EPiServer

Tonight we take a step away from heavy political and moral debates and turn our attention to something we all recognize instantly, the suit. Whether worn in courtrooms, weddings, business meetings, or on red carpets, the suit has become almost synonymous with formality. Yet its presence feels so natural that we rarely stop to ask how it came to dominate our collective understanding of what it means to “dress properly.” The modern suit did not appear out of nowhere. Its roots trace back to military and aristocratic dress codes that gradually transformed into civilian formal wear during the industrial age. Over time, what began as a specific cultural artifact spread globally and came to be seen, in many places, as the default language of formal attire. So ingrained is this image that many of us struggle to imagine a time when the three-piece suit was not the expected norm for serious occasions. At the same time, this story is not universal. In many cultures, the suit is not a neutral symbol of professionalism but a garment tied to colonial history, imported norms, and the pressure to conform to Western standards. What some view as timeless elegance may, for others, represent cultural erasure or the expectation to abandon traditional forms of dress in order to be taken seriously. Even today, debates continue around what counts as “professional” attire and who gets to define it. Despite countless changes in fashion, social norms, and work culture, the suit has remained remarkably resilient. From old Hollywood icons to modern TV characters, the suit carries an aura of confidence and authority. Just take Barney Stinson’s relentless “Suit up!” campaign in *How I Met Your Mother* as an example, where suits were treated less like clothing and more like a life philosophy. But does longevity automatically make something timeless? Is the suit a genuinely universal classic that transcends generations and cultural differences, or is it simply a tradition maintained by habit and expectation? This evening, we invite you to explore these questions through debate, examining the history, symbolism, cultural influence, and future of one of the most recognizable garments in the world. 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.

Join us every Wednesday for an authentic Korean experience in the heart of Brussels! 🇰🇷✨ Let’s share Soju, delicious Korean food, fun karaoke sessions, and plenty of good vibes. Don’t miss our photo booth moments and the chance to meet amazing new people from all over the world! 🎉 Free entry, just order at least one drink to support the venue. 📍 Gyosang, Rue Sainte-Catherine 8, Brussels 🕢 Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Come for the language exchange, stay for the laughter, food, and Soju! 🍶🎤

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.

**First time comers** Please make sure to read the rules and contact the organizer before! Otherwise you will be moved to waiting list. Apologies for inconvenience but we have to do it to avoid no-shows. **Games format.** 95% are double games (unless someone needs a break), typically 4 people play together 2 sets and then mix with players from other fields. We play with plastic shuttles - Yonex Mavis 2000 (which are provided). **Registration** If it's your first time, please send a private message to the host to confirm. No-shows are taken quite seriously because they unbalance the games a lot. Also once you register please keep an eye on you private messages, in case we need to contact you. **Players level** Having players with much less experience often unbalances the game making it much less interesting for more experienced players. We still try to be welcoming. As a rule of thumb, if you know what a "clear" is, you are welcome to join. (Note that on Sundays the attitude is a bit more relaxed than on Wednesdays, it's the weekend after all ;) ) Otherwise, feel free to get in touch with me (Timur) and we can see if we can arrange so you and existing players can have good experience playing. **Price and payments** The price of participation is EUR 8.95. Payment is on-site in cash, or via payconiq. Info provided during or shortly after the event. **Cancelations and no-shows** * Switches and cancellations are free of charge if done more than 50 hours before the start of the matches * If you cancel within the 50-hour window before the event starts, you will be placed on the wait-list for the next week's event, whether or not a replacement is found. If no replacement is secured, you'll still need to cover your share of the costs.

