IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

Hello Infracoders! Please join us to talk about anything related to infrastructure as code. Thoughtworks Australia have kindly offered to host the Infracoders meetup and will supply food and beverages. To speed up the office checkin you can pre-register with Thoughtworks here **[https://g.vkda.co/x/xa1puzPKhHQ8bYRb](https://g.vkda.co/x/xa1puzPKhHQ8bYRb)** We usually have 2 technical talks per meetup. We start at 6pm and will be finished by 8pm. Please note there's a quick electronic sign-in process at Reception when you arrive at the office. Presentation 1 **"Cut dev cycles from hours to seconds"** \- Dan Baker\, MetalBear\. Have you ever made a one line code change and then waited 30 minutes for a CI run to test it in a staging environment? Test changes instantly using mirrord, an open source project that allows you to run code locally, but in the context of a Kubernetes cluster. Presentation 2 **"Terraform vs GitOps - comparing two philosophies of deploying Kubernetes infrastructure."** \- Angus McInnes\, REA\. A Kubernetes-based compute platform involves many interdependent components deployed into a Kubernetes cluster. One approach to deploying such a platform is using Terraform, which tracks dependencies between components and deploys them in the appropriate order. Another approach is to follow a GitOps philosophy, storing Kubernetes manifests in a Git repository and using ArgoCD to continuously synchronise the state of the cluster with the repository. I'll demonstrate and compare these two approaches. If you'd like to present please contact infracoders organisers via Meetup with a * talk topic * one paragraph description * estimate of the time you'll need (20 minutes or shorter is best) As always, please update your RSVP as your availability changes. All venues have space considerations for safety and comfort of Infracoders. Please contact the organisers if you'd like to present a topic relevant to the group or host a meetup at your office.

🎟️ **TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVENT -- [CLICK HERE FOR THE TICKETS](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/founder-connect-with-hummingbird-ventures-tickets-1975893873766?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl)** 🎟️ An honest fireside chat on startups, venture and investing, sharing lessons founders and investors usually learn the hard way. Join The Startup Network for a special Founder Connect featuring a **book launch** and in-conversation session with [Sohum](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohum-raut-7112383b/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohum-raut-7112383b/"), founder of [Hummingbird Ventures](https://www.hummingbird.vc/ "https://www.hummingbird.vc/") and [SR Developments](https://www.srdevelopments.com.au/ "https://www.srdevelopments.com.au/") alongside [Max Kausman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxkausman/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxkausman/"), founder of [Advance VC](https://www.advancevc.com/ "https://www.advancevc.com/"). This **fireside** will be marking the release of a new four-part book series on building technology startups and navigating venture capital. This event brings together founders, operators, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs for an evening of insight, conversation, and connection. Learn more about the books here: [https://books.by/sohum](https://books.by/sohum "https://books.by/sohum") **About the Event** After more than 15 years of writing on startup building and venture funding, Sohum is publishing his work into a series of four books focused on the realities of building, scaling, and funding technology companies. This Founder Connect will double as an official book launch, paired with a fireside-style conversation exploring the key themes from the books, lessons learned across cycles of startups and capital, and practical insights founders can apply today. Expect an open, honest discussion grounded in real experience, followed by networking with the TSN community. Learn more about the books here: [https://books.by/sohum](https://books.by/sohum "https://books.by/sohum") **What You’ll Get** ● Book Launch of Sohum’s four-part startup and venture capital series ● Founder conversation on building tech companies, funding, and long-term thinking ● Audience Q&A with practical, founder-focused discussion ● Networking with founders, operators, investors, and ecosystem builders ● Food and drinks provided **About the Speakers** **[Sohum](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohum-raut-7112383b/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohum-raut-7112383b/"), Founder, [Hummingbird Ventures](https://www.hummingbird.vc/ "https://www.hummingbird.vc/") and [SR Developments](https://www.srdevelopments.com.au/ "https://www.srdevelopments.com.au/")** Sohum has been a rockstar writing and doing gigs to millions of people, built apps that were the most popular in the country, had his work featured front page in most mainstream newspapers and every major magazine he can think of including Forbes, CBS, Reuters, Canal+, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald which led to the creation of Melbourne’s free tram zone used by 4 million people each week. He's founded a tech startup that develops real estate (SR Developments), an investment firm (Hummingbird Ventures) and write a popular blog (Sohum.com). He angel invests in startups and as an LP in VC funds where he's backed over 100 startups and more than 10 unicorns. He has a degree in computer science and an MBA from RMIT. In 2015, he was regarded as one of the most influential young people under the age of 30 in Australia. **[Max Kausman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxkausman/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxkausman/"), Founder, [Advance VC](https://www.advancevc.com/ "https://www.advancevc.com/")** Max is a VC investor, advisor, startup operator, and community builder. He’s been investing in VC since 2020, both at Tidal Ventures where he helped deploy over $20M, and as an angel. He is also a co-founder of the J Combinator tech community. He’s previously worked in a VC backed startup and in advisory roles at Bain & Company and Vesparum Capital. https://www.advancevc.com/ **When & Where** Tuesday 10 February 6:00pm – 8:00pm The Commons, QV, Melbourne **Who Should Attend** ● Startup founders and co-founders ● Early-stage operators and builders ● Aspiring entrepreneurs and students ● Investors and ecosystem participants ● Anyone interested in building technology companies the right way ### 🎟️ **Join Us!** 🎟️ Dive into the world of emerging technologies and gain essential skills for your startup journey at our Founder Connect event. Secure your spot today for an experience filled with opportunities, inspiration, and potential collaborations that could shape your future in tech 👩‍💼👨‍💼. While the event is open to all, becoming a member of The Startup Network gives you access to exclusive events, resources, and a supportive community. Join us today and make the most of your entrepreneurial journey! We can’t wait to connect with you on February 10th 🗓️! Let’s envision the future together ✨.

