Internet Professionals

You can now join us for some friendly Badminton games on Wednesdays too! All levels welcome! IMPORTANT: in order to secure your place you’ll need to both book a spot on Meetup AND pay €8 by Sunday 18h00. This is to make sure we can cancel courts if demand isn’t there, and make sure we’re being fair to people on the waiting list. Refunds will only be possible after Monday AM if another player is definitely able to take your spot Always worth joining our Whatsapp group as well for faster, often better, updates: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FTipqtyIwcZLThbw8KpQtZ?mode=gi_t

[Grab your ticket here! 🎟️ 🔗](https://luma.com/ftst5brussels) Maybe in the end, it's mostly about the friends we make along the way, and the moments we get to share in connection... 🧀 but true! **📦 WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?** FTST is an out-of-the-box **social experience** where strangers come together for an afternoon of meaningful, fun, and deep conversation. It’s also a different & cool way of meeting new people by getting a bit out of your comfort zone and skipping the small talk! Join us for **games**, **talks**, and **connections** with **friends you haven’t met yet**. Join if you get annoyed after being asked what you do, where you are from, and how long you've been in Brussels every single time you meet someone. If you feel that there are better questions in life, this is the place for you. 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** We start with a short & sweet intro talk followed by a few light-hearted group games to warm up. After that, we split you up into small groups and start with the conversation rounds (with 3-4 people). We'll have awesome question cards that will guide the flow of the conversation. You'll be guided by an experienced host who'll make sure everything goes smoothly. 🍭 **🕹 HOW TO JOIN?** **[Take 1 minute to sign up 👈](https://luma.com/ftst5brussels)** Our events are **limited to 30 handpicked guests** to ensure a cozy atmosphere. **Confirm your spot on the link above** to make it happen! We prioritize a balance of gender and age. If you're invited you'll receive a confirmation within 48 hours via Luma (our ticketing platform) NOTE: We won't validate your payment unless you've been accepted! (which you most likely will ❤️) **Sold out or can't make it?** [Drop us your email ](https://epicllama.myflodesk.com/brussels)and we'll keep you in the loop for the next one! 😎 **🧧 HOW MUCH IS IT?** The cost to attend is €15 (early bird) or €18 (general), and includes the following: ⏰ 3 hours of facilitated and curated activities 🙌🏽 Access to the Llamas in Brussels WhatsApp community 👥 A space to meet new people in the least boring way possible 💛 Supporting our mission to spread human connection events around the world *(🎫 also includes those annoying ticket fees!)* **🌳 WHERE IS IT?** We host our events in awesome bars & parks across the city. *We only **reveal the location** upon confirmation.* **💛 WHAT THEY SAY** 🗣 “This is the kind of activity **humanity needs every weekend**. Thank you for all.” - *Sonya* 🗣 “F\*ck the Small Talk changes the narrative from "Where are you from?" to "When was the last time you laughed uncontrollably?" and I think that's beautiful.” - Monika 🗣 "It’s a **wonderful** **experience**, it’s like being a kid again, when you were at the park, playing with other kids, and just decided you were going to be best friends for the next hours. Maybe you’ll never see those kids again. But that hour was amazing because you both opened up and trusted each other." - Sara **[Read our 130+ Google reviews here 👈](https://goo.gl/maps/TpZy77bfPFkGoikn7)** **🤓 FAQ** **• Can I come alone?** Of course, we encourage it :) **• Can I be late?** Please don't! Late arrivals will disrupt the floooooooow. **• I signed up but never got an invite. Why?** We usually get a high volume of sign-ups yet we like to keep it cozy & only invite around 30 people. Please try again next time if you do not receive an invite - no hard feelings 💛 **• Why do you charge?** We value our time and put a lot of love, planning, and effort into creating & designing these experiences. ♥️ This is our project/business and what we give to the world and we think everything should be a fair exchange! 🎈 However, money should never be the reason for people not to attend. If you can’t afford it send us a message! **• Is this a networking or dating event?** Nope! Think of us as the\* anti-networking *and* anti-speed dating *event. There’s no pressure, no pitches, and no cringy icebreakers. Instead, we create spaces where strangers can connect through fun & meaningful conversations. It’s all about authentic connection—no business cards or romantic expectations required. (doesn’t mean it* can’t \*happen—it’s just not the intention!) 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨, 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙. ✨ \* Location is only revealed to ticket holders! 🙅‍♀️📱This event is a no-phone experience. 🙅‍♀️📱 We started in Berlin back in 2019 out of the frustration of being asked 'Where are you from?' multiple times at every single meetup! Now there are chapters in 15 cities including Medellin, Lisbon, Buenos Aires, Zurich, and London! 🗺️ \*\*\* Follow us on[ Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/epic.llama/)👈 Our [website](https://epicllama.com/fuckthesmalltalk)[ ](https://epicllama.com/)👈

