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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out keynote speakers events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the keynote speakers events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
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Keynote Speakers Events Today
Join in-person Keynote Speakers events happening right now
Finding Truth, Together (Free Event)
**MLK Library - Room 401D**
Are we facing a crisis of truthfulness?
Given our unique and diverse experiences and perspectives, is it still possible to reach a collective understanding of what is “true” and to form a basis for how we determine truth? And how can we actively seek and recognize what is true, beyond just relying on conventional wisdom, tradition, superstition, or our own personal beliefs?
Truth is an anchor to reality, rooting us in the midst of chaos and providing direction for a path forward. But while access to information has greatly increased, it seems to be increasingly difficult to determine facts from opinions or falsehood. Far beyond just being a problem in politics, it seems to extend into almost every part of our society and cultures. Could our ability to discern truth depend in part on certain spiritual qualities like humility and detachment complementing our senses, our mind, and intellectual training? What is the relationship of truth to justice? Are there tools that can help us seek and find the truth not only as individuals but collectively as a society?
Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the spiritual solutions to seeking the truth. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore how to apply spiritual principles of finding collective truth to benefit our lives and our communities.
*“Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one.”* – Bahá’í Teachings
**\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**
Take a Hike! @ Riverbend Park
**Make new friends and enjoy the great outdoors** on a 4.2-mile loop hike from Riverbend Park to Great Falls Overlook and back, with an optional **lunch at Mookie’s BBQ afterward**. This hike offers a great mix of outdoor adventure and social connection, giving you a chance to enjoy nature while meeting others who share your love for the outdoors.
We’ll start at the Riverbend Park parking lot and follow a scenic trail through the woods with a few small inclines, then on the return from the Overlook we'll follow the trail along the Potomac River. The route winds through peaceful woodlands and scenic riverside paths, leading to the stunning Great Falls Overlook 2. This is an **easy-to-moderate hike**, with mostly flat terrain and a few gentle inclines, making it accessible to a wide range of fitness levels. The hike will take about **2.5 to 3 hours**, offering plenty of time to enjoy the views and good company.
Afterward, join us for lunch at **Mookie's BBQ** located at 1141 Walker Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066. It’s the perfect way to relax, socialize, and share stories with fellow hikers.
Whether you’re here for the scenery, the exercise, or to connect with like-minded people, this outing promises to be a memorable experience. Spots fill quickly, so don’t wait to sign up!
**Meeting Time & Location:**
We’ll meet at **9:30 AM** in the Riverbend Park parking lot. Please refer to the map pin for the exact location.
**Distance:** 4.2 miles
**Elevation Gain:** 302 feet
**Difficulty:** Easy (a few gentle inclines)
This hike features natural, well-maintained trails that are mostly flat, with a few easy-to-walk uphill sections near the beginning. The wide and smooth paths make it easy to walk and chat with others along the way. With minimal obstacles and straightforward navigation, this hike is an excellent choice for anyone seeking an enjoyable and manageable outdoor adventure.
**Estimated Duration**
This hike is expected to take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
**Pace:** Moderate Pace
We'll walk a steady, comfortable pace that’s manageable for most hikers with a reasonable fitness level. Breaks are regular but not overly frequent, allowing for a balanced experience of exercise and enjoyment.
**Parking**
We’ll park at the **Riverbend Park parking lot**, which has ample spaces and serves as the starting point for our hike. Please check the event map for the exact location to ensure you arrive at the correct lot.
**Trail Map (AllTrails)**
[Take a Hike! (DMV) - Riverbend Park (Great Falls Overlook 2)](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/take-a-hike-dmv-riverbend-park-26dd0db?u=i&sh=ylk43q)
Preview the hiking route on AllTrails to get familiar with the terrain. Download the map in advance to follow along and stay on track during the hike.
**Dogs on the Trail**
For everyone’s comfort and enjoyment, we kindly ask that you leave your dogs at home for this hike. Thank you for understanding!
**Restrooms**
Restrooms are available at the Riverbend Park Visitor Center and at the Great Falls Visitor Center.
