Digital Rights Management

Please join us for an evening of all things Umbraco - the latest news, community chat, and a talk or two! For 2026, we will be running both in-person and virtual meetups, alternating every month. For those who can't join in person, virtual attendance is available too, so you can join us no matter where you are! This month, we have **Mike Masey** giving you a sneak peak of his Umbraco Spark talk where he uses Claude Code and SPECKL to create a web accessible tool for a brand contrast colour checker, and **Justin Neville** will be giving a demo of the new Umbraco AI integrations. There will also be food, drinks and some friendly socialising. What's not to like? 😄 Whether you are an Umbraco novice or a seasoned developer, this is your chance to meet like-minded people to talk about our favourite friendly CMS! No matter what your role is there will be something to learn and your chance to meet other members of the Umbraco community from Kent and the surrounding areas. Venue The meetup will be at Dragon Coworking in Rochester (7-8 New Road Avenue, St George's Hotel, Rochester, ME4 6BB), a short walk from Chatham train station and with free on-site parking. If you wish to use the car park, please access via Gundulph Road, Rochester, ME4 4ED. You can then use the steps between buildings to access the entrance. If the car park is full there is on road parking available, but please check the parking restrictions. On arrival, please make your way to St George's Hotel reception (where you access Dragon Coworking) and one of the organisers will come and collect you. **Please note: Do not bring bananas, nuts or pineapple into the coworking space as there are members with allergies.**

**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/wealth-connector-mayfair-london-investment-networking-tickets-1983427137962?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wealth-connector-mayfair-london-investment-networking-tickets-1983427137962?aff=meetup)** Join Wealth Connector® Mayfair to meet investors, wealth managers & founders exploring co-investment and strategic growth. ## **💎 Wealth Connector® – 25th Edition** London’s Premium Wealth & Investment Networking Event 💼🚀 Join London’s high-calibre networking event for **investors, wealth managers, entrepreneurs, founders, senior executives, HNWIs, and growth-focused professionals**. Wealth Connector® bring together those who have created wealth, those looking to preserve it, and experts providing wealth-building and wealth-protection strategies. This is a thoughtfully designed, relationship-focused event that prioritises **meaningful conversations, collaboration, and long-term opportunity creation** 🤝💡. ## **Why Join? 🌟** ### **Expand Your Network 🤝** Connect with investors, financial professionals, business leaders, and HNWIs looking to share insights, explore opportunities, and build lasting professional relationships. ### **Explore Strategic Partnerships 🔗** Discover collaboration opportunities, co-investment strategies, and long-term wealth creation or preservation solutions. ### **Premium Networking Experience 💡** Engage with a curated community of high-calibre professionals in a sophisticated Mayfair venue designed for meaningful, no-pressure interactions. ## **What You’ll Gain 🎯** **Strategic Connections** Build trusted relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and advisors. **Valuable Insights** Learn about wealth management, investment trends, and growth strategies from experts. **Collaboration Opportunities:** Identify partners and opportunities to co-invest, co-create, or grow your wealth strategically. ## **Event Details 🕒** 📅 **Date:** 16 March ⏰ **17:00 – Event Start** Fully hosted, free-format networking focused on quality conversations. 18:00—Guests may remain in the venue at no extra cost for continued networking at the Property Connector® event.. ## **WhatsApp Group 📲** Continue the conversation before and after the event by joining the exclusive attendee WhatsApp group. On the day, you will receive an email invitation to join. ## **Venue 📍** Hosted at **Hay Hill**, a premium Mayfair venue blending elegance, discretion, and a professional environment for high-level networking. ## **Dress Code 👔** Business attire or smart casual. No T-shirts or trainers. ## **Refund Policy ℹ️** 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 channels 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/) * [#business](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business/) * [#networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networking/) * [#investment](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23investment/) * [#startup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23startup/) * [#networkingevent](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networkingevent/) * [#london](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23london/) * [#businessnetworking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23businessnetworking/) * [#networkingmeeting](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networkingmeeting/) * [#money_management](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23money_management/) * [#business_professional](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_professional/)

