Technology

**What you’ll learn** This session explores the learning curve of a Mendix Developer, from the very first steps in the platform to building real, functional applications. We’ll walk through the key milestones, common challenges, essential skills, and best practices that shape the journey toward becoming productive in Mendix. But this won’t be a one‑way presentation. Throughout the talk—and especially during the Q&A—we want to create real interaction with the audience. We encourage questions, reflections, and even short hands‑on moments or mini‑workshop interactions where relevant. The goal is to learn from each other, compare experiences, and share practical do’s and don’ts from the field. We hope you’ll bring your own insights, challenges, and best practices so we can turn this into a collaborative and lively session. Bring them with you! *** **Audience** Anyone building Mendix solutions—from curious juniors to experienced seniors and tech leads. 👥 *** **Agenda** • 17:00 – 17:30 🍽️ Dinner (for in-person attendees only—don’t forget to RSVP with your dietary requirements!) • 17:30 – 18:15 🎙️ Presentations by the speakers, followed by Q&A • 18:15 – 19:30 🍻 Drinks & Networking *** **Speakers** 🎤 Stefan De Moor – Axians Belgium Junior Software Engineer with a education in IT. During his studies, he worked at multiple companies as a full‑stack developer, and after completing his internship at Axians, he started his professional career. Switching between Business Central and SAP Business One projects, he began learning the Mendix platform. These are his first steps in low‑code development. *** **About this event** This is an in-person event hosted at the Axians office in Zaventem. 🏢 Mendix Meetups are all about community, learning, and real-world experience—no sales pitches, no recruiting, just valuable insights and knowledge sharing. 🤝 *** **Any questions about this meetup?** Contact community@mendix.com, Jeremie.Degrave@Axians.com for more details.

Drinking & Networking in Brussels. For newcomers, temporary in town - couch surfers and regulars to meet & socialize. What a better day to start the week than drinking & socializing starting on Monday evening?

Looks like you survived the Monday, join us for to wind down, discuss the struggles and prepare for the rest of the week.

Do you want to become a confident public speaker? To communicate better and connect? And have fun? Come and join the Atomium Toastmasters of Brussels. You'll find a supportive learn-by-doing environment. It doesn't matter if you are an experienced speaker or if you are a guest. We are there to support you, to make you feel good about yourself and to help you learn in a way that's fun. We have lovely Table Topic sessions (impromptu speeches) and 3 to 4 prepared speeches. Through practice, peer evaluation and educational tools, we learn how to present our messages effectively, concisely and professionally. And.. we are excited to welcome you on Monday. Entrance free on the first Monday of the month. Atomic Team

**🎟️ Cost:** First session is FREE! If you are repeating, the cost is 15 EUR **Reserve your free spot (max 15 participants).** Please register officially to get the exact address: [https://innersparklife.com/drum-meditation-bru/](https://innersparklife.com/drum-meditation-bru/) Are you looking for a safe space to press pause on the busy world? 🌙 Come join *Inner Spark* for a deeply relaxing evening designed to help you release tension and return to your center. Hosted by Pablo and Monika in a beautiful meditative ashram space ✨ You don't need to be a meditator to join. The steady beat of the drum does the work for you, helping your mind quiet down and your body soften. The session uses the ancient power of the drum to help you enter a state of deep relaxation and mental clarity. It is perfect for anyone feeling anxious, overthinking, or simply in need of a mental reset. 🧠✨ **The Journey:** 1. **Arrival:** Land softly with a cup of hot tea ☕ 2. **Intention:** Focus your energy with a Tarot card guidance 🔮 3. **The Drum:** Lie down and let the rhythm wash over you 🥁 4. **Integration:** Wake up slowly and share if you feel called to 💫 **📅 Date:** 30 March 2026 **🕤 Start:** 19:30h (Please arrive a few minutes early to settle in) **📍 Location:** Brussels (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre) **🎟️ Cost:** First session is FREE! If you are repeating, the cost is 15 EUR **✅ Good to know:** * Mats, blankets, and cushions are provided. * Wear comfortable clothes. **Reserve your free spot (max 15 participants).** Please register officially to get the exact address: [https://innersparklife.com/drum-meditation-bru/](https://innersparklife.com/drum-meditation-bru/) **Want more?** Join our private Skool community here: 👉 **[https://www.skool.com/inner-spark-tribe-6042/about](https://www.skool.com/inner-spark-tribe-6042/about)**

