Develop Author & Speaker Platforms

Speaking in public is not easy for most people, nor is running a workshop, writing a speech, thinking on your feet, or even speaking up amongst friends. At POWERtalk you will learn how to gain the confidence to step up to speak up. We've seen it many times over. We help you with simple techniques to look confident as a speaker even when you feel like crumbling. **You'll be giving presentations before you know it and loving it!!!** **\>\>\>** We believe there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to growing as a person and can tailor a plan to help you grow as an individual. **<<<** **Join us at a meeting soon to learn how to build your confidence as a speaker, effectively communicate, get creative, and have lots of fun doing so.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- POWERtalk Australia is a not-for-profit organisation training in public speaking and leadership skills. Guests are free of charge for the first 3 meetings. Full membership is surprisingly very affordable. Please ask if you would like more information or become a member. We look forward to meeting you for a night of POWERtalk (1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month) *PS. If you have symptoms of cough, runny nose, fever or are unwell, we wish you a speedy recovery and please ask that you stay away until you are well again. Thanks :)* Come along and enjoy the fun. We look forward to meeting you.

**[Are you ready for the AI Era?](https://jiangren.com.au/events/69a92a568c89114b4ddc39bc?source=Angela)** Join us at the **Bupa Global Headquarters** in Melbourne for an exclusive, free career meetup designed specifically for international students and early-career professionals. As AI reshapes industries, technical skills alone are no longer enough. What are top-tier companies like **Qantas, Canva, ANZ, and Bupa** actually looking for? How do you build long-term competitiveness before you even graduate? We will dive deep into **AI Trends, Career Development, and Holistic Wellness** to help you map out a future that is both successful and sustainable. ### **🚀 Why Attend?** * **Direct Access to Industry Insiders:** Hear from experts at **Qantas, 7-Eleven, ANZ, and Bupa** about how AI is changing their internal workflows and hiring criteria. * **Authentic Career Advice:** Move beyond the classroom. Learn about the real-world demand for skills in the Australian job market. * **Exclusive Referral Network:** Gain access to our private recruitment groups for job alerts and internal referral opportunities. * **Networking & Refreshments:** Connect with speakers and like-minded peers. **Free Bubble Tea and gifts** provided by **Fantuan Delivery** (Limited supply!). ### **🎤 Featured Speakers** * **Long Zhao:** Full-stack Lead with 10+ years of experience (React, Node.js, Python). Veteran of multiple tech giants and expert in team leadership. * **Patrick:** Solutions Architect with 12+ years in the AU IT industry. Expert in Azure, DevOps, and end-to-end enterprise solutions for Finance and Insurance. * **Vesna Kovacevic:** Senior Manager at **ANZ** (Home & Investment Lending). Over a decade of leadership experience in financial services and business growth. * **Surprise Guest:** A mystery leader from **Bupa** will be revealed live at the event! ### **📍 Event Details** * **Date:** Tuesday, 17 March 2026 * **Time:** 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM AEDT * **Location:** Ground Floor, 33 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000 (Bupa Office) ### **📝 IMPORTANT: How to Register** **Tickets on Eventbrite are for expression of interest only.** To secure your spot and receive the entry QR code, you **MUST** complete your registration on our official portal. **[👉 Click Here to Complete Official Registration](https://jiangren.com.au/events/69a92a568c89114b4ddc39bc "https://www.google.com/search?q=https://your-official-website-link.com")** *Please ensure you provide your **Full Name, Phone Number, and Email Address** during registration to comply with building security requirements.* ### **👥 Who Should Join?