Recruiting & Hiring

Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: [PLEASE INCLUDE DETAILS] Travel / Parking info: [PLEASE INCLUDE DETAILS]

Join us for our first event of 2026! **DESIGN REIMAGINED UTRECHT** returns for an exciting evening dedicated to the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, design, and technical collaboration. Hosted by the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, this session is a must-attend for UX professionals, developers, and product leads looking to navigate the next wave of digital innovation. * **Date:** Thursday, 29 January 2026 * **Time:** 18:00 to 21:00 * **Location:** Hogeschool Utrecht, Padualaan 99, Room 0.011, 3584 CH Utrecht **The Sessions** Prepare for two impactful sessions that explore how AI is reshaping our creative workflows and the technical bridges that connect us: **"Designing AI beyond the Interface"** **[Niomi Consten](https://www.linkedin.com/in/niomiconsten/)** \- Associate Experience Design Director at Monks **"The bridge between designers, developers and AI"** **[Hernani Fernandes](https://www.linkedin.com/in/hernani-fernandes/)** \- Senior UX/UI and Software Developer at Xebia Come and network with fellow design and tech enthusiasts to gain actionable insights from industry leaders at Monks and Xebia as we kick off a new year of innovation!

This event was reposted due to having to cancel the original meet on the 9th! Come discuss books and make new friends 🌈✨ 2026's first book will be Bad Habit by Alana S. Portero (Spanish title: La mala costumbre). Set against the heroin epidemic that ravaged Madrid in the 1980s and the city’s vibrant party scene that dominated its nightlife in the 1990s, Bad Habit follows Portero’s unnamed trans female protagonist as she grows up in a blue-collar suburb that has no place for her. Forging ahead, she discovers community and kinship in downtown Madrid, amid a lively party scene animated by junkies, pop divas, and fallen angels. But with each step she takes forward, she finds herself confronted by a violence she does not yet know how to counter; in this exciting, often terrifying, world, each choice can truly be a matter of life and death. The meeting will take place at De Uithoek handarbeidlokaal, an 8 minute cycle / 20 minute walk away from Utrecht Centraal. Everyone is welcome who has read the book (or DNF, and is okay with spoilers) by the time of the meetup. The book club is hosted in English. Please update your RSVP if you find out you cannot attend. Hope to see you there! 🏳️‍🌈📚

Hi✋ At[ Data Tribes ](https://www.datatribes.nl/)we organise Meetups because we truly care about sharing knowledge both inside and outside the organisation. We believe that it is beneficial to us and to the market as a whole to connect, create, learn and grow together! **The agenda** // Doors open 6.00pm // Drinks and Pizza’s 6.30pm // Start presentations 7.00pm // **Longhow Lam Snowflake Intelligence — Enterprise AI Agent** // Start networking 9.00pm // End Meetup 9.30pm Greetings, Data Tribes Inc.

