, backend-agnostic capabilities. Together, these standards enable flexible, decoupled architectures that remain stable even as underlying technologies evolve. **More about our speakers:** **Manfred Steyer** *Trainer, consultant, and programming architect with a focus on Angular, Google Developer Expert (GDE) who writes for O'Reilly, the German Java Magazine, and windows.developer. Regularly speaks at conferences.* Many thanks to our sponsors tonight, **Metro Bank** for hosting us and **Revolution Technology** for the food and drinks and **Angular.Love/House of Angular** for the swag :D **Revolution Technology** are a Tech Recruitment Agency who specialise in Software Engineering, Data, Infrastructure and Testing. For the past 10 years they have partnered with some of the most exciting start ups, scale ups and enterprises globally, helping them build high performing and diverse tech teams. Don't miss the next **Angular Spring Camp Meetup** on **19th of May 2026**: Master the evolution of Angular: from Zoneless performance and Signal-based state to modern testing with Vitest. [Register for free here!](https://meetup.angular.love/angular-spring-camp-2026/?utm_source=alex&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=angularspringcamp26) Event will be streamed online, link will be available on the day! Looking forward to meeting you all!

***WARNING*** *If you are new to our Meet Up or haven't attended any class for months, please, BEFORE signing up to a conversation class, send an email in French to Christian at frenchlondonexperience at gmail dot com ; Anyone -* aforementioned - *signing up to a class before getting an agreement will be removed from the list. Thanks for your cooperation.* You want to improve your fluency, your pronunciation and your French skills? You want to get more vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of French, the French and France? You want to speak on various topics with the support of a French native tutor? Each week, we come up to a different theme. It pushes your conversation skills up. It helps you to speak about many topics and to interact in French in multiple contexts. Regular attendees learn a lot, make improvements and are able to have a chat about numerous topic! The bonus, you will be able to ask questions to an authentic French native! **THE CLASS:** This is a face-to-face conversation class lasting 60 minutes run by a French native & professional tutor (in London since 2016). This is a Conversation Class dedicated to French learners who struggle to have a spontaneous conversation. If you think your French is rusty, if you feel not really comfortable to interact among a group of other French speakers, this class is for you (if not sure, send a message in French to the organiser). The class goes on an adapted pace with a first part dedicated to a chit-chat and then we'll focus on a short text to learn about French culture and the language. We approach the theme, read a short text (you get a copy for the session), speak, learn vocabulary and things about French culture. The theme is always linked to French, the French and France. At the end, we wrap up and keep a few minutes for some miscellaneous questions. After the class, you will get an email with a list of vocabulary (some words / expressions seen along the class). This is a very small group class: maximum of 4 attendees and a minimum of 2. So you will speak directly to the tutor. During the class, the tutor helps you to structure and improve your phrasing, and to develop your understanding. **IMPORTANT** If you are new to our Meet Up, please send ASAP an email at frenchlondonexperience at gmail dot com to introduce yourself, to check your level, to confirm your space and to get the Bank details for payment. **PRICING:** You can pay each time or by block (then you save money) \- £15 per session \(to be paid when signing up by bank transfer \- Bank details on request\) \- £60 for 6 sessions \(to be used within 3 months \- to be paid in advance by bank transfer \- Bank details on request\) People who sign up without paying will be removed from the list. If, after your first attendance, you decide to subscribe to the offer of £60 for 6 classes, you add £45 and then you incorporate your first class in the subscription. The pricing is made to encourage you to attend more regularly as improvements will come with regularity. **TERMS & CONDITIONS** If you are to join, you are more than welcome to sign up. But, please, if you have an unforeseen hitch, up date your status as soon as possible. As spaces are limited, if you don't turn up or if you cancel at the last minute, a space is wasted. Thanks for helping. \- Fees are payable at the booking \- No refund \(exchange for cancellation more than 12 hours before the start of the event\) \- No refund\, no exchange for late cancellation \(less than 12 hours\) or non\-attendance \- People who don't turn may be banned\. If the session is fully booked, please put your name on the waiting list but ONLY if you are sure to be able to attend the session. As soon a space becomes available, even at the very last minute, you will be on the attendance list. Then you will be expected to attend the session and it will be due, even if you don't actually attend. Thanks for your cooperation and thanks for understanding. Follow French London Experience [http://www.facebook.com/frenchlondonexperience/](http://www.facebook.com/frenchlondonexperience/) [https://www.instagram.com/frenchlondonexperience/](https://www.instagram.com/frenchlondonexperience/) [https://twitter.com/FLE_Christian](https://twitter.com/FLE_Christian) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0ZB8-AhXTeqNF9MwEySmeg Website: [www.frenchlondonexperience.com](http://www.frenchlondonexperience.com/)

