Digital Media

This is a **recurring weekly gathering** of open-minded people who want to understand geopolitics **without confirmation bias**. We are not here to repeat talking points, defend camps, or feel morally validated. We are here to **listen, compare perspectives, and learn** — especially from people who come from, live in, or are directly affected by the regions being discussed. Each week, we look at **current and long-term geopolitical issues**, including conflicts rarely covered or oversimplified by Western media. **Topics We Cover** Our discussions focus on **current and long-term geopolitical issues**, including conflicts rarely covered or oversimplified by Western media, sovereignty, and reality as it is, not as it is marketed. We approach geopolitics and society from a realist, sovereignty-first perspective, skeptical of globalist ideology and media **groupthink**. The aim is to understand interests, incentives, history, law, and consequences — not to rehearse fashionable outrage. **Examples of topics we regularly examine include:** **1\. Venezuela & Cuba** Sanctions, regime survival, sovereignty, and how U.S. policy, energy interests, and regional power dynamics shape outcomes in Latin America — beyond Cold War clichés. **2\. Ukraine\, Cyprus & European Borders** Frozen conflicts, divided territories, and how international law is selectively applied when sovereignty clashes with strategic interests. **3\. Iran\, Gaza\, Syria & Lebanon** The Middle East beyond slogans: proxy wars, regional balances, sectarian fault lines, sanctions, militias, state collapse, and why Western media framing often obscures long-term realities. **4\. Congo \(DRC\) & Resource Wars** How minerals, supply chains, and foreign interests fuel instability in Africa — and why some of the deadliest conflicts on earth barely make the news. **5\. Taiwan\, Greenland & Strategic Geography** Why islands, trade routes, chokepoints, and remote territories matter enormously in a multipolar world — and how geography shapes power more than ideology ever will. **What Makes This Different** – We prioritize **voices from affected regions**: Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia – We examine **what Western media doesn’t tell, doesn’t show, or doesn’t contextualize** – We welcome **new ideas, uncomfortable facts, and disagreement** – We focus on power, interests, culture, history, economics — not slogans **This is not a safe space for ideology.** **It *is* a safe space for honest thinking.** In Brussels, there are already debate initiatives that offer structured discussions. Too often, however, a small circle curates skewed propositions and narrows the range of acceptable conclusions, turning moderation into gatekeeping . There are also plenty of spaces dedicated to repeating anti-American slogans or reducing complex geopolitics to partisan outrage. This forum is not one of them. Our approach is different. **We welcome genuine diversity of opinion and lived experience.** No one here will be cancelled, banned, or shamed for challenging dominant narratives. Ideas are debated openly; personal attacks and defamation are not tolerated. **Motions & Proposals Welcome** We actively encourage participants to propose motions for debate. If you suggest a motion, please do so with substance: a clear claim, basic historical or legal grounding, and an understanding of the stakes involved. Motions designed to provoke thinking are welcome; motions designed to score points or repeat media talking points are not. **Languages** The language of discussion will depend on the participants present. Debates are typically held in English and French, but we are comfortable switching or accommodating other languages when the moderation team can support it. Languages we can currently handle include: – English – French – Dutch – Spanish – Italian – Russian – Farsi The goal is understanding, not linguistic purity. When needed, participants may clarify or translate key points to ensure everyone can follow the discussion. If you speak more than one language, that’s an asset here ### **What We Ask of Participants** – Come to understand, not to perform or “win” – Be genuinely open to **new ideas and perspectives**, especially those that challenge your own – Speak from **knowledge**, not slogans — history, law, and context matter – If you bring a topic, come prepared: facts, timelines, sources, and legal or historical grounding are encouraged – Argue **ideas**, never individuals – No censorship of viewpoints – No personal attacks – No defamation or accusations against individuals **Strong disagreement is not only accepted — it is expected.** **Intellectual laziness is not.** **This is not a dating meetup.** Not every social space exists for flirting, hitting on people, or testing romantic opportunities. Anyone who treats this forum as a dating pool, approaches others with unwanted advances, or assumes participation implies romantic availability is misunderstanding the purpose of this group. Conversation comes first. Ideas come first. Respect comes first. If you are here primarily to date, pursue, or pressure others, this is not the right space for you. Boundaries are enforced. Discomfort is taken seriously. **Those who ignore this will be immediately asked to leave.** **Location & RSVP** The event will take place in Ixelles, in a public bar. To keep the discussion safe, focused, and accountable, the exact venue will be shared only with confirmed RSVPs via our WhatsApp chat. Depending on the final size of the group, we have several appropriate and secure venue options in the area. This allows us to: – Adapt the venue to the group size – Avoid disruptive or bad-faith behavior common to fully open meetups – Prevent meetup creeps and repeat offenders – Ensure everyone present respects the rules of conduct 👉 To RSVP and receive the location: **https://chat.whatsapp.com/LX7UkWGZ3UdLQWLBvNdezN** The goal is not exclusivity, but accountability and quality of discussion. If this format doesn’t suit you, this event may not be the right fit.