While there is plenty of advice available out there about public speaking, we think the best way to gain confidence is to practice and learn by doing, in a fun, friendly forum over dinner. Gourmet Toastmasters is set in the familiar and comforting soundings of a restaurant. We meet monthly, on the second Tuesday of each month, upstairs at the Malvernvale Hotel. We have a range of supportive club members from beginners looking to improve their public speaking, through to long term experienced Toastmasters, who impart their gift of knowledge and experience for all club members. Guests are more than welcome to visit the club, so come along, make new friends, learn from others and experience their journey. **Date:** The second Tuesday of each month **Time:** 6:30pm - 9.30pm **Location:** Malvervale Hotel 1321 Malvern Rd, Malvern As we are located in a restaurant we have a set cost of $40 for a 2 course meal, and bookings are essential. So please email [contact@gourmettoastmasters.org](mailto:contact@gourmettoastmasters.org) to find out more. We hope to see you for dinner!

Visitors and newcomers are very welcome, please see https://hackmelbourne.com/newcomer-faq/ for more details. COVIDSafe restrictions are also in place, please see https://hackmelbourne.com/covid-19-restrictions/ for the latest. Short walk from Glenferrie train station. Car parking at Hawthorn town hall. Bring a laptop and a project you are working on. There is also a number of group projects that you are welcome to join in. We have starter kits for Arduino, a couple of 3D printers, various tools and equipment available for use. Typically our sessions run from 6:45pm till later in the evening (depending on our members' availability to close) but if you're new please come early.

**Estrela do Mar** Inc is a Not-for-Profit organisation and this is a ticketed event, however don't let the investment be in your way, **please reach out** if you are experiencing financial difficulties to learn how can you contribute. Find out more at **[our](maracatu.org.au)** website. Workshops are held every Tuesday night at the Multicultural Hub in Melbourne, opposite the Vic Market. As the front door is locked after hours, please walk to Victoria Street, and turn right. You will find the door to Maracatu workshops on the right hand side just after Yarn Strong Sista. We teach **rhythm, song & movement** at regular workshops. Our style is traced through the lineage of groups (or "nations") such as **Maracatu Aurora Africana, Maracatu** **Estrela Brilhante**, **Maracatu** **Leão Coroado**, and others. We share a **living tradition of maracatu locally** to promote **social inclusion, break cultural barriers, and facilitate community building** & **engagement**. * **No musical experience** is required * **All instruments provided** * Not suitable for **children** Come along to learn & play this exhilarating rhythm. Please arrive at 6.25pm. The workshop will start at 6.30pm. \*\*Tickets: [https://events.humanitix.com/maracatu**](https://events.humanitix.com/maracatu**) $30 workshop or $20 concession Packages and Membership available