**The Talbot Room at the George Inn** The George provides the room free of charge (they are awesome), and we encourage you to purchase drinks (and food – the burgers are great!). As it’s a pub and not a picnic area, please don’t consume your own food and drink there. We usually meet in the Talbot room which is on the top floor on the left hand side of the pub as viewed from the courtyard. If lost please send a message here shortly before the meeting starts. **We are sorry to say that there is no step-free access to the Talbot room, and it is at the end of three flights of stairs.** **Format** We start at 7pm and run until 9pm. We hear approximately six readings of 10 minutes (\~2000 words), then discuss the piece for 10 minutes. Email your work to: london60transmitter@emailitin.com as an attachment (It must be an attachment). A link for access to googledocs will be given at the start of each session to enable people to read along, which in turn enables more considered feedback. Work submitted will be automatically deleted after 10 days. We decide on readers/pieces at the beginning of each session. **Safe and respectful space** The group is run by volunteers, and we don’t have the capacity to read submitted work in advance. If there is anything in your work that might distress or disturb some readers, for example concerning any kind of abuse, please give a trigger warning before you read. Be specific and concise. If it becomes apparent during a reading that a piece is inappropriate, the moderator will stop the reading. In discussing others’ work, please be mindful of how you express yourself and do not use discriminatory language, even if such language features in the piece.

**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-property-networking-event-investors-real-estate-proptech-meetup-tickets-1983346171790?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-property-networking-event-investors-real-estate-proptech-meetup-tickets-1983346171790?aff=meetup)** Connect with property investors, real estate pros & PropTech innovators in London this November. Network & grow your business opportunities. #### **Connect with property investors, real estate pros & PropTech innovators in London this November. Network & grow your business opportunities.** The iconic and legendary Property Connector is now in its 15th year. It is always well attended with up to 60-70 attendees (the last ones were nearly sold out with 80 guests). We invite you to join us at the prestigious Hay Hill Private Members Club in Mayfair for an exclusive evening of meaningful connections, valuable insights, and real opportunities. In line with the other events run by London Connector, you will find a welcoming and friendly environment, where deals are made, partnerships are formed, and innovation thrives in the property sector. In fairness, of all the events we run, this is probably the one where the highest number of deals and partnerships are created. ### **What You’ll Gain** **1\. Strategic Connections:** * Engage with leading investors, developers, architects, sustainability experts, and proptech innovators who are shaping the future of property. **2\. Pre\-Event Networking:** * Start building relationships before the event with access to an exclusive WhatsApp group where you can introduce yourself and set expectations. **3\. Opportunities to Thrive:** * Learn about cutting-edge trends, discover collaborative opportunities, and gain actionable strategies to grow your business. ### **Who Should Attend?** This event is tailored for a wide range of property professionals, including: * **Investors & Developers** eager to discover new projects and expand their portfolios. * **Real Estate Agents & Mortgage Brokers** aiming to network and find fresh leads. * **Landlords & Property Managers** seeking strategies to enhance their operations. * **Architects, Builders & Contractors** looking to connect with industry leaders. * **Proptech Founders & Tech Innovators** exploring collaborations and partnerships. * **Urban Planners & Sustainability Experts** driving innovation in property development. * **Interior Designers, Stagers & Consultants** building relationships to grow their reach. * **Legal Professionals & Property Lawyers** specializing in property and real estate law. * **Accountants & Financial Advisors** offering property-focused financial solutions. * **Property Marketing Experts & PR Specialists** sharing strategies to boost visibility. * **Surveyors & Valuation Experts** keen to connect with decision-makers in the industry. * **Sustainability Consultants & ESG Advocates** focusing on greener property solutions. * **Facility Managers & Operations Specialists** improving efficiency in property management. * **Insurance Brokers & Risk Advisors** serving the property sector. * **First-Time Buyers & Aspiring Professionals** looking to break into the property industry. * **Educational Institutions & Trainers** promoting property-related courses and certifications. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, this event is designed to help you connect, collaborate, and succeed. ### **Venue Spotlight** Set in the exclusive **Hay Hill Private Members Club**, known for its elegant ambiance and prime Mayfair location, this event offers the perfect blend of professionalism and sophistication. It’s the ideal setting to build lasting relationships while enjoying a relaxed and refined atmosphere. ### **Book Your Spot Today** **⏳ Limited Availability:** Only 80 spots are available for this exclusive event, ticket prices may go up the closer we get to the event date.Tickets are non-refundable but transferable to someone else if needed. **Event Disclaimer** Please note that photos and videos may be taken during this event. These may be used on our social media channels and promotional materials to showcase our events. If you prefer not to appear in any photos or videos, please inform the event host upon arrival, and we will ensure your preference is respected. 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/) * [#investment](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23investment/) * [#investors](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23investors/) * [#property](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23property/) * [#london](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23london/) * [#proptech](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23proptech/) * [#propertyinvestment](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23propertyinvestment/) * [#londonevents](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23londonevents/) * [#march](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23march/) * [#businessnetworking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23businessnetworking/) * [#propertydevelopment](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23propertydevelopment/)