Rejoignez-nous pour notre prochaine session de l’Odoo Academy dédiée à l'eCommerce, le 11 mars 2026 à Louvain-la-Neuve! Les Odoo Academy sont des séries de formations gratuites d'une journée où les participants peuvent apprendre directement de nos experts expérimentés. Si vous êtes intéressé par la **création d'un site eCommerce pour votre entreprise**, cette journée de formation gratuite est faite pour vous! Le temps d'une journée, vous apprendrez à créer un site eCommerce performant avec **Odoo**, une **plateforme de gestion d'entreprise tout-en-un.** Inscrivez vous gratuitement sur notre site : https://www.odoo.com/r/bue —--------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Les informations pratiques :** Où? Odoo LLN - Rue du Laid Burniat, 5 à LLN Quand ? Le 11 mars 2026 de 9h à 17h Inscription? https://www.odoo.com/r/bue Prix ? Gratuit ! Au plaisir de vous y voir nombreux et de vous rencontrer !

Looking for a cozy and fun way to spend your time in Brussels? Join our **Board Game Meetup**, where we play a mix of strategy, party, and cooperative games. Whether you’re new to board games or an experienced player, you’re welcome! Come alone or with friends — you’ll quickly find a table to join. **Free entrance. Friendly atmosphere. Great people.**

Welcome, everyone, to a delectable foodie meetup where you'll embark on a journey to master the art of crafting authentic Indian dishes, tailored to your dietary preferences—be it **vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free.** Immerse yourself in the rich aroma of Indian herbs as we guide you through these culinary adventures. Our cooking workshops promise to transport your taste buds across India's diverse regions—North, East, West, and South—bringing to your kitchen the vibrant flavours that define each corner of our country. No longer will you need to venture out to savour the exquisite tastes of India; now, you can recreate them in the comfort of your own home. As the age-old Indian proverb attests, "The finest Indian food is crafted within one's own kitchen." While patience is a virtue in the culinary world, fear not, for patience is precisely what we'll impart here. Over the course of 2.5 hours, you'll gain mastery over a variety of Indian culinary delights. And to conclude, you'll have the delightful opportunity to share your creations with your loved ones, taking the essence of India's culinary heritage beyond our meetup. Join us for an unforgettable experience where you'll not only learn to cook but also unravel the secrets of Indian cuisine. Your culinary journey starts here! **Let's Embrace Eco-Friendliness** In our commitment to the environment, we have a small favor to ask. While we do offer takeaway containers for your culinary creations, we also invite you to contribute to our sustainability efforts. If you're able, consider bringing along your own 200-250 ml container for the takeaway portion. By doing so, we can collectively take a step towards reducing plastic usage and minimizing our ecological footprint. **FAQ:** * **What does this workshop covers?** At our culinary gatherings, this workshop is designed as a complete meal experience. It features one main dish accompanied by either Indian Chai (tea), bread, rice, or chutney. * **What's on the Menu?** The excitement lies in the surprise! We reveal the dish you'll be cooking 24 hours before the scheduled workshop. This allows us to take note of any food allergies or preferences you might have, ensuring a personalised and memorable experience. Our commitment to variety means we'll never repeat a dish for our loyal participants. * **What to Bring?** All you need to bring is your enthusiasm! Your presence is what truly counts and adds flavour to the workshop. * **How to make the Payment?** Our approach to payment is rooted in building relationships. We value your experience and trust. At the heart of our ethos is your satisfaction, and we're delighted to offer you these payment choices after each workshop. You have three convenient options for making your payment: * Bancontact (QR Code Scan) * Bank Transfer * Cash **Parking:** * Don't worry, it's free parking on the street. **Price Per Person:** * **Single Workshop - € 28** * **6 workshops (\~9 % discount): € 153** (Effective **€ 25,5 per workshop**) - **Valid for 4 months** * **12 workshops (\~20 % discount): € 269** (Effective **€ 22,5 per workshop**) - **Valid for 8 months** **Follow/Visit us:** * [Sanjha Rasoi Website](https://www.sanjharasoi.com/) * [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sanjharasoi/) * [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/sanjharasoi/) (hashtag: #sanjharasoi) * [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@sanjharasoi) * [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjharasoi/) * [Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?q=sanjha+rasoi) Please do like or comment once you have experienced our services. **Terms and Conditions:** We provide full professional guidance/assistance to help you prepare the food. However, please do read the following terms on cooking and also, by giving an RSVP, you adhere to following terms and conditions: * Any food allergy must be declared by the member before starting/collecting the workshop/take away box. We are not liable if not declared. * A workshop can involve cooking with hot oil/utensils and we can only provide guidance on how to be careful. * Some workshop may involve knives for cutting vegetables/ingredients and we can only provide guidance on how to be careful. * Members will be liable for their own actions. **Cancellation Policy:** * Free cancellation is possible up to 48 hours (for individual) and 72 hours (for private or group) before the scheduled workshop. * Cancellation between 48 hours and 24 hours will be charged at 33 % of the cost. * Cancellation in less than 24 hours will be charged at 50 % of the cost. * No refund on "NO-SHOW".