** * **University Students:** Especially those in CS, Data, Engineering, or Business. * **Aspiring Tech Professionals:** Anyone looking to enter Fintech, HealthTech, or general Tech sectors. * **Future Leaders:** Those who want to understand high-level industry shifts beyond just coding. #### 🎁 Event Speakers \*\*[Vesna Kovacevic](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vesna-kovacevic-39299213b/)\*\*​ – Senior Manager, Home and Investment Lending at ANZ With over a decade of front-line management and lending advisory experience in Australia’s financial services sector, she has long focused on providing clients with professional mortgage and investment financing solutions. Vesna has served multiple times as an ANZ branch manager and previously managed sales and team operations at Telstra, bringing deep expertise in client service and business gro \*\*[Patrick](https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickzhaomel/)\*\*​ holds a Master's degree from the University of Melbourne and brings twelve years of IT experience in Australia. Currently serving as a Solutions Architect at MMS, he specializes in end-to-end enterprise solutions, leveraging Azure and DevOps to empower industries such as finance and insurance. He is also a regular speaker and active contributor in the technology community. \*\*[Long Zhao](https://www.linkedin.com/in/long-zhao-32a96916a/)\*\*​ excels at translating client needs and user expectations into interactive web applications. As an Engineering Lead and full-stack JavaScript specialist, he is the founder of Melfish and brings over 9 years of experience. He is committed to delivering scalable digital platforms spanning travel, e‑commerce, and AI‑driven products. **📝 Admission is free, but registration is required!** ### **📅 Who Should Attend?** This focused meetup is especially ideal for current students who fit the following descriptions: * Students majoring in **Computer Science, Data, Engineering, Business, or related fields**—excited about the future but also feeling unsure. * Those who **aspire to enter cutting-edge fields like technology, FinTech, or HealthTech**, but are unclear on how to prepare. * Proactive learners eager to **move beyond textbooks**​ and understand the real-world challenges and opportunities within industries. ### **🌟 Key Advantages** * **First-hand Industry Insights**: Hear directly from **internal experts at Bupa, ANZ, 7-Eleven, and Qantas**​ about real business needs and hiring perspectives. * **Clear Actionable Guide**: Focused on \*\*"How students can plan ahead,"\*\*​ providing a practical, step-by-step path to build your competitiveness. * **Cross-Sector Intel**: Gain insights into trends across **technology, finance, and healthcare**​ in one session, broadening your career horizons. **Sign up now and join us! Connect face-to-face with industry leaders and get a head start on your career journey.** ## **Join our event group for real-time updates!** ### **👥 Organizer Introduction** #### ★ **JR Academy** Founded in August 2017 and headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, JR Academy is an internet technology education company. Through its media matrix, online training platforms, and career service platforms, it provides a one-stop solution for Chinese international students—offering lifestyle guidance, IT training, and career information services. Starting with IT and business courses, JR Academy has expanded its influence among the student community and established an Australian job platform, successfully helping over 6,000 students secure job offers. Empowering education with technology, JR Academy is committed to helping international students navigate overseas life efficiently and with clarity. #### ★Bupa We are a health and care company dedicated to helping our customers live longer, healthier, and happier lives, and to creating a better world. We offer a wide range of services, including aged and retirement care, dental, optical, health insurance, and community health initiatives, aimed at enhancing the overall health and well-being of Australians. #### ★ANZ ANZ is one of the leading banking and financial services groups in Australia and New Zealand, providing comprehensive banking and financial solutions to over 8.5 million retail and commercial customers across nearly 30 markets. As one of the oldest banking groups in Australia, ANZ is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of individuals, businesses, and communities through sound governance, professional financial services, and people‑centric values, driving long‑term prosperity in the region. #### ★FANTUAN DELIVERY Fantuan Delivery is an overseas food delivery platform dedicated to Asian cuisine and lifestyle services. Founded in 2014, it currently operates in Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other regions, offering food delivery, pickup, errand services, grocery and fresh produce delivery, and more. With a Chinese-language interface and support for multiple payment methods, Fantuan is well-regarded among Chinese communities for its fast delivery, attractive promotions, and localized taste offerings