The Data Science Speakers Club is a Toastmasters International club enabling the current and next generation of Data Scientists to improve their Public Speaking Skills. This is a HYBRID Meeting! So join us Online via ZOOM or In-Person. Joining the Data Science Speakers Club means joining a supportive environment to build your confidence in public speaking and to practice speaking in front of an audience. You will also gain the opportunity to receive feedback on your speeches in a friendly environment, including what you have done well and guidance on the areas you can improve upon. We also run a mentorship program where an experienced mentor supports you on your public speaking journey. Meeting Theme: **TBC** Tentative Schedule: 18:30 - President's welcome 18:40 - Prepared Speeches (3 prepared speeches with evaluation) 19:25 - Guest introduction 19:30 - Break 19:40 - Table Topic 20:30 - Wrap up, awards, announcements End of Meeting The theme is to do with exploring various aspects of power, including how it is distributed, challenged, and transformed in different contexts. In the first part, there will be speeches. In the second half, we will have impromptu speeches preparation in groups called Table topics where guests can participate. We meet on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays of each month from 6:30 pm online. Each meeting is a mixture of prepared speeches by our members, speaking roles, and impromptu speaking challenges by members and guests. Our meetings are free to attend and you only have to speak if you want to. For in-person attendance, snacks will be provided. Entrepreneurs, Innovators, and Mathematical and Logical Thinkers aiming to focus on their communication and leadership development are always welcome to attend our meetings, to increase their self-confidence, become better speakers, and become better leaders. TEAMS LINK: [https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3590758490979?p=Uhe84WWRIJm3uci7v3](https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3590758490979?p=Uhe84WWRIJm3uci7v3 "Meeting join") FACEBOOK: [https://www.facebook.com/datasciencespk/](https://www.facebook.com/datasciencespk/) LINKEDIN: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-science-speakers-club](https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-science-speakers-club) TWITTER: [https://twitter.com/datasciencespk](https://twitter.com/datasciencespk) INSTAGRAM: [https://www.instagram.com/datasciencespk/](https://www.instagram.com/datasciencespk/)

Join us at the Northern Lights Speakers is a non-profit, volunteer run public speaking club. Whether you are a beginner or experienced speaker, our club will provide you with valuable tips and techniques to improve your impromptu and rehearsed speaking skills. Our experienced Toastmasters will guide you through various exercises and give you feedback to help you think on your feet and speak confidently in any situation. The club is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills, boost their confidence, and overcome the fear of speaking in public. Why not come and see how your speaking abilities can be improved and network with like-minded individuals in a supportive and friendly environment. Contact: nlspeakers@gmail.com

Join Dotsquares and Keyfactor for an exclusive session exploring how cybersecurity and digital identity are evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly connected, AI-driven world. Discover how organisations can strengthen digital trust, adapt to emerging regulations, and prepare for the next era of cryptographic and identity challenges. [Register Now! ](https://www.dotsquares.com/event/dotsquares-keyfactor-cybersecurity-identity-event)

**An ethical exploration of compassion, culture, and choice.** Humanism asks us to live ethically using reason, evidence, and compassion. But what happens when those values meet one of our most everyday habits: eating meat? In this talk, humanist speaker and journalist Dr. Sapna Ramnani invites us to step back from slogans, guilt, and culture-war arguments, and instead ask a deeper question: If humanism is about reducing suffering and increasing wellbeing, whose suffering counts, and how far does our moral circle extend? Drawing on philosophy, psychology, animal welfare evidence, and humanist ethics, this talk explores why the meat question provokes such strong emotions, how distance and habit shape our moral blind spots, and whether our ethical frameworks have kept pace with what we now know about animal sentience and industrial farming. This is not a talk about telling anyone what to eat. It is a reflective, humanist exploration of moral responsibility, compassion, and choice. **What we’ll explore:** * What humanism actually commits us to ethically * Why meat-eating sits at the crossroads of identity, culture, and morality * The role of “ethical” labels and animal welfare frameworks * Psychological distancing and why suffering is easy to ignore * Whether concepts like “farmed with care” withstand ethical scrutiny * Coherent humanist positions on meat: reduction, contextual eating, and abstention * The talk acknowledges real-world constraints, culture, health, access, economics, and rejects moral purity tests. Instead, it invites honest reflection, ethical curiosity, and compassion toward others and ourselves. **Who is this talk for?** Humanists interested in ethics, philosophy, and moral consistency Anyone curious about animal ethics without dogma or judgment People who enjoy thoughtful discussion and reflective talks There will be time for questions and discussion. You are not being asked to agree, only to think. **We kindly request a contribution of £5 for lecture events to help cover marketing and venue hire costs.** **Format for the evening:** * Arrive from 6.30pm for drinks at the charity wine bar * 7pm talk by Sapna * 7.45 comfort break and drinks from the bar * All profits go to Sapna’s charity choice — Brent and Harrow Remap * After the talk we invite you to join us at The Queens Head and Artichoke for friendly conversation and to continue the discussion. The pub is a short walk away, located at 30-32 Albany Street, NW1 4EA

