Knowledge Management

This is an in-person full day event. It is a beginner level course to get people started in using AI assistants like Copilot and ChatGPT effectively and understand how when and where they can be useful. We will work on hands-on guided exercises. In the morning, we’ll learn how to use our AI tools to: * generate new ideas and think creatively. * explain how things work: for example, identify root causes of problems and suggest solutions. * plan and organise tasks or activities. * summarise long documents and draft new ones. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the AI assistant’s full capabilities to: * use advanced reasoning to solve really hard problems. * work with images: describe them, and interpret visuals such as maps or charts. * use notebook features to answer questions based on document contents and create podcasts, mind maps, or study guides. * build and use custom AI tools that specialise in specific tasks. * act as a data analyst — describe, clean, and visualise data to uncover insights. You'll need to bring a fully-charged laptop. No previous knowledge or experience of Generative AI is required.

IN PERSON STUDY & CONVERSATION GROUP - KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHER WORDS. HOW IS IT ACHIEVED ? WITH TREVOR DANCE **Knowledge of the Higher Worlds is an essential book for understanding Rudolf Steiner’s ideas. It contains practical exercises to set one on the spiritual pathway advocated by Steiner – a reliable and safe path based on a rational, scientific approach.** **You are warmly invited to join the study group.** **Further information: trevordance@hotmail.com** This group is run under the auspices of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain and small donations towards expenses are welcome. £ 3 / £2 .

This seminar is for improving your communication skills, so you can achieve greater success in life. We will especially focus on a life tool that you can easily learn and use to improve your: - \- Interviews \- Public speaking \- Communication with strangers \- Connection with co\-workers \- Comfort with various social situations\. \- Handling upsets \- Getting along with others better\. \- Meeting new people\. This seminar invites your feedback and input. You could learn some new skills and we would love for you to be able to practice this also. You will learn an amazing life tool that you can put into practice right away! We also offer free one-to-one appointments to be made after the seminar if you require a bit of extra coaching or tips. From the Scientology Life Improvement Centre

Your survival depends on knowing who you can rely on. But how can you tell who your real friends are? How can you determine if a person will help make a joint venture successful? Is there a way to predict behavior? Yes. There are fundamental elements to human behavior. When you know them you have insight into your fellow man, and just by observing how people act, you will know *everything* about them. #### On this lecture you will learn: * The important role of trust in human relationships. * The Hubbard Chart of Human Evaluation—the tool to know true character and predict what people will do. * How to evaluate others accurately and guarantee a more certain future for yourself and those you care about. With the knowledge you learn on this course, you will have tools to know who you can trust and who you can depend on. *“Trustworthiness is a highly esteemed commodity. When one has it, one is considered valuable. When one has lost it, one may be considered worthless.”* *—L. Ron Hubbard*

**Please register on [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/java-champions-conference-watch-party-tickets-1980389071022) to join this event.** **About this event** Join us at Loqate for our LJC Watch Party! The Java Champions run a virtual event every year [https://jchampionsconf.com/](https://jchampionsconf.com/) and the LJC is going to host a Watch Party. We’ll stream the sessions live on our big TV and you'll get to watch it with other LJC folk, Refreshments included of course. Loqate are kindly hosting us from 2pm until 8pm which means we can watch. **GMT Time Session Title Presenter(s)** **14:00 GMT** Beyond Agents: A New Architecture for Reproducible Code Generation Workflows Catalin Tudose & Vladimir Sonkin **15:00 GMT** Spec-driven Development: How AI Changed Everything (And Nothing) Simon Martinelli **16:00 GMT** Value Objects — the Next Big Thing in Java Falk Sippach **17:00 GMT** Test Smarter, Not Harder: Achieving Confidence in Complex Distributed Systems Elias Nogueira **18:00** GMT Domain-centric? Why Hexagonal- and Onion-Architecture Are Answers to the Wrong Question Oliver Drotbohm **19:00** GMT Seven Habits of Highly Effective AI Java Coding Jonathan Vila López **Event Venue:** **Loqate office** \- 128 Queen Victoria Street\, London\, EC4V 4BJ The entrance is on the opposite side of the building closest to St Paul's Cathedral

Wir treffen uns im **The Lady Ottoline** Pub im **Morrell Room** im 1. Stock. Adresse: 11a Northington Street, WC1N 2JF An der Bar kannst du auch nach der Deutschen Gruppe oder Graham fragen. In der WA-Gruppe (https://chat.whatsapp.com/LbnZDaVbfky4w7CVTibjHT) kannst Du andere Teilnehmer auch vor Ort erreichen.

**PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BOOK YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE TO ATTEND THE EVENT. YOU CAN RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE. [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1978263773199?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1978263773199?aff=oddtdtcreator)** Join us for an exclusive Pharma Networking Event in London, bringing together startup founders, investors, researchers, and industry professionals shaping the future of pharmaceuticals and biotech. Whether you're developing new drug therapies, AI-driven healthcare solutions, or innovative pharmaceutical technologies, this event is designed to foster strategic connections, investment opportunities, and industry collaboration. **What to expect:** **High-Impact Networking** – Engage with pharma founders, investors, and professionals in a collaborative setting. **1-Minute Elevator Pitches** – Startups will have the chance to introduce their business, highlight their innovation, and connect with investors and partners. **Investment & Funding Opportunities** – Meet investors seeking high-growth pharma startups and breakthrough medical innovations. **Industry Insights & Market Trends** – Discuss advancements in drug development, AI in pharma, regulatory changes, biotech innovations, and more. **Strategic Partnerships** – Find research collaborators, regulatory advisors, and commercialization experts to help scale your venture. **Who should attend?** * **Pharma & Biotech Startup Founders** – Entrepreneurs developing **new therapeutics, AI-driven pharma solutions, or innovative drug delivery technologies**. * **Investors & Venture Capitalists** – Seeking **disruptive startups and groundbreaking innovations in pharmaceuticals and life sciences**. * **Pharmaceutical Industry Professionals** – Engaging with **startups, researchers, and investors** to explore business opportunities. * **Regulatory & Compliance Experts** – Providing guidance on **clinical trials, market entry, and pharmaceutical regulations**. * **Product Development & Commercialization Specialists** – Helping **startups bring pharmaceutical solutions to market**. * **Scientists & Research Institutions** – Translating **cutting-edge research into real-world pharma applications**. **Why attend?** Expand Your Network – Connect with key players in the pharma and biotech industry to accelerate your business or career. Access Investment & Business Growth Opportunities – Meet investors ready to support breakthrough pharmaceutical innovations. Gain Insights from Industry Leaders – Stay informed on emerging trends, challenges, and technological advancements in the sector. Find the Right Partners – Whether it’s funding, regulatory support, research collaborations, or commercialization strategies, this event connects you with the right people. Spaces are limited—secure your spot today and be part of London’s thriving pharma and biotech ecosystem. What to join this event and all our future events for **FREE**? Join **The Business Minds Membership** to unlock free entry to all our 290+ yearly networking events, plus exclusive networking opportunities. Learn more: [https://thebusinessminds.co.uk/membership](https://thebusinessminds.co.uk/membership "https://thebusinessminds.co.uk/membership"). How our event works: You are invited to join the dedicated Whatsapp group for the event and start networking before the actual event. This event will be hosted till 9pm; the key to making the most of speed friending is to follow up with your contacts over time to develop friendships. Dress code is either business or office attire or smart casual, no T-shirts, no trainers. If you have any questions email contact@thebusinessminds.co.uk Ticket for 1 person allows 1 person to enter the venue from 7pm Business Minds is looking to connect with suitable venues for our networking events. So if you are a venue in central London and would be interested in a collaboration with us then please email us contact@thebusinessminds.co.uk Please Note: **Tickets need to be bought online and are not available at the door.**

Come and play 2 hours of badminton with us at the fantastic sports hall at Ursuline High School in Wimbledon, playing with Yonex 600 plastic shuttlecocks on 4 badminton courts. This session is suitable for improvers and intermediate level players. You need to book your place on our website using a bank card, PayPal, or Apple Pay. Note that we manage bookings and post updates on the booking page on our website, not on meetup: [https://playfit.co.uk/w/badminton/](https://playfit.co.uk/w/badminton/) If you have any questions or want to the term at a discounted rate then contact us here: Whatsapp: [https://wa.me/message/WMVRULBIR7TJA1](https://wa.me/message/WMVRULBIR7TJA1) Email: [https://playfit.co.uk/w/contact](https://playfit.co.uk/w/contact) Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about our badminton sessions, new locations and get exclusive offers: [https://playfit.co.uk/newsletter](https://playfit.co.uk/newsletter)