We are moving to a new platform and will be only running the new platform in 2025. please signup here: [https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers](https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers) The Wharf Hotel by the river. Southern Cross Station is closest. Ask at the bar to find us. Or call us 0403193785. Tonight's Social Evening Schedule: (Ideas welcome) 6pm to 6.45pm: Socializing​​ 6.45pm to 6.55pm: Introduction and overview of the evening by Jim including go-around introduction​​ 6.55pm to 7pm: A word from Mat our founder​​ 7pm to 7.10pm A paired connection question to get people talking with one another​​ 7.10pm to 7.30pm: Guest Topic: Jim will review the 2023 memoir *Live Fight Survive. One Soldier's extraordinary story of the War against Russia* by Shaun Pinner with Matt Allen. Shaun is a British soldier who married a Ukrainian, Larysa. He joined the Ukrainian Marines and fought in the 2022 invasion defence at Mariiupol, before being captured then tortured then released in an exchange; a true story of incredible heroic resilience defending modern-day democracy. 10 mins talk. 10 mins Q&A. 7.30pm to 8.15pm: Readings section open to all to read out something from their work up to 4 minutes. Feedback optional.​​ 8.15pm to 9.30pm: Socializing. Optional. Many of us love this as a chance to connect personally in a screen-addicted culture. • Come out and meet some like-minded folks who enjoy writing and other entertainment and creative outlets. We'll hang around until at least 8.30pm, but often later. All age ranges, all writing types (and entertainment types), all the way from never writing and up to published authors. • This night is about you. So chat to people, read out your work, give feed back, get to know everyone... Or, feel free to sit back and chill. It's your night, enjoy it how you see fit. **Please only RSVP if you can make it.** **We're booking the area, so we will need you to turn up if you say you are coming.** **We have added an attendee limit, so please update your RSVP if you can not make it.** Thank you, Melbourne Writers. The Wharf Hotel food menu: https://www.wharfhotel.com.au/eat-and-drink Great Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters Website: www.worldwriterscollective.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelbCityWriters Blog: http://melbournewriters.wordpress.com **Help us by getting in contact so you can add to these social pages and site - matclarke.author@gmail.com**

We are a multi-disciplinary group of PhDs and academic staff who write together regularly and help one another to achieve our writing goals through supportive community, focus and a structure that works. We welcome anyone who wants to get some writing done in a collegial, supportive, encouraging environment. You don’t have to be from University of Melbourne (you don’t have to be from university at all!). We use the Pomodoro method, which means we write in timed intervals of silence, then chat and catch up for 5 mins and repeat the cycle. Arrive when you like, leave when you like. The goal is to keep our writing projects progressing and reduce the isolation that can be part of the academic and/or writing life. **Session Outline:** Welcome: 9.00-9.05 (5 mins) Pomodoro 1: 9.05-9.30 (25 mins). Break: 9.30-9.35 (5 mins) Pomodoro 2: 9.35-10.00 (25 mins) Break: 10.00-10.05 (25 mins) Pomodoro 3: 10.05-10.55 (50 mins) Break: 10.55-11.05 (10 mins) Pomodoro 4: 11.05-11.30 (25 mins) **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: There is free public wifi available at the Melbourne Connect Superfloor (speak to the concierge for details). University of Melbourne staff and students can connect to the university wifi; staff and students from other universities can join Eduroam using their home institution's log in credentials. Travel / Parking info: Public bike parking along Swanston and Grattan Streets. Tram routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 16. 16, 64, 67, 72 along Swanston Street (Stop 1) and 19 along Royal Parade (Stop 10). The nearest train station is Parkville Metro Station. Bus routes include 200, 207, 250, 251, 401, 402, 403, 505, 546. There is no public parking available at Melbourne Connect, however the area is well serviced by nearby public carparks, including Cardigan House Parking at 96 Grattan Street and the University of Melbourne Eastern Precinct Car Park at 375 Grattan Street. A taxi rank is located on Grattan Street.