**⚡️ Bitcoin accepted** via [Swiss Bitcoin Pay](https://swiss-bitcoin-pay.ch/) **⚡️** Special guest this month: Rob from bitsaga.be ! No altcoins or shitcoins. No photos. Telegram: [https://t.me/BrusselsBitcoinMeetupGroup](https://t.me/BrusselsBitcoinMeetupGroup) NOSTR: [https://tinyurl.com/BRUSSELS-BITCOIN](https://tinyurl.com/BRUSSELS-BITCOIN) Every 2nd Wednesday of the month.

Doe mee met onze gratis training op woensdag 11 maart 2026 in Antwerpen en vergroot je expertise in de Odoo facturatie-apps! Of je nu een freelancer, ondernemer of bedrijfsleider bent, deze opleiding in financieel beheer is voor jou! Laten we eerlijk zijn... Administratieve taken beheren zonder een effectief hulpmiddel is een echte nachtmerrie! Wat als we je stap voor stap laten zien dat het eenvoudig is met Odoo? Schrijf je gratis in: https://www.odoo.com/r/i9Ki —--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Praktische informatie : Waar? Mercure Antwerp City South - Desguinlei 94, 2018 Antwerpen Wanneer? 11 maart 2026 van 9u tot 17u Inschrijven? https://www.odoo.com/r/i9Ki Prijs? Gratis! We kijken ernaar uit om jullie talrijk te zien en te ontmoeten!