Agentic AI only works as well as the context you can reliably retrieve. We're kicking off our first meetup of 2026 with a practical deep dive into knowledge graphs + agents. The focus will be on clean graph retrieval patterns: querying a knowledge graph without unnecessary abstraction, keeping type-safety, and getting end-to-end observability (not just LLM calls). We'll explore: * Where knowledge graph retrieval fits into modern agent architectures * A SurrealDB + Pydantic AI pattern for tool-based graph querying * How to build with type safety + observability baked in **Talks** **SurrealDB knowledge graph retrieval tool for a Pydantic AI agent** Martin Schaer (SurrealDB) Once you have a knowledge graph in SurrealDB, Pydantic AI agent's provide one of the most straightforward ways of querying it, without adding unnecessary layers of abstraction that limit your options, and providing production ready type-safety and full-stack observability (not only for the LLM calls). **Building Agents with Pydantic AI, Logfire and SurrealDB** Chris Samiulluh (Pydantic) This session explores how to build AI agents by combining three powerful tools: Pydantic AI for agent development, Pydantic Logfire for observability, and SurrealDB as a multi-model database backend. A practical approach to agent development, demonstrating how these tools work together to create applications that are both powerful and maintainable. **Agenda** * 18:00 Doors + drinks * 18:30 Welcome * 18:35 Talk 1 + Q&A * 19:15 Talk 2 + Q&A * 20:00 Networking * 20:30 Close **Who should attend?** Software engineers and builders working on agents, RAG, semantic search, knowledge graphs, and anyone who cares about reliable context retrieval and systems you can reason about. **About the speakers** **Chris Samiulluh** Chris is VP of Partnerships at Pydantic, the company behind the popular Python validation library with +500 million downloads per month. He focuses on the intersection of AI engineering, observability, and enterprise sales strategy. With over a decade of experience writing code, Chris has deep expertise in scaling machine learning applications and AI engineering. He ran the Beijing Python meetup for two years, mentors junior developers, and continues to create software development tutorials and guides. He is the co-author of the popular Udemy course "Deployment of Machine Learning Models." **Martin Schaer** Martin is a computer science engineer working at SurrealDB and his GenAI startup. He recently worked in lab automation, where he designed and developed a declarative framework for instrument drivers and a 3D visualiser for testing robotic transport solutions. His background also includes founding a successful advertising agency in Costa Rica and extensive work in web development, UX, branding, and digital marketing. **FAQs** **Is the venue accessible?** Absolutely! There is a lift that takes you up to Level 4 where the event is held. **Is this event for me?** SurrealDB events are for software engineers, developers, architects, data scientists, data engineers, or any tech professionals keen to discover more about SurrealDB: a scalable multi-model database that allows users and developers to focus on building their applications with ease and speed. **Am I guaranteed a ticket at this event?** Our events are tech-focused and in the interest of keeping our events relevant and meaningful for those attending, tickets are issued at our discretion. We therefore reserve the right to refund ticket orders before the event and to request proof of identity and/or professional background upon entry. **Are there any House Rules?** At SurrealDB, we are committed to providing live and online events that are safe and enjoyable for all attending. Please review our [Code of Conduct](https://surrealdb.com/legal/code-of-conduct) and [Privacy Policy](https://surrealdb.com/legal/privacy) for more information. It is compulsory for all attendees to be registered with a first **and** last name in order to attend. Any attendees who do not adhere to these requirements will be refused a ticket.