We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/melbourne-vic/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott

"Atlassian’s recent global research, 96% of organisations reported no tangible benefit from their AI initiatives" https://www.forbes.com.au/news/innovation/why-perspective-not-perception-is-key-in-a-world-of-ai \-\-\-\- We've had SDLC, agile and now AI ... yet projects seem to take longer than ever to complete. What we do know is that the faster we complete project the greater the value we deliver. The real question we need to understand as project managers is 'how do we best leverage AI to accelerate delivery?'. Tonight - we will dive into that question. We will have a presenter sharing what one organisation has done to uplift AI skills across their workforce, implement AI Agents, and benefits that brings. We will then expand to a panel to have a much longer conversation about how we as project managers can use AI to accelerate our delivery across the delivery lifecycle. Our speakers for this evening: **Andrew Mair** Andrew will help us set the scene this evening. He will share insights from leading recent implementations of AI and AI Agents and reflect on their impact on the people, process and policy implications for the organisation. We'll then step into a broader panel conversation where we have a range of panelists tease apart key ideas. * Andrew Mair Andrew is a leader in the technology space and has been leading the creation and adotption of AI initiatives across several different clients. He brings exprerience across Government and commercial roles including expertise in digital strategy and delivery, and is expert at bridging the gaps between business, IT and customers. * Neha Rahaman Neha is a Partner and Head of Delivery at Fabric Group, where she leads large-scale digital transformation and delivery programs for enterprise clients. With extensive experience in building high-performing product teams and modern delivery practices, Neha focuses on helping organisations accelerate outcomes through better operating models, automation, and emerging technologies such as AI. In this panel, she will share practical insights on how AI can enhance delivery efficiency, improve quality, and enable teams to move from traditional project execution to faster, product-led value delivery. * Events like this cannot occur without the support of sponsors. Tonight, we are delighted to welcome a new sponsor to our group - Fabric Group. Fabric Group is a collective of passionate technology professionals focused on delivering bespoke software solutions for our clients. With deep expertise in strategy, design, and software engineering with a distinctive design-thinking approach, to solve complex business challenges and drive measurable outcomes.

It's time for "Listen Up", our favourite conversation game that helps turn strangers into friends! Join us for a drink and some nibbles while we have fun and make friends. For those who haven't played it before, Listen Up™ is a unique conversational board game that tests your listening skills and inspires deeper connections between participants. There are 3 categories of questions you can get asked depending on the round! (1) 🙃 Just for fun: all kinds of fun questions from if you were a candy or crayon what would you be to what's your fave smell in the world? 😋 (2) 😉 Share: Cause sharing is caring! Starting to get into the deeper questions like if you have a bad day would you prefer to be left alone or have someone cheer you up? 😉 (3) 😎 Listen Up!: Aha this is where all the deep questions are! (Juz and Nicole will be coming straight from work and will likely be there early. If you want join us for a bite to eat, send a message and we'll keep an eye out for you.) . . . 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 Welcome to our group! We are a bunch of Melbourne friends who decided to open up our circle to some new awesome people. We have a broad range of interests and will post some of our events here so you can come and join us. Join our Facebook Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/goodexperiencesgreatpeoplemelbourne . . . 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬: • Let's keep things respectful. Our group has a diverse range of members and we get along great! This is because we accept one another, avoid insensitive comments, try to keep swearing to a minimum, and steer clear of gossip and mindless venting. • Please be punctual. Our hosts will check the Meetup page and post their location upon arrival before redirecting their attention to the people present. If you are late (more than 5 min), don’t expect to be able to reach them as they may not check their phone. Please allow enough time for travel and parking. (On that note, we don't organise carpooling because of various liability issues.) • If you say you're going to come, then please actually come. Many of our events end up waitlisted so if you claim a spot and don't show up, then someone else might miss out. Attendees who don't show up (or cancel their RSVP within 12 hours of the event) will be flagged as "no-shows". Repeat "no-showers" will be banned from the group to make space for more reliable attendees. • We want to keep all our members safe and healthy so if you are unwell, then please stay home. If you need to cancel within the 12 hour "no show" window, please send a courtesy message to the event host. • Please don't come if you are just looking to hit people up for your own agenda. Our members are so much more than followers for your Instagram account, customers for your Herbalife business, or people for your Forex empire. In our community, we are about adding value to one another. If you are just coming with a self-serving agenda, then we aren't your crowd. • And finally, this isn't a great group for people who like wallowing in life's problems. We choose positivity and gratitude, so bring some with you!

