Guest Speakers and Events

We keep it fun, practical, and focused on speaking with fluent speakers. That's the reason we meet in a relaxed bar atmosphere without loud pub noise in the background, so you can hear each other speak clearly. **Event Flow** 6:45–7:15 PM → Registration **Scan the QR code** at the location to tell us your fluent and target languages (our automated matching algorithm places you with fluent speakers) 7:15–8:30 PM → Language Exchange 8:30 PM onwards → Social & Pizza Feel free to stay around to chat and enjoy some pizza on us! **How it works?** * Every table has a Flip card: one side for your fluent language, the other for your target language. * Every **5 minutes we ring a bell**, and you **flip the card**, switching roles from learner ↔ helper. * Our custom matching system automatically places you in small groups, creating balanced and interactive groups. **Practical Info** **Entrance:** €8 (+ slice of pizza) **Save time:** Sign up now on our [website beforehand](https://www.fliplingoes.com) **When:** This Wednesday, Registration closes at 7:15 PM **Where:** Staycity, Little Mary Street – bright, comfortable and hospitable social lounge with great acoustics so you can hear each other speak. **Payment:** On-site (scan the QR code or save time and pay in advance on [our website](https://www.fliplingoes.com) **Cost Options** (all include pizza after the event): * 1 event = €8 * 4-event bundle = €24 (€6 per event) * 10-event bundle = €50 (€5 per event) **A Little about us** What started as a small experiment in Switzerland has grown into a new language exchange system: Our web app automatically matches you into small groups with fluent speakers, meaning you get the best chance to practice speaking your target language. We’re thrilled to bring this new concept to Dublin and would love your feedback — join us, speak more, and help us reinvent language exchange events! Check out our community on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fliplingoes/) ***

The next Dub\|Sec meetup will take place in the Dublin Workday offices on February 25\, 2026\. Workday are delighted to be hosting this Infosec event in conjunction with Dub\|Sec and the Women in Cybersecurity Community Association \(WICCA\)\. In order to ensure your place on the evening, please sign up through [this link](https://invites.envoy.com/group-invite/TQWwzJ2WyL5lED4D). We'll be there from 6.00pm. Our first speaker will start at around 7pm. **19:00 - Building a digital beehive: The cluster that wasn't real, but the attacks were** by Arnav Tripathy Kubernetes is everywhere now—and so are attacks against it. Misconfigurations, exposed APIs, and overly permissive RBAC have made clusters a prime target, while most security tools stop at scanning images and YAML instead of showing what attackers do after they get in. This talk introduces KubeDecoy – a lightweight, open-source Kubernetes honeypot built from familiar components: vcluster, Falco, Falcosidekick, and NGINX. The goal is simple: stand up a convincing fake cluster, expose realistic attack surfaces, and quietly observe how real adversaries interact with them. **19:40 - OffSec x AI : The Rise of Autonomous Pen-testing Agents** by Manav Bankatwala. As we are witnessing a shift from static security scanners to "Agentic AI", tools that don't just find signatures, but actively reason, plan, and exploit like a human hacker. This talk will explore the current state of AI in offensive security, using the open-source tool Strix as a live case study. If you would like to speak at any future Dub\|Sec\, please email us at [info@dubsec.ie](http://info@dubsec.ie/)! Join us for some drinks, food and general chat about infosec. Everyone is welcome whether you’re a pro, an amateur or just curious about the field!