Enjoy breakfast, brunch or something at all day eatery

Hi Architects, Welcome to our first AWS Melbourne Well-Architected User Group Meetup for 2026, including more exceptional speakers and topics! :-D At each meetup we covered off various pillars in detail, best-practices and insights from industry leaders that specialise in the Well-Architected Framework. And giving away drones, of course. Lots of drones. Our speakers this month include: * **Mystery Speaker** **Can Cost Optimisation Improve your other pillars?** In this talk, we'll go through whether Cost Optimisation can improve your security, operational excellence, reliability, etc. and more importantly, how (spoiler alert - it can but it will be an interesting exploration). This month's menu will include: * Pizzas * Beer: Nastro Azzurro * Wine: Big and red 🤤 NB: Please check in up the stairs from the ground floor to the Mezzanine Level. So come join us at 5:30 for a 6pm **SHARP** start, followed by beer, wine, pizza and friendly networking after our talks :-)

AWS Programming and Tools is hosting a special Kiro Night, a practical, fun, and fully hands on learning event focused on the Kiro Agentic IDE. This session is designed to be interactive and engaging, with two learning paths to choose from. A guided path will walk through the fundamentals, while an active path will have you building an application end to end. Whichever you choose, you will be coding along throughout the session. Expect a relaxed, builder friendly atmosphere with food and drinks provided. Perfect for anyone curious about agentic development or looking to learn Kiro in a practical way with the community. Bring your laptop and be ready to get hands on.

**Would you like to improve at public speaking, in a fun, supportive environment?** Come along to Toastmasters to learn how to write and deliver speeches, and have fun doing it! Please visit [www.maccabitoastmasters.org.au](http://www.maccabitoastmasters.org.au/) and register your interest to attend in person via the **Contact Us** tab on the webpage. We kindly ask that you arrive on time to avoid any disruption to the meeting. **About Maccabi Toastmasters** Maccabi Toastmasters encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to overcome public speaking nerves and to become confident and accomplished speakers! * Would you like to improve your public speaking and presentation skills for work or school? * How about overcoming the anxiety and challenge of providing constructive feedback and performance evaluations at work? * Maybe you're looking to change jobs and would like to brush up on your communication skills and really impress the interviewer? * Are you feeling anxious about an up-and-coming speech you have to give at a special event? A Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah, Engagement Party or Corporate function? * Would you like to improve leadership skills? * Maybe you're just looking to have fun by sharing your thoughts and stories in a entertaining and friendly social environment? If you answered YES or MAYBE to any of the above, then you've found the right club! Join us at our next meeting and see how friendly and entertaining our club is. Just come along and have some fun! **What to know before attending a meeting** Please **visit www.maccabitoastmasters.org.au/directions.html** for meeting information and directions. Our website is a great starting place to find out more about the club and what to expect when attending your first meeting. To assist us in running the meetings smoothly, we kindly ask you register your interest at least one day before attending. Please note that video recording of the meeting or speaker is not allowed, with exception granted only by written permission from the club executive committee.

Hello everyone! Join us for an Apache Kafka® x Apache Flink® meetup on **Feb 12th from 5:30pm**, in Melbourne! The address, agenda, and speaker information can be found below. See you there! **📍Venue**: 394 High Street Northcote, Victoria 3070 \*\*\* **🗓 Agenda:** * 5:30pm: Doors open * 5:30pm - 6:00pm: Pizza, Drinks, and Networking * 6:00pm - 6:30pm: Haswin Vidanage, Senior Product Engineer, Papercut Software * 6:30pm - 7:00pm: Zhengwen Peng, Staff Technical Support Engineer, Confluent * 7:00pm - 7:30pm: Additional Networking \*\*\* **💡 Speaker:** Haswin Vidanage, Senior Product Engineer, Papercut Software **Talk:** Incremental Microservices Migration Using Change Data Capture (CDC) **Abstract:** This session will focus on how teams can migrate to microservices without disrupting their roadmaps. **Bio:** Haswin Vidanage is a Senior Product Engineer, Papercut Software. With over ten years of experience in full-stack development and microservices architecture, Haswin is passionate about designing scalable software solutions, advocating for engineering best practices, and enhancing developer productivity. \-\-\-\-\- **💡 Speaker:** Zhengwen Peng, Staff Technical Support Engineer, Confluent **Talk:** All you need to know about Kafka Transaction **Abstract:** In this session, we will be covering: 1. Why we need Kafka transaction. 2. How it works under the hood. 3. Some facts that the developer should be aware. **Bio:** Zhengwen is the staff technical support engineer at Confluent where he possess a wide and in-depth knowledge with Confluent’s products, particularly on data streaming with Flink and Kafka. \*\*\* If you would like to speak or host our next event please let us know! community@[confluent.io](http://confluent.io/)