* **Booking + advance payment is necessary please in our online booking system** [click here](https://www.danceandzumbafun.com/book.html) **YOGA IS FOR EVERYONE -** **also for you :)** no matter your age, weight or physical shape. This is an «**open level**» class where beginners and experienced practioners are welcome! Our excellent teacher had 16 years' experience. She provides alternative postures during the class, adapted to your level, and will gently correct you when needed. Hatha yoga is ideal if you are looking to re-connect with your body and improve your physical health. It's practiced more slowly and with more static hold than other yoga types, allowing time to sink into deeper poses. It's thus ideal for **efficient stretching**, and a good choice for beginners. Thanks to your yoga practice you will **develop strength, increase flexibility, your physical balance and stability, and can also find inner balance and strengthen yourself mentally.** Our venue is spacious: you don't have to be too close to each other and it's easy to see the teacher. We ventilate with fresh air (not air condition). Please remember to bring your mat! **BOOKING NECESSARY PLEASE:** * **Booking + advance payment is necessary please in our online booking system** [click here](https://www.danceandzumbafun.com/book.html) (Email if you prefer to pay in cash.) **Your price choices:** \- No inscription fee\, no member fee\! \- You choose to pay per class or to buy a multiple class card at reduced price\. Online payment in the booking system\. If you prefer to pay in cash you need to email before\. \- 1 class = €15\, or €14 reduced price full time students <25 years\, unemployed all ages\, retired\. * 5-class "All classes" pass valid 6 weeks = 70 euros * 10-class "All classes" pass valid 12 weeks = 130 euros. * 20-class "All classes" pass valid 6 weeks = 220 euros. * 20-class "All classes" pass valid 6 months = 260 euros. The "All class" passes are valid for the Hatha Yoga, Muscle Tone & Strength, Muscle strengthening, and Zumba classes of your choice. **Practical info:** \- Address: Rue Doyen Boone 6\, 1040 Etterbeek\. \- Metro: Schuman or Merode\, Tram 81\, several bus lines\, free parking in the street or inside of Parc Cinquantenaire between the museums\. \- Bring your own mat please \(if you don't have one you can borrow one the first time: email to book it\!\)\. \- It can be nice to bring a blanket or sweater for the relaxation at the end\. \- Bring a water bottle \(you can fill it up by tap water at the venue\)\. \- Most participants arrive already in their sport outfit\, but you can get changed at the venue \(however no showers\)\. **Contact:** Questions? Email Sofie: [info@danceandzumbafun.com](mailto:info@danceandzumbafun.com) Our website: [www.danceandzumbafun.com](http://www.danceandzumbafun.com/) Booking system: [https://www.danceandzumbafun.com/book.html](https://www.danceandzumbafun.com/book.html) A WARM WELCOME to former and new participants! Sofie

This event is to help people connect and build meaningful relationships, whether as friends or potential romantic partners. **Program Overview** **19:00 Welcome & Warm-Up** **Group Ice-Breaking Session** Duration: **25–30 minutes** * Participants are divided into **small groups of 4–6 people** * Each round lasts **5 minutes** * **5 rounds** in total * Everyone briefly introduces themselves (name + a few fun prompts) **19:30 One-to-One Friend Speed Dating** **Speed Conversations** Duration: **45–60 minutes** * Format: **1-to-1 conversations** * Each conversation lasts **3 minutes** * **15 rounds** * Participants rotate after each round **20:30 Connection Recall & Matching** **Match Selection (5 minutes)** * Participants take a few minutes to reflect * Each person writes down: * Their **own name** * The **names or numbers** of people they would like to connect with as friends * Notes are collected by the host After the event, the host **will match people only when the interest is mutual** and introduce them afterward. **20:40 Free Networking** **Open Social Time** * Casual conversations * Reconnecting with people you liked * Drinks, laughter, and free-flow interactions **21:30 Event Ends** Drinks & Snacks are included ***To confirm your participation, we kindly ask you to transfer the registration fee （25 euros/person）prior to signing up.*** **Bank details:** IBAN: **BE12 3632 3451 2492** **Communication:** *Your name + event date* Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation. **Cheers!** 🥂

Been with us before or coming along for the first time, all welcome. Join the journey from where you are and however ever you are. Lets explore together. Registration mandatory, limited seats available.

