Social Networking

**Setbacks happen…but so do restarts!** Come hang out **IN PERSON** at Shift & Sip for a casual hour of mindset shifts, life systems exploration, and good conversation with like-minded people. Bring a notebook and your awesome energy...we’ll supply the cuppa and snacks! **The Mayfair, Kaikōura** 12 March \| 7–8pm Koha appreciated

**🔥 Modernizing ASP.NET Framework to Core in 2026** Inside Microsoft’s AI‑Driven App Modernization Work 📅 Wednesday, 11 March 2026 🕠 5:30pm – 7:00pm NZDT 📍 Microsoft Auckland (Hybrid) 🎤 Presenter: Taylor Southwick **🌏 Why this session is special** This is a rare opportunity for the Auckland / New Zealand .NET community. Taylor Southwick is based in Redmond, working directly inside Microsoft engineering on application modernization tooling and strategy. He’s only in Auckland for a short visit — and this session gives local developers a chance to hear first‑hand how Microsoft is approaching AI‑assisted App Modernization for large, real‑world .NET applications. This isn’t a conference replay or a polished marketing talk — it’s direct insight from the team building the tools. **🧠 Session overview** Modernising large, long‑lived ASP.NET Framework applications is no longer a “someday” problem — it’s a right‑now reality for many teams across NZ and beyond. In this session, Taylor Southwick will share how Microsoft is thinking about modernising ASP.NET Framework applications to ASP.NET Core in 2026, drawing directly from real customer and ISV engagements involving very large, very real codebases. **Rather than a theoretical migration guide, this talk focuses on:** ✅ What actually works in practice ✅ What breaks (and why) ✅ How teams are using AI‑assisted and incremental approaches to modernisation ✅ Where the latest App Modernization (AppMod) tooling is heading Much of this thinking is shaped by recent work with enterprise customers — including Vista‑backed organisations — navigating complex, multi‑year modernisation programs under real business constraints. **🧩 What Taylor will cover** Taylor will start with \~30 minutes of prepared content, followed by an open, interactive discussion. Topics include: * The current state of ASP.NET Framework → Core migrations in 2026 * How Microsoft and customers are breaking down large monoliths without “stopping the world” * Common anti‑patterns and traps teams fall into during modernisation * Where incremental modernisation makes sense — and where it doesn’t * How AI‑driven tooling is starting to influence AppMod decisions * How teams are thinking about risk, ROI, and sequencing for long‑running migrations * This content comes straight from frontline engineering and customer work, not greenfield demos. 🧪 Format ✅ \~30 minutes of prepared walkthrough and insights ✅ Followed by open Q&A and discussion ✅ No heavy slide deck — this is about shared learning and lived experience Whether you’re: * Sitting on a 10+ year old ASP.NET Framework app * Mid‑migration and feeling the pain * Or trying to work out how to even start …this session should give you practical clarity and confidence — straight from the source. 🍕 Logistics * Food & drinks provided (thanks Arinco!) * In‑person and remote attendees welcome * Please RSVP so we can plan catering

We’re heading back to Scene75 on Friday, March 27 for a high-energy night of laser tag, mini golf, go-karts, arcade games, and whatever chaos we decide to get into. We’ve done this one before and it was a blast — great turnout, tons of laughs, and just the right mix of competition and hanging out. If you missed it last time, this is your shot. 🎯 What to Expect: Laser tag battles Mini golf challenges Go-karts (for those who need speed) Arcade games & game cards You can load however much you’d like onto a game card. Most people will probably be good with $15–$30, but it’s totally up to you. This is a super casual event — show up, jump into whatever looks fun, rotate groups, and hang out. No pressure, no complicated structure. Just a solid Friday night with good people. Also… I haven’t hosted in a bit and I’m making a push to be more active again. If you’ve got ideas for future events you’d love to do, bring them. I’m all ears. Let’s run it back. 🔥

Join us for happy hour and then **BINGO**! *Bingo starts at 6:30pm*. Feeling lucky? Many from our group win cash and prizes at this bingo! Great happy hour prices and maybe some 💰! Three games, 5 rounds each. Each game, buy 2 cards/$5, 4 cards/$10, etc. **BRING CASH!** [Pastimes](https://www.pastimespubandgrill.com/crosswoods/) is a neighborhood sports bar with a creative and fresh food menu, delicious cocktails, infused liquors, and very cold beer!

I hope you'll join me at [Carfagna's](https://carfagnas.com/) AMAZING complex on Gemini/Polaris. *Live, local acoustic music during dinner.* **Come by early for happy hour til 6pm.** Or, join us for dinner; show time is 6-9PM, Thursday. Reservation at 6pm for 12 under Michele Z (overflow can linger near the bar). Each Thursday they host live music in their beautiful upscale bar at **Carfagna's Ristorante**; but you need to check out everything this place has to offer Italian under one roof!!

I’m not sure yet how many weekday events we’ll end up doing, but I’ve been told happy hours are always a good time. So let’s give it a try. Come meet up at PastTimes for some happy hour drinks, good food, and even better conversation. It should be a fun way to unwind and finish out the rest of the week. 🍻

**PLEASE BUY TICKETS THROUGH EVENTBRITE. RSVP THROUGH MEETUP IS NOT A TICKET PURCHASE CONFIRMATION.** Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Columbus' hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location in Downtown for all to join. Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started. **\*\*This will be a multi-vertical event\*\*** **There will be professionals with backgrounds in the arts, finance, tech, real estate, healthcare, and more. Come with an open mind, and leave with connections that wouldn't be possible otherwise!** Pack some business cards and come with an open mind! Meet your future business partners, employers, coworkers, investors, and friends. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your network and create a brighter future. We will have a space for our event to check-in. The event will go from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (feel free to come at any point in this timeframe). Name tags will be provided. Business casual dress code. Job fair attire. **Remember, it's not who you know, it's who you meet tomorrow!** We look forward to meeting you at the event! Sincerely, Strive Networking Team *Refund requests are permitted up to 24 hours after purchase, so long as we are not within 48 hours before the event start time. Refunds will be made in full and repaid to your method of payment. Note that we are unable to reimburse PayPal fees.* *Disclaimer: By attending Strive Networking events you agree to photos/videos taken during the event being used to promote future events.*

Let's mix and boogie! We'll start with social time over dinner/appetizers/drinks from 7:30-8:45pm. Then we'll get down with a great live old School 80s & 90s hip-hop, R&B band, [Old Skool](https://www.facebook.com/OldSkoolCleveland). **Cover Charge**: $10.00 cash at door. **Attire**: Dressy casual **Parking**: public parking lot in front of club. First time here? Lazy Chameleon is in a shopping center off Sawmill Pkwy. They offer good seafood dishes and typical bar food, too. [Lazy Chameleon](http://www.lazychameleon.com)

🏁 **Go-Kart Racing Night** 🏁 Alright crew… it’s time to **hit the track and live life a quarter-lap at a time.** 😎 We’re heading to **K1 Speed** for a night of **electric go-kart racing and fast corners.** Bring your A-game and your best **Dominic Toretto one-liners because remember...it’s all about family** 😎 💰 **Typical race pricing:** around **$27.99 for a single race** 🏎️ **Multi-race packages available** if you’re trying to run it back like a sequel. So buckle up…**Because tonight you're getting a crash course in speed** [https://www.k1speed.com/columbus-location/pricing.html](https://www.k1speed.com/columbus-location/pricing.html)