Agentic AI only works as well as the context you can reliably retrieve. We're kicking off our first meetup of 2026 with a practical deep dive into knowledge graphs + agents. The focus will be on clean graph retrieval patterns: querying a knowledge graph without unnecessary abstraction, keeping type-safety, and getting end-to-end observability (not just LLM calls). We'll explore: * Where knowledge graph retrieval fits into modern agent architectures * A SurrealDB + Pydantic AI pattern for tool-based graph querying * How to build with type safety + observability baked in **Talks** **SurrealDB knowledge graph retrieval tool for a Pydantic AI agent** Martin Schaer (SurrealDB) Once you have a knowledge graph in SurrealDB, Pydantic AI agent's provide one of the most straightforward ways of querying it, without adding unnecessary layers of abstraction that limit your options, and providing production ready type-safety and full-stack observability (not only for the LLM calls). **Building Agents with Pydantic AI, Logfire and SurrealDB** Chris Samiulluh (Pydantic) This session explores how to build AI agents by combining three powerful tools: Pydantic AI for agent development, Pydantic Logfire for observability, and SurrealDB as a multi-model database backend. A practical approach to agent development, demonstrating how these tools work together to create applications that are both powerful and maintainable. **Agenda** * 18:00 Doors + drinks * 18:30 Welcome * 18:35 Talk 1 + Q&A * 19:15 Talk 2 + Q&A * 20:00 Networking * 20:30 Close **Who should attend?** Software engineers and builders working on agents, RAG, semantic search, knowledge graphs, and anyone who cares about reliable context retrieval and systems you can reason about. **About the speakers** **Chris Samiulluh** Chris is VP of Partnerships at Pydantic, the company behind the popular Python validation library with +500 million downloads per month. He focuses on the intersection of AI engineering, observability, and enterprise sales strategy. With over a decade of experience writing code, Chris has deep expertise in scaling machine learning applications and AI engineering. He ran the Beijing Python meetup for two years, mentors junior developers, and continues to create software development tutorials and guides. He is the co-author of the popular Udemy course "Deployment of Machine Learning Models." **Martin Schaer** Martin is a computer science engineer working at SurrealDB and his GenAI startup. He recently worked in lab automation, where he designed and developed a declarative framework for instrument drivers and a 3D visualiser for testing robotic transport solutions. His background also includes founding a successful advertising agency in Costa Rica and extensive work in web development, UX, branding, and digital marketing. **FAQs** **Is the venue accessible?** Absolutely! There is a lift that takes you up to Level 4 where the event is held. **Is this event for me?** SurrealDB events are for software engineers, developers, architects, data scientists, data engineers, or any tech professionals keen to discover more about SurrealDB: a scalable multi-model database that allows users and developers to focus on building their applications with ease and speed. **Am I guaranteed a ticket at this event?** Our events are tech-focused and in the interest of keeping our events relevant and meaningful for those attending, tickets are issued at our discretion. We therefore reserve the right to refund ticket orders before the event and to request proof of identity and/or professional background upon entry. **Are there any House Rules?** At SurrealDB, we are committed to providing live and online events that are safe and enjoyable for all attending. Please review our [Code of Conduct](https://surrealdb.com/legal/code-of-conduct) and [Privacy Policy](https://surrealdb.com/legal/privacy) for more information. It is compulsory for all attendees to be registered with a first **and** last name in order to attend. Any attendees who do not adhere to these requirements will be refused a ticket.

We're back with our first event of the year and we couldn't be more excited. We'll stick to our usual format of 2 speakers and a fireside chat (with a twist this time). If you've not been to one of our events before then here is what you can expect. CRAP (Conversion Rate Optimisation, Analytics, Product) Talks is a cross-discipline event. We don't work in silos so why network and learn in silos. In the past we've had speakers from Data, Analytics, CRO, Product, Marketing, Data Science, Design and Research and so many more. If you work in tech, chances are you work cross-functionally, so come along and meet people doing amazing things in tech. **Hosts:** RVU - https://www.rvu.co.uk/ **Venue:** RVU The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London SE1 2LH **Date:** 27/01/2026 6pm doors open Talks kick off at 630 Wrap up approximately 9:00pm. **Speakers:** * **Speaker Name:** [Juliana Jackson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-jackson/) * **Title:** Cloud Director, Data Science * **Talk Name:** The haystack paradox: What happens after AI creates 1M Ads? * **Speaker Bio:** Enterprise strategist specializing in Data Science & AI\, product and digital experience\. Known for saying what others won’t\. Lovie Awards Winner \- Best use of AI & ML 2025 \(Bronze\)\,\(People’s Lovie Award\) \| BIMA 2025 \- Best use of Data \(Bronze\)\,\(Trailblazer\) * **Speaker Name:** [Valeria Stromtsova](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAB_hh3QBLXV1C5bXbofGrnqGJs9vlBrlbjc) * **Title:** Product Owner * **Talk Name:** How AI kept me sane during onboarding: building a second brain with Claude Code * **Speaker Bio:** Climate tech product manager. Passionate about empathy, efficient cross-functional collaboration and sustainable leadership practices.