11 May. This event is newly sold out , we promoted it on other platforms. **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/london-ai-networking-event-fintech-digital-tech-innovators-meetup-tickets-1987685701440?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-ai-networking-event-fintech-digital-tech-innovators-meetup-tickets-1987685701440?aff=meetup)** Meet AI professionals, fintech investors, and tech innovators at London’s leading AI networking event. Build real connections at Hay Hill. Join London's leading AI, digital, and tech networking event — bringing together AI professionals, fintech investors, tech entrepreneurs, digital leaders, and innovative solution providers at the prestigious Hay Hill, Mayfair. AI Connector® is London's premier AI and tech networking event designed for AI professionals, fintech investors, tech entrepreneurs, company directors, digital leaders, and solution providers eager to explore and implement cutting-edge artificial intelligence, digital, and technology solutions to drive efficiency, innovation, and profitability. This is a thoughtfully curated, relationship-focused London tech networking event that prioritises meaningful conversations, strategic collaboration, and long-term opportunity creation — all within one of Mayfair’s most prestigious venues. 🚀 Why Attend AI Connector® London? 🤝 Expand Your AI & Tech Network in London Connect with like-minded AI professionals, tech entrepreneurs, digital leaders, fintech investors, and decision-makers who share a passion for technology, innovation, and business growth. This is London's most focused AI and technology networking event for professionals who are serious about the future. 🔗 Explore Strategic Alliances & Partnerships Discover how AI, fintech, and digital solutions can work together to create powerful synergies and stronger business outcomes. Meet solution providers, startup founders, and tech innovators actively looking for collaboration, integration, and joint ventures. 💡 Showcase & Discover Cutting-Edge Tech Solutions Whether you offer advanced AI or digital solutions or are seeking innovative tools to scale your business, AI Connector® helps you meet exactly the right people. From machine learning and automation to fintech and digital transformation, this event covers the full spectrum of London's tech landscape. 🎯 What You Will Gain ✅ Strategic Connections Build meaningful relationships with AI entrepreneurs, tech founders, fintech investors, company directors, and senior digital professionals — all under one roof at a premium Mayfair venue. ✅ Valuable Industry Insights Stay informed about the latest trends and practical applications of artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and emerging technologies shaping London's business landscape. ✅ Collaboration Opportunities Identify tech partners, AI solution providers, and digital innovators to co-create, integrate, or implement solutions that can transform your organisation and accelerate growth. ✅ Exclusive WhatsApp Networking Community All confirmed attendees gain access to an exclusive WhatsApp group — connecting AI professionals, tech entrepreneurs, and fintech investors before and after the event for maximum networking value. 👥 Who Should Attend? This London AI and tech networking event is designed for: 🤖 AI professionals and artificial intelligence specialists 💻 Tech entrepreneurs and digital startup founders 💰 Fintech investors and venture capital professionals 📊 Digital transformation leaders and consultants 🏢 Company directors and senior decision-makers 🔗 Solution providers and technology partners 🧠 Innovation consultants, advisors, and tech strategists 🌐 Anyone looking to grow their London AI and tech network If you are passionate about AI, fintech, digital innovation, and technology — and serious about building high-quality professional relationships in London — this event is made for you. 📅 Event Format 🕔 5:00 PM — Event Begins Fully hosted, free-format AI and tech networking focused on quality conversations, strategic introductions, and genuine relationship-building from the moment you arrive. 🕕 6:00 PM — Extended Networking Remain in the venue at no extra cost as the London Connector® event begins — maximising your networking time with tech entrepreneurs, AI professionals, and fintech investors. 📲 Exclusive WhatsApp Networking Group On the day of the event, you will receive an email invitation to join our exclusive attendee WhatsApp group — allowing AI professionals, tech entrepreneurs, and fintech investors to start connecting, arranging meetings, and building relationships before walking through the door. 🔁 Refund Policy Advance tickets are discounted and non-refundable but can be reassigned to another person of your choice if you are unable to attend. 📸 Event Disclaimer Photos and videos may be taken during the event for use across our social media channels, marketing materials, and promotional campaigns. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. * [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)