Join us for the 12th edition of our meetup, filled with insightful sessions on Databricks, great company, and drinks & bites. As always, expect the same great format: a food & drinks reception, two sessions, and a laid-back closing drink. 📍 **Location:** Plainsight Office Kruisbaan 70 2800 Mechelen **🚅 How to get there?** The event venue is easy to reach by both car and public transport. If you’re coming by car, parking is available at the office, including EV charging stations. Traveling by public transport? Take the train to Mechelen station, then continue with a 10-minute bus ride to the office. 🕡 **Schedule:** * **6:00 pm:** **Welcome with food & drinks** Doors open, grab a drink and a bite as we get started! * **7:00 pm - 7:40 pm:** **From data to demand: Developing your own forecasting models & Custom AI Agents with Databricks** Turning client data into reliable demand forecasts is one thing, operationalizing it safely at scale is the real challenge. This meetup talk shows how we use Databricks as the backbone for demand forecasting, from data preparation to production-grade delivery. MLFlow sits at the core: tracking experiments, comparing runs, and registering the best model for controlled promotion and rollout. We’ll demonstrate how the model is embedded in Databricks data pipelines so forecasts are produced automatically and consistently for downstream use. Forecasts naturally trigger follow-up questions, so we’ll also introduce our own secure agent that answers client questions grounded in their own data. You’ll see how agent-level security and access controls keep every response scoped, compliant, and auditable, without slowing teams down. *By [Bram Verbeke](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bram-verbeke/), Analytics Consultant @ Plainsight* * **7:50 pm - 8:30 pm: Engineering the Future: Next-Generation Pipelines with Databricks Lakeflow** Databricks Lakeflow is a powerful set of tools for running data engineering workflows on Databricks. It allows data practitioners to build end-to-end, production-ready data pipelines. Yet, having the right tools is only half the job; knowing how to use them effectively is just as important. During this session, we’ll dive into the most important components of the Lakeflow toolkit: Lakeflow Connect for seamless data ingestion, Lakeflow Declarative Pipelines for building robust batch and streaming pipelines, and Lakeflow Jobs for headache-free workload automation. Attendees will gain practical insights into building production-ready data pipelines. Focusing on proven data engineering best practices, we’ll also look ahead to the future of Databricks Lakeflow and how it can help democratize data across teams *By [Oleksandra Bovkun](https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleksandra-bovkun/), Sr. Developer Advocate @ Databricks* * **8:30 pm - 10:30 pm:** **Networking & Drinks** End the night with casual drinks and great conversations! 🚀 **Be part of our 12th meetup - RSVP now and join the community!** 🔊 *If you want to speak at an upcoming meetup, don't hesitate to submit your session [here](https://sessionize.com/databricks-meetup-belgium421/)!*

