IT Professionals

**Welcome to our February UX Beers in Brussels!** This time, we will host our event on Tuesday the 10th of February at [Proximus](https://www.proximus.be/en/personal/) in Brussels. [Ariad](https://www.ariadgroup.com/) and [Creative Skills](https://www.creativeskills.be/) sponsor our events. 📺 Follow the event online? We stream live via [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBqyTDAyQBw) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ***Spots for this event are limited to 45 people in person. We kindly ask you to confirm your attendance and to change your availability on Meetup in advance if you can’t make it, so your spot can be given to someone else.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# UX TALKS **Talk 1: Lavender: One Year to Reimagine Design at Proximus** Julie Toussaint and Julien Bertholet from Design System team @Proximus This talk explores the journey of building a Design System from the ground up at Proximus. Julie and Julien will share the challenges they encountered, the design choices they made, and how they laid strong foundations through design tokens, variables, and scalable component libraries. Beyond the system itself, they will look at how they collaborated with multiple teams and supported designers after launch, introducing a new, more consistent way of working across the organization. **Talk 2: Panel discussion about design leadership** [Joana Silva](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanasf/), UX Design Manager @Lighthouse [Mathias Van Daele](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathias-van-daele/), Service Design Lead @Luminus [Adrien David](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidadrien/), UX/UI Design Lead @Proximus \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SCHEDULE 18:00 - Doors open. Drinks & snacks 19.00 - 19.15 - Introduction to UX Belgium Meetup, announcements 19.15 - 19:45 - Talk #1 19:45 -20:15 - BREAK 20:15 - 20:45 - Talk #2 20:45 - 21:30 - Socialize \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SLACK CHANNEL We have our own UX Belgium slack channel. [Come join us and say hi!](https://join.slack.com/t/ux-belgium/shared_invite/zt-1bjpnuiog-T4Di4flXYPWgbT9KrZ53CA) \*\*\* \#\#\# YOUTUBE CHANNEL All our livestreams and talks are recorded and available on our [UX Belgium youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCno7V18T-EglYXprgrUZQ7A). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# ABOUT UX BELGIUM UX Belgium is a growing community of User Experience (UX) professionals in and around Belgium. Look for these types of events: UX Beers Periodically, we gather at a different company, agency or venue to drink beers, network and listen to speakers on various themes in the world of UX and digital design. UX Antwerp: Each last Tuesday of the month UX Brussels: Each second Tuesday of the month, 4x per year UX Hasselt: 4x per year UX Workshops Now and then we organize events to dive deeper into specific skills and techniques in UX. These are smaller, hands-on workshops designed to boost your UX toolbox. \*\*\* The UX Belgium Meetup Team

🎓 Thinking about an Executive MBA – but wondering how it fits with your career? Join our online info session to discover the International Executive MBA, co-created by [Louvain School of Management](https://www.linkedin.com/company/louvainschoolofmanagement/) ([Université catholique de Louvain](https://www.linkedin.com/company/uclouvain/)) and [BMI Executive Institute](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmiexecutiveinstitute/). During this session, we will cover: ✔️ The curriculum and elective courses ✔️ The international and practical learning approach ✔️ The flexibility designed for full-time executives ✔️ How the EMBA supports career growth and leadership transformation 📅 10 February\, 2026 \| ⏰ 17:30 \(CET\) 💻 Online Register here 👉 [https://shorturl.at/Dtwnj](https://shorturl.at/Dtwnj) Whether you are exploring your next career step or looking to broaden your strategic impact, this session will help you assess if the EMBA is right for you. 🔗 Register and join us online! 📩 For any questions, feel free to contact [Violaine Dupuis](https://www.linkedin.com/in/violaine-dupuis-b0435422/) and [Edgar Felix - Vargas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/efelix1/) directly.