**Lunch After the Hike**
Join us after the hike for a casual lunch at **Mookie's BBQ**, 1141 Walker Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066 - (703) 759-2386. It’s a great chance to relax, enjoy a meal, and connect with fellow hikers.
**Waitlist Policy**
To keep things fair, hikers will be moved off the waitlist in this order:
**1\. Regular Hikers:** Those who join hikes often get first priority.
**2\. Past Hikers:** Next are returning hikers, based on attendance and cancellation history. Frequent cancellations may lower priority.
**3\. New Hikers:** New members will be added as space allows.
Machine Learning for Reliable Quantum Computing: An Algorithm–Hardware
Date: June 7 2026 Sunday 10:00 am - Noon EDT
Full title: Machine Learning for Reliable Quantum Computing: An Algorithm–Hardware Co-Design Perspective
Summary: Reliable quantum computing requires co-design across the full stack, including algorithm structure, compilation, and execution, rather than isolated optimization of any single layer. This talk presents a unified framework in which these layers are jointly optimized under realistic hardware constraints. Structure-aware compilation exploits algorithmic interaction graphs to reduce circuit depth; joint optimization across mapping, term ordering, and algorithm parameters yields significantly improved success probability; and execution-layer analysis reveals that error mitigation effectiveness depends critically on circuit symmetry and native gate choice. While demonstrated on superconducting quantum processors, the underlying co-design principles are potentially transferable across architectures. Building on this foundation, the talk highlights machine learning as the key enabler for closing the feedback loop: data-efficient, parameterized noise models learned directly from workload execution data achieve substantially improved predictive fidelity over vendor models without the overhead of dedicated characterization. These insights situate the co-design perspective within the emerging framework of quantum deep learning. In this broader setting, the talk also presents an operational definition, a unifying taxonomy, and a benchmarking protocol grounded in explicit resource contracts.
Speaker: Dr. Yanjun Ji has an interdisciplinary research background in Physics and Computer Science. In 2020, she completed my Master's degree in Theoretical Physics at Saarland University. In 2024, she earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Stuttgart. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Forschungszentrum Jülich. She is committed to interdisciplinary research at the cutting-edge convergence of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Her research encompasses both foundational theoretical investigations and the development of practical applications, aiming to serve society and benefit humanity.
Moderators:
Dr. Pawel Gora, CEO of Quantum AI Foundation [Quantum AI Foundation](https://www.qaif.org/ "https://www.qaif.org/")
Dr. Sebastian Zajac, member of QPoland [QPoland - QWorld](https://qworld.net/qpoland/ "https://qworld.net/qpoland/")
The Power of the Subconscious Mind
# The Power of the Subconscious Mind
**THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU**
You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments!
At the lecture "The Power of the Subconscious", the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as:
What is the exact definition of the Subconscious Mind?
How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you?
What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person?
What exactly is the goal of the subconscious?
This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It's interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time.
And the most important topic:
**HOW DO YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SUBCOUNSCIOUS?**
**Attend and find out.**
This group is sponsored by the Dianetics Life Improvement Center
Profs & Pints Northern Virginia: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy,”** on findings, debates and trends in the use of psychedelic substances to treat trauma and other conditions, with Whitney Marris, instructor at the University of Buffalo’s School of Social Work, certified psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator, and consultant to clinical trials.
[Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy) .]
Psychedelics are rapidly moving from the margins into the mainstream, and questions abound as the sociocultural and legal landscapes surrounding them shift. President Trump’s recent executive order expanding access to psychedelic drugs for certain conditions and accelerating research on them has both heightened interest and added to confusion.
Learn more about the so-called “Psychedelic Renaissance,” and get help separating the hope from the hype surrounding it, with Whitney Marris, a leading trainer and facilitator of psychedelic therapy who has used it to treat trauma survivors, military veterans, and people with cancer.
She’ll present foundational information on what we know about how psychedelics work. You’ll learn how psychedelic-assisted therapy differs from “trip sitting” and about what we know about the effects of “microdosing” versus “macrodosing.” We’ll examine what has been demonstrated to be helpful versus harmful before, during, and after a dosing session intended to support significant, sustainable change.