✨ **Meet new people in Brussels** **in a friendly, relaxed and international atmosphere.** The ambience is relatively quiet, calm and sober for easy-going casual conversation, with no chaos and loud party music in the background! 🍻 Large selection of drinks and food available 🌍 Internationals, expats & locals welcome 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Over 10,000 members overall in our Brussels community! The event was also covered in a recent article from Brussels Times: [https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1949146/euromeet-the-real-life-brussels-social-network](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1949146/euromeet-the-real-life-brussels-social-network) 😀 Our events usually attract **30–40 attendees**, with an age average of around 35 years old and good gender balance (the event announcement is relayed across multiple social media, not just on this page) 💪 Organized weekly since early 2025 🩷 **Safe, respectful environment, and zero tolerance for any harassment!** The organizer is always present all evening in case of problems. You can also leave any anonymous feedback about the event here under this form: [https://gmogni.aidaform.com/brasserie-meetup-feedback-form](https://gmogni.aidaform.com/brasserie-meetup-feedback-form) **.** Looking to meet new people and expand your social circle in Brussels, as well as your network of professional contacts? Join us **every Friday evening anytime from 18:30** **and until at least 23h** **at** **the** **“Quartier Leopold”** **brasserie**, in the heart of the famous Place du Luxembourg in front of the European Parliament, for a fun, relaxed night of **drinks, food, spontaneous conversations, and great vibes**! 💛 . 📍 **Location**: “Quartier Leopold” brasserie, Pl. du Luxembourg 9, 1050 Ixelles 📌 **Google Maps**: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/oCvSP1AGZNX2ZV3C8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/oCvSP1AGZNX2ZV3C8) (don't worry if you see the bar marked as "closed" on Google Maps for the Friday nights, they will always be open for us!) **🌐 Website of the venue**: [https://www.quartier-leopold.be/en](https://www.quartier-leopold.be/en) 📸 **Pictures gallery from previous events:** [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRbsinA1wEtUrDhlyw8K6Uz9YKeq0_dw?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRbsinA1wEtUrDhlyw8K6Uz9YKeq0_dw?usp=sharing) . ✨ **Why you’ll love it**: ✅ **Everyone is welcome**, even if you don’t know anyone else yet—expats, locals, newcomers, solo adventurers, or groups! ✅ Completely **free to attend**—just grab a drink and join the fun! Please ask the bartenders when you arrive if unsure where to find our meetup group and tables ✅ Possibility to make also useful **professional exchanges and networking** with other participants who work in similar domains, so remember to bring also your business card! ✅ Tons of **indoor and outdoor space available**—the square in front of the bar is quite pedestrian-friendly, and we have a private large room reserved entirely for the Meetup participants at the back of the bar! ✅ Possibility to have **dinner at the brasserie** during the meetup (until 22h), thanks to its comprehensive selection of dishes available in the menu: [https://www.quartier-leopold.be/web/content/1467?unique=b27f82e985f525417a92cbeaf0f1ac1c5e2fb4a0](https://www.quartier-leopold.be/web/content/1467?unique=b27f82e985f525417a92cbeaf0f1ac1c5e2fb4a0) ✅ **Want to keep the night going?** After the meetup, we often continue as a group to explore nightlife hotspots in the city center. . 💬 **Stay connected with our Community**: ▶️ Join our **Facebook/Messenger chat** to get updates and easily find the group on arrival:[ ](https://m.me/ch/Abaqvj9lxNT3_xh7/)[https://m.me/ch/AbaV86vk4SHop_eD/](https://m.me/ch/AbaV86vk4SHop_eD/) ▶️ Otherwise, if you prefer to use **WhatsApp**, please join this other group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0) ▶️ We are also active on **Telegram**: [https://t.me/euromeet_meetup](https://t.me/euromeet_meetup "https://t.me/euromeet_meetup") ▶️ And don’t forget to join our **EuroMeet Facebook group** for many more social events in Brussels: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/euromeet](https://www.facebook.com/groups/euromeet) ▶️ Finally, we also manage a **professional networking group on LinkedIn** as well, for more easily retrieving each other's LinkedIn profiles and identifying people who also work in similar domains: [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13194613/](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13194613/) . Come alone or bring a friend—either way, you’ll leave with **new friends, great memories, and maybe even some ideas on how to develop further your professional career!** See you this Friday! 🍻✨😀 . 📧 Got questions? Reach out to the **organizer**: [gabriele.mogni@gmail.com](mailto:gabriele.mogni@gmail.com) . 👉 Please **RSVP on Meetup** if you would like to attend our next event, so that we can plan accordingly. . \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **#BrusselsMeetup #ExpatsInBrussels #BrusselsSocialLife #BrusselsEvents #FridayVibes #EuroMeet #SocialInBrussels #BrusselsNightlife #MakeNewFriends #MeetupBrussels #SchumanAfterWork #WeekendVibes**