**Ever been put on the spot and wished for just a few more seconds to think?** *At this Toastmasters meeting, our Skill Shot presenter and MC will share practical techniques to help you structure your thoughts quickly, respond with clarity, and speak with confidence—no matter the topic.* Impromptu speaking can feel intimidating. Sometimes your mind floods with ideas. Other times it goes completely blank. And occasionally, you’re asked to speak on something you know very little about. The pressure can be real. But here’s the truth: great impromptu speaking isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about knowing how to think. You’ll learn simple, reliable frameworks that help you organise your thoughts instantly, craft coherent responses, and sound composed and credible—even when you’re completely unprepared. By the end of the evening, you’ll be equipped to handle surprise questions, meetings, interviews, and everyday conversations with calm confidence and mental agility. **THIS IS A CURATED GUEST EVENT** Join us tonight at Port Melbourne Toastmasters and discover how to think fast, speak clearly, and turn any unexpected moment into an opportunity to shine. *Guests, Meetup Group members, and visiting Toastmasters attend for free.* 🌐 [www.portmelbournetoastmasters.org](http://www.portmelbournetoastmasters.org) 📍 Where: Find directions [here](https://www.portmelbournetoastmasters.org/directions.html) ***Port Melbourne Toastmasters is a club for people who are serious about developing their speaking, leadership, and personal presence.*** We offer limited, curated guest sessions throughout the year for prospective members. These sessions allow you to experience our high-engagement, growth-focused environment firsthand — without open access to every meeting.

**Melbourne Python's Meetup March 2026!** Join Melbourne’s Python community for another night of learning, sharing, and connecting. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been coding in Python for years, our monthly meetup is the perfect place to learn something new and connect with fellow developers. This group is for developers, data scientists, web programmers, and anyone passionate about Python. 📅 **When:** 5:30 PM, Thursday, March 19, 2026 📍 **Where:** Judo Bank, Queen and Collins Building Level 26/376-390 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia 👉 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/A9JQTYGrMqGn8AzAA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/A9JQTYGrMqGn8AzAA) **Note:** The entrance is next to Rustica Cafe. Press level 26 when you arrive, and you'll find us there! **Agenda for the Evening** **5:30 - 6:00 PM**: Networking **6:00–6:10 PM** : Welcome and logistics 🎉 **6:10–6:35 PM** - **Talk 1:** Ivy Fiecas - Consultant @ SoftwareOne Australia on AI‑Powered Offline Contract Analyzer. In this session, Ivy will present a Python-based proof-of-concept contract analyzer built with open-source tools that runs entirely offline, demonstrating how a local-first AI approach can help address privacy and security concerns, along with a short live demo **6:35–6:45 PM**: Break – Connect with someone new! **6:45**–**7:45 PM** - **Talk 2: Talk Writing Workshop** with **PyConAU.** Do you have a Python talk idea but you're not quite sure how to bring it to life? Perhaps you've built something cool, contributed something you're proud of, or you want to teach a topic you've been learning about! Giving a talk at MelbPy, or at PyCon AU 2026 is a great way to share your knowledge and tell your story! Bring your laptop. **Katie McLaughlin** is a developer, sysadmin, tech speaker -- and tapestry maker. **8:00 PM**: Event conclude 🌟 **Special Thanks** 🌟 A huge shoutout to our sponsors **Judo Bank** and **AWS** for making this meetup possible. Your support means the world to us! **Interested in Speaking or Sponsoring?** We’d love to hear from you! Email us at **melbournepython@gmail.com** or fill out our speaker interest form at https://forms.gle/S5T1SL4ULY5aogf47. We can't wait to celebrate Python and the incredible Melbourne community with you. See you on March 19th! 🎉