Marris also will discuss the historical and cultural context of the use of psychedelic medicines for healing, and she’ll describe the ethical challenges that arise as such practices move from counterculture to clinic. We’ll look at emerging and evolving findings in the field, as well as at the roles being played by various financial interests and ideologies in determining the direction of psychedelic-assisted therapy and research on its outcomes.
Attendees will gain an awareness of the need for new professional standards and regulatory guardrails related to such work, and they’ll leave knowing key questions to ask potential providers of psychedelic-assisted therapy. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.)
Image by Canva.
Sunday Poker Event (Game 2)
**Sunday Texas Hold-Em Tournament**
**Cost: No cost**
**Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm**
**Starting Stack: 30,000 chips**
**Bonuses: 5,000 for arriving early, 5,000 for new players, 5,000 for registering online**
**Blind structure**
**Level 1: 100 chips / 200 chips**
**Level 2: 200 chips / 400 chips**
**Level 3: 300 chips / 600 chips**
**Level 4: 400 chips / 800 chips**
**Level 5: 500 chips / 1,000 chips**
**10 minute break / chip up**
**Level 6: 1,000 chips / 2,000 chips**
**Level 7: 2,000 chips / 4,000 chips**
**Level 8: 3,000 chips / 6,000 chips**
**chip up**
**Level 9: 5,000 chips / 10,000 chips**
**Level 10: 10,000 chips / 20,000 chips**
**Level 11: 15,000 chips / 30,000 chips**
**Level 12: 25,000 chips / 50,000 chips**
**chip up**
**Level 13: 50,000 chips / 100,000 chips**
**Level 14: 100,000 chips / 200,000 chips**
**Level 15: 200,000 chips / 4000,000 chips**
The Power of the Subconscious Mind
**THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU**
You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments!
At the lecture "The Power of the Subconscious", the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as:
What is the exact definition of the Subconscious Mind?
How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you?
What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person?
What exactly is the goal of the subconscious?
This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It's interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time.
And the most important topic:
**HOW DO YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SUBCOUNSCIOUS!**
This group is sponsored by the Dianetics Life Improvement Center.
Keynote Speakers Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Pathways Summer 2026 Natural Living Expo
DMV’s longest running Mind-Body-Spirit-Eco event! 80+ exhibitors, 30+ workshops, new outdoor community building fun! $10, kids/parking FREE!
**Join us for the mind-body-spirit-eco event of the season!** Explore and engage with 80+ exhibitors, attend any of 30+ workshops, and join the outdoor activities planned — all included in the price of admission - just $10 to stay all day! Kids 16 and under are [FREE...and](http://FREE...and) so is the parking!
**[Our Summer 2026 Exhibitors..](http://%5Bhttps://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/exhibitors/%5D(https://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/exhibitors/) "\[https://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/exhibitors/\](https://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/exhibitors/)").**
• Enjoy mini healing sessions to sample different methods (massage, Reiki, stretch, reflexology, hypnosis)
• Get a psychic, Tarot, shamanic or Angel reading; take a pic of your Aura when you visit the Aura Camera
• Learn about traditional, complimentary and alternative health & medicine
• Shop crystals, clothes, jewelry, oils, skincare, candles, books... hundreds of metaphysical, natural, organic and other products and services for your beauty, home, health and wellness
**Bill Sanda is offering mini-Akashic Record sessions throughout the day at Table #5. I will also be speaking at 1 pm on the Akashic Records and Light Language.**
**[Summer 2026 Workshop Schedule...](http://%5Bhttps://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/expo-speakers/%5D(https://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/expo-speakers/) "\[https://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/expo-speakers/\](https://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/expo-speakers/)")**
From alternative therapies and lifestyles, to spiritual, metaphysical and holistic health and wellness topics, our full day of workshops give you direct access to experts in several mind-body-spirit fields.
Make connections and appointments, network with fellow attendees, and share in the energy only the Pathways Community can bring.
Whether you're a seasoned natural living enthusiast or just beginning your journey, the Pathways Summer 2026 Natural Living Expo is the perfect opportunity to expand your knowledge, discover new products, and connect with others who are dedicated to living a more sustainable lifestyle.