Small curated movie nights in a hidden garden in Ixelles, next to Place Flagey. A mix of: * **cult classics** * **recent movies** * **international cinema** * **comedy nights** * **karaoke & dubbing chaos nights** * **comfort food and summer vibes** **This is not a giant public Meetup** where 40 strangers stand awkwardly around overpriced drinks pretending networking is fun. Humanity already suffered enough. Our idea is simple: we gather in a private home and transform the courtyard into a small outdoor cinema. Sometimes we cook together before the movie: Italian, Thai, Lebanese, Japanese, Balkan, Greek, Latin American street food etc. Sometimes people simply grab pizza from the excellent pizzeria next door and join the screening. Food is intentionally relaxed: bowls, finger food, street food, popcorn, snacks, comfort food. **Some nights are more gourmet.** Some are glorified pizza-and-movie nights. Both are valid forms of civilization **;-)** ## **What makes this different** The group is i**ntentionally small**: usually 6 to 8 people maximum. **People are introduced properly.** Nobody gets abandoned in a corner. The atmosphere stays human, social and safe. **No heavy drinking.** **No creepy behavior.** No random people showing up uninvited. Smoking is allowed because is outside in the courtyard and occasionally we may have **hookah nights** depending on the movie/theme. ## **Typical evenings** * Wong Kar-wai + Asian comfort food * Spaghetti western + Italian street food * Anime + sushi night * Greek cinema + mezze * Balkan chaos cinema + burek * Cult movie dubbing nights where people voice scenes live karaoke-style Yes, this is a real thing now apparently. ## **Important** Because Meetups and public internet are full of bots, spam accounts and socially radioactive individuals, **we do NOT post the exact address publicly.** To join: scan the QR code on the image and request access to the private WhatsApp group or send me a DM. From there: * we announce movies * vote on menus * organize cooking nights * coordinate places **If you are new in Brussels, introverted, traveling, recently arrived, or simply tired of giant impersonal events, this may be your thing.**

Hallo Freunde der deutschen Sprache, wir laden alle, die gern ihr Deutsch üben wollen, zu diesem Treffen ein! Falls Ihr angemeldet seid, aber nicht kommen könnt, wären wir dankbar für Eure Abmeldung. Wir freuen uns auf nette Unterhaltungen und einen interessanten Austausch mit Euch!

**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.

Come grab a coffee and chat about startups, growth, and investing with fellow entrepreneurs, advisors and investors! This Startup/Investor Open Coffee, organized by [SIA](https://taac.startupinvestoraccelerator.com/ "https://taac.startupinvestoraccelerator.com/"), [Founder Institute](https://fi.co/ "https://fi.co") and [Adelantum Services](https://adelantum.eu/ "https://adelantum.eu"), will be hosted by [hub.brussels](https://be.linkedin.com/company/hub-brussels "https://be.linkedin.com/company/hub-brussels") (more about them below)! **❯❯ Guest Speakers include Bob De Wilde (Founder, ADELANTUM Services).** **❗️IMPORTANT:** * The goal of this event is to be more than just a networking opportunity, it's a shared learning experience for everyone. Please arrive on time so you don't miss the first questions and insights, which the rest of the conversations will build on. * NO PITCHING❗ Just sincere sharing of challenges you face and insights that might help others! **❯ DETAILS:** Building a startup takes more than a good idea—it takes the right network, insights, and support. Our Open Coffee sessions bring together founders, investors, mentors, and startup enthusiasts for meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and fresh perspectives. Each session is informal and shaped by the needs of those attending. You’ll introduce yourself, share current challenges, and get feedback, contacts, and advice from a supportive community. **❯ Who joins:** Startup founders, teams, investors, mentors, and career changers entering the startup world. **❯ How to prepare:** * Bring a notebook—plenty of wisdom is shared * Prepare a short intro: who you are and what brought you here * Think of 1–2 key challenges to discuss **❯❯ This is an in-person event, so be sure to RSVP at [https://fi.co/e/401513/meetup](https://fi.co/e/401513/meetup) to secure your spot and receive further details.**