News from the Middle East, and from Iran in particular, has been stark. Following months of nationwide unrest and a severe state crackdown, casualty estimates vary widely and remain difficult to verify, ranging from official figures in the thousands to independent claims far higher. In late February 2026, Israel and the United States began a major military campaign against Iran, with publicly stated objectives ranging from degrading Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities to calls that imply, or explicitly seek, regime change. Reports also indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed during the strikes. Understanding this moment requires more than headlines; it requires historical perspective. Modern Iran’s relationship with Western powers has been shaped by deep mistrust. In 1953, the UK and the US backed a covert operation that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh after his government moved to nationalise Iran’s oil industry. For many Iranians, the coup became a lasting symbol of foreign interference and a denial of democratic sovereignty. The decades that followed were marked by repression under the Shah and intense geopolitical competition and helped set the conditions for the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which replaced the monarchy with a theocratic system under Ayatollah Khomeini. Since then, relations with the West have been defined by sanctions, nuclear diplomacy, regional conflicts involving allied armed groups, and sharply competing visions of order in the region. The reported death of Khamenei may be seen by some as an opening for change inside Iran, and by others as a trigger for instability: succession struggles, hard-line consolidation, fragmentation, or a prolonged power vacuum. Externally, it raises urgent questions about escalation, international law, civilian protection, and the long-term consequences of force. This evening, we will explore the broader forces shaping the conflict rather than reducing it to simple narratives: * What weight does history carry in shaping today’s realities? * How do foreign interventions alter domestic political trajectories? * Can external pressure promote reform or does it entrench authoritarianism? * How should states balance strategic interests with international law and human rights? Join us for a discussion that seeks to unpack the historical roots, competing narratives, and moral complexities surrounding Iran and the wider regional crisis. This debate will follow a British Parliamentary format with eight debaters split into **four teams of two.** Participants who wish to speak are highly encouraged to bring a paper and pen. You are welcome to participate even if you have no prior debating experience. We aim for debates that are respectful, constructive, and welcoming: * **Respect ideas and people** Listen actively, stay quiet while others speak, and debate arguments, not identities or beliefs. * **Be concise and civil** Keep questions short and relevant; avoid hostility, hate speech, or discrimination. * **Respect boundaries and time** No unwanted advances or suggestive behavior; arrive on time to avoid disrupting the debate. * **Follow moderators** They guide the discussion and ensure fairness.

Making new friends in a new city doesn’t need to be a struggle at all.

Êtes-vous un adepte des logiciels de marketing et souhaitez-vous gérer vos campagnes e-mail et vos indicateurs clés de performance (KPI) en toute simplicité ? Marre de jongler entre plusieurs logiciels pour envoyer des newsletters et piloter vos campagnes marketing ? Cette journée de formation 100 % gratuite, le jeudi 12 mars 2026 à Louvain-la-Neuve est faite pour vous ! Découvrez comment Odoo peut vous aider à centraliser et optimiser votre stratégie marketing. 🚀 Inscrivez vous gratuitement sur notre site : https://www.odoo.com/r/M5C —--------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Les informations pratiques :** Où? Odoo LLN - Rue du Laid Burniat, 5 à 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve Quand ? Le jeudi 12 mars 2026 de 9h à 17h Inscription? https://www.odoo.com/r/M5C Prix ? Gratuit ! Au plaisir de vous y voir nombreux et de vous rencontrer !

We are back!!! Let's meet again on the 12th March for our European Data Meet Up at Brussels! Our meet up event is the perfect opportunity to stay ahead of the latest technology trends in Data. Join us, grab a beer during our open bar & let's talk! **When**: Thursday 12th March From 19:00 to 22:00 **Where:** Au Bassin (Le Hall!) Quai aux Briques 54 1000 Bruxelles **Agenda:** \- How Carrefour Belgium orchestrates data flows using BigQuery\, Pub/Sub\, Cloud Run Functions and MongoDB Atlas presented by Olivier Orban \- Data Platform Team Lead & Guillaume Hellin \- Data Engineer \- LLMs Talk\. Knowledge Graphs Remember\. An intuitive look at how LLMs and knowledge graphs complement each other to build more reliable AI systems\. presented by Michael Tandecki\, AI Engineer at Collibra \- Team management x AI: the good\, the bad\, and the ugly\, presented by\- Thibault Martin & Olivier Colot\, co\-founders at Diapason AI