**Join us for a small group Writing Workshop led by a published author, where you can unleash your creativity and improve your writing skills.** NOTE: THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT Cost: $30, strictly limited to 20 seats Your ticket includes $20 food & drinks credit $10 goes to the venue the help cover costs. [CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SEAT](https://MelbourneWriters.eventbrite.com.au) Bring your favourite pen and some paper, or a laptop if you prefer. This session is an exercise-based working session designed to improve your writing and give you (optional) feedback from your peers. RULES: This is a ticketed event due to limited seating capacity. $20 of your ticket price is offset against any bar drinks and food ordered through the venue on the day. No self-promotion allowed. GETTING THERE: We recommend you use Public transport or Rideshare. If you decide to drive and/or have a designated driver, 2-hour paid parking is available around Powlett Reserve, Darling Square, and the Fitzroy Gardens. Extended paid parking is available at Care Park at 162 Albert Street, East Melbourne or the Epworth Freemasons Car Park in Gotch Lane off Grey Street. #writers #writing #screenwriting #scriptwriting #shortstories #novels #creativewriting #critiquegroup #fiction #nonfiction #readings #authors #melbournewriters #melbournewriter #melbournetodo

Smashing! Try something new Thursday Interactive workshop - Become the charismatic leader Serious about improving your leadership - **Why mess, come to the best** Why is Smashing different to other speaking clubs? Passion!!! 1\. Fast\-paced\, energized and exciting meets 2\. We practice **bold, confident** and **dynamic** leadership! 3. **Everyone talks** multiple times during super-interactive workshops every meet - Plus the chance to speak on the big stage for those that are keen 4. **FAST LEARNING** **Free parking** close-by: O'Connell and Cobden streets **IMPORTANT: Be on time, as doors close when the show starts** “Proudly Australian" – Free-flowing leadership & teamwork Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St (Opposite Queen Vic Market) Level 1, Purple Room (End of corridor) More to come...

Feeling heard, understood and met is the foundation of fulfilling relationships. And that begins with listening. In March, we explore what it means to be(come) the type of person who can turn ordinary conversations into moments of connection with deep listening and thoughtful responding: * The focus of attention of a conversation: you - me - us * When to listen and when to speak * ⁠The Authentic Relating framework: Listen, reflect, share impact * ⁠How to bring noticing and presence to our listening * ⁠What to listen to: the 3 levels of listening * ⁠How to create an empathic environment for deeper connection: listening to understand, not to fix * ⁠How to weave our experience by sharing impact **TICKETS** Tickets start at $30. [Book here](https://www.mysoremelbourne.com/authentic-relating) We’re committed to accessibility and offer further discount if money is a real barrier to attending. **FUNDAMENTALS OF AUTHENTIC RELATING** Fundamentals of Authentic Relating (AR) happens every 3rd Saturday of the month. It’s for people who want to bring more awareness, honesty, and connection into their relationships. Anyone curious about personal growth, wanting more ease and connection in their interactions, interested in improving their relational skills, or wishing to gain a formal understanding of AR frameworks and mechanics. Sessions are themed and we’ll begin by exploring how to notice what is happening inside (Feb), followed by listening more deeply (Mar), developing curiosity (Apr), expressing oneself with clarity and courage (May), and navigating boundaries and conflict with care (June).