🤖 **Most AI writing tools keep you in a chat box. This talk is about what happens when you step outside it.** Led by **[Max Clayton Clowes](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclaytonclowes/)**, afractional product manager, we'll look at how technical writers — regardless of coding background — can use Claude Code to work in a docs-as-code environment, extend their documentation tooling, and build workflows that hold their own standards over time. We'll cover: \- Why Claude without proper context is a frustrating experience and how Skills fix that \- How Claude Code enables technical writers to work with frameworks like Docusaurus without needing to be developers \- Building and extending documentation tooling — plugins\, components\, GitHub Actions — that most teams don't have the time or skills to build from scratch \- Using Claude Code to maintain docs at scale: auditing\, keeping content in sync with a changing codebase\, and automating the checks that keep quality consistent The talk is aimed at technical writers of all levels. You don't need to be comfortable in a terminal to get value from it — we'll show a clear path from the Claude web interface through to Claude Code, and you can engage at whichever level suits you. **Want to follow along?** Pick the level that works for you and get set up before you arrive: \- Web interface: A Claude account at claude\.ai\. Free tier is fine\. \- Claude Code: Download the Claude desktop app at claude\.com/download\. Requires a paid Claude plan \(Pro or above\)\. On macOS/Linux\, run *curl \-fsSL https://claude\.ai/install\.sh \| bash* to install. Windows users can download the installer directly. No other dependencies needed. Not set up? Everything will be on screen — you can explore at your own pace afterwards. **🗒️ Agenda** **When:** Thursday 19 March, from 6.30pm **Where:** The Gallery @ [The Corner](https://maps.app.goo.gl/C1iSyEeMffB7BZjf6) (42 Adler Street, E1 1EE) **What:** **18.30 - 19.00** Arrival **19.00 - 19.10** Welcome & Housekeeping **19.10 - 19.40** Part 1 of presentation **19.40 - 20.00** Break **20.00 - 20.30** Part 2 of presentation **20.30 - 21.00** Closing and networking *All times are approximate.* **📍 How to find us:** Enter the hotel, turn right and right again past the bar to find The Gallery meeting room. Look for WTD signs and friendly organisers. **📸 Photos:** Note that the organizers will take some photos for the WTD group.

**The main event: MxLDN** * **Date:** Wednesday 18th March * **Time:** 18:00 - 21:00 * **Location:** Dotdigital Offices, 9th Floor, 1 London Brg, London SE1 9BG **Drinks & games hosted by Hypernode:** * **Date:** Wednesday 18th March * **Time:** 21:00 - 23:00 * **Location:** Bermondsey Bierkeller, 2, 4 Tooley St, London SE1 2SY **Speaker 1: Hervé Tribouilloy - Why Websites Become Hard to Change — and How to Stop It** *Commerce platforms develop architectural entropy over time. Hervé will host a live demo showing how new features can be introduced outside the platform and embedded back into the storefront — enabling faster experimentation while keeping the core stable.* **About MxLDN** 18th March, Dotdigital's office, London Bridge, be there or be square! We’re relaunching as a free, bi-monthly event, open to anyone in the Magento and Adobe Commerce world – developers, merchants, marketers, agencies, you name it… We welcome speakers who dive into the detail of what's actually happening in eCommerce right now. Get in touch via hello@mxldn.co.uk if you'd like to speak at one of our future events. We host open conversation over free pizza, free beer…what more could you want? More? Here you go then, after the talks we’ll head down to Bermondsey Bierkeller for some post-event drinks and games hosted by Hypernode! There’ll be air hockey, digital darts, pool tables and shuffleboards galore! First one for 2026. Save the date. See you there! Presented by: JH, Hÿva, Hypernode & Dotdigital Reach out to us via email us at **hello@mxldn.co.uk**