Welcome to TechTuesday at HSBXL. It’s where tech enthusiasts hang out, projects get tinkered with, and the occasional debate over the best programming language ensues. Whether you’re an old hand at hacking or just dipping your toes: * **Chats & Code**: Engage in hushed tech tales, showcase your latest digital masterpiece, or simply bask in the mesmerizing rhythm of coders at work. * **Ambient Rhythms**: We curate a backdrop of everything from ambient rock to downtempo electronica. It sets the mood, enhancing the creativity without becoming a distraction. * **Refreshment Protocol**: Club Mate to fuel your creativity, assorted beers for contemplation, and soft drinks for a refreshing pause. Choose your brew. * **Machinery Magic**: Our space boasts more than just computers. Soldering irons hiss and 3D printers hum, telling tales of projects brought to life. * **Knowledge Exchange**: Encountered a tech puzzle? Someone in the room might have just the insight you need. And if you’ve unraveled a digital mystery, consider sharing it. **Note**: The beauty of HSBXL is its welcoming ethos. Member or not, if you’re curious and respectful, you’re one of us. ### Getting to HSBXL HSBXL, the beacon for tech enthusiasts in Brussels, awaits. For your navigational needs, check [here](https://hsbxl.be/enter/). Barrier issues? Broadcast at +32 28804004. For real-time digital dialogues, tap into our [Matrix chatroom](https://matrix.to/#/#hsbxl:matrix.org). ### Bring Along Your tech gear, a project in progress, or simply a mind open to the endless possibilities of tech. That’s TechTuesday at HSBXL. A laid-back evening where tech happens, naturally. See you there.

Command a starship crew, complete missions, and upgrade your ship. Crew placement and promotion drive your engine as you explore space and interact with aliens. Accessible but strategic, it captures the fantasy of rising through the ranks of a sci-fi fleet. [How to Play](https://youtu.be/Xf2TNijKMwI?si=FXb84t-dLju0b70Z) [BGG](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/363369/starship-captains) [Rulebook](https://filemanager.czechgames.com/storage/files/starship-captains/rules/starship-captains-rules-en.pdf) Everyone is welcome! No previous experience or game knowledge needed — I’ll explain all the rules before we start.

🇬🇧 EN 🇬🇧 🔥 SALSA CUBANA CLASSES ARE BACK 🔥 We are delighted to see you again for the start of the 2025/26 academic year 👉 Find all the needed information on our website : **[https://danzamania.be/](https://danzamania.be/horaires/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExUjNGU3gzRWdsUFlWMGJMQgEeCHgiKV40mum5hOp5szt0Lxx3U-5DyHO_wR_ZJekcr_m7EFRdpcRthKRV9EU_aem_W6hFXCri8O6Kd9el-RIuIQ)** ✅ PROGRAMME ✅ 👉 TUESDAY 16/09 7:00-8:00 pm - Salsa Level 1A @ Salle Oxygène - Angie, Octavia & Raffa 8:15-9:15 pm - Salsa Niveau 1B\* @ Salle Ste Suzanne - Tine & Sam 8:00-9:00 pm - Salsa Cubana Level 2 @ Salle Oxygène - Angie, Octavia & Raffa \*The Level 1B course is the same as the Level 1A course. It will be taught by Tine & Samuel and starts at 8.15 p.m. It allows those who wish to arrive one hour later and have a group of about 10 people. 👉 WEDNESDAY 17/09 7:00-7:30 pm - Body Expression @ Salle Oxygène - Yusnay, Tine & Raffa 7:30-8:30 pm - Salsa Level 3 @ Salle Oxygène - Yusnay, Tine & Raffa 8:30-9:30 pm - Salsa Level 4 @ Salle Oxygène - Yusnay, Tine & Raffa 👉 THURSDAY 18/09 8:00-9:00 pm - Cuban Salsa Partnerwork - Level 1 + @ Studio Empain - Zoli 9:00-10:00 pm - Cuban Salsa Partnerwork - Level 2 + @ Studio Empain - Zoli 👉 FRIDAY 19/09 8:30-9:30 pm - Rueda de Casino @ Vibrato - Team Danza Mania 9:30-12:30 am - Practica & Entertainment with DJ Joel 💃 Dale Mambo🕺

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

We will cover the following topics * Tech as a tool of geopolitical power * Relations with the U.S., China, and Global South * Export controls and tech diplomacy * Balancing openness with strategic protection I am looking forward to discussing with you this critical topic, You will find below links to articles that I suggest as pre-reads for our chat. Reading one article is enough, reading them all is a plus. Also, feel free to suggest what you think might be relevant for the discussion via DM. 1. [https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/digital-sovereignty-europes-declaration-of-independence/?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/digital-sovereignty-europes-declaration-of-independence/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 2. [https://www.noemamag.com/reclaiming-europes-digital-sovereignty/](https://www.noemamag.com/reclaiming-europes-digital-sovereignty/) 3. [https://ip-quarterly.com/en/dominance-and-sovereignty-geopolitics-transatlantic-tech-stack?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://ip-quarterly.com/en/dominance-and-sovereignty-geopolitics-transatlantic-tech-stack?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 4. [https://ecfr.eu/article/trumps-ai-thaw-how-europe-and-the-gulf-can-protect-against-american-and-chinese-tech-pressure/?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://ecfr.eu/article/trumps-ai-thaw-how-europe-and-the-gulf-can-protect-against-american-and-chinese-tech-pressure/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 5. [https://www.webpronews.com/data-sovereignty-key-to-protection-amid-geopolitical-tensions/?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://www.webpronews.com/data-sovereignty-key-to-protection-amid-geopolitical-tensions/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) I am considering changing the location, to a more private café in Place Jordan. If you have an issue with this, please let me know. Cheers, Carolina