Join us for an Apache Kafka® x Apache Flink® meetup on Wednesday February 25th from 6:00pm in Dublin hosted by Autodesk! **Venue:** Autodesk 1 Windmill Lane, 2nd Floor, Dublin D02 F206 **PLEASE BRING A FORM OF VALID ID AND REGISTER WITH YOUR DETAILS FOR SECURITY PURPOSES/BUILDING ACCESS. THANK YOU!** **Agenda:** * 6:00pm: Doors open * 6:00pm – 6:30pm: Food, Drinks & Networking * 6:30pm - 7:15pm: John Byrne, Sr. Manager, Partner Applied Solutions, Confluent * 7:15pm - 8:00pm: Rishayah Kumar Trivedi, Senior DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk & Douglas Hobson, Principal DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk * 8:00pm - 9:00pm: Additional Q&A and Networking **First Speaker:** John Byrne, Sr. Manager, Partner Applied Solutions, Confluent **Title of Talk:** Flink State: Design Choices You Can’t Undo *(on Confluent Cloud)* **Abstract:** A practical look at how state behaves when running Flink on Confluent Cloud, the early design decisions teams often underestimate (keyed state, TTLs, upgrades, reprocessing), and the kinds of problems that only show up months later. **Bio:** John Byrne is a Sr. Manager, Partner Applied Solutions at Confluent, the company founded by the original creators of Apache Kafka®. With a strong background in data engineering, John previously worked for Slice, Registers of Scotland, and Sopra Steria, where he specialized in event streaming, ETLs, and data governance. Passionate about GIS, mapping, and ETL processes, he has delivered talks at FOSS4G and developed production-grade ETL projects incorporating spatial data and mapping technologies. In his spare time, John enjoys playing golf and coaching his local youth rugby team. **Second Speakers:** Rishayah Kumar Trivedi, Senior DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk & Douglas Hobson, Principal DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk **Title of Talk:** To Production and Platform: Our Kafka Journey, DR Strategy, and Kafka-as-a-Service **Abstract:** In various organisations, multiple teams have historically had to build Kafka the hard way, spending months on security hardening, compliance validation, observability, and disaster recovery, often repeating the same work with inconsistent outcomes. The result is slow onboarding, duplicated effort, and operational silos that don’t scale as more streaming use cases come online. In this talk, we walk through our Kafka production journey on AWS MSK: how we began with a POC, what it really takes to make Kafka production-ready, and the key platform decisions we had to take to standardise the architecture and operations. We’ll then dive into disaster recovery for streaming applications where the hard problems aren’t just infrastructure failover, but event continuity and restoring pipelines under pressure. We’ll share our HA DR approach for Kafka-backed systems, including an active/passive regional strategy, and practical failover/failback considerations to minimise RPO/RTO. Finally, we’ll close with our Kafka-as-a-Service (KaaS) vision for Autodesk teams: self-service, policy-driven deployments and service tiers that let internal teams onboard in hours instead of months so the product teams can focus on building streaming features, while the platform provides consistent guardrails for security, reliability, and recoverability. Attendees will leave with a checklist of production-ready requirements for Kafka, a clear mental model for DR in streaming systems and a set of platform patterns for evolving towards Kafka-as-a-Service. **Bios:** **Rishayah Kumar Trivedi (Senior DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk)** Rishayah is a Senior DevOps/SRE engineer at Autodesk's data streaming and processing platform team with 9+ years of experience building scalable cloud infrastructure and automating enterprise deployments. He holds industry-recognised credentials in AWS, Kubernetes, and DevOps, and has led many initiatives improving reliability, performance, and security through Shift-left approach, IaC and CI/CD best practices. **Douglas Hobson (Principal DevOps/SRE Engineer, Autodesk)** Douglas is an accomplished Principal Devops/SRE engineer in Autodesk's data streaming and processing platform team with extensive experience in cloud architecture, infrastructure automation, and systems reliability. With a proven track record at various firms, he has led global teams in building scalable, secure, and high-performing cloud environments. Skilled in AWS, IaC, and distributed systems, Douglas is recognised for his technical leadership, problem-solving expertise, and commitment to operational excellence. \*\*\* DISCLAIMER We are unable to cater for any attendees under the age of 18. If you would like to speak or host our next event please let us know! [community@confluent.io](http://community@confluent.io/)