11 May. This event is newly sold out , we promoted it on other platforms. **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/ukrainian-connector-london-ukraine-focused-business-networking-tickets-1988167584766?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ukrainian-connector-london-ukraine-focused-business-networking-tickets-1988167584766?aff=meetup)** Ukrainian Connector® London brings together Ukrainian entrepreneurs & professionals to build trusted connections and grow in the UK. ### **What is Ukrainian Connector®?** Ukrainian Connector® is a **thoughtfully structured networking experience** in London for professionals, founders, investors, and advisors engaged with Ukraine and international markets. It gathers a **well-balanced group of individuals with shared interests**, creating the right setting for more impactful conversations and valuable introductions. The emphasis is on depth rather than volume—encouraging discussions that can lead to partnerships, investment opportunities, and cross-border collaboration. There are no panels or presentations—just a **refined, professional environment** where conversations develop naturally and connections form with purpose. ### **Who should attend?** * Entrepreneurs and founders active in or connected to Ukraine * Investors (Angel, VC, Family Offices) exploring Ukraine-related opportunities * Corporate leaders, consultants, and advisors * Anyone interested in Ukraine-focused business, reconstruction, trade, and innovation ### **Why attend?** In London, meaningful opportunities are created through the right introductions. Ukrainian Connector® offers an environment where interactions are focused, relevant, and commercially driven. ## **Event Details 🕒** 📅 **Date:** 11th May ⏰ **Time:** 18:00 – Event Start 📍 **Location:** Hay Hill ✔️ Fully hosted ✔️ Open-format networking (no panels or presentations) ✔️ Select guest profile to encourage high-quality connections ✔️Kindly note that this event will take place in the same area where the London Connector® event is taking place, the hosts for the Ukrainian Connector® event will be able to point you to the guests who are joining the Ukrainian Connector® and those who are taking part in the London Connector®. Your ticket allows you to take part in both events ### **What to expect** * Engaging conversations with like-minded professionals * A relaxed yet purposeful atmosphere * Opportunities to build relationships, partnerships, and investments ### **Bonus Access** Your ticket also includes entry to **London Connector®**, taking place later the same evening—broadening your network across a wider professional audience. ### **FAQ** **Is there a dress code?** Business smart / smart casual. The focus is on conversation, not formality. **Will there be speakers or a schedule?** No—this is a dedicated networking experience built around direct interaction. **Do I need to be Ukrainian or based in Ukraine?** No. The event is open to anyone with a professional interest in Ukraine and related markets. ## **📲 WhatsApp Group** On the day of the event, attendees will receive an email invitation to join the exclusive Ukrainian Connector® WhatsApp group to continue conversations before and after the event. ## **ℹ️ Refund Policy** Advance tickets are discounted and non-refundable but may be reassigned to another person if you are unable to attend. ### **Event Disclaimer 📸** Photos and videos may be taken during the event for use across social media and promotional materials. * [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)

Let's go with the flow and do this amazing 10 mile walk in the stunning Hampshire countryside ! Things to bring : packed lunch, water, snacks etc and waterproof jacket and walking shoes/boots/trainers. We shall buy group train tickets at 10am for the 10.30am train that arrives at Haslemere at 11.21am. Train ticket: Return to Haslemere Or you may decide to drive. Lunch stop will be by a pub in Fernhurst. You should have adequate and appropriate insurance for this type of activity and be able to walk 2.5 miles per hour. We shall have a drink at the end of the walk. Likely train back from Haslemere at 5pm that arrives in London at around 6pm. Please only post photos of others with their consent. My no is 07714250849.