[French version below] APIs are everywhere — weather apps, mobile apps, online payments, dashboards — but do you really know what an API is and how it works? In this PyLadies Brussels workshop, we'll take a step back and focus on understanding APIs from first principles. **We'll explore:** * What an API actually is (beyond the buzzword) * How different applications communicate with each other * What CRUD means in practice * How the same API can be used from Python, the browser, and JavaScript Using simple examples (no heavy setup, no complex frameworks), we'll look at a small Python API, explore real online APIs directly in the browser, and see how JavaScript interacts with them. The goal is not to build a "perfect" API, but to build a clear mental model of how APIs work and why they exist. **What you'll need:** * Basic Python knowledge * Laptop with Python installed (a few laptops will be available if needed) * Curiosity about how things work Beginner-friendly, concept-focused, and open to anyone curious about APIs 💜 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Savez-vous vraiment ce qu'est une API ?** Les APIs sont partout — applications météo, applications mobiles, paiements en ligne, tableaux de bord — mais savez-vous vraiment ce qu'est une API et comment ça fonctionne ? Dans cet atelier PyLadies Brussels, on prend du recul pour comprendre les APIs depuis les bases. **On va explorer :** * Ce qu'est réellement une API (au-delà du buzzword) * Comment différentes applications communiquent entre elles * Ce que CRUD signifie en pratique * Comment la même API peut être utilisée depuis Python, le navigateur et JavaScript À travers des exemples simples (pas d'installation complexe, pas de frameworks lourds), on regardera une petite API Python, on explorera des APIs en ligne directement dans le navigateur, et on verra comment JavaScript interagit avec elles. L'objectif n'est pas de construire une API "parfaite", mais de construire un modèle mental clair de comment les APIs fonctionnent et pourquoi elles existent. **Ce qu'il vous faut :** * Des bases en Python * Un ordinateur portable avec Python installé (quelques ordinateurs seront disponibles si besoin) * De la curiosité Accessible aux débutant·e·s, axé sur les concepts, et ouvert à toute personne curieuse de comprendre les APIs 💜

Ciao a tutti! Ci ritroviamo ogni venerdì dalle 18:00 per un bicchiere (si può anche mangiare) da Poppy's Bar, che si trova a 2 minuti di camminata da Parvis St Gilles. Un tavolo per 20 persone è riservato sotto il nome di Salvatore. Dunque, se non ci sono o se sarò in ritardo, potrete chiedere al barista. È un incontro informale, perché non è un evento strutturato, ma piuttosto un gruppo di persone che si riuniscono per parlare e praticare l'italiano. Anche i nativi italiani sono benvenuti :) Tutto ciò che serve è un sorriso — e puoi anche portare un amico! 👉 **Importante:** * È obbligatorio essere iscritti all’evento su Meetup per partecipare. L’iscrizione è importante per gli organizzatori, perché permette di conoscere il numero dei partecipanti e di garantire la sicurezza e il benessere di tutti i presenti. * Se cambiano le vostre circostanze e non potete più venire, annullate la vostra partecipazione per lasciare posto ad altri. * Vi chiediamo di assicuravi di pagare i vostri consumi, per evitare che gli organizatori saranno rimasti a pagare per gli altri. * Si prega di non parlare di politica cosi ci godiama la serata in tranquilita, di rispettare tutti i partecipanti e di non trattare l’incontro come un appuntamento romantici o intimo: l’obiettivo è semplicemente praticare e migliorare l’italiano in un ambiente piacevole e rilassato. PS : FR - Table de conversation en italien chaque vendredi de 18h00 à 22h00 au bar Poppy's, à deux minutes à pied du Parvis St-Gilles" (adresse : rue de Moscou 11, 1060 Saint-Gilles) NL - Praattafel in het Italiaans elke vrijdag van 18.00 tot 22.00 uur in de Poppys bar, op twee minuten lopen van Sint-Gillisvoorplein (adres: 11 Moskoustraat, 1060 Sint-Gillis) EN - Conversation table in Italian every Friday from 18:00 till 22:00 at Poppy's, 2 minutes walk from tram stop Parvis Saint-Gilles (address : Rue de Moscou 11, 1060 Saint-Gilles) ES - Mesa de conversación en Italiano cada viernes desde las 18:00 hasta las 22:00 en el bar Poppy's, a dos minutos a pie de la parada del tranvía Parvis St-Gilles (direccion: Rue de Moscou 11, 1060 Saint-Gilles)

