Open Government Data

Join Squad8 Volleyball for **indoor open play** in **Manassas** on **Sunday, Feb 8th from 5:00–8:00 PM**. This run is best for **B/BB-level players** (intermediate to high-intermediate). We keep it **social and welcoming**—competitive enough for good games, but not overly intense. Our focus is more on **community and having fun** than winning every point. 💲 **$15 per person** 👥 **Limited spots available** — please RSVP/confirm early. Questions? Contact **Shirley: (571) 480-2910**

**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. *

**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!!!!

A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st- through 4th-level characters. It's time to explore! With the Society coming off of their recent victory in finally defeating an old enemy, they choose to turn to refocus on the goals of the Pathfinder Society: Explore! Report! Cooperate! As a celebration for such a successful year, there's a party being hosted with all sorts of friends both new and old in attendance. However, when one of Fola Barun's dear friends needs to be entertained in order to prepare a surprise, it's up to the Pathfinders to show him around the famous Maze of the Open Road. When he starts to encourage exploration, new doors appear and new adventures await! *Intro: Year of Unfettered Exploration* is the introduction to the plot of the Year of Unfettered Exploration. This scenario presents characters and themes that will feature in Year 5's metaplot, and so it is is a natural starting point for players looking to jump into the action. Written by Sen H.H.S. **Scenario tags**: Metaplot (Unfettered Exploration), Faction (Envoy's Alliance), Repeatable

We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)

We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)

\| Government Leaders Meet in DC | Policy makers around the world are coming to DC to learn about blockchain. | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | [](https://gbaglobal.org/u-s-capitol-hill-blockchain-showcase) | | \| Government Leaders Meet in DC | Policy makers around the world are coming to DC to learn about blockchain. Learn More https://gbaglobal.org/u-s-capitol-hill-blockchain-showcase/ Government officials from over 50 government offices and over 300 people have registered to attend the Government Blockchain Showcase on Capitol Hill, March 2nd, 2026 in Washington, DC. Do you have a production-ready blockchain solution that government can use? Schedule a call to discuss showcasing https://calendly.com/gerard-dache/30min. Want to attend the free daytime event on Capitol Hill? Register on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/events/7404602812124524544?viewAsMember=true. Want to attend the daytime showcase and the Spies Across Time Evening Reception? Purchase a ticket https://gbaglobal.org/u-s-capitol-hill-blockchain-showcase/. Who Will Be Attending International Organizations United Nations National Governments Argentina Bermuda Guatemala India Israel Japan Mexico Singapore United States Government White House Of of Science & Tech Department of Agriculture (USDA) Department of Commerce Technology Modernization Fund Department of War (DoW) Defense Acquisition University Department of the Navy Depart of Education (DoE) Depart of Health & Human Services (HHS) Health Resources & Services Admin (HRSA) Depart of Housing & Urban Dev Federal Housing Finance Agency Depart of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Safety Agency (TSA) Department of the Interior Department of State Department of the Treasury Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Federal Labor Relations Authority General Services Admin (GSA) Technology Modernization Fund House of Representatives House Committee on Ways & Means House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Internal Revenue Service (IRS) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Institutes of Health Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship State & Local Government Offices Maryland Government Annapolis Prince George’s County North Carolina City of Charlottesville Utah County Virginia Retirement System Washington, DC Office of the Inspector General Washington Area Transit Authority \| https://gbaglobal.org/u-s-capitol-hill-blockchain-showcase/ About GBA The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) is a nonprofit (501c6) organization committed to advancing blockchain technology standards, facilitating industry education, and ensuring a trusted, secure ecosystem for blockchain solutions. For more information, visit https://gbaglobal.org/. For more information contact Bob Miko, bmiko@pacificdialogue.com 203 378 2803. Bob Miko GBA Director of Public Relations Editor in Chief/Producer Pacific Dialogue 203 378 2803 bmiko@pacificdialogue.com