**ArnhemJUG** We are excited to announce the first meetup of 2026. We are welcomed by OpenValue Arnhem for the January meetup! **Agenda** * 17:00 CET walk-in * 17:30 – 18:30 Food and drinks * 18:30 – 19:30 talk: **Bigger Unit Tests are Better - why small unit test classes will slow you down** by **Peter Schuler** * 19:30 – 19:45 break * 19:45 – 20:45 talk: **Creating effective and objective architectural decision records** by **Piet van Dongen** * 20:45 – 21:30 drinks **Bigger Unit Tests are Better - why small unit test classes will slow you down** Do you take care that every class in your system has a separate unit test class? Are you a proud Test-First advocate? A code coverage evangelist? Are you the Sonar police in your team? Do you take pride in knowing all the quirks of your mocking framework? Then this session might be a cold shower for you. You will see how the general approach to unit testing might harm your flexibility. But a few simple changes in your approach will make your life better, your coding faster, your refactoring easier and your understanding of the business requirements stronger. In this presentation, you will learn new strategies that will help you make your unit tests bigger. First, guided by clear code examples, we will look at why having many small test classes may harm you. Secondly, you will understand why making the tests bigger is such an important improvement. And lastly, you will learn techniques and tricks that will help make your unit tests bigger. **About Peter Schuler** Peter is a lifelong Java developer with a passion for TDD and code quality. Lately he has become a Java community lead for the Rabobank as a side hustle. In his off time, he likes to work in the garden or goes for a short run. **Creating effective and objective architectural decision records** Documenting decisions is like eating your veggies as a kid: they keep telling you it’s good for you, but you just hate doing it. Architectural Decision Records (ADRs) to the rescue! ADRs are perfect for just-in-time, just-enough documentation for engineering teams and organizations. During this session, you will learn how to make architectural decisions effectively and objectively by: * Learning the structure of a good ADR (no more walls of text that nobody reads anyway!) * Practicing how to turn subjective choices into objective ones (no more pros and cons lists and tribal conflicts!) * Creating editable diagrams, fast (no more spending hours wrestling tools that your collaborators don’t know how to use!) * Collaborating quickly with technical and non-technical stakeholders (no more hours of Tower of Babel meetings!) * Reporting the decision using effective language and fit-for-audience diagrams (no more writing reports that end up unread in drawers!) Do you want to learn how to facilitate good decision making without spending weeks looking for consent? Then join this session and you will walk away a better software architecture decision facilitator. **About Piet van Dongen** Piet van Dongen is a senior software architect and engineering consultant at OpenValue, helping organizations solve complex technology challenges through effective software practices. With expertise spanning architecture, engineering, and education, he delivers practical solutions focused on resilient architectures and short development cycles. Known for his calm demeanor under pressure and strategic use of humor, Piet has guided clients through large-scale transformations, trained architects and engineers, and built an extensive professional network across the European tech community as organizer of the Dutch iSAQB Software Architecture Community and former leader of the Dutch AWS User Group. A regular speaker at international conferences including AWS re:Invent, DevOpsDays, Codemotion, and Devoxx, Piet shares insights on effective software architecture practices, cloud migrations, and resilience engineering, with a blend of technical depth and engaging humor. His pragmatic approach combines technical expertise with business acumen, enabling teams to successfully adopt modern software architecture and engineering practices and DevOps methodologies. Whether consulting, speaking, or training, Piet partners with organizations to deliver tangible value and navigate their software delivery journeys with confidence.

**Context is becoming the missing link that transforms powerful AI models into truly intelligent systems.** In 2026, the next leap in AI comes from understanding *context* \- user intent\, environment\, history\, and goals\. This shift separates generic outputs from meaningful\, real\-world outcomes\. Join this Meetup to explore why context is the foundation of more reliable, human-centered, and transformative AI. We’ll dive into the role of **knowledge graphs** and how they help AI systems make sense of complex information and connect insights the way humans do. **16:30 - Welcome snacks and drinks** #### **17:00 - Talk 1** #### **Why Context Matters in AI – Grounding LLMs** Aniket Mitra will explore how enterprise data captures the *DNA of an organisation*—the what, where, when, who, how, and ultimately the why behind decisions. He will explain why siloed data limits AI-driven decision-making, and how knowledge graphs provide a unified semantic layer that enables trustworthy, AI-powered control towers across the value chain. **Aniket Mitra** – Aniket Mitra is the founder of Computationele Wetenschapsgroep (CW) which is a technology development SME that specialises in designing, building & scaling Knowledge Graphs for enterprise customers across industry verticals like retail, manufacturing & logistics. **17:30 - Talk 2** **Building Trustworthy AI in Regulated Sectors – Moonjelly, Knowledge Graphs, and the Context Layer** Surajeet Bhuinya will share how a dedicated context layer helps AI systems understand how organisations actually work. Using Moonjelly as a practical example, he will show how connecting people, documents, and processes into a living enterprise graph creates context unique to each industry and use case—leading to better decisions, clearer accountability, and real business impact. **Surajeet Bhuinya** – Surajeet Bhuinya is the founder of DataPebbles, a leading Data & AI company in the Netherlands. With 25+ years of IT experience, he operates at the intersection of data, AI, and innovation, building scalable, practical AI systems that deliver measurable business impact. He is also the founder of Moonjelly, a platform that connects people, documents, and processes into a living enterprise graph, enabling teams to understand context, see impact, and act with confidence. **18:00 - Talk 3** **ReviewGraph – Using Knowledge Graphs to Predict Customer Satisfaction and Extract Hidden Insights** Lifeng Han will present ReviewGraph, a graph-based framework that transforms customer reviews into knowledge graphs to predict ratings and uncover hidden insights. He will compare this approach with traditional NLP methods and LLMs, highlighting how knowledge graphs offer strong performance with lower computational cost, greater interpretability, and promising integration with RAG systems. **Lifeng Han** – Researcher, **[4D Picture](https://www.linkedin.com/company/4dpicture/)** Project. Dr. Han has authored 50+ peer-reviewed publications and previously worked at the University of Manchester on Healthcare NLP. His PhD focused on machine translation (ADAPT Centre, DCU, Ireland). **18:30 - 19:30 - Networking, drinks and snack**