Join the Docker Melb Crew for a deep dive into the next frontier of AI: **Agentic Systems**. We are moving beyond simple chatbots to discuss how to build, containerize, and deploy autonomous agents that can plan, reason, and act. This session brings together Melbourne’s engineers and architects to discuss the unique challenges of running multi-agent workflows. We will explore how containerization provides the isolation and scalability needed for complex agentic architectures. **🚀 Powered by: The DGX Spark** We will demonstrate what happens when Agentic AI meets extreme compute. See how agent workloads perform when accelerated by the **NVIDIA DGX Spark** (GB10 Blackwell / CUDA 13). We will look less at the metal and more at how this level of throughput unlocks real-time reasoning and massive parallel agent execution and prototyping. **📅 Agenda:** * **Networking & Food:** Connect with the local AI and Cloud-Native community. * **Topic 1:** **Prototyping Local AI Agents with Docker and DGX Spark** Learn how to use the Docker ecosystem to build private, powerful AI agents that live on your own hardware, by [Thiago Shimada Ramos](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thiago4go/), Docker Captain * **Topic 2: First Steps with Containers** Short, fast-paced lightning talks from new Docker users sharing their first projects. * **Containerised ELT Architecture** * *Speaker:* [Rodrigues Lopes](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigueslopesdataarchiect/), Data Architect (D2i Consulting) * *What you will learn:* A real-world guide to Modern Data Architecture * **Socializing:** Huge networking opportunity to discuss your AI stacks. **📍 Logistics:** * **Date:** Thursday, February 12, 2026 * **Location:** Microsoft Office, Melbourne * **Time:** 5:30 PM (Doors Open) **Who should attend?** AI Engineers, DevOps professionals, and System Architects looking to build and scale autonomous agent systems using modern container standards.

RSVP at https://www.meetup.com/melbourne-docker-user-group/events/312985492/ Join the Docker Melb Crew for a deep dive into the next frontier of AI: **Agentic Systems**. We are moving beyond simple chatbots to discuss how to build, containerize, and deploy autonomous agents that can plan, reason, and act. This session brings together Melbourne’s engineers and architects to discuss the unique challenges of running multi-agent workflows. We will explore how containerization provides the isolation and scalability needed for complex agentic architectures. **🚀 Powered by: The DGX Spark** We will demonstrate what happens when Agentic AI meets extreme compute. See how agent workloads perform when accelerated by the **NVIDIA DGX Spark** (GB10 Blackwell / CUDA 13). We will look less at the metal and more at how this level of throughput unlocks real-time reasoning and massive parallel agent execution and prototyping.

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, join us at the Atlassian Melbourne office for an Atlassian Community Event exploring modern service management - and why the best service experiences feel a lot like great relationships. In the coming months, customers using Jira Service Management (JSM) will automatically get access to the ‘Service Collection’!  This will be rolled out in phases from February to June. 2026 If you’re already using JSM, this session will help you understand what’s included and how to make the most of it. We’ll explore the Service Collection and how Jira Service Management (JSM) and Rovo AI support modern, human‑centred service teams. Tools included in the Service Collection Jira Service Management (JSM)AssetsCustomer ServiceRovo AI We’ll keep this high‑level and practical, focusing on how these tools come together rather than diving into detailed configuration. Who should attend This event is ideal for: Executive Customer Service Desk Leaders ITSM practitioners Enterprise Service Management (ESM) teams Operations & Support Managers Service & Delivery Leads Atlassian Administrators People, HR, Legal, Facilities & Internal Services teams Anyone using or exploring JSM and AI‑enabled service delivery Presenters Chloe Martin – Senior Solution Engineer, Service Collection Micky Rathod – Senior Solution Engineer, Service Collection Host Michelle Letho – Head of Partnership & Strategic Growth, Willyama Togetha (Atlassian Partner) Details: Date: 11 Feb, 2026 5:30pm – Arrival, drinks & nibbles, Valentine’s‑themed service icebreaker, group photo 6:00–7:00pm – Presentation & Q&A 7:00–7:30pm – Networking Spots are limited – RSVP required. Agenda --- Hosted By Mit Tolia, Atlassian practice & capability lead With 20 years of consulting experience, I specialize in helping organizations leverage Agile and technology to drive business outcomes. Passionate about Agile Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools, I work with enterprises to implement Atlassian solutions that foster business agility, enhance collaboration, and provide meaningful insights for informed decision-making. As an Atlassian geek, my expertise spans the entire Atlassian ecosystem, with a focus on Enterprise Strategy & Planning, Cloud Migrations, and Agile Scaling. I have extensive experience in implementing Jira Align, Jira, Confluence, and Jira Service Management (JSM)—helping teams optimize workflows, inculcate the right behaviors, and scale Agile practices from the team level to enterprise-wide adoption. Always eager to explore new possibilities in the Atlassian space, I thrive on enabling organizations to build adaptive, customer-centric solutions that embrace the future of work and to build communities to constantly learn from each other. Bonnie Emmerson, Atlassian Community Champion Andy Fleming, Atlassian Community Champion Michelle Letho, Account Executive & Networking Junkie Michelle (Miche) Letho is the Melbourne Atlassian Community Event (ACE) Champion and an Account Executive at Willyama Togetha, Australia’s only Indigenous-owned Atlassian Platinum Partner. She helps organisations imagine, build, and scale better ways of working through Atlassian solutions that boost collaboration, visibility, and impact. A member of the Transformers Unite leadership team, Miche supports national change and transformation events that bring practitioners together to learn and share. With a career spanning tech, FMCG, a Startup founder and consulting, she blends commercial know-how with curiosity and heart. If she's not at networking events, outside work, she keeps busy ubering teens at calisthenics and netball. and recharges through yoga, Pilates and hiking. --- Global Partner Atlassian (http://atlassian.com) Millions of users globally rely on Atlassian products every day for improving software development, project management, collaboration, and code quality. For over a decade, Atlassian customers have come together to network, share ideas, solve problems, and find new ways to use Atlassian products. Today, more than 15,000 people take part in Atlassian community events in more than 30 countries. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-melbourne-presents-service-collection-hearts-tickets-amp-happy-teams/.