Stay connected through our [Summer Expo Main Page](http://%5Bhttps://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/expos-and-events/summer-expo/%5D(https://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/expos-and-events/summer-expo/) "\[https://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/expos-and-events/summer-expo/\](https://www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com/expos-and-events/summer-expo/)") ... and join us for a day filled with inspiration, education, and fun!
Meaningful Conversation and Coffee: Northside Social Arlington
Higher Grounds – Arlington is part of a growing network of gatherings where we create space for thoughtful, authentic dialogue about what matters most. Whether we’re exploring the nature of happiness, the challenges and possibilities of midlife, spirituality, culture, capitalism, parenting, or the role of art and travel in a meaningful life, every conversation is shaped by the people in the room.
There’s no set leader or rigid agenda—just a shared commitment to listen as much as we speak. We start with brief introductions focused on what makes you you (not your LinkedIn bio), then dive straight into whatever is on people’s minds. The direction of each meetup emerges organically, making every event unique.
MANDATORY: PLEASE REVIEW OUR COMMUNITY GUIDELINES IN THE GROUP DESCRIPTION. Everyone is expected to engage in respectful conversations and listen deeply as well as share. We have a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment and hate speech.
Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others in Arlington who are also seeking deeper conversations.
Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions
* What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
* When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
* What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?
Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles
* Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
* What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
* How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?
Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human
* What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
* If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
* What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?
Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning
* What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
* How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
* What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?
Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche
* What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
* Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
* What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?
Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose
* When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
* What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
* How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?
Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection
* What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
* When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
* What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?
Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality
* What are you running out of time to say or do?
* How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
* What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?
Suggested Questions: Society & Culture
* What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
* Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
* What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?
Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy
* What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
* When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out?
* What paradox about life have you learned to live with?
THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU
**THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU**
You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments!
At the lecture "The Power of the Subconscious", the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as:
* What is the exact definition of the Subconscious Mind?
* How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you?
* What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person?
* What exactly is the goal of the subconscious?
This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It's interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time.
And the most important topic:
**HOW DO YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SUBCOUNSCIOUS!**
This group is sponsored by the Dianetics Life Improvement Center.
What Would Machine Consciousness Look Like? A Report from Berkeley
What would it mean to take the possibility of machine consciousness seriously? To approach it as a question that may be studied with rigor?
At this DC Digital Minds gathering, group organizer **Jessie Mannisto** will report back from the **Founding Assembly for Machine Consciousness Research** in Berkeley, CA, where researchers and thinkers are working to develop the machine consciousness hypothesis into something more scientifically useful. We’ll talk about what kinds of evidence might support hypotheses of machine conscience or sentience, what concepts researchers are using, where the major uncertainties are, and why these questions may have ethical, social, and policy implications as AI systems become more capable and socially present.
This will be a casual conversation with a little structure: Jessie will give a short report-back from the conference, followed by open discussion.
No technical background required -- just curiosity, good faith, and a willingness to think carefully about a strange and important frontier.
Optional Pre-Read: [The Machine Consciousness Hypothesis](https://cimc.ai/cimcHypothesis.pdf)
Can You Overcome Past Trauma?
Are past negative experiences hindering your ability to have a happy life or relationship in the present? This Webinar is an introduction to how to handle irrational emotion.
Maybe you have suffered a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? After that, you try to move on- you just can't. Possibly you have a thought or emotion that hangs around for days and you just can't shake it. What is all this stress, anxiety, depression, and self doubt? It's just crazy! It's not the real you. You can find out what is at the root of all this.
This is a FREE IN=PERSON Event
Areas you can be helped with:
Control of unwanted emotions
Lack of confidence
Grief
Anxiety
Anger management
Creating ideal relationships
Depression
Memory
and more...
This is an in-person class that can start you on the way to a better life, more confidence and less negativity. All the happiness you have lies within you. Let's find it!
This group is sponsored by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center.
Public Speaking and Communication Skills
Our next club meeting is on Sunday will start at 2:15, please join early. if you're coming in-person, parking is free and usually ample at the Community College on Sundays, and most of us park where the spaces are designated for staff and have never had a problem.