**Welcome to The Club.** A **curated** social community in Brussels for people who want real connections, memorable experiences, and **better energy than the usual random meetup chaos**. Most of our events happen in **private homes**, gardens, hidden places around Brussels, or unusual locations outside the city. The goal is simple: create the kind of atmosphere where people actually talk, laugh, connect, and want to come back. We organize things like: • gourmet lunches & dinners • picnics & roadtrips • cooking nights • walks around Brussels • karaoke & movie nights • debates & discussions • card and social games • occasional “chaperoned” social evenings where people can meet naturally in a safe environment The difference is that we personally curate and vet new members. The host actively introduces newcomers, helps people integrate into the group, and keeps the atmosphere respectful and relaxed. We have zero tolerance for creepy behavior, unwanted pressure, spam, random uninvited people, or drama. *Unfortunately, posting too many details publicly on Meetup or on the internet in general quickly attracts bots, scammers, fake profiles, crypto weirdos, and people who completely ruin the vibe for everyone else.* That’s why most of our real coordination happens privately through our ***vetted WhatsApp community***. To join, simply scan the QR code in the image. If you are on your phone and cannot scan it directly: • take a screenshot of the image • open the screenshot in your photo gallery • most phones can automatically detect QR codes from photos by long pressing or using Google Lens / iPhone scan feature Then request access to the group and introduce yourself briefly. See you soon

This Saturday 27.06 – Brussels Main Event ✩ Mont des Arts PARTY • BACK 2 MUSIC 2000-2010 • International Party at Plein Publiek •SAMEDI 27/06✩ →FACEBOOK INFO / [https://fb.me/e/5N7cBUNH1](https://fb.me/e/5N7cBUNH1) →PRIORITY PASS: SKIP THE LINE / [https://pleinpubliek.stager.co/shop/brussels/events/111649814](https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpleinpubliek.stager.co%2Fshop%2Fbrussels%2Fevents%2F111649814&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cc45113db850a48fbb40408de95755b42%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639112528432655513%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GZObVxLjpWBvHlKa4baGv31ewdTL9m%2BpLmx6RZnV7Do%3D&reserved=0 "Protected by Outlook: https://pleinpubliek.stager.co/shop/brussels/events/111649814. Click or tap to follow the link.") ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ So, are you ready to dance to the best hits of the 2000s & 2010s? “Who’ll be there?” Stromae, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, The Black Eyed Peas & many more artists to take you on a nostalgic ride... For some, it feels like yesterday, for others a bit further back. Do you remember? Let’s be honest, the 2000s & 2010s were legendary, right? Don’t miss it! ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Info’s → Saturday, JUNE 27, 2026 from 11:30 PM to 4:30 AM → Plein Publiek, Mont des Arts, 1000 Brussels & its Summer Terrace → Easy access by public transport, bike or scooter! → Management reserves the right of admission → Minimum age: 18 ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Line-Up PALEXX, BOBOUNCE & Z00 UNCAGED FACEBOOK INFO / [https://fb.me/e/5N7cBUNH1](https://fb.me/e/5N7cBUNH1) → Plein Publiek Bxl, Mont des Arts, 1000 Brussels

THIS SATURDAY 27.06 - BRUSSELS MAIN EVENT **Welcome to Saint\-Tropez / International Party at La Terrasse O2 \| Free Entrance** Qui dit summer ...dit Saint-Tropez! Qui dit International Party ... dit Just A Night Label! FREE ENTRANCE : FREE TICKET HERE > [https://www.partyfinder.com/en/event/16565](https://www.partyfinder.com/en/event/16565) FB : [https://fb.me/e/7NkZmQ855](https://fb.me/e/7NkZmQ855) 01# JUST A NIGHT goes to La Terrasse O2 (Terrasse de l'Hippodrome) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- SATURDAY 27th of JUNE 2026 International pre-party (17:00 to 00:00) # FREE ENTRY # COME DANCE – JOIN US - BRING FRIENDS- DRESS TO IMPRESS- SPREAD THE WORD – INVITE FRIENDS-EVERYONE IS WELCOME - CLUBHOUSE - GREAT PEOPLE - PRE-PARTY Music By BOBOUNCE & FRIENDS 02# Restaurant Rose & Lulu \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Pour les gourmands : [https://www.la-terrasse.be/restaurant/](https://www.la-terrasse.be/restaurant/) 03# after-party at Mont des Arts \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- More infos about the after : https://fb.me/e/4FCUkLTAb 04# WHERE \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- FB : [https://fb.me/e/7NkZmQ855](https://fb.me/e/7NkZmQ855) La Terrasse O2 (Terrasse de l'hippodrome) Chaussée de la Hulpe 51-53, 1180 Uccle, Belgique

Making the new Friends after work or in your vacation.