Hiya Women in UX! We’re so excited to host our next informal networking drinks of this year, on 12 May! Join us to talk about all things UX design, research, content and... probably AI, let's be honest. 📍We'll meet at Two Floors on Kingly street, right next to Cahoots. When in doubt, ask for Andrea. 🌟If there are no more available spots left here, you can also RSVP ON [EVENTBRITE](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-in-ux-may-informal-networking-drinks-tickets-1986946270783?aff=oddtdtcreator). Spaces are limited so book sooner rather than later as it's first come first served. 🍸 Please note that this event isn’t sponsored, so any drinks you order will need to be paid for at the bar. 💌 Stay connected with us by following our [LinkedIn](http://linkedin.com/company/women-in-ux). See you there xx Women in UX

**Dead Product Society \| After Work Drinks** Come along, bring a friend/colleague or two and join us for a relaxed evening of informal product and tech chats over a few drinks and doughnuts. We aim to connect everyone without awkwardness or LinkedIn spiel, and value good conversation over boring presentations. **Who is welcome?** Product Managers, CEOs, UX/UI Designers, Developers, Scrum Masters etc. We welcome anyone who works in, with or wants to break into product. *Note: We intentionally keep our After Work Drinks on the smaller side to allow for more in-depth conversations.* **The Bike Shed** We'll be hanging out in the lounge area (behind the area with all the tables, next to the store). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Dead Product Society** Dead Product Society is a collective of like-minded professionals sharing real-talk and joining forces to navigate the twists and turns of the product world. Our down-to-earth community is for anyone who works in, with or wants to break into product teams regardless of their background or experience. **Our Sponsors** Shout out to our generous sponsors at Waggel Pet Insurance; Lifetime pet insurance, simplified. With their support we are able to host these events for you and create a space for those important, honest conversations.

**The creative practice of writing thought experiments gives you the opportunity to:** * investigate ideas (old and new) * work your imagination * write creatively and playfully * produce compelling conversation starters that you can share with friends and strangers to provoke great discussions Over the past 3 years, I've written over 200 thought experiments and learned a lot along the way. [Here's a bit more about why I enjoy the practice.](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/p/writing-thought-experiments) **In this workshop,** I'll share my process and together we'll create new thought experiments by: * Identifying areas of interest * Gathering ingredients for thought experiments * Imagining scenarios * Constructing narratives * Generating relevant, thought provoking questions * Participating in a round of small group discussions - you can volunteer your new thought experiment, or if you'd rather, you can pick one out of the hat. **By the end of the evening** **we'll have** * had some thought provoking conversations * become familiar with a new method for creative thinking * written our own original material for future group discussions :-) Although we’ll be learning a new technique we'll also be aiming to have **an enjoyable evening, with good humour and fun**. This will be less like school and more like a fun TEiP night out with an additional creative twist. **Who should come:** Everyone! We believe that the more perspectives, the richer the conversation. This group is not about being experts, it is about thinking creatively together and learning new ways to develop and communicate ideas. **Tickets** Space is limited (15-20) people and tickets are £15. I'd like to make this event accessible, so if cost is a barrier, please send me a DM. **Where we'll meet:** The Fitzroy Tavern in Fitzrovia. The nearest Tube stations are Goodge Street and Tottenham Court Road. We'll be upstairs in the Private Dining Room. Looking forward to meeting & talking with you! Bonny **[SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) -** newsletter and further reflections on these events **[WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/D13LHw5BV3rEtUtO3ORklC)** \- stay in the loop **[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)** & **[FACEBOOK](www.facebook.com/thoughtexperimentsinpub)** \- see what we look like **[WEBSITE](www.alltogether.one)** \- everything else #philosophyinpubs #inclusivity #openmindedness #creativewriting #community #newskills

***[We're leaving Meetup! Going forward, tickets on Meetup will be limited. We encourage you to register via our Luma calendar instead, where the full number of tickets will be available.](https://luma.com/ck2etymg)*** **Agenda** 06:00pm - Doors open 06:30pm - Welcome 06:35pm - [Mariia Borysova](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-borysova/), Senior Product Designer at Amazon, "Storytelling in AI" 07:00pm - Break 07:15pm - [Celeste Horgan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-horgan/), Senior OSS Developer Advocate at Snowflake, "Apache Spark Pipelines: Adventures in Raccoon detection" ​07:45pm - Lightning Talk: [Sneha Kalaivanan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/snehakalai/), Senior Product Manager at Tesco, TBD **Please note you will be unable to enter the venue before 6.00pm.** RSVPs will close 24 hours before the event, you may be unable to register after this time but you can still watch online. If you can't join us in person you can watch remotely via [our YouTube channel](https://youtube.com/@ai-signals-community). **Our hosts may require that we provide a list of all attendees, please ensure that you register with a name that matches your government issued ID or bank card: if you do not we cannot guarantee you entry to the building.** Please RSVP for the event well in advance if you plan to attend in person and unRSVP if you can no longer attend as limited spaces are available.