We are adding a few sing along songs to our Wednesdays session. You will still get the opportunity to sing as usual we are just adding some sing along songs to add something new to the session. Cotton fields back home G I'm a believer G Doesn't matter anymore G Join us for a lovely evening of music and song in a relaxed, supportive space. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, all levels of musicians and singers are very welcome. ​Performers: Space is limited to 10 performers to ensure everyone gets their time in the spotlight. Please secure your spot by booking through the app! ​Listeners: If performance spots are full, we’d still love for you to come along, listen, and soak up the atmosphere. It’s a wonderful way to build confidence and get a feel for the session. ​The Details: There is a small €2 kitty fee. As the venue hosts us for free, we kindly ask that you support the bar by purchasing a drink or two. ​A Note on Parking: The car park directly outside is convenient but strictly monitored, so please double-check the rates to avoid a €125 unclamping fee! For a stress-free evening, there are several other parking options within a 5-minute walk, including the Tesco car park (which is usually free after 6:30 PM, but do check the signs!).

**✨ Dynamic Conversations** Enjoy small-group conversations (2–3 people per table) at dedicated language tables. There will always be **English-only tables**, and every attendee rotates through these tables during the **first and last rotation**. **️ Language Stickers on Arrival** As soon as you arrive, you’ll receive: • **Native language stickers** (with flags + “native”) • **Practicing language stickers** (with flags + “practicing”) You may choose multiple practicing languages. These stickers help you join the right tables and connect with people who match your goals. ** Rotations Every 30 Minutes** Every 30 minutes, the organizer rearranges groups based on preferred languages. We aim for **bilingual tables**, ideally with at least one native or advanced speaker. If no native speakers are available, we can still create a table as long as **two people want to practice the same language**. ** Popular Languages** English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and any other language requested by at least two attendees. ** All Levels Welcome** Beginner or advanced—everyone is welcome. The only requirement is enthusiasm and willingness to communicate. ** Conversation Cards + Complimentary Fries** Need inspiration? Conversation cards are available at every table. Enjoy complimentary **fries around 8:00 PM**. ** Pay-as-you-go (Cash / Card)** • €6 General Admission • €5 Students • €4 per person when you bring friends **⭐ Loyalty Card (Automatically Activated)** Attend **4 Language Exchanges or International Meetups**, and your **5th event is FREE**. ** [Membership Options (Save € & unlock perks)](https://buymeacoffee.com/newindublin)** ** Regular Membership (€12/mo)** ✔ Free: Singles, Language Exchange, International Meetup ✔ –50%: Quizzes, Big Singles, Theme Party, Cultural Mix, Social Games, Music Challenge ✔ Extra perks ** Theme Membership (€15/mo)** ✔ Free: Quizzes, Big Singles, Theme Party, Cultural Mix, Social Games, Music Challenge ✔ –50%: Singles, Language Exchange, International Meetup ✔ Extra Perks ** Complete Membership (€20/mo)** ✔ Free access to ALL events ✔ Extra Perks ** Stay Connected** **[Linktree](https://linktr.ee/newindublin)**[ ](https://linktr.ee/newindublin)– full weekly calendar **[WhatsApp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/L8IcUuQzHVVLGaoUZ8ONRt)**[ ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/L8IcUuQzHVVLGaoUZ8ONRt)– reminders & updates **[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/newindublinmeetup)**[ ](https://www.facebook.com/newindublinmeetup)– photos & highlights **[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/newindublinmeetups/)**[ ](https://www.instagram.com/newindublinmeetups/)– stories & behind-the-scenes **[Website](https://newindublin.net/)**[ ](https://newindublin.net/)– all information about our events ** Join Us!** A fun, relaxed evening full of languages, new people, and confidence-building conversations. **RSVP now! **