✨ **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 💪 Organized weekly **since early 2025** 🌳 We have a **private outdoor garden** at the back of the brasserie entirely reserved for our Meetup throughout the whole summer! 📱Please **join our WhatsApp community** via the following invite link for receiving all the latest updates regarding this and many other social events in Bruxelles: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0) 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 **Over 10,000 members** **overall in our multicultural and diverse Brussels community!** Many of our participants work in EU institutions, NGOs, tech and international organizations. 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 each week**, with an age average of around 35 years old (the event announcement is relayed across multiple social media, not just on this page). Many participants come with friends or colleagues, so feel free to bring someone along! 👩 Our events usually also attract a **balanced mix of men and women**, and many participants attend solo for the first time. The organizer and host of the event will help introduce you to other participants, in case you don't know anyone else yet when you first arrive at the event. Our events remain a relaxed international social meetup experience focused on friendship, conversation and community — **not a dating event.** 🩷 **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! ✅ **Best time for newcomers:** 18:30–19:30, when it’s easier to meet people. ✅ 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**. ✅ 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) ▶️ 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 or comments?** Reach out to the **organizer Gabriele**: gabriele.mogni@gmail.com . **Our community values respect and inclusiveness**. If you ever feel uncomfortable, the organizer is present all evening to help. . 👉 Please **Sign Up via this page** if you would like to attend our next event, so that we can plan accordingly. . *** #BrusselsMeetup #MeetupBrussels #BrusselsEvents #InternationalBrussels #MeetNewPeople #MakeNewFriends #InternationalFriends #ExpatsInBrussels #ExpatLifeBrussels #BrusselsSocial #SocialInBrussels #BrusselsLife #FridayVibes #AfterWorkBrussels #AfterWork #BrusselsCommunity #BrusselsNetworking #BrusselsExpats #FriendsInBrussels #InternationalCommunity #PlaceLuxembourg #EuropeanQuarter #EUQuarter #BrusselsByNight #WeekendInBrussels #ThingsToDoInBrussels #SocialEvents #SocialClub #EuroMeet #BrusselsActivities #YoungProfessionals #NetworkingBrussels #DiscoverBrussels #BrusselsPeople #MeetPeopleBrussels #NewInBrussels #BelgiumExpats #BrusselsLifestyle #FridayNightOut #InternationalMeetup #GlobalFriends #ExpatCommunity #BrusselsFun #WeekendPlans #CommunityEvents

*Due to the summery weather forecast lets meet in Parc Royal instead. Find us at one of the tables at Woodpecker. If you cannot find us call* me via 0032 485 38 09 23 ----------- Let's read and discuss non-fiction together. In **June** we will be discussing "The Pragmatist’s Guide to Life: A Guide to Creating Your Own Answers to Life’s Biggest Questions" by Simone and Malcolm Collins. For more information about the book check out goodreads: [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38452905-the-pragmatist-s-guide-to-life](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38452905-the-pragmatist-s-guide-to-life) How it works: - 10-15min Introduction round - 1 - 1,5h Free discussion around the book - 10min selection of the next book. (We will vote between three possible books. I bring two suggestions and we select a third one from the group. So if there is a book you like to discuss feel free to put it forward.) Don't worry if you cannot finish it in time. Just join us for a coffee or tea and a good conversation. :) Happy reading!