This episode is on a much requested theme: '**CHILDHOOD'**. We will explore it by way of three original thought experiments.💭 Hawkins Forge embodies our values: warm, welcoming, convivial, and a home to deep thinkers. The pub has boardgames and cards for the after party, and they’ve also **kindly offered us a deal on their Arrowsmiths Darts experience**: **30 minutes free for anyone who buys a drink after the event**. Spaces are limited, so get your ticket early if you want to be there 😊 **[WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DapwAXpnOHO5DRYThobpe4)** \- stay in the loop **[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)** \- see what we look like \(including The People of TEiP project\) **[SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/)** \- sign up for the newsletter and more **The idea:** A chance to meet and talk meaningfully about thought provoking topics. **How we'll do it** (timings approximate): * 7:00pm - Arrive at Hawkins Forge. We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us. * Organise ourselves into small groups (3-4) * Have a look at the **thought experiments** (announced on the day of the event) * 7:15 - First rotation begins - Talk about the first thought experiment, but feel free to pursue tangents and anecdotes. * 7:35 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the second thought experiment. * 8:00 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the third thought experiment. * 8:25pm - Wrap up - hear about upcoming events, feedback/requests for future meetups. * 8:30 Meetup ‘ends’. But feel free to carry on conversations. Usually a lot of us stay until late :-) **Notes on the general atmosphere**: * The vibe is to let conversation flow rather than stick strictly to one topic. * While we'd like to talk about 'meaningful things', we also see the value in lighter topics, so don't worry about not being 'deep' enough! * Feel free to suggest ideas for future Thought Experiments in Pubs meetup groups, both in terms of structure and topics to discuss. **Where we'll meet**: This group will be at Hawkins Forge, 5 minutes walk from Clapham Junction. We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us. **Who should come**: Everyone! We believe that the more perspectives, the richer the conversation. This group is not about being experts in Philosophy, it is about *doing* philosophy. That is, bringing our various life experiences and lenses on the world to group discussions about the human experience, the nature of reality... etc.... I'm so looking forward to meeting & talking with you in this beautiful location :-) If you would like to further support these meetups, please [subscribe to the newsletter](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) and [follow us on instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs) :-) Thank you!

MCP is changing how developers build with AI, but we're just scratching the surface. Join us for an evening of talks that go beyond retrieval to explore what's actually possible when you give agents real tools, real constraints and real APIs. **Agenda** ​6:00 PM - Doors open, registration and networking ​6:10 PM - Welcome (Upsun & Cloudflare) ​6:20 PM - MCP: Context is Everything! - Carly Richmond, Elastic ​6:45 PM - Sandboxes: how to limit agents so we can use them more - Patrick Dawkins, Upsun ​7:00 PM - Break (Food & Drinks) ​7:30 PM - Cooking with MCP in VS Code - Liam Hampton, Microsoft ​7:55 PM - Efficient tools with MCP code mode - Confidence Okoghenun, Cloudflare ​8:15 PM - Open networking and drinks ​9:00 PM - Close 🗣️ ​**Talks** ​**MCP: Context is Everything! - Carly Richmond (Developer Advocate Lead, Elastic)** ​MCP is a powerful tool for giving LLMs capabilities to not just retrieve information, but to automate key actions based on relevant data. Let’s see how it can be used for retrieving relevant context and other activities such as observability. ​**Efficient tools with MCP code mode - Confidence Okoghenun (Senior Developer Advocate, Cloudflare)** ​Traditional MCP approaches choke on context windows: Cloudflare's 2,500+ endpoint API would require 1.17 million tokens. Code Mode flips the script by having LLMs write code against typed APIs instead of making direct tool calls, achieving 99.9% token reduction. Come learn how code mode works and how to optimize your MCP tools with it. ​**Sandboxes: how to limit agents so we can use them more - Patrick Dawkins (Principal Engineer, Upsun)** ​We want our agents to run longer and use more tools, but we're hampered by constant prompts for approval. Sandboxes are the practical middle ground: isolate the agent so you can stop watching every command and let it work. This talk covers what "sandbox" means, who provides them today and the Linux primitives that let you build one yourself. ​**Cooking with MCP in VS Code - Liam Hampton (Senior Cloud Advocate, Microsoft)** ​In this session Liam will show you how VS Code is fully supporting the MCP spec, from MCP Apps to sandboxing and elicitations. 📅 **Date and Time:** Thursday, May 14, from 6:00-9:00 PM 📍 **Location:** Cloudfare Address: 6th Floor, County Hall/The, Riverside Building, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7PB, UK **⚡️ Interested in giving a talk? ⚡️** Have you ever considered presenting on your Elastic use case? We welcome 5-10 minute lightning talks, 45-minute deep dives, and everything in between. If you're interested, please submit via our [CFP](https://sessionize.com/elastic-meetups/) or send us an email at [meetups@elastic.co.](http://meetups@elastic.co./)