***Please note: signing up to this event does not mean you are booked onto the course. For full details and booking information, please visit [Cademy.](https://datacove.cademy.io/introduction-to-r-shiny)*** **Introducing Datacove** Datacove are a Data and Analytics Consultancy Team based in Brighton, with experience in founding many well-attended R & Python events. Plus, home of the EARL Conference! We work across multiple streams - from marketing and consumer analytics, to bespoke dashboards, process automation, and training! :) **Introduction to R in Shiny** Thursday 19th March, online 10am-12pm. £99 + VAT **Understand what Shiny is and when to use it** * What Shiny does, how it fits into the R ecosystem, and common use cases (apps, dashboards, internal tools, data products) * Differences between static R outputs (plots, reports) and interactive Shiny applications **Learn the basic structure of a Shiny application** * The roles of ui and server components * How shinyApp() brings the UI and server together * File structures for a multi-file Shiny app **Build user interfaces with Shiny layouts** * Using layout functions such as fluidPage() , sidebarLayout() , sidebarPanel() , and mainPanel() * Organising content with rows, columns, tabs, and panels * Adding titles, text, and spacing for clean, readable app design **Work with Shiny input and output elements** * Common inputs (sliders, dropdowns, text inputs, buttons, checkboxes) * Displaying outputs such as plots, tables, and text * Connecting inputs to outputs through the server logic **Introduction to Shiny’s reactive programming model** * What reactivity is and why it matters in interactive apps * How Shiny automatically updates outputs when inputs change **Create a foundation of a complete, working Shiny app** * Combining UI layouts, inputs, outputs, and reactivity into a functional application * Running and testing apps locally * Leave with a foundation app, ready to learn more advanced content to build upon. **Be ready to build your first dashboard or application** * Understanding next steps, such as theming, modules, and deployment options **How to Join** Please visit [Cademy](https://datacove.cademy.io/introduction-to-r-shiny) to book your space.

Join us on March 17th from **6:00pm** for a Data Streaming meetup hosted by **Snowflake** and supported by **Dremio** and **Streambased!** 📍**Venue:** **Snowflake** One Crown Place, London EC2A 4EF, U.K. 5th & 6th floors · London **PLEASE bring your PHOTO ID and REGISTER with your details for security purposes.** 🗓 **Agenda:** * 6:00pm – 6:30pm: Food/Drinks and Networking * 6:30pm - 7:00pm: Celeste Horgan, Developer Advocate, Snowflake * 7:00pm - 7:30pm: Tom Scott, Founder & CEO, Streambased * 7:30pm - 8:00pm: Will Martin, EMEA Evangelist, Dremio * 8:00pm: Q&A Networking 💡**Speaker One:** Celeste Horgan, Developer Advocate, Snowflake **Title of Talk:** I have no idea what I’m doing, or: building an Apache Spark to Apache Iceberg pipeline from scratch for data ingestion **Abstract:** Transitioning to Apache Iceberg requires a shift in how we think about data storage and ingestion. Enter: Apache Spark… maybe? Exactly how is an open question. In this talk we’ll go through the trial-and-error process of ingesting data into an Apache Iceberg table using Apache Spark. We’ll learn about file formats for Apache Iceberg tables, when to partition (and what the consequences are), common integration mistakes (as made by me in the learning process), and what Apache Spark does best, and when a different tool might work better. Most importantly, we’ll learn how to learn a new piece of software fast using AI to help rather than hinder. **Bio:** Celeste Horgan is a Sr. OSS Advocate at Snowflake. She got her start in open source at the Linux Foundation, where she supported the Kubernetes project on their documentation. From there, she went on to work at Aiven on open source data platforms, and now continues that work evangelizing data systems for Snowflake. Her work on inclusive language has been featured in the New York Times, and she lives in London. 💡**Speaker Two:** Tom Scott, Founder & CEO, Streambased **Title of Talk:** Turning The Database Inside Out **Abstract:** Over a decade ago, Martin Kleppmann's Turning the Database Inside Out reshaped how we think about data systems, putting the event stream at the heart of storage and computation. That vision inspired a generation of systems built atop Kafka, Flink, and event-driven materializations. But what if we never finished what Martin started? This talk takes the next leap, reimagining not just the transaction log, but the entire database through the lens of streaming. We'll keep Kafka as our canonical source of truth, but enrich it with the missing primitives: long-term storage, indexes, and projections. To achieve this, we'll move beyond Kafka's simple produce/consume model and embrace Apache Iceberg as the new foundation for durable, queryable event data. **Bio:** Long time enthusiast of Kafka and all things data integration, Tom has more than 15yrs experience in innovative and efficient ways to store, query and move data. Tom is currently CEO at Streambased a company focused on unifying operational and analytical data estates into a single, consistent and efficient data layer. 💡**Speaker Three:** Will Martin, EMEA Evangelist, Dremio **Title of Talk:** From Stream to Table: Building Kafka-to-Iceberg Pipelines **Abstract:** While Kafka excels at streaming data, the real challenge lies in making that data analytically useful without sacrificing consistency or performance. This talk explores why Apache Iceberg has emerged as the ideal streaming destination, offering ACID transactions, schema evolution, and time travel capabilities that traditional data lakes can't match. Learn about some foundational tools that enable streaming pipelines and why they all converge on this industry standard table format. **Bio:** Will Martin is the EMEA Evangelist at Dremio. Beginning with a background of statistical analysis in particle physics, his professional journey has spanned multiple industries, including banking, shipping logistics, entertainment, healthcare, defence, and customer 360. With experience as a data engineer, solutions architect, and software developer, he has spent 15+ years collaborating with companies and organisations across EMEA and APAC, including roles at CERN, Deloitte, and Tamr. \*\*\* If you are interested in hosting/speaking at a meetup, please email community@confluent.io