Join our next meetup on June 25th! We will have 3 talks and will share some food and drinks while networking **Location:** Infrabel, Rue des Deux Gares 82, 1070 Anderlecht, Belgium **Agenda:** 17:45 : Doors open 18:00 - 18:40 : Drinks and pizza 18:40 - 18:45 : Welcome 18:45 - 19:00 : Elastic @ Infrabel 19:00 - 19:15 : Real life never-seen-before railway project 19:15 - 19:55 : From unknown and raw to real value 19:55 - 20.20 : What’s new in Elastic v9 20:15 : Wrap up **Talks:** **Elastic @ Infrabel** In this presentation, we will explain how Infrabel uses Elastic today and how it supports our current needs. We will briefly outline some future optimizations and the integration of OpenTelemetry to further strengthen and extend our Elastic platform. To showcase how we use Elastic for addressing real business use case, we will demo a never-seen-before application build in collaboration with Elastic Belgium. *Safia Souabi – Big Data Engineer at Infrabel* *Olivier-Désiré Muhimpundu – Big Data Engineer at Infrabel* **Real life never-seen-before railway project** *How Elastic helps ensure the punctuality of rail services by detecting and correlating events in real time to anticipate disruptions, ensure operational continuity and optimise the flow of rail traffic."* *Vanessa Coeurnelle – Cyber Resilience Data Analyst at Infrabel* **From unknown and raw to real value** In this talk, Chris shares how he transformed a legacy log ingestion pipeline into a structured, scalable, and insight-ready ELK-based system. Starting from loosely indexed XML/SOAP logs with minimal configuration, the project required rebuilding the data model to handle multiple message types, complex nested structures, and inconsistent field representations. Without the luxury of a full upfront redesign, Chris adopted an iterative, data-driven approach: combining exploratory analysis with dynamic mapping strategies to progressively shape the data into a usable format. He will discuss how this led to the design of flexible ingestion pipelines, including XML parsing, normalization, and generic handling of heterogeneous payloads. The talk also covers practical techniques for managing sensitive data, reducing storage overhead, and improving query performance—such as selective data retention, hashing and fingerprinting strategies, and the use of data streams. Finally, Chris will touch on how structuring the data effectively enables higher-level capabilities like anomaly detection and automated alerting. This session is aimed at practitioners dealing with messy, real-world data and looking for pragmatic ways to make Elasticsearch pipelines more robust, maintainable, and valuable. **Bios** **Christoph Evers** is a Senior Data Scientist and Data Engineer based in Brussels, with over 15 years of experience in data systems, search technologies, and analytics. He has been working with Elasticsearch since its early days, contributing to the project between 2010 and 2012 and applying it extensively as a search engine, document store, and log ingestion platform. At OpenLex, he designs and builds advanced data solutions for legal research, including full-text search engines, NLP pipelines for entity detection and anonymization, and large-scale analytics systems. His work also includes operating and optimizing ELK-based observability stacks in Linux and Docker environments. Previously, Chris held roles spanning software engineering, data science, and R&D leadership across sectors such as social media analytics, mobility and market research. His experience combines hands-on engineering with business-oriented data applications, delivering scalable systems and actionable insights for both startups and multinational clients. He mainly focuses on search relevance, data observability, and the practical use of ELK in production environments. **Olivier-Désiré Muhimpundu** is a Data Engineer at Infrabel, where he has been working for more than three years on large-scale data platforms and data projects. He holds an engineering degree from University of Mons Faculty of Engineering and a Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence. In his current role, Olivier focuses on designing, operating, and evolving enterprise data platforms based on technologies such as Apache Kafka, Elastic Stack, and Cloudera. His work spans data ingestion, real-time processing, monitoring, observability, and platform engineering in a large-scale railway environment. **Safia Souabi** is a Data Engineer with 6 years of experience at Infrabel in Brussels. With a BSc and MSc in Physics from London, she combines a strong analytical background with expertise in building and operating large-scale data platforms for mission-critical operational and asset data. Experienced with Apache Kafka, Elastic Stack, and the Cloudera ecosystem (Hadoop, Spark, Hive/Impala), she delivers scalable batch/real-time data pipelines and optimized ETL/ELT workflows. She works closely with stakeholders to translate requirements into reliable data products, with a strong focus on data quality, governance, security, performance, and platform resilience.