Get over the mid week slump and come down to meet some new faces and relax. We try and go to a different bar every week and you can join us anytime after 18:30. **How to find the group?** \*We have an area reserved just for us so if you are new and unsure please ask any of the bar staff for the area reserved under the organisers name or if completely lost on the night please contact the event host and they'll come and find you. **How does it work?** \*After finding the group either the organiser will approach you and ask if you are looking for the meetup or you can just ask anyone "Is this the meetup?" and normally that is a great conversation opener to join the group. After that it's up to you what you make of the event. That is pretty much it. Easy right? We normally encourage people to stand as it's much easier to mingle that way. **Nervous about coming to the event?** \*While it's quite intimidating meeting a bunch of strangers from the internet we are a very welcoming group. We normally look out for new people and remember that everyone in the group has been new in the group at one point. If are you'd like extra help just contact the event host on the night. **Interested in helping out?** \*Let me (Éamonn) know as it would be greatly appreciated. **Something happened?** \*Please report it to the organiser as we cannot do anything to prevent it from happening again if we don't know about it. Even if it's something small please let the organiser know as they are probably unaware. We aim to have the location up by Monday afternoon before the event. The bars we go to are all based in the city centre. **See you on Wednesday!**

**Disrupt Dublin returns on 26 February 2026, bringing sharp ideas and real conversations about the future of work.** Expect big bold ideas, brilliant conversations, and a room full of people who do not just talk about change, they build it. **[REGISTER THROUGH EVENTBRITE HERE](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/disrupt-dublin-returns-february-26-2026-tickets-1976595846385)** What happens when you mix TED, Ignite, and a truth serum that removes all corporate gloss? You get Disrupt Dublin, a rapid-fire, idea-packed, community-powered evening. Speakers have five minutes. Twenty slides that automatically advance. Straightforward insights that challenge how we design work, lead teams, and shape talent in 2026 and beyond. If TED talks finally cut to the point and said what everyone is really thinking, this would be it. ### Why Attend **Get Energised** Ten big ideas delivered in a single evening. Hear from HR leaders, founders, researchers, and workplace innovators redefining the world of work. **Stay Ahead of the Curve** Discover how organisations are rewriting playbooks on culture, AI, talent, leadership, skills, and employee experience. **Expand Your Circle** This is the first Disrupt summit in Dublin since the Pandemic! Join us to celebrate the relaunch and rub shoulders (gently) with forward-thinkers from HR, Talent, Tech, People Ops, L&D, Consulting, and Leadership. These are the conversations that spark partnerships, job offers, and fresh opportunities. ### Agenda for 26 February 2026 5:00 to 6:00 Registration and Networking Drinks, canapés, and first connections. 6:00 to 6:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks Settle in. Things are about to get lively. 6:15 to 7:00 Lightning Talks Round One Fast, fearless five-minute sessions from inspiring voices in the workplace space. 7:00 to 7:15 Break Refresh. Decompress. Debate. 7:15 to 8:00 Lightning Talks Round Two More ideas. More energy. More “I am stealing that for Monday.” 8:00 to 8:30 Wrap Up and Final Networking Because the best conversations usually happen after the talks end. ### Speakers Speakers will be announced soon. ### Ready to Disrupt Dublin? If you are hungry for fresh thinking, curious about new possibilities, or tired of the same old workplace conversations, this event is for you. Join us for an evening that sparks action, connection, and meaningful change across the world of work.

Welcome to a vibrant community created just for women who are ready to connect, explore, and thrive together as friends! This group is all about bringing solo women together in a fun, and welcoming space where new friendships are formed through doing different activities together. **For details on this event and to get your ticket, click on Eventbrite link:** https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/womens-social-circle-make-new-friends-bowling-games-tickets-1982699698170?aff=oddtdtcreator You can get your ticket in the link above if you’re on the RSVP or waitlist. 1st come, 1st serve basis. **Important information:** Strict ticket event. Tickets will be scanned at check in. **Do not show up without an Eventbrite ticket.** Please bring ID in case the doorman ask you for proof of age. Minimum age to attend is 23. RSVPs are not a true representation of the people attending. By joining this event, you accept our T&Cs, check them out on our website: Yinyangevents.ie **[Follow us on Insta: Yinyangeventsireland](https://www.instagram.com/yinyangeventsireland/)**