**Cinema Galeries : En Construcción** 14/03 @ 18h45 PORTRAITS Work in Progress (En Construcción) is a portrait of people and of a neighbourhood. The film’s characters are builders working on a new building in the Raval, and the residents of this symbolic historical neighbourhood of Barcelona. Throughout the film, Guerin focuses on their faces and gestures, on how they speak and on how they occupy spaces. The composition of the shots is fundamental to his portrayal of the characters. The streets and spaces of the Raval, a popular working classneighbourhood in the city centre undergoing gentrification, are the other characters of the film. CONVERSATION AND THE POWER OF WORDS Through words, people with very different life stories and origins truly get to know each other: they listen to each other and they talk to each other. During the building work they learn to understand each other, to work together, to pass on their skills and to forge friendship. This sequence takes place when both the construction work and the film are coming to an end, and the viewer feels that a community has been created which connects the workers, local residents and also the film crew. Words are also often the means by which characters often become memorable for us, allowing us as viewers to learn to know and love them. WORK This is a film about work. It is about the builders working on the building, but also the filmmaker, Guerin and his student film crew, working to create a film over the two years during which they filmed the construction of the building. In this image, the builders are involved in the manual work of building a window. In the same way, the filmmaker uses the camera to create another window, the frame, to compose each shot in a meaningful way. Thus the construction of the building, brick by brick, progresses in parallel to the film, shot by shot. When the building is completed, so is the film. THE WINDOW AND THE FRAME WITHIN A FRAME The windows connect the outdoors and the indoors, the homes and the neighbourhood. Through the windows, the new building is incorporated into and visually connected with the neighbourhood, so that the interiors (the private spaces of homes) are linked with the exterior (the city). While Guerin uses his shots to create frames or visual windows showing the architecture, the shots are also transparent windows for seeing and documenting the life and reality of the neighbourhood. It is a visual idea of pictorial tradition that is characteristic of many of the film’s shots: the frame within a frame. In this photogram it is expressed by means of the connection between the foreground, showing the builders inside the building, and another frame in the middle distance: the window showing the façade of the church of Sant Pau del Camp. PRESENT AND PAST Different layers of time and history are brought together in a single image: the new construction of the building still in progress, the church which is still standing after eleven centuries, and even further away, other buildings from the 20th century. This gives a glimpse of a neighborhood, in which many different eras, cultures and origins coexist. And one of the main themes of the film is highlighted: the passing of time, the contrast between the stable and the transitory, the tension between construction and destruction, and memory and loss. [Cinema Galeries](https://galeries.be/fr/lheure-dhiver-2026-en-construccion/) [CinEd - European Cinema Education for the Youth - En construcción - José Luis Guerín - SPAIN, 2001 - PEDAGOGICAL PACKAGE](https://cined.eu/back-office/uploads/english_5c353d35a8.pdf) **For Dreamers, Coffee shots, Orezza, eau de Saint-Georges !**

COMEDY CONNECT: The only place in Belgium where your vote matters! 🗓️ March 14th at 20.00 📍 The Sisters Cafè (Just behind Grand Place) [🎟️ Use the promo code CONNECT and get a ticket for only 7 euros!](https://www.eventbrite.be/e/comedy-connect-vol-8-an-interactive-english-comedy-show-march-14th-tickets-1980316215108?aff=oddtdtcreator) With the help of 4 incredible comedians, we will try to solve the important questions in life, like: Is it normal to wear socks in bed? Is dating your ex-partner a good idea? What is Brussels’ problem? The weather or the people? And much more! **MCs of the night:** Alyce Sevink Michele Marini

It is no secret that throughout the history of the (western) world, the individual has played more and more of a central role. When it comes to morality for example, we rarely talk about virtue, duty or the cosmic order, but mostly about pleasure, pain, human rights, … things that pertain to individual persons. During this meetup we'll discuss what came along for the ride: an idolization of authenticity. Why is “Be yourself” such an attractive slogan and what does it mean? Is being authentic always better or can it be dangerous? Are populists and extremists not the most authentic politicians? If we then consider the rise of synthetic materials, plastic surgery, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, is authenticity doomed? Is the popularity of "Reality TV" and online influencers not a sign that authenticity can be gamed? What is the difference between something/someone seeming authentic and actually being authentic? Or was authenticity an illusion all along? What (in)forms this self we need to be true to? How can we trust our own interpretation of ourselves? Come and join this philosophical conversation as you are - and try to arrive on time so you can get a drink before we start :) Cover photo: Echo and Narcissus by John William Waterhouse