Donderdag **29 januari 2026** is het weer tijd voor onze **Techday**: hét vaste moment waarop we kennis delen, elkaar inspireren en nieuwe ideeën direct in de praktijk brengen. Deze Techday is niet alleen voor developers, maar juist ook voor collega’s uit HR, Sales, Marketing, Operations en andere disciplines. Deze editie pakken we het aan als een **conferentie in het klein**. Drie sprekers, drie verhalen, één middag – *drie verhalen voor de prijs van één*. **Wat kun je verwachten?** • **Idzard** neemt je mee in **Product Goals** Waarom zijn ze zo belangrijk? En waarom zou elke product professional ze moeten kennen (en gebruiken)? • **Dave** laat je ervaren wat **Storytelling** doet Waarom onthouden we verhalen beter dan feiten? En hoe kun je storytelling inzetten in je dagelijkse werk? • **Jeroen** duikt in **Prototyping met AI** Hoe gebruik je AI om sneller ideeën te verkennen, testen en aanscherpen?Alle talks zijn **interactief**: geen achteroverleunen, maar meedoen. Je wordt uitgedaagd om de ideeën **direct toe te passen**, zodat je na afloop niet alleen geïnspireerd bent, maar ook echt iets nieuws kunt.Neem mee: goede zin en je laptop voor het maken van een prototype. **Wanneer:** Donderdag 29 januari 2026 **Wat:** Techday RE – conferentie-editie “Verhalen en beelden” **Voor wie:** Iedereen (!) die nieuwsgierig is en wil leren **Agenda** 14:45 - 15:00 - Inloop 15:00 - 15:45 - Product Goals 15:55 - 16:30 - Storytelling 16:35 - 18:00 - Prototyping met AI 18:00 - 19:00 - Eten We zien je graag op de Techday!

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Utrecht.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over coffee. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Hi everyone! For those who want to enjoy nature, trips/excursions, and generally a more outdoors setting, let’s get together for a hiking excursion! The plan is to meet at Utrecht Central (and/or a train station that is closest to our hiking area), and then we begin our hiking route. For first-timers (or as a helpful reminder 😉), I recommend that you wear a comfy outfit & shoes and bring water & a snack or two. At some point during the excursion, we can do a break in-between to rest and eat/drink for a while. Depending on the time & weather, and whether people are up for it, there’s always the possibility of follow-up drinks later that day. More info about the route/location: https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/1273448003?ref=atd The route is 16ish km long along with a loop around Lage Vuursche area. It starts & finishes (loop route) at Den Dolder We don't have info if dogs are allowed on this route. Usually they are in the area but this is the 1st time using this route as a group. More tips on finding the group along with helpful contact info with the host will follow in the comments the day before the meetup. To those interested, hope to see you there! 😄 In case of bad (NL) weather, the event might be moved to another day.