A hilarious comedy manifesto on personal growth and change. Too radical for my grandma, too human for Elon Musk. How to start a revolution from home. This stand-up comedy show starts with a series of true stories that led to avoidable (?) disasters. Anna shares about her Greek family, her move to France, and her contact with new cultures and ideas. And ends with a comedy manifesto: We need change, there is hope, let comedians run the world. A very relatable show, current and playfully ironic. In one hour Anna talks about Progress, Normality, and of course Capitalism and the other C-words. The show takes place at a unique co-working space in the heart of Brussels, that transforms to a creative hub once the sun goes down. The vibe is very welcoming and chill, so if you're coming alone, don't worry, you'll feel like you are among friends. A variety of drinks is available in the establishment. Doors open at 8PM, show starts at 8:30PM Tickets at the door 15 EUR (cash only) Ticket link https://fienta.com/firststeptorevolution-brussels-165407

Hi Kotlin enthusiasts! I am happy to be facilitating our **second BEKUG Meetup** at **DPG Media**. We'll figure out what works best for our community as we go along, so your feedback at the end of the meetup will invaluable for future events. There might be some **epic**, exclusive **swag** distributed by our local Kotlin hero and Jetbrains Developer Advocate, **Simon Vergauwen**. **The preliminary agenda** 18:30 - Sandwiches & drinks 19:00 - Intro 19:10 - "Kotlin Multiplatform: Guts, Glory & Gotchas" *An iOS & Android Story from DPG Media* Tim Rijckaert & Alex Manarpies 19:50 - Open Space explanation 20:00 - Marketplace & Sessions 21:00 - "Networking" **About DPG Media** DPG Media is Belgium's leading media company, operating streaming platforms such as VTM GO and Streamz with Kotlin across the entire stack—from backend services to iOS and Android apps. **Parking** * You can enter the parking next to the building without ticket or code: the barrier opens automatically. * We’ll provide a code to leave the parking after the event, or the barrier will be permanently open by then. * Note: keep left when entering!

It's Valentine's Special! Join us for our Fast-Friending Evening — the easiest, most enjoyable way to meet like-minded ladies and gents and make friends without the pressure, awkwardness, or small talk that leads nowhere! **You will need to buy a ticket for attending -** [https://bru14thfeb.eventbrite.co.uk](https://bru14thfeb.eventbrite.co.uk) \*You can use any debit or credit card to purchase your ticket at PayPal checkout. It will ask you for your email address but that is only to send you a receipt. You do not need a PayPal account. TICKETS:- Early Bird - €5 per person Regular Ticket - €10 per person Cash at Meetup - If you do not purchase tickets in advance then you can pay €15 cash to your host Tanya when you meet her at the event. In one lively evening, you’ll meet lots of like-minded ladies & gents through quick, meaningful chats designed to spark laughter, warmth, and new friendships. \- We will meet at 7\.00 pm when you will be welcomed by your host Tanya\. She will manage the evening and also help you make connections\. If you are a bit shy or anxious then please come early. Tanya will help you meet other members in a small group and help you settle down and get comfortable. All attendees are also welcome to bring a lady friend along with them for free. This will make it a lot less stressful for you as you will always have your friend alongside. \- From 7\.30 to 8\.30 pm\, we will start 'Fast Friending' where our host will ask you to speak to a different attendee every 3 minutes\. You will be able to meet lots of ladies and gentlemen and not be limited to only those sitting or standing next you\. \- After 8\.30 pm you will have time to interact with those you have met as well as others\. \- We are not a close knit tight group\. Our evenings are warm and comfortable for members attending for the first time and those coming alone\. You will not feel alone\! \- We have many groups in this city\. Members of our other groups who RSVP are included as guests of the organisers in order to give you an indication of expected people\. \- This evening is for ladies and gents in the 21 to 45 age group\. While some will be at the younger end of this range there will also be others at the other end of the range and lots in\-between\! You will naturally gel with others of your own age range and so you will always find many attendees who fit your range\. \- We are not a 'dating' group\. We are focused on helping ladies and gents meet other like minded ladies and gents\. You will generally find a good gender balance \(maybe not perfect\) at all our events\. Why do we have tickets? 1. Cover our costs - Our host is compensated for their time and work. We also pay meetup and have dedicated staff to manage our events, hosts, venues and communication. 2. Group Safety - By securing your ticket we have a record and you contribute to a well organized evening where everyone is more committed and better behaved. 3. Management - Tickets help us better manage attendee group size, book suitable space and activity. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ABOUT [fastfriends.co.uk ](https://fastfriends.co.uk/)- We have connected members successfully for the past 10 years in over 30 cities (operating as Expatsclub, MeetConnectDevelop and fastfriends.co.uk). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- You can contact our founder Dan on +447715705005 with any questions or ideas. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Here are some videos which will give you some guidance and comfort to make your attendance more productive.** Secrets of socializing at our meetups - [http://bit.ly/secrets-socializing](http://bit.ly/secrets-socializing) How to make new friends - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GB0Hc_bSs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GB0Hc_bSs) How to make people like you at our socials -[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4guProkKrI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4guProkKrI) Why you should attend our evenings - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEjwGBXzJE8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEjwGBXzJE8) Member feedback -[ https://youtu.be/zHOPHMg_7es?si=kK2A-MjisVue-jdw](https://youtu.be/zHOPHMg_7es?si=kK2A-MjisVue-jdw)