👉 Everyone is welcome to join our meeting, participate and practice. You'll get a chance to hear our club members speak and then have an opportunity to play the table topics game.
**Agenda for the Meeting:**
1. Warm Up
2. Prepared Speeches (By club members)
3. Table Topics Game (Learn to think on your feet)
4. Feedback
**Online - Join us via Zoom**
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86218205188
If you haven't used Zoom before, watch this short video on how to join our meeting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=45&v=vFhAEoCF7jg
**In-Person** **\- Join us at Montgomery Community College**
Meet us at Science Building, room SC 152. The room is located on the ground floor.
The exact building address is https://goo.gl/maps/ZEgQH7bKLvzdqtSQ9
For help, please text or call, 301-917-4202.
An Explanation of the Source of Irrational Fears and Anxieties.
THIS IS A FREE IN-PERSON MEETUP EVENT
Irrational Emotions do not not come from your good experiences.
They come from your painful experiences. Some common examples include breakups, abuse, stressful relationships, losing someone, losing status, etc.
People often feel different, less trusting and less self esteem after such incidents.
Unfortunately, these painful memories can continue to affect a person's happiness, often for life.
* Find out why your past is preventing future happiness and fulfillment.
* Learn about an amazing technique that can release those past painful emotions.
In this meeting, we'll talk about an effective tool to FULLY get over the painful experiences, so that you can be free of the mental and emotional impacts from them.
After this meeting, if you need more help, you can also consult with a counselor at no charge.
This group is created by the Dianetics & Scientology life improvement information center in Washington, DC.
Keynote Speakers Events Near You
Connect with your local Keynote Speakers community
QA or The Highway 2026
QA or the Highway is a one-day, affordable, regional, professional conference featuring real-world experience and thought leadership in the QA and testing industry.
This is a ticketed event please register here:
https://www.qaorthehwy.com/
Featured Keynote Speakers:
**Matthew-Hope Eland** **(Wizard at Leading EDJE)** \- An AI Specialist and Wizard at Leading EDJE who is known to teach software engineering\, AI\, and data science concepts in the most ridiculous ways possible\. Matt has used machine learning to settle debates over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie\, reinforcement learning to drive the behavior of digital squirrels\, data analytics to suggest improvements to his favorite TV show\, and AI agents to play board games and create an AI agent with the personality of a dog\. Matt is the author of "Data Science in \.NET with Polyglot Notebooks" and "Refactoring with C\#" as well as several LinkedIn Learning courses\. Matt helps organize the Central Ohio \.NET Developer Group\, runs several blogs and a YouTube channel\, has a Master’s of Science in Data Analytics\, and is a current Microsoft MVP in AI and \.NET\.
**Tatyana Arbouzova** **(CEO at Innovate QA)** \- Tatyana Arbouzova is an engineering and business leader with a strong background in Quality Engineering across multiple industries\, including Big Tech\, Healthcare\, and Entertainment\. She has held leadership roles at world\-class companies such as Microsoft\, VMware\, Disney\, and The Pokémon Company International\, where she focused on building quality\-driven cultures and scaling teams to deliver high\-impact products\. With decades of experience\, Tatyana has helped organizations transform their quality practices so teams can deliver software efficiently\, confidently\, and with measurable business outcomes\. Today\, Tatyana advises software companies on adopting AI to optimize quality practices and improve how software is delivered at scale\. She is also a passionate community builder and the founder of Innovate QA\, a thriving Seattle\-based community and conference for quality professionals\.
Speak Easy (Storytelling)
The topic for June is "Roadtrip"
Speak Easy: true stories, told live.
The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast.
Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect.
The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!
Data & Analytics Wednesday - Finding Product Insights
**The Behavior Gap: Where Products Win or Lose**
Teams today have more data than ever, and yet many still struggle to understand why customers adopt, engage with, or abandon their products. Teams sprint, ship faster, and chase more signals… all while metrics stall and confidence drops. The missing piece isn’t more data. It’s often the behavioral insight between the metrics, explaining why the numbers move in the first place. Dashboards can tell you what customers did, but understanding why they did it (and how to influence what they do next) requires a deeper blend of insights. This session is about closing that gap.