Join us for a night of fun and games at our local community center! What to Expect: * Free entrance for everyone! * Bring your favorite games * Meet new friends and gaming enthusiasts * A night of exciting challenges and friendly competition * Bring your own snacks and refreshments Whether you're a board game aficionado or a video game guru, this event is for you. Don't miss the chance to connect with fellow gamers in our community! This event is part of an ongoing series organized through our Discord server [[discord.gg/utrecht](http://discord.gg/utrecht)], where we've had the pleasure of hosting quite a couple of gatherings in the past. Whether you're a seasoned regular at our events or someone new to the scene, we're excited to welcome you.

We’re heading into the south eastern Veluwe for a stunning scenic route that stays wonderfully quiet and almost deserted for a big part of the way, before building up to a truly spectacular grand finale! After around 6 km we reach the mysterious “Altar of the Loenermark” (Altaar van de Loenermark). I have no idea what it is, so we’ll discover it together. From there we continue through the beautiful heather and forest landscapes of Loenermark, one of those places where the Veluwe feels wide, wild, and open. Next we pass one of the quirkiest monuments in the Netherlands: the Ijkbasis Loenermark 1957–2007, a tribute to the calibration of measurement instruments from the past. The calibration itself might not sound exciting, but the location absolutely is, right in the middle of wide open heather, with big skies and that endless Veluwe feeling. It also marks about 11 km into the hike, a perfect spot to take our lunch break. After lunch we walk straight through the iconic National Park Veluwezoom, famous for its rolling grasslands and its fluffy semi wild cows. To finish in style, we end at Paviljoen De Posbank for a well earned snack or drink with a view over what many call the most spectacular heather of the Netherlands, complete with rolling hills. From there we head down towards Rheden, where you can easily catch the train or bus home. This is not a loop hike! **📍When and where to meet?** We’ll meet at 10h at busstop Loenen, Leeuwenbergweg. https://maps.app.goo.gl/LC3nNJQo57B5NnSy8 We are leaving a bit earlier otherwise we will find Paviljoen Posbank closed, which would be very sad. ⏰ We **start walking a few minutes after meeting up** — we don’t wait for latecomers, as the forest calls and daylight is short this time of year. **🚗 Coming by car?** This is not a loop hike. If you park in Loenen, you’ll need to make your own way back from Rheden afterwards. **⏸️ Planned Breaks** After **11 km**: Lunch break at **Ijkbasis Loenermark** (bring your packed lunch, this spot is truly in the middle of nowhere) **20 min** [https://maps.app.goo.gl/S5vAEpadAJs93ZrC7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/S5vAEpadAJs93ZrC7) After **19 km**: Snack or drink at **Paviljoen De Posbank** [https://maps.app.goo.gl/wowuqj3sRY5hcid37](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wowuqj3sRY5hcid37) **💸 Payment** Please pay as soon as you sign up: To keep things fair for everyone, if we don’t receive your payment within 48 hours, we will need to remove you from the participant list. If there’s a waiting list, this will happen sooner (in less than 48 hours). If that happens, no worries — you’re always welcome to sign up again if there’s space. 🌟 Early Bird Deal! Join now for just €4 — available for 3 days (72h). After that, the price will be €5. https://tikkie.me/pay/59muhp2djpv45gc6hgh6 **👟 Good to know** * Refund policy: Cancellations are fully refundable up to 1 week before the event (This is Friday 23 January at 23h59). After this period, the fee becomes non-refundable. * Hike difficulty: Our hikes are moderately challenging. Please only join if you’re confident you can keep up with the group’s pace (5 km/ h)— it’s more fun for everyone when we can walk together without long waits. * If the pace is too challenging: We may kindly suggest you continue at your own pace. We’ll give you clear directions to the nearest bus or train so you can return comfortably. * At your own risk: You participate at your own risk, so please make sure you have appropriate insurance coverage for outdoor activities. * Payment note: With Tikkie we only see initials (e.g., J. Doe instead of John Doe). Please include your Meetup name in the payment note so we can match it easily. * Friends joining: If you bring a friend, make sure they also register and pay. * What to bring: Snacks, lunch, and water/ or hot thee/ coffee. * Stay connected: Join our WhatsApp group to be the first to hear about future hikes — ask for the QR code during the hike. * T-shirts: Fairwear-certified organic cotton, eco-friendly inks — €25. Sustainable, odor-resistant, and perfect for hiking. Let us know your size and we’ll bring one for you.