**Hello Salseras and Salseros,** Due to overwhelming demand.... I will be running a **SALSA CALIENTE PARTY on SATURDAY, The 28TH OF FEBRUARY 2026, at THE TEACHERS CLUB, 36 PARNELL SQUARE WEST, DUBLIN 1** I would like to offer the opportunity to all Salseras and Salseros of Ireland to dance to all types of salsa music with great beats and rhythm. When we have a guest Teacher or guest DJ appearing I will let you know in advance so you don’t miss out….. So come along as you know the Salsa dance floor is a place of pleasure, leisure and for filling all your senses. As I always say “SALSA IS A BIG FAMILY”… DRESS CODE: DRESS TO IMPRESS…DRESS TO IMPRESS **BACHATA WORKSHOP WITH: JUAN GONZALEZ (BEYOND DANCE)** **7:30pm - 8:30pm: SHARP** **SALSA WORKSHOP WITH: DON ALI C & KASIA** **8:30pm – 9:30pm: SHARP: SALSA - OPEN LEVEL** **1 CLASS: 15€ + PARTY (CASH ONLY)** **2 CLASSES: 20€ + PARTY (CASH ONLY)** **PARTY ONLY: 10€ (CASH ONLY)** **PARTY: 9.30pm – 12:30am...COME EARLY TO ENJOY OLD & NEW TUNES.** MUSIC HOUSE: SALSA (Classica, Moderna, Dura, Cubana) / GUAGUANCO / MAMBO /PACHANGA/ BACHATA / MERENGUE / CHA CHA CHA / ZOUK / KIZOMBA / AND MANY MORE... Looking forward to seeing you all once again on Saturday the 28th of February 2026. “ONE GOOD THING ABOUT MUSIC, WHEN IT HITS YOU, YOU FEEL NO PAIN”. MUSIC IS THE FOOD OF THE SOUL, AND DANCE, THE DRINK OF THE HEART..... "" If you are addicted to good music and crazy about Salsa, bring your shoes and come to dance"" \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* SALSA FUEL FOR THE SOUL\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* DJ LEO \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

After work drinks… but with arcade games, karaoke, and darts. Friday 27th February at Token Come unwind, play, sing, sip. in token: Custom House Square, Unit 4 Mayor Street Lower, North Wall, Dublin 1, D01 DE47

Hello, Let's attend together the book launch at Books Upstairs Please find below the event description: ## The Stoney Collection Book Launch Join us for a cozy Sunday matinee of wine and stories — celebrating 24 emerging Dublin writers featured in our new book: The Stoney Collection, Volume 2. Settle in at the oldest bookshop in Dublin, sip some wine, mingle with fellow book lovers, and listen to some of the short stories and poems from our contributing writers. Grab your ticket and don’t miss your chance to spend a Sunday afternoon hearing debut local writers unveil their Make sure to make the booking here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-stories-matinee-the-stoney-collection-book-launch-tickets-1978843230371](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-stories-matinee-the-stoney-collection-book-launch-tickets-1978843230371) Event agenda: 01:45 AM - 02:15 PM ### ARRIVAL: MIX & MINGLE 02:15 PM ### MC KICKOFF: Paul Carreo for PC Studios Publishing ### Some gratitudes for local literature & writing communities - Lorna Keane ### Four Stories : Selected work from The Stoney Collection (40 Min) 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM ### MEET THE WRITERS & ASK ABOUT THE BOOK After the event we can go to Doyles pub across the road for drinks and food.