This training is designed for real estate agents who want to learn how to play the Agent Investor game. The goal of this training is to help you flip your income into ownership. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Traditional buyers transact once every 7–10 years. Investors transact 3–10 times a year.** If you want predictable income, consistent deal flow, and a long-term wealth ecosystem, you don’t need more leads—you need a better list: a database of committed investors who buy repeatedly. The Investor Goldmine teaches you how to build, grow, and activate an investor database that becomes your most valuable asset in real estate. Instead of competing for one-time transactions, you position yourself as the Agent Investor—someone who understands strategy, leverage, and wealth building. In this session, you’ll learn the proven systems to build your investor list from scratch, including: * Where to network to meet real investors already buying * A simple “one lunch a week” strategy to build relationships fast * How to use giving and social currency to become the trusted connector * How absentee owners and business owners can become your best investor pipeline * Why community accelerates database growth—even if you don’t run one You’ll also get a clear activation plan to start growing and converting your investor database immediately. Because the model is simple: Build the list. Call the list. Market to the list. And your income becomes repeatable. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Did you miss it?** [Watch all GRID Reston event playback on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOTh5kxLLJI1G3VH6Pqhlhu0uTA8yrdpi) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Join the GRID Facebook Community** [Join the online GRID community here](https://www.facebook.com/groups/gridinvestor) to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.

**Note the address says SE but it should be SW** HSLC is excited to collaborate with October One Vineyard for a monthly Yappy Hour! To support our local animals, please bring a pet food donation and you’ll be entered into a raffle for free tastings and glasses! You can also purchase raffle tickets. Your monetary donations help cover much-needed medical expenses for homeless and at-risk animals. This event will be 5-8pm on the last Friday of every month at the October One Vineyard tasting shop in Downtown Leesburg. This event is free to the public, so stop by and raise a glass. HSLC will be on hand to answer questions and let you know about available animals. Let’s “cheer” up our local area animals in need!

Learn to manage stress and achieve self-growth through simple relaxation and Meditation. Heartfulness Meditation is a simple, modern, methodical approach to meditation. Rather than homing in on your breath or repeating a mantra, you simply focus inward, on your heart, to cultivate inner strength and serenity. Heartfulness meditation is gaining traction in recent years. It focuses on the heart, allowing individuals to connect with themselves on a deeper level, and ultimately achieve peace, relaxation, and clarity. It is a practice that encourages patience, self-compassion, and acceptance, helping cultivate a deeper appreciation for the present moment. This practice is offered with love and at no cost