Join us for a full day of collaborative work at HSBXL! This event is open to everyone who enjoys working in a community environment, whether you're advancing on business ventures, freelance projects, or creative endeavors. Bring your laptops, your enthusiasm, and your projects to collaborate, learn, and share in the main room of our spacious hackerspace. During this **8-hour co-working event**, you'll have the opportunity to work on your project, ask for feedback, offer help to others, and if you wish, share your achievements at the end of the day. **Please Note**: While HSBXL has multiple rooms for various purposes, this coworking event is taking place in the main room. It's important to note that online meetings should be avoided during this event to prevent noise disturbance and to maintain a conducive work environment for everyone. \#\#\# What the day will look like: 1\. Introduction and setting up: Find a comfortable spot in the main room\, set up your workspace and grab a Club Mate\, soft drink\, or a coffee to get your day started\. 2\. Work Session: Dive into your project\, seek assistance\, and collaborate with others\. 3\. Sharing Session: Optional\, but encouraged\! Share what you've worked on\, your challenges\, and triumphs\. \#\#\# How to get to HSBXL: HSBXL is located in Brussels. For detailed instructions on how to get to the hackerspace, please visit [here](https://hsbxl.be/enter/). If you encounter any issues while trying to get in, you can contact us at +32 28804004. Please note that the phone is inside the space. Alternatively, you can also reach out to us in our [Matrix chatroom](https://matrix.to/#/#hsbxl:matrix.org). \#\#\# Requirements Please bring your laptop, and if you have, an extension cord. The space has WiFi, but having your own internet backup solution can also be useful. Join us at this **8-hour co-working day** in the main room of HSBXL, and we hope you'll have made progress on your projects, learned something new, and most importantly, enjoyed the power of community collaboration. Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or creative, we welcome you to this day of productivity, sharing, and collaboration.

Free monthly networking for Columbus business owners. Real conversations, real connections, no forced formats. Space is limited. RSVP now. Most owners leave networking events with a stack of business cards and no plan. The best leads quietly slip through the cracks. Networking Night is a monthly meetup for Columbus business owners who want to build real local relationships, not just trade contact info. Every kind of local business welcome. No pitch round, no pressure, no awkward speed-networking. **This month** We are focused on referral relationships. Walk in with a clear idea of who refers people like you. Walk out having met a few owners whose work fits next to yours. **What to expect** Doors open at 6 PM. You get real conversation with other local owners, time to actually connect, and a short marketing lesson woven in. The room is reserved through 7:30 PM. **Who this is for** Any local business owner who wants to grow through relationships, not just paid ads. Service businesses, retail, home services, professional services, online owners building local presence, anyone serious about being part of the Columbus business community. **Not the right fit if** You are here to pitch the room or recruit for an MLM. **Details** * Last Thursday of every month * 6:00 to 7:30 PM * COhatch Easton * Free to attend, RSVP required, space is limited **About the host** Rita Suzanne is a local marketing strategist and the founder of Local Marketing Method. She runs Visibility is Profitability, the membership where local owners build the system that keeps their phone ringing, including tracking the referral relationships built in rooms like this one. Learn more at learnlocalmarketing.com. Register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-marketing-networking-night-tickets-1988510112275](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-marketing-networking-night-tickets-1988510112275)

📊 **Profit from Predictions – Polymarket Strategy** Stop guessing on Polymarket. Learn the analytical system that generates real profit. ⚠️ Complete registration below — RSVP alone doesn't reserve your spot. ### [🔗 CLAIM YOUR SPOT](https://aiventurelab.org/product/Polymarket?city=Columbus&groupurlname=network-of-book-lovers-and-discussion-meetups&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-30T22:00:00Z) --- What you'll learn: - A systematic approach to forecasting outcomes - How to identify high-value markets before the crowd - Polymarket strategies that generate consistent daily profit *The forecasters who win have a system. Get yours.* 🎯

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

💰 **Build Passive Income with AI Ebooks – Masterclass** Build a passive publishing business with AI — from idea to income. ⚠️ Your spot is only held once you complete registration below. ### [🔗 SAVE YOUR SEAT](https://aiventurelab.org/product/AIEbookBusiness?city=Columbus&groupurlname=network-of-book-lovers-and-discussion-meetups&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-30T22:00:00Z) --- What's covered: - Publish across platforms for passive income - Format and list ebooks so they actually sell - Find profitable niches using AI research tools *One system. Recurring income.* ✍️

📱 **Build a Viral AI Content Brand – Faceless Influencer Blueprint** Launch a content brand that grows on autopilot using AI-generated media. ⚠️ Complete registration to confirm your seat. RSVP is not enough. ### [🔗 CLAIM YOUR PLACE](https://aiventurelab.org/product/AiInfluencer?city=Columbus&groupurlname=network-of-book-lovers-and-discussion-meetups&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-30T22:00:00Z) --- What you'll create: - A monetisation path from day one - AI tools to generate, edit, and post content automatically - A content system that grows on autopilot *Your brand. Your rules. No face needed.* 🚀

Our monthly PHP meetup. A virtual shindig courtesy of Zoom. Check back here for the details around 6:15 pm