This is a smallish-group, quiet-ish meetup for ADHD brains who want to connect with their tribe without their nervous system going, 'Alll riiight, I'm outta here!' Everyone welcome. You don't need a diagnosis, you don't even need ADHD. We’re meeting at **Picturehouse Central - upstairs cafe** (Piccadilly) because it’s one of those places where you can actually hear yourself think. Mostly. This is more of a tea/coffee and cake kinda venue. Sorry, booze hounds! **The environment is**: relaxed, validating, welcoming It won't be like whispering to each other at the back of the class, more less sensory Armageddon. **What to expect** A small group (human-scale, not “who are all these people” scale). A quiet-ish venue where you don’t have to shout your personality into existence. Conversation that can be normal (well, probably far from normal 😅. There is no need to worry about trying to fit in, no need to mask. A soft landing. Come late, ease in, do a gentle hello, no one’s timing you. Low-pressure hanging out. If you want to chat, great. If you want to sit and decompress near other people, also great. **The unofficial theme** How to be social without being assaulted by: fluorescent lighting overlapping conversations surprise music that one table doing a full volume podcast recording next to you. **Important Note:** If you cannot make it, please put 'Can't go'. This ensures there's space for others who want to attend 🙂 ‐------------------------------------------------------ Boundaries (quick, clear, important) Yay!-DHD is a consent-led space. Some people are chatty, some are quiet, some are pacing themselves. Please don’t push for personal details, contact info, or continued connection if someone isn’t offering it. This isn’t a dating event. ‐------------------------------------------------------- For you robots out there: ADHD \| Low sensory meetup \| Inclusive \| AUDHD \|

Customer identity resolution becomes increasingly complex as organizations scale across multiple systems, regions, and data formats. Traditional rule-based approaches often fail to keep up with data variability, require constant manual tuning, and struggle with real-time processing needs. This session presents a practical approach to building a scalable identity resolution pipeline using AWS services and modern AI techniques. The architecture combines data ingestion through Amazon S3 and AWS Glue, transformation pipelines using Spark on EMR, and machine learning models deployed via SageMaker for entity matching and standardization. Graph-based relationship modeling is implemented using Amazon Neptune to improve resolution accuracy by incorporating household and shared attribute context. We will walk through how machine learning models can be used for name and address normalization, how intelligent blocking strategies improve matching efficiency, and how feedback loops can be introduced to continuously improve accuracy. The session also highlights how serverless components such as AWS Lambda can be used for orchestration and real-time processing. **SPEAKER BIO** Mosaic Syed is a Senior Data Engineering and Cloud Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance data solutions across global enterprise environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosaic-basha-syed-92300856 **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: [https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/](https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/) **THANK YOU** *VEEAM* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Veeam*, please visit their website: [https://www.veeam.com/](https://www.veeam.com/) **DIRECTIONS** 8800 Lyra Dr #450 · Columbus, OH go to 4th floor. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