**The Melbourne Circle is back with another exciting meetup in Melbourne CBD!** Welcome to **The Melbourne Circle** \- a new kind of meetup for people who want more than just exchanging business cards\. This is where: ✨ creators ✨ founders ✨ freelancers ✨ marketers ✨ thinkers ✨ dreamers ✨ doers come together to talk real, build real, and grow together. Hosted by **Manna & Chelsea**, this meetup is designed for people who want genuine conversations and meaningful connections. *** ## What Makes This Different ❌ No sales pitches ❌ No awkward small talk ❌ No fake "networking" Just real conversations, powerful ideas, and genuine connections around topics that actually matter: 🧠 Mindset 💼 Business 📱 Content 💡 Startups 🎨 Creativity 🚀 Growth *** ## Special Session This meetup will also feature a **20-minute Digital Marketing Basics session led by Manna**, where we'll cover simple practical ideas that businesses, creators and freelancers can start using immediately. No jargon - just useful insights. *** ## Event Agenda **Arrival & Meet People** Relaxed introductions and conversations. **Digital Marketing Basics - 20 min session (Manna)** Simple marketing fundamentals anyone can understand. **Open Networking & Conversations** Meet people, exchange ideas, and build real connections. *** ## Who This Is For If you've ever felt like: • You don't fit into typical networking rooms • You want deeper conversations • You're building something bigger • You want to meet people who actually get it Then this space is for you. *** ## Event Details 📅 **Date:** 20 March 📍 **Location:** Melbourne CBD ⏰ **Time:** 5:30 PM Exact venue will be shared with attendees after RSVP. *** ## Join the Circle Because when this starts... You'll want to say you were here **from day one.**

We’re hosting our Melbourne Influencer and Creator Network event at Treasury Gardens. This meetup is all about bringing together like minded models, influencers and creators within the industry to connect, share experiences and learn from each other. Whether you are just starting out or have been creating for years there is a place for everyone to benefit from being part of a strong creative community. To keep the event comfortable and high quality we are limiting attendance to 50 spots making it easier for everyone to connect. Please register and If you can no longer attend, please let us know so we can offer your place to someone else. On the day we will also have conversation prompts and simple networking activities to help keep conversations flowing and make it easier to meet new people. If you are a model, influencer, photographer, videographer or creative in Melbourne looking to meet others in the industry, this event is for you. Looking forward to having you there. Speak soon, Kenan Seebah

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **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

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** Web Forms gave .NET developers a powerful abstraction for building reusable UI controls long before design systems were a thing. Web Components finally bring that same idea to the browser natively. This session explores how the Web Forms mindset translates into Custom Elements, Shadow DOM, and HTML templates. We’ll examine how Web Components enable design systems that work across frameworks, how they differ from server‑driven controls, and why they’re becoming a foundational layer for modern UI. Whether you’re maintaining legacy apps or building greenfield projects, you’ll leave with a practical understanding of how to apply familiar patterns in a modern, standards‑based way. **YouTube Link** TBA

**New Dojo Location!** **Draft Day Columbus** 1130 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)

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

The topic for March is "Our Bodies, Ourselves" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Join Voice Over Pros Of Ohio for an exciting morning of networking, and exploring opportunities in the world of voice acting. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this event is perfect for expanding your network, learning how to start a VO business, and for honing your skills. Connect with fellow voice actors and VO experts, that will help you succeed in your voice over business. This event will feature discussions on professional development, entrepreneurship in the voice over industry, with tips for navigating the world of voice acting. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from others, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and take your voice over career to the next level. Join us Saturday, March 28, from 10am - 12pm and learn how to start or grow your voice over business. Let your voice be heard! The $10 fee covers refreshments and door prizes.

Builders, creators, architects, admins, consultants - come one, come all. This one's for you. We're bringing a little friendly competition to the Columbus ServiceNow community while highlighting the cool things people have built on the platform. Five presenters will take the stage to showcase something they've built, solved, designed, or imagined on the ServiceNow platform - and a panel of judges (plus YOU, our amazing audience) will score them live. So basically, America's Got Talent but make it ServiceNow's Got Talent. Bring a notepad if you'd like 'cause you'll definitely be learning something new. Each presenter gets 10 minutes max to wow the crowd with: • A demo • A real-world business solution • A bold idea • A UX transformation • Or a creative use of the platform Judging Criteria: 🏆 Business Value 🚀 Innovation ✨ User Experience This event is about celebrating ideas, sharing knowledge, and showing how ServiceNow can drive both business impact and meaningful user value. Come learn. Come support. Come get inspired. Refreshments and bites will be provided. And maybe next time… you’ll be on stage.