A fun and hands on introduction to LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, ideal for those who have not experienced the method before. After being welcomed by our experienced facilitator, you will explore building models as an individual and as a group. You will become practiced at several methods of communication and learn to hear and understand others, all using LEGO! Following the workshop we will send you a free pdf copy of the book "SeriousWork" - a hands on guide to using LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® yourself (5\*\*\*\*\* reviewed book that sells for £25 on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Facilitate-Meetings-Workshops-Serious-Method/dp/0995664706) Ideal for those who are interested in participatory leadership, better communication and creativity. If you have attended a taster workshop before, you are welcome to attend but please note this introductory workshop will be a similar experience.

It's the Festival of Genomics once again! The premier UK event for genetic, omics, precision medicine, biomedical data and more, packed full of talks and stands. Most of the BioinformaticsLondon crew will be there. If you haven't got your ticket already, go to: https://festivalofgenomics.com/london/ *Tickets are free for most people. If you're unemployed or job-seeking, there is a special avenue for getting free tickets. See the website. If you fall into the category of people who have to pay for tickets (mostly sales, vendors and recruiters), unfortunately we can't help.* Wednesday is the drinks and mixer event at the Festival. We'll start there and migrate to a pub outside where non-ticketholders can join us. Updates will appear here, in comments on this meetup and in our Whatsapp group. Tentatively: * Wednesday, day 1 * Talks end about 5:40pm * Drinks inside the festival start about 6pm. Be warned that there are usually long queues for the singular free drink you might get. We'll meet at the genomics bubble tent from about 6 to 7pm * 7pm we'll migrate to the Fox, the large pub at the Western entrance of Excel. Our usual talks will resume in February. Details to be posted soon.

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

**Course Overview:** For project management professionals, the PMP certification is a widely accepted credential. It attests to their proficiency in project management and leadership. Obtaining PMP certification indicates proficiency in project management techniques and a dedication to best practices. It raises earning potential, creates new chances, and improves career prospects. The Project Management Institute (PMI) administers the PMP certification, which necessitates passing a demanding exam, proving experience, and fulfilling professional development criteria. **Training Overview:** This in-depth PMP® course is carefully crafted to provide professionals with the information, tools, and techniques needed to lead projects in a wide range of industries. Updated according to the most recent PMBOK® Guide and PMI standards, the course addresses fundamental project management areas such as initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing a project. Attendees will receive hands-on practice through live case studies, interactive training, and exam techniques so that they are well-equipped to take the PMP certification exam. The training is also in compliance with the PMI 35 contact hour requirement and is conducted by certified trainers with real-world industry experience. [https://www.icertglobal.com/course/pmp-certification-training/Classroom/5/3644](https://www.icertglobal.com/course/pmp-certification-training/Classroom/5/3644) Take your career to the next level with our **intensive PMP® Bootcamp**, designed to help you lead projects with confidence and earn your PMP credential quickly and efficiently. · Hands-on training in project planning, execution, monitoring & closure · In-depth understanding of PMI frameworks and the PMBOK® Guide **·** Proven strategies to **clear the PMP exam on your first try** · Guidance from expert trainers with 15+ years of industry experience **Key Features of PMP Certification** · **4 Days In-Person Training:** Intensive classroom sessions with expert-led instruction, hands-on activities, and full PMP® exam coverage. · **PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition-Based Training:** Aligned with the latest PMI standards, focusing on principles, performance domains, and real-world project applications. · **90 Days of E-Learning Access:** Get unlimited access to recorded sessions, study materials, and practice exams for 90 days to reinforce your learning at your own pace. · **PMI Application Assistance:** Get step-by-step guidance to complete and submit your PMP® exam application accurately and confidently. · **35 Hours of Classroom and Online Instructor-Led Live Training:** Comprehensive, real-time training delivered by certified instructors in both in-person and virtual formats. · **Approved Course Materials:** Study with PMI-authorized and industry-recognized materials aligned with the latest PMP® exam content outline. · **Money-Back Guarantee:** Enroll with confidence—get a refund if you don’t pass the PMP® exam under our specified terms and conditions. · **Exam-Based Mock Tests:** Practice with full-length, PMP®-style mock exams designed to simulate the real test environment and boost your confidence. **Benefits of PMP Certification:** · **Global Recognition:** PMP is a universally respected credential recognized across industries worldwide. · **Higher Salary Potential:** PMP-certified professionals earn up to 20% more than non-certified peers. · **Career Advancement:** Opens doors to leadership roles and high-impact project opportunities. · **Validated Skills:** Proves your ability to manage projects efficiently using industry-standard best practices. · **Stronger Networking:** Connect with a global community of project managers and PMI members. **What will you learn?** * **Project Management Frameworks:** Understand PMI’s approach and the PMBOK® Guide (7th Edition) * **Project Lifecycle & Processes:** Master initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing phases * **Agile & Hybrid Methodologies:** Apply adaptive project practices used in modern industries * **Team Leadership & Communication**: Learn stakeholder engagement, team dynamics, and conflict resolution * **Risk, Time & Cost Management:** Effectively manage project constraints and ensure delivery success * **PMP® Exam Strategy:** Gain test-taking techniques, practice with mock exams, and get exam-ready tips **Our Pass Guarantee: Your Success is Our Priority:** We’re committed to your success—our training, tools, and support are designed to help you pass the PMP® exam with confidence. **Why Choose Our Program? Learn from Industry Leaders. Succeed with Confidence.** · Led by certified experts with 15+ years of experience · PMI-authorized training aligned with the latest PMBOK® Guide · Proven track record of high first-attempt pass rates · Practical case studies and real-world project insights · Dedicated support from registration to certification However, basic understanding and knowledge about quality aspect and quality control will prove to be useful. Other course you might be interested: CAPM \| PMP \|LSSGB \| LSSBB \| LSSGB & LSSBB \| ITIL \| CBAP \| PMI\-ACP \| Big Data \| DevOps \| Data Science \| CSM If you are interested, please let me know so that I can send you special discounted price along with the customized registration link which will help you to enroll it easily. **Other Training Courses:** CAPM \| LSSGB \| LSSBB \| LSSGB&LSSBB\| CSM \| PMI\-ACP \| CCBA \| CEH \| DevOps If you have any more queries regarding PMP training and certification write an email to : [alex.wood@icertglobal.org](mailto:alex.wood@icertglobal.org) [https://www.icertglobal.com/](https://www.icertglobal.com/) Email: [alex.wood@icertglobal.org](http://alex.wood@icertglobal.org/) Phone: 713-287-1187