**Building a great product is one thing—building momentum behind it is another.** Join **Senior Product Manager Adam Solaiman** and **User Experience Manager Tyson Smith** for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn complex ideas into scalable products inside large organizations. In this session, they’ll share how teams move from ambiguity to execution—navigating organizational complexity, aligning stakeholders, and continuously evolving products after launch. You’ll walk away with insights on how to: * Build and sustain momentum across teams * Adapt to changing priorities without losing direction * Scale products thoughtfully in complex environments Whether you're driving a new initiative or growing an existing product, this conversation will give you practical strategies to keep things moving forward. Come connect, learn, and swap stories with fellow product professionals. \-\-\- Food and drinks will be provided by Switchbox, our generous host. Free parking will be available at the front and back sides of the Switchbox Office.

## Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry \| Design Your Own Custom Candle **SPECIAL PROMOTION**: Buy 3 and get 1 Free! Step into The Arcane Foundry and create your own custom candle from start to finish. This is a laid back, hands-on experience where **you’ll blend fragrances, choose your vessel, and pour your own candle using 100% soy wax**. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, it’s designed to be simple, creative, and a good time. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from picking your scents to choosing between a traditional cotton wick or a crackling wood wick. You can go with one fragrance or mix your own blend to create something completely unique**. No experience needed**, just show up and we’ll handle the rest. While your candle sets, feel free to hang out, play a game, explore the shop, or just relax and talk. Drinks and snacks are available, and the atmosphere leans into the **fantasy**, **dark academia**, and **gothic horror** vibe The Arcane Foundry is known for. Learn More: [Candle Making in Columbus, Ohio at The Arcane Foundry](https://thearcanefoundry.com/candle-making/) *** ### What to Expect: * Guided candle making experience * Choose your own vessel, wax, wick, and fragrance * 100% soy wax candles * Optional drinks and snacks * Time to relax while your candle cools *** ### Important Notes: * Please arrive on time so we can start together * Candles will need time to set before taking home * This is a beginner-friendly event *** ### RSVP Required Reserve your spot on Meetup to lock in your seat. **Candle Making** (includes vessel, your choice of wick, wax, scented oil, labels and lids) 5oz Glass Jars $15 8oz Candle Tins $25 12oz Glass Candles $35 12oz Amber Jars $40 16 oz Skull or Jack o Lantern Candle Mugs $65 (Limited Edition!) **All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).** **Payments accepted:** * Credit Card * Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee * Cashapp: $DaclaudL

Practical AI for Power BI Developers A year ago, “agentic AI” was mostly hype for Power BI teams. Today, it deserves your undivided attention. For Power BI pros, there is now a real opportunity to reduce repetitive development work, accelerate delivery, and help developers do more, but only when strong DataOps practices are in place to make AI workflows effective. This session is a no-nonsense introduction to effective AI patterns for Power BI and Fabric development. Along the way, we will make sense of the growing pile of terminology, including skills, plugins, hooks, and MCP. You will see examples of how modern AI tooling can help with development tasks across Power BI and Fabric, along with the prerequisites, guardrails, and DataOps principles needed to use it responsibly. Whether you're burned out on AI hype or already using Copilot CLI daily, this session will show you the foundations that are finally making AI-assisted development genuinely useful.

**Total Eclipse of the Chart: School Redistricting Dashboards** In this presentation, we will explore the utilization of maps, sets, and SQL within a Tableau dashboard to help provide “what-if” analyses generated through the use of a mapped dashboard, providing different scenarios and the potential implications of these. While in this use case we are focused on a large school district, the concepts of utilizing existing data to explore the future impacts of modifying different geographic boundaries can be useful to many industries, balancing the mix of maps with visual analytics. **About Our Speaker** Robert Kramer is the Data Systems and State Reporting Coordinator at South Western City Schools in Grove City. He has worked there for 17 years, serving previously in the roles of Data Analyst, Programmer, and Operations Coordinator. Prior to working at South Western, he worked as a Systems Engineer at Pinnacle Data Systems in Groveport. He graduated in 2005 from The University of Toledo with his Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering, and a minor in Mathematics. Robert resides in Obetz with his wife, and their 15 and 12 year-old daughters. He was also just elected to his 3rd four-year term on the Obetz City Council. 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)

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.linkedin.com/company/transformlabs/) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/transformlabshq)