## Overview Networking event for aspiring school leaders interested in building their own high-quality K-12 public school in their community. **About the Event:** Aspiring school founders in the Columbus, OH, area are invited to join us for this special in-person networking event where you will be able to ask questions, learn more about the BES Fellowship and make sure you are prepared for the application process and beyond. In addition to meeting like-minded leaders who are also committed to transforming education and bringing a high-quality K-12 option to their community, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our team and gain special insights from Dr. Chaundria Smith, BES Senior Director of Fellowship Coaching, who works closely to support BES Fellows. During this event, you can also learn more about the various regions across Ohio we are prioritizing for the BES Fellowship to ensure that new schools will respond to the needs of their community. **About the BES Fellowship:** Leaders in the BES Fellowship embark on a multi-year process to design, found, and lead an excellent K-12 public school that reflects and responds to community needs. We are currently accepting applications to the 2026 BES Fellowship. The extended deadline is March 30, and the 2026 Cohort will begin August 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Learn more at [bes.org/fellowship](http://bes.org/fellowship "http://bes.org/fellowship").

#### Turning Rentals Into Income: How Investors Pay Off Properties Faster #### **Featuring Guest Speaker: John Blackburn** ** Get your FREE TICKET [HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/turning-rentals-into-income-how-investors-pay-off-properties-faster-tickets-1980492192461?aff=cicmeetupapp)** #### A lot of people get into real estate because they want freedom. Then they buy a rental…and realize most of the rent goes straight to the bank. They technically own property, but the mortgage controls the income. And waiting 30 years for properties to be paid off doesn’t feel realistic. This meetup is about understanding a different way to think about rental properties… one that focuses on paying them off sooner so the income is actually usable. **Featured Guest Speaker: John Blackburn** We’re excited to welcome John Blackburn as our guest speaker for this event. John has been actively investing in real estate since 2006 and has: * Been involved in **5,000+ real estate transactions** * Helped investors **acquire over $150 million in rental property** * **Raised more than $100 million** in private capital John didn’t start with family money or shortcuts. He built his portfolio by focusing on clear systems, real numbers, and long-term strategy. For this meetup, John will walk through how investors shift their focus from simply owning rentals to building properties that eventually pay them…without a mortgage attached. **What You’ll Learn** John will break down, in simple terms: * Why most rental properties don’t produce much usable income early on * Why buying more rentals isn’t always the answer * How investors structure their properties to pay off mortgages in a fraction of the time * How properties can work together to eliminate debt faster * What changes once rentals become free and clear This approach is often referred to as an accelerated paydown strategy — using rental income intentionally to reduce debt sooner, rather than waiting decades for mortgages to run their course. John will also share a simple calculator you can use to see how this works with real numbers and realistic scenarios. **The Core Idea** When a rental has a mortgage, the rent has one job: **pay the bank.** When a rental is paid off, the rent has a different job: **pay you.** Most people only see one timeline…30 years. This session shows how investors shorten that timeline and gradually increase their income as properties become free and clear. **Who This Event Is For** This event is for people who want more than just “owning rentals” on paper. * Rental owners who are tired of most of the rent going to the bank and want a clearer path to real, usable income * New investors who want to understand how rental properties actually build wealth over time before jumping in * People with capital who want to invest in real estate with intention and a long-term plan * Anyone serious about freedom and curious how rental properties transition from debt-heavy assets into income-producing ones **Event Details** **Location:** Ohio Brewing Company - 421 E 2nd Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 **Date & Time:** January 25th, 6–8 PM (Doors open at 5:30) **Cost:** Free (Seats are limited - RSVP required) ** Get your FREE TICKET [HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/turning-rentals-into-income-how-investors-pay-off-properties-faster-tickets-1980492192461?aff=cicmeetupapp)** If you’ve ever wondered how rental properties actually turn into freedom —this is the room to be in.

It’s time to take control of your mental health. How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp.

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).

**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 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec-Kit: From Intent to Implementation* Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects. **YouTube Link** TBA