**Cinema Galeries : La Plaga** 12/03 @ 19h00 [...] The film is a combination of fiction and reality, which deals with the impact of the economic crisis. ‘La Plaga’ tells the story of five different characters living in the suburban area of Barcelona that are all hit by the consequences of the economic crisis. For more than four years Ballús worked together with these characters with the aim of showing their fight for survival in times of economic depression. For that reason, she has painted a portrait of the lives of five people living on the outskirts of a city, fields, streets or industrial parks. The movie tells the story of five apparently independent people, who end up connected to each other. Iurie, a Moldavian wrestler, works for the farmer Raül, who has big crop failures because of a plague of insects. The third is his neighbour Maria, who has to move to a retirement home, because of health problems. There she gets to know the Filipino elderly care nurse Rosemarie, who walks a cart-track every day to come to work where she always passes Maribel on a beach chair. Maribel tries to earn her living as a prostitute so she and her unemployed son can get by. Ballús explains that the film is based on true life stories, real emotions, situations and genuine characters. However nevertheless the director points out that “La Plaga is more of a composition than truth. The word documentary has high brow connotations, but it means not being manipulated or constructed. But for me everything in a film is constructed and manipulated, so it is more a film than a documentary.” Ballús’ movie wants to reflect the current critical situation in Catalonia, Spain and Europe. “We are all living in a situation of uncertainty about the future, a feeling of being lost in the system and excluded by politicians.” The film shows the difficult and unfortunate situation of five different people, but despite life’s hardships how they can handle their daily life and this is a big strength. That’s why Ballús wanted to present her story in this film, because these characters are real heroes of everyday life. [...] [Cinema Galeries](https://galeries.be/fr/lheure-dhiver-2026-la-plaga/) [Karina Reinhard, for the Agència Catalana de Notícies](https://www.catalannews.com/culture/item/catalan-film-director-neus-ballus-presents-la-plaga-at-the-berlin-international-film-festival) **For Dreamers, Coffee shots, Orezza, eau de Saint-Georges !**

**Google Analytics Alternatives** Is it finally time to make the switch away from Google Analytics? Two-and-a-half years ago Jason Packer asked this question at Columbus Web Analytics Wednesday. Since then: Google’s Universal Analytics has been sunset, we’ve changed our name to Columbus Data & Analytics Wednesday, and Jason has released two editions of his book “Google Analytics Alternatives”. Fresh off the release of the 2nd edition of his book, we thought it was time to re-open this conversation. While people love to complain about it, GA’s market share has remained relatively constant (at least in the United States). Why is that? You won’t find any complaints about GA4 in this talk, but rather an overview of what’s currently available in the market and how to frame your decision-making process. We’ll also be giving out some free copies of Jason’s book! So even if you’ve got a “GA4Lyfe” tattoo (no judgement), there’s free books to go with the free pizza and beer. 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)

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!!*

This month, we are in-person at GameArena!!! We will also be joined by students and their games from [Shawnee State](https://www.shawnee.edu/game-design-programs)! \-\-\- Join us for our our monthly COGG Prototype and Play event @GameArena! Come to play and showcase your games. We're back in the upper levels of the catwalk mezzanine area. It'll be packed with lots of camaraderie playing your game(s) and other's games on the 2nd floor as well as the 1st floor in the gaming room below the mezzanine. Light snacks and water provided but you can buy food and drinks at the bar (alcoholic drink ID required). [https://www.game-arena.co/menu](https://www.game-arena.co/menu) **Attendees:** Don't have a game to show? Not a problem! All are welcomed and invited from all ages and backgrounds. The more we can have to play test our games the better! **Developers:** Do you have a game that you would like to get critical feedback on? Would you like an excuse to work on a game with other talented artists, programmers, musicians, designers, and writers? Digital, table-top, non-experienced developers, and the like are welcomed! We'll provide signage for your game to help others learn more about your work. Wifi, outlets, tables, and seats (though standing tables also) are available. Come to the Prototype and Play workshop to collaborate and meet local game developers for an evening of epic and raw game play fun! Play works-in-progress, show off your own game, work with others to add polish to a game, or even lend your talents to other fellow developers. Can use South Garage at the Gateway with a $5 voucher on your way out. 75 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9) If you have any questions or comments, as always, feel free to reach out to us at [info@thecogg.com!](http://info@thecogg.com!/)

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

**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** TBD **YouTube Link** TBA

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

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