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Brussels.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

### Tools in your AI's Toolbox : An introduction to MCP Servers The generative AI revolution has unlocked unprecedented capabilities, but the next frontier is agency: empowering models to interact with, query, and act upon the world. The current challenge is the “N x M integration problem,” where every AI model requires a custom, brittle integration for each external tool or data source. This approach simply doesn’t scale. How can we give an AI access to our sales leads, code repositories, or IoT devices in a standardized, secure, and reusable way? This session introduces Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP), the open-source framework designed to solve this challenge and become the universal connector—the USB-C port—for AI. MCP standardizes how AI models discover and use external tools, moving beyond simple function-calling to a robust, client-server architecture. We will dive into how this open protocol is creating a new ecosystem for building powerful, context-aware AI agents. Join this session for a developer-focused introduction where you will learn how to: Understand the core concepts of the open-source Model Context Protocol and its architecture. Utilize pre-built, open-source MCP servers to instantly connect AI to tools like Git, Slack, and databases. Build a custom MCP server to securely expose your own proprietary data and APIs as tools for any compliant AI. Move beyond bespoke integrations and contribute to a standardized, collaborative, and open ecosystem. Stop building one-off connectors and start building intelligent agents. This session will give you the practical knowledge to leverage MCP and create the next generation of AI that doesn’t just talk, but does. Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! [https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/](https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/)

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

**We'll have two meetings covering AI - this one is for RStudio** We will review which AI features are linked in for RStudio, and a quick demonstration of using AI to write R code with external AI (such as ChatGPT, ClaudeAI, etc.) The code will be either run on Posit Cloud (RStudio on the web) or in RStudio desktop (from a Github repository). **Location:** The meetup will be at SPARK's ([https://annarborusa.org/](https://annarborusa.org/)) Ann Arbor site: [SPARK HQ (Ann Arbor)](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ann*Arbor*SPARK*Headquarters/@42.2792515,-83.7447708,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x883cae3effe193cb:0x5296a53db2a282bf!8m2!3d42.2792515!4d-83.7447708?hl=en-US__;Kysr!!HXCxUKc!3EEdBNXRJKknP6LCGkZetSuEsdtChFojQnOVitFUC5C0fyilqXEbiMstT9ajBR3Cw-55qoFkrElCjQvjMdTxUw$). There is on street parking, and parking at local structures. **This will be a hybrid meeting - the Zoom session starts at 6:30 PM.** **Time:** The doors will be open at 6:00, with pizza and beverages provided. We will have a meet-and-greet-and-pizza session, and then at 6:30 we'll have a presentation. **Zoom information:** https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87236570854?pwd=zhj9DSebB1LaBeam4LFF90OHFVzPrz.1 Passcode: 012862 **If you can't get in, please call me at: 734 223-3307** **Document source:**

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/

Join fellow Queer birders on February 22nd for birding at Pickerington Ponds Metropark. No expertise required!

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