### 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/)

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

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! For this event, we’ll help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents, wash dishes and clean surfaces at Fath Mission – Grant Kitchen. We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “Create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. Our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:15am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1, indicated in the attached map. On-site and street parking are available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: \* LSS Volunteer Guidelines: Uploaded to photos. \* Parking Map Info: Uploaded to photos. \* LSS Faith Mission Orientation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp46_6ay6iA \* Link with Additional Details / Info: https://lss.vomo.org/opportunity/faith-mission-grant-kitchen-2025 IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing the all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With very few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. THANK YOU: This CMG Gives Back event provides an opportunity for YOU to get involved in helping others! Benefits go well beyond the help we give to others. Volunteering provides a wide range of personal benefits, including positive effects on mental and physical health, reduced stress/depression/anxiety, increased happiness and improved purpose, life-satisfaction and personal well-being! Plus, the opportunity to get involved, connect with others and help those in need. PARTNER AGENCY: This event is hosted by Lutheran Social Services (LSS), which serves thousands of people in need each day in 27 Ohio counties by addressing the four core societal issues of food, shelter, safety and healing. LSS offers food through the LSS Food Pantries, housing and supportive services through LSS Faith Mission and LSS Faith Mission of Fairfield County homeless shelters, domestic violence services through LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, senior living and health care, affordable housing communities, and other services that uplift families and strengthen communities. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

I love my job and one of the main things I do is help customers get going with any of the data technologies at Microsoft. Right now there are a lot of my customers asking about Microsoft Fabric. It's hard to weave across all the shiny new options across the Fabric landscape, let alone figure out where it fits into your organization. In this session we'll focus on answering one question - how can I get data into Fabric? We'll talk through the "it depends" options and see some of the options in live demos.

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.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBA

**People Analytics 101: Making Sense of Compensation Data** Compensation data is one of the most widely used and widely misunderstood forms of people analytics. The session will cover where compensation data comes from, including market pricing data, internal payroll data, and benchmarking sources, and how companies think about structuring and analyzing that information. We will explore how compensation data is leveraged to set salary ranges, manage internal equity, support hiring and retention, and align pay with business strategy. A portion of the session will address common data challenges and limitations, such as market noise, inconsistent job matching, and incomplete datasets, while keeping the primary focus on practical use rather than technical depth. The session will also look ahead at where the space is going, including the growing impact of pay transparency laws, expanding pay equity requirements, and emerging regulations in the US and Europe that require organizations to report on gender and pay gaps. The goal is to give attendees a clear mental model for how compensation analytics works today and why getting it right is becoming increasingly critical. (note: we are back at Rev1 this month!) **About Our Speaker** [Alex Moore](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexscottmoore/) is the founder of [Moore Cooperative](https://moorecooperative.com/), where he advises organizations on compensation strategy, pay equity, and people analytics. His work focuses on helping organizations like the Ohio Supreme Court design, analyze, and communicate compensation systems that are data-informed, defensible, and aligned with organizational goals. Alex lives in Granville, Ohio and has three little kiddos. More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)