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

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.

**Experience Deep Relaxation & Mental Clarity with Access Bars®** ​Imagine letting go of stress, overthinking, and emotional blocks—effortlessly. Access Bars® is a gentle, hands-on technique that activates 32 points on your head, helping to release stored thoughts, beliefs, and tension, leaving you feeling lighter, clearer, and more at ease. ​ ​Your Session ​🕰️ Duration: 30min or 60min in total ​📍 In-Person Only – Feel the full benefits in a calm and welcoming space. ​ ​💰 Investment in Your Well-being: ​30-min session: 25 EUR or 2 Common Hub Tokens (2 CHT) ​60-min session: 50 EUR or 4 Common Hub Tokens (4 CHT) ​ ​Book your session now and give yourself the gift of relaxation, clarity, and renewed energy! ✨ Booking: [https://koalendar.com/e/access-bars-CHB](https://koalendar.com/e/access-bars-CHB) **About Your Host:** ​​​This experience is guided by Mara [Regina](https://linktr.ee/reginadgaia) D'Gaia, holistic therapist and access bars practitioner. ​​​📧 Contact: [integractiveconnections@gmail.com](http://integractiveconnections@gmail.com) ​​​📸 Follow on Instagram: [@reginadgaia](http://www.instagram.com/reginadgaia)

Join us on **Tuesday, February 10, 2026,** for our next **Loudoun CyberTech Event** at **Honor Brewing Company** at **42604 Trade West Dr, Sterling, VA 20166**! Want a custom name tag to enhance your networking opportunities? Register here and yours will be ready at the door: https://share.hsforms.com/1nxjC-D1RQISSo6DBxjhJ4wdwxz1 Please join us for an evening with **David Beabou**t to explore what success actually looks like in a cyber community! Expect a lively, interactive conversation grounded in real world experience, shared learning, and practical insights. With over 17 years in cybersecurity and national security, **David Beabout** brings a rare blend of operational depth and executive leadership, currently serving as **Deputy Global CISO at NTT Security Holding**s, with prior experience at **Deloitte, Booz Allen**, and **U.S. Army Counterintelligence.** He has advised C-Suite leaders and government partners to rearchitect threat intelligence across 900+ companies worldwide and actively gives back through board service with **NightDragon** and as an advisor to **The Cyber Guild.** Bring your ideas, your perspective, and your energy for an engaging February session! **Agenda** 5:30 Social hour and networking begins 6:00 Welcome 6:15 Conversation with **David Beabout** 7:00 Open Mic & Networking Continues 7:30 Adjourn

Love audiobooks and nature? Looking to connect with fellow book lovers? Come **Book It Around** with us! Monthly audiobook walks are FREE and held in accessible public spaces around the D.C. Metro area. These \~ 90 minute walks are often followed by a social gathering -- book swap, picnic, indie bookstore private shopping, etc. Get a little dose of nature, read a few chapters, and make a bookish new friend! All ages, fitness levels, and identities welcome. If the event listing says "full," ignore that, come anyway, and bring a friend -- the more the merrier! Questions? Email bookitaround AT gmail DOT com