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Secrets of Runes,”** on the origins, development, and interpretation of the runic script, with Lilla Kopár, runologist and a professor of medieval literature and culture at Catholic University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets) .] The fame of runes outshines that of any other ancient script. They can be found not just on Viking Age rune stones, but on Bilbo’s door and as the Bluetooth logo on your cell phone. Runic script is commonly associated with magic, used by modern practitioners of neopaganism, and in recent decades has captured the imagination of filmmakers and video game designers. Yet most of us know little about the historical origins of runes and have no clue how to read or use them. Come to Crooked Run Fermentation in Sterling, Va., to get schooled on runic script with the help of Lilla Kopár, a veteran scholar of runes who has earned a following among Profs and Pints fans by giving fantastic talks on medieval monsters and Norse mythology. As someone who has carried out extensive field research on runes, published several articles on runic objects, and even appeared on the History Channel commenting on runes in America, she’s exceptionally qualified to introduce you to runology and the fascinating things that runes tell us. Dr Kopár will discuss the development of runic script from its humble origins on the borders of the Roman Empire in the first or second century CE, through its popularity in the Viking world, to its use and misuse in modern times. She’ll discuss how runes are a set of related alphabets that underwent changes over time and she’ll describe what inspired changes in this writing system and where and how runes were used in the medieval period. Her richly illustrated talk will highlight some of the most intriguing objects with runic inscriptions, from humble bone fragments to impressive rune stones, and offer insight into the scholarly methods of deciphering and interpreting runic inscriptions. We’ll also look at the function of the runic script from simple practical notes and memorial inscriptions to cipher-runes and magic. The most fun might be the in-class assignment, which will involve reading a few runic inscriptions and writing your name and other words in runes. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Part of Codex runicus, a rune manuscript written on animal skin and dating to about 1300 (University of Copenhagen / Wikimedia Commons).

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Digital Device Detox,”** a guide to breaking free from the addictive and destructive powers of social media and apps, with Jillian Tucker, licensed clinical social worker in private practice, adjunct professor of clinical social work at Columbia University and New York University, and therapist with nearly 15 years of experience in addiction treatment and behavioral change. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/northern-virginia-digital-detox](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/northern-virginia-digital-detox) .] Many of us have had the same experience: We’re trying to get things done and stay focused on the positive in our lives, but we can’t stop looking at a cell phone that tells us that we live in troubled times, that everyone else is better looking and having more fun, and that escape awaits in the worlds of Candy Crush or Pokémon Go. Maybe it’s time to find effective ways to loosen the grip of that cell phone and rediscover the happiness that comes with using digital devices less. Join Jillian Tucker, who previously has given several excellent Profs and Pints talks related to mental health, for a crash course on how to restore balance in your relationship with digital devices to ensure they’re simply tools you use rather than instruments through which other people use you. She’ll start by discussing social and mental-health trends connected to the use of digital devices. We’ll delve into the specific ways that their overuse can be biologically and psychologically harmful and leads to division, depression, anxiety and anguish on an individual and societal level. Professor Tucker also will look at why digital habits are hard to break, citing neuroscience and what we know about behavioral addiction. You’ll learn the many ways in which devices and apps are deliberately designed to be hard to stop using. You won’t be urged to just chuck your cell phone, though. After all, such devices can keep you socially connected, be sources of joy and learning, and even save your life if you need to summon help in an emergency. Instead, we’ll look at effective strategies for reducing digital device use, considering approaches that treat the overuse of such devices as “addiction” but moving beyond them to consider more nuanced ones as well. We’ll explore how to find our core motivation to change and how to carry out a change plan. We’ll consider how those who failed in past attempts to reduce digital-device use can overcome impasses in their effort to change their behavior. We’ll discuss ways to minimize the feelings of inconvenience and withdrawal that might come with reducing digital-device use, and we’ll discuss strategies for regaining the social skills and reviving the in-person strategies that our device use had compromised. You’ll learn how the same conditioning and power of habit that got us using our devices so much more also can be harnessed to help us use them much less. You’ll learn how to curate and enhance the positive aspects of digital devices, to help maintain them as a source of connection, joy, humor and learning and keep them from causing you unhappiness or stress. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Photo by Japanexperterna (Creative Commons).

Come join us at Nova Labs for our monthly lockpicking meeting! We meet every third Wednesday at the Nova Labs Fairfax location at 3850 Jermantown Road. Learn about locks, lockpicking, lock modifications, and even lock smithing in our classroom environment. No tools, skills, or knowledge required, but feel free to bring any of those things with you! Our meetings are overseen by one or more locksmiths.