Drawing from real-world experience designing and scaling products as [ZoCo Design](https://zocodesign.com/)’s CEO, [Lacey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) will share how to cut through the noise and identify the insights that actually change behavior—moving people, and moving metrics. You’ll learn:
* Why understanding customer behavior is a quant and qual challenge
* How to spot the signals that actually predict behavior change
* Where AI accelerates insight, and where it creates distraction
* How to get meaningfully closer to customers, without adding more tools
This talk reframes how to evaluate performance and identify what levers actually improve it, helping your team to make smarter bets with greater confidence. Every meaningful outcome is driven by behavior change. And when you know how to design for behavior, you stop guessing, and start building things that work.
**About Our Speaker**
[Lacey Picazo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) is the Founder and CEO of ZoCo, a healthcare product studio that turns complex, high-stakes ideas into products that drive real-world adoption. She partners with healthcare organizations to uncover critical care delivery insights, focus product strategy through behavior design, and build solutions that patients and providers actually use.
Thanks to our 2026 sponsors:
[Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro)
More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)
Art & Craft Maker Meetup
**Get your creative flow going with a Sunday Afternoon Maker Meetup!**
Whether you are looking to carve out dedicated creative time, wanting to get a lingering project across the finish line, or just looking to chat with fellow local makers—this is the space for you.
🧵 **What to Bring**
Bring any art or craft project you are currently working on, as long as it is portable and quiet. Think:
* **Yarn & Thread:** Knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, hand-sewing, mending.
* **Paper & Sketching:** Sketchbooks, adult coloring books, watercolors, bullet journaling.
* **Digital:** Tablets, iPad drawing, laptop writing/design.
* *Please note: Because we are meeting in a shared public space, no power tools, sewing machines, or high-odor materials (like strong solvents or spray glues), please!*
**📍 Where to Find Us**
* We will be meeting at **Columbus Metropolitan Library - Martin Luther King Branch** in **Meeting Room 1**. Room is reserved under **CBUS Maker Meetup.**
**⏱️ Timeline**
* **1:00 PM:** Arrive, grab a seat, get settled, and do a quick round of introductions so we can see what everyone is working on.
* **1:15 PM - 3:00 PM:** Open maker time! Chat, craft, relax, and swap creative ideas.
**⚠️ A Note on RSVPs**
Space for this first meetup is strictly limited to 10 spots.
If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP to "Not Going" as soon as possible so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot. We ask that you try to give at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel.
***
**We can't wait to meet you and see what you're making! All skill levels welcome.**
June 2026 AWS Columbus - Topic to be announced
Topic to be announced.
**THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/
**DIRECTIONS**
Franklin University
Fisher Hall
300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8
Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map.
NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct.
**Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?**
Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com
Stop Guessing: A Product Person's Guide to AI Adoption
## 🤝 Host Information
A co-hosted event by ProductTank Columbus & Women in Product Columbus
💡 About the Workshop
AI adoption is stalling across organizations — not because of a lack of motivation or tools, but because it's fundamentally a behavior design challenge.
This hands-on workshop applies proven Behavior Design models and methods to help you move from a vague organizational wish to boost AI adoption to 3-5 concrete, testable interventions you can act on starting tomorrow.
Whether you're a product manager, on a product team, or just someone trying to get AI to actually stick at work, you'll leave with a clear picture of what's worth focusing on, what to ignore, and how to drive real, sustained adoption — no guesswork required.
🛠️ What to Bring
Laptop: Fully charged and ready to go.
AI Assistant: Have your favorite AI assistant pulled up. (Dom will be using Claude, but feel free to use whichever assistant you prefer!)
🍕 Logistics & Perks
Food & Drink: Pizza and drinks provided!
Parking: Plenty of free spaces available on-site.
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Evolve Synergy: Westerville Chapter
At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey.
[Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/)
\*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected!
Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.





