OPA programmeert in 2026 rond een positieve toekomst waarin mens, natuur en techniek elkaar versterken: DARE. Voor OPA staat DARE voor Solar Punk, de hoopvolle tegenhanger van cyberpunk: een praktische ontwerpvisie die aansluit bij wie we zijn als platform dat ontmoeting, inspiratie en samenwerking organiseert. Tijdens de Arnhemse Uitnacht 2026 trappen we ons nieuwe jaarprogramma af met een nieuwe editie van **Bring Your Own Beamer** in de **Eusebiuskerk.** Dit jaar delen wij de Eusebius met Mode Partners 025. Naast toffe videokunst, gebeurt er dus ook van alles op gebied van mode. De afgelopen edities van BYOB trokken ruim 3000 bezoekers.

**Online 1-hour women’s circle** ✨ Offered on a donation basis, give what feels right for you. This is a gentle online gathering for women to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and share space with others in a supportive and non-judgmental way. On Sunday evening, we come together to soften the transition into a new week, creating a moment to pause, reflect, and be present. During this 1-hour session, we will move through: * a guided meditation to arrive and settle into the body * a journaling practice to connect with what is alive within you * a sharing circle, where you are welcome to speak or simply listen No previous experience with meditation, journaling, or sharing circles is needed. You are welcome exactly as you are. This is a space where every question, every feeling, and every story is met with care — a space to be witnessed, and to witness other women, with openness, respect, and presence. You can join from the comfort of your home and participate in the way that feels right for you. 🕊 Please have a notebook and pen nearby, and find a quiet, comfortable space where you can be undisturbed for the hour. ✨ Reminder: This event runs on a **donation basis**, so please give what feels right for you.

**[There will be one surprise activity at this event - I will update the description as I am allowed]** Let's get together and **WORKSHOP** about Job Searching and Career Management. Here are some of the content areas we can cover - expect this to change. * Using AI effectively (search, resume). * Job Search Tooling (i.e. TopResume, Job-Squid). * Resume / LinkedIn Review * Practice Interview * Practice Elevator Pitch Food and drinks will be available. **FREE PARKING:** 6725 Longshore Street, Dublin, OH 43017

**People Analytics 101: Making Sense of Compensation Data** Compensation data is one of the most widely used and widely misunderstood forms of people analytics. The session will cover where compensation data comes from, including market pricing data, internal payroll data, and benchmarking sources, and how companies think about structuring and analyzing that information. We will explore how compensation data is leveraged to set salary ranges, manage internal equity, support hiring and retention, and align pay with business strategy. A portion of the session will address common data challenges and limitations, such as market noise, inconsistent job matching, and incomplete datasets, while keeping the primary focus on practical use rather than technical depth. The session will also look ahead at where the space is going, including the growing impact of pay transparency laws, expanding pay equity requirements, and emerging regulations in the US and Europe that require organizations to report on gender and pay gaps. The goal is to give attendees a clear mental model for how compensation analytics works today and why getting it right is becoming increasingly critical. (note: we are back at Rev1 this month!) **About Our Speaker** [Alex Moore](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexscottmoore/) is the founder of [Moore Cooperative](https://moorecooperative.com/), where he advises organizations on compensation strategy, pay equity, and people analytics. His work focuses on helping organizations like the Ohio Supreme Court design, analyze, and communicate compensation systems that are data-informed, defensible, and aligned with organizational goals. Alex lives in Granville, Ohio and has three little kiddos. More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