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

### Tools in your AI's Toolbox : An introduction to MCP Servers The generative AI revolution has unlocked unprecedented capabilities, but the next frontier is agency: empowering models to interact with, query, and act upon the world. The current challenge is the “N x M integration problem,” where every AI model requires a custom, brittle integration for each external tool or data source. This approach simply doesn’t scale. How can we give an AI access to our sales leads, code repositories, or IoT devices in a standardized, secure, and reusable way? This session introduces Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP), the open-source framework designed to solve this challenge and become the universal connector—the USB-C port—for AI. MCP standardizes how AI models discover and use external tools, moving beyond simple function-calling to a robust, client-server architecture. We will dive into how this open protocol is creating a new ecosystem for building powerful, context-aware AI agents. Join this session for a developer-focused introduction where you will learn how to: Understand the core concepts of the open-source Model Context Protocol and its architecture. Utilize pre-built, open-source MCP servers to instantly connect AI to tools like Git, Slack, and databases. Build a custom MCP server to securely expose your own proprietary data and APIs as tools for any compliant AI. Move beyond bespoke integrations and contribute to a standardized, collaborative, and open ecosystem. Stop building one-off connectors and start building intelligent agents. This session will give you the practical knowledge to leverage MCP and create the next generation of AI that doesn’t just talk, but does. Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! [https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/](https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/)

## Details \#\# Learn Infrastructure\-as\-Code \(the FUN Way\) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: DevOps Columbus - Azure CBUS - Columbus HashiCorp User Group** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint DevOps Columbus, Azure CBUS and Columbus HashiCorp User Group meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. \#\#\# What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time \#\#\# Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐

Dale Gnidovec, Curator of the Orton Hall Museum of Geology at The Ohio State University, will be presenting a program he has wanted to share with us for a long time: Plate Tectonics. His description of his program: Continents on the move - Nothing in Earth history makes sense without moving continents - it tells us why mountains, volcanoes, minerals, and fossils are where they are. This talk examines the evidence for continental drift, why it was disbelieved, and explains how the more-encompassing theory of plate tectonics was developed and eventually proven. Dale is an energetic, incredibly knowledgeable, and very entertaining speaker and this will be another wonderful program by Dale. Hope to see you there! Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

## Learn Infrastructure-as-Code (the FUN Way) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: Azure CBUS × Columbus HashiCorp User Group × DevOps Columbus** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint Azure CBUS, Columbus HashiCorp User Group, and DevOps Columbus meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. ### What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time ### Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐 Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/