**Title**: Powering AI Through Data Modernization: Modernizing ETL with Databricks & Unity Catalog In this session, we will discuss how enterprises are modernizing their data platforms by migrating from legacy ETL tools (such as Informatica and traditional data warehouses) to Databricks Lakehouse architecture, and how Unity Catalog enables enterprise-grade governance, security, and discoverability across data and AI assets. We will start with food and drinks at 6pm and then move into the presentation at 6:30pm. The session will cover: * Why traditional ETL platforms are becoming a bottleneck for scale, cost, and AI adoption * How Databricks changes the data engineering and analytics operating mode * The role of Unity Catalog in centralized governance * How this foundation enables AI and Gene.AI use cases on trusted data * Q&A Our speaker for this event is **Hirenkumar Dholariya**. Hirenkumar Dholariya is a Senior Data Engineering Architect with 18+ years of experience modernizing enterprise data platforms for global Fortune 500 organizations, delivering up to 40% system performance improvement and 20–35% infrastructure cost reduction through large-scale migration from legacy ETL platforms to cloud-native Lakehouse architectures. He specializes in Databricks-based data engineering, Unity Catalog–driven governance, and building scalable, secure, and real-time analytics platforms. He has led multiple enterprise-wide transformations from tools such as Informatica and traditional data warehouses to Databricks, establishing governed data foundations using Unity Catalog and enabling advanced analytics and AI use cases on top of trusted data platforms. His leadership focuses on architecting durable data platforms, enabling teams to move faster with confidence, and translating data and AI investments into measurable business outcomes. *

http://toastedbyproxy.toastmastersclubs.org/ Toasted By Proxy Toastmasters Club #899228 is a unique group dedicated to achieving individual professional and personal communication and leadership goals. We are an open club and welcome all to join us! Updates: We meet regularly from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Universities at Shady Grove, 9636 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. Visit our club website for the most up-to-date information. See our "Meeting Information / Directions" page for a detailed map. (http://toastedbyproxy.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html)

**Agenda :** * 4.30 to 4.45 PM ET: Food and Networking * 4.45 to 5.30 PM ET: "Practical Applications of Model Context Protocol (MCP) (Feb 2026 Edition)" Hello Everyone! Please join us for our Feb 10th edition of the AI-ML MeetUp. **Please note this is an in-person meeting and light refreshments/food will be provided.** **Title:** Practical Applications of Model Context Protocol (MCP) (Feb 2026 Edition) **Description:** This session explores how the Model Context Protocol (MCP) can be used to connect AI models with real-world tools and data. Attendees will learn practical patterns for implementing MCP in production workflows and applications. Through examples and use cases, the session highlights how MCP enables more capable, context-aware AI systems. **Location:** The meeting will be hosted in the Applied Information Sciences ( AIS ) office in Reston, at 11440 Commerce Park Dr # 600 · Reston, VA. The location is also right off the Silver Line metro's Wiehle-Reston Metro Station. **Parking:** Parking is paid and can be validated at the AIS office reception. We will meet in Room Lake Anne. We hope to see you all there!!!!

http://toastedbyproxy.toastmastersclubs.org/ Toasted By Proxy Toastmasters Club #899228 is a unique group dedicated to achieving individual professional and personal communication and leadership goals. We are an open club and welcomes all to join us! Every LUNCH MEETING IS AN OPEN HOUSE! Updates: We meet regularly from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on the 2nd and4th Wednesday of the month at the Universities at Shady Grove, Building III, Room 4203, 9636 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. See our "Meeting Information / Directions" page for a detailed map. (http://toastedbyproxy.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html)

The next NoVABeerSec event - "Informal Gathering of Security Minds Over Beer'' will be Wednesday, February 25th, 5:30PM til 7ish at Crooked Run Fermentation (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling, VA ). **BONUS** there is a Senor Ramon Taqueria as part of the brewery; so it will be a “Taco Wednesday” for everyone ;) **Venue for February:** Crooked Run Fermentation (https://crookedrunfermentation.com/sterling-virginia-2/) - Crooked Run Fermentation is a Virginia-based producer of contemporary and traditional beers, coolship sours, natural wines, ciders, and seltzers. Started in 2013 in Leesburg, Virginia, Crooked Run has developed a following for creative and nuanced beverages across a variety of styles, from lagers to IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, sours, and beyond beer. In 2017, we opened our main production facility in Sterling, Virginia, and will open a third location in northeast DC in 2022. Opened in 2017, the Sterling location features a bustling taproom, outdoor biergarten, 10 BBL brewhouse, and best of all, TACOS! Senor Ramon Taqueria offers a full menu of tacos, quesadillas, empanadas, and more. Come relax with 12 beers on tap, weekend live music, and some great food! If you're biking, we're right off the W&OD Trail. **Additional Info:** We are an inclusive group, so if we missed anyone please let us know or if you want to bring your significant other/spouse please do. Have a great week and see you later this month! Cheers, Rinaldi Rampen & Mike McCabe of @NoVABeerSec