**(‼️‼️*Important:* GO [HERE](https://calendly.com/movewithcouragecoaching/leadership-coffee-chat) to be enrolled in the workshop. Signing up on Meetup won't fully register you!‼️‼️)** **WHAT: ☕ Leadership Coffee Chat** **WHEN: 🗓️ Thursday, January 29 at 7 PM EST** **WHERE: Sign Up: [HERE](https://calendly.com/movewithcouragecoaching/leadership-coffee-chat) only** Join us for a relaxed, supportive Leadership Coffee Chat where you can connect with others, share what you’re navigating at work, and get guidance from a certified career coach, interview coach, leadership coach, and professional résumé writer. This space is designed for real conversation — the kind you don’t always get at work. Bring your questions, your current challenges, or anything you’re trying to figure out in your career or leadership journey. You’ll have the chance to: * Meet other professionals who are growing and leveling up * Support each other through real‑life workplace situations * Get practical advice from a coach who specializes in career clarity, leadership, interviewing, and résumé strategy * Leave with clarity, encouragement, and next steps Whether you’re exploring leadership, preparing for a promotion, navigating workplace dynamics, or simply wanting to grow — you’re welcome here. ➡️➡️ Sign Up **[HERE ](https://calendly.com/movewithcouragecoaching/leadership-coffee-chat)**Not through Meetup if you'd like to attend!

The February Ohio North Database Training user group meeting will be held on **February 3rd, 2025 at 5:00PM**. This will be a **HYBRID** event and we will be joined in person by **David Pickering**. You're welcome to come meet in-person at our meeting location, the offices of Improving at **[6000 Freedom Square Dr,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Unit 110,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Independence, OH 44131](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** [Teams Link ](https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27861114692350?p=lHdrSV1OOELhLnCiAg)if anyone needs it after RSVP-ing for in person. If you would like to subscribe to our email list outside of Meetup, we have changed platforms recently and you will need to register [here in Kit ](https://ohio-north-data-training.kit.com/b8f036f615)instead to receive emails. Agenda: **5:00 PM EST**: Online and in-person meeting begins with a social hour. This is an unstructured hour where you can join us to catch up and meet other group members before the session starts. There will be food brought in for in-person attendees. **6:00 PM EST**: Updates and announcements, followed by our feature presentation. See below for presentation details. **7:30 PM EST**: Optionally after the main presentations, the in-person crowd may go out for snacks and drinks at a local establishment. We hope to see you there! Session Abstract **No Map Required: Geospatial Analytics Directly in Your Data Warehouse** Think geospatial analysis requires specialized GIS software? Think again. This session introduces you to shapefiles and spatial operations right inside your database—no mapping application required. We'll demystify shapefiles (what they are, how they work, and where to get them) and show you how nearly every modern database —from DuckDB to Snowflake, supports spatial operations. You'll see practical demos covering spatial joins, distance calculations, and how to determine if two shapes interact with each other. Whether you're a data engineer optimizing delivery routes, an analyst aggregating metrics by geography, or a BI developer building location-aware dashboards, this session will show you how to unlock powerful spatial capabilities already built into your database stack—no specialized tools required. \*Please note, that we will be using Microsoft Teams for the online portion of this meeting. You may want to join a few minutes early to ensure you do not have any issues. If you are attending in person, there are large TVs at the office, and you do not need to bring a laptop or use Teams.

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!

Join us for a special afternoon celebrating books, conversation, and community. **Who:** Jessica Strawser in conversation with Thirti Umrigar **When:** Sunday\, February 1 \| **2:00 p.m.** **Where:** Auditorium, Main Library 96 S. Grant Ave. **Event Schedule** **1:00 p.m.** – Library doors open & book sale begins (hosted by Prologue Bookshop) **2:00 p.m.** – Jessica Strawser in conversation with Thirti Umrigar **2:45 p.m.** – Audience Q&A **3:00 p.m.** – Book sale & author signing Come early to check out the books, settle in for the author talk, and enjoy a laid-back afternoon with fellow book lovers. We’d love to see you there!

**Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) TEAMS UP with The Central Ohio GameDev Group (COGG) for the 2026 Global Game Jam (GGJ)!!!** **GGJ SITE** [https://globalgamejam.org/jam-sites/2026/columbus-college-art-design-central-ohio-game-group-ggj-2026](https://globalgamejam.org/jam-sites/2026/columbus-college-art-design-central-ohio-game-group-ggj-2026) **REGISTRATION** Fill out this form >>> [https://forms.gle/J6sGDZJFTmZkC6pk7](https://forms.gle/J6sGDZJFTmZkC6pk7) <<< *PLEASE NOTE* \- We have limited capacity so us knowing In\-Person participation early on is critical for us to best accommodate everyone interested in jammin' \- We will also be providing Online teams & support via our COGG Discord bot [Jammio](https://jammio.xyz/)! **Registering for this MEETUP event DOES NOT gain you access to the main Global Game Jam event. Please register officially [here](https://forms.gle/J6sGDZJFTmZkC6pk7).** Every year the game department at CCAD hosts students (and this year local game group COGG!!) in the exciting challenge of developing a theme inspired title over the course of a weekend. The Global Game Jam is a cherished tradition, be it in-person or virtually, we are here for you! This is an excellent opportunity to connect with your peers, make new friends, network with local game makers and try your hand at low stakes game development! Want to know all the details? [Check out the official GGJ site](https://globalgamejam.org/faq) and be sure to use your existing account or create a new jammer [account](https://globalgamejam.org/user/register). \-\-\-\-\- **EVENT DETAILS** Listings subject to change and will be updated so check in periodically! An **[Event Details doc](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SOPkHxpRVD7qrfVnWVMsWPB7zQwC5wtJK51v6T3a2hQ/edit?usp=sharing)** can be read for all your info! **Building Hours + Security** available throughout the event **Parking:** See [parking spots highlighted in blue](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Me_JNpE8YaGqR54KxmJei7w6OZ3rhjeC/view). (see new as of last year) *All Locations:* **DSB 121**, The Game Lounge: informal space for people to decompress. Private bathrooms **DSB126**, Small Classroom / Break-out room **DSB127**, (large multi-use space, tables, projector, couches, bistro tables/chairs, etc) **DSB136**, Flex Space (meals / food, access to refrigerator / microwave, drop-power and tables/chairs). **DSB142**, Presentation room **DSB146**, Cintiq Laptop Docking Lab **VENUE TIME & SPACE** **Friday** 5:00pm - 12am Event launch - *DSB 142* [YouTube Live Stream @6pm](https://youtube.com/live/pV40YzllqoY?feature=share) **Saturday** 7am - 12am **Sunday** 7am - 7:00pm Event closing - *DSB 142* [YouTube Live Stream Ending Ceremony @6pm](https://youtube.com/live/stxxCCPzy2A?feature=share) **MISC. RESOURCES** **Wifi:** We will have access to the GUEST network \- To be provided for login to participants at the event Friday Jan 30th **Map** [CCAD Map](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Me_JNpE8YaGqR54KxmJei7w6OZ3rhjeC/view?usp=sharing) **Wavier** [Sign and Print or Email to info@thecogg.com](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KaKoz5sK5h1PdZ2rGNOCntyUxoXcGLXL/view) **Schedule** [Updated Regularly](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EONsxtr3S-bRvIp_s12os-JA-M7uEW207bi9MVfrvbM/edit?usp=sharing) **Event Details** [All in one spot for all event details](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SOPkHxpRVD7qrfVnWVMsWPB7zQwC5wtJK51v6T3a2hQ/edit?usp=sharing) **SPONSORS** Global Game Jam ([GGJ](https://globalgamejam.org/)) Columbus College of Art and Design ([CCAD](https://www.ccad.edu/)) The Central Ohio GameDev Group ([COGG](https://thecogg.com/)) [Jammio](https://jammio.xyz/) \- Discord game jam bot [GDEX](https://www.thegdex.com/)/[Multivarious](https://www.multivarious.com/) \- Midwest Premiere Gaming Expo