**FULLY BOOKED! For staying up to date with the next workshops dates, follow us at:** * meet-up: [meetup.com/antarctica-workshops-brussels/](https://www.meetup.com/antarctica-workshops-brussels/) * facebook: [facebook.com/groups/antarcticaworkshopbrussels](https://www.facebook.com/groups/antarcticaworkshopbrussels) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **A small-group conversation about my Antarctica journey, from preparation to return and what it might mean for you if the idea is calling you** *** Thinking of going to the 7th Continent at some point in your life? In this small, in-person session, I’ll share my personal experience of traveling to Antarctica: how I prepared, what the journey was really like, the challenges I faced and the moments that stayed with me. This is not a sales presentation or a tour-agency talk, but an honest, first-hand perspective meant to help you understand what such a trip involves and whether it might be right for you one day. A slideshow of selected photos will be presented in the end. *** More details and booking link: https://buytickets.at/actihopcreativeservices/2096464 *** Practicalities: * Booking required at the link: https://buytickets.at/actihopcreativeservices/2096464 * When arriving at the venue, ring the bell and wait for someone to open the door for you. * The tickets are mainly for covering the rental fees and other operational expenses of the workshops. * The tickets are not refundable, however should you not be able to attend you may transfer them to a friend of yours.

WHAT we play. As you know, we have two events, one more for social games on Thursday and another for **strategic games** on **Monday**. Depending on what people bring, we may play brainy games, not limited to chess and classic games. So, feel free to bring other ones. And this is only indicative. Some games like Decrypto fit both events, **and if people feel like playing a social game on Monday or a more strategic one on Thursday, they are free to do so.** WHERE. Because we have many strategic players on Monday and these games take longer, we moved to a café closing much later than the previous one. CHATBOX USE. In the event chatbox, you are invited to discuss the games you bring and want to play for this session. The idea is to gather people around game tables beforehand. Of course, it's also possible to show up and arrange this after the introduction round, which starts at 7h15. HOST. If you want to become a host and have your board game event for a specific game with a small group of people or in another place, Great! Let me know, and I'll help you set up your event with this group. Hosts don't pay fees. TIMING: Because strategy games are often longer, we start at 7 pm (instead of 8 pm on Thursdays). So, those who play long games can have 3 hours and 30 minutes for their game. You can come later, but you may have to wait before joining a game. WHERE. We play upstairs. Ask which room at the bar downstairs. DRINK. You have to order a drink at the bar, pay for it, and come up with it. **PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, THE AUTOBUS ACCEPTS CASH ONLY.** EVENT REGISTRATION. Please register to allow us adequate venue planning. IN CASE OF A WAITLIST. Please, out of respect for people on the waiting list, don't cancel later than 7 PM the day before so they can plan their evening correctly. If you are on the waiting list, please cancel your attendance if you change your mind and can no longer come. Don't hesitate to send me a message to comment or make suggestions! Take care and see you soon! Baudouin

**State of Data** is Dataminded’s flagship annual event bringing the data community together to reflect on the trends, foundations, and real-world challenges shaping data-driven organisations. In 2026, we focus on one central theme: **How do people and agents work together to create value from data?** Join data leaders, engineers, architects, and decision-makers for an evening of: * A clear perspective on the **State of Data & AI** * Insights into **Agentic AI and data foundations** * The role of **data products in creating business impact** * Real-world experiences from teams working in production * Structured networking and meaningful conversations *** ### What we’ll cover * **Agentic AI in practice (@ imec)** From Hello World to production - what it takes to make AI agents deliver real value * **Can AI talk to your data? (live demo)** How semantic models and data products make data usable for AI * **Data Products in practice (@ Brussels Airlines & Luminus)** How organisations turn data into measurable impact * **EU Cloud strategy after the hyperscale era** What to rethink, what options exist, and what you can do today We’ll close with a **panel discussion** focused on real-world lessons: what works, what doesn’t, and what teams would do differently. *** ### Speakers * **Bernd Verhofstadt (imec)** & **Jesus Garcia** — AI in practice * **Rushil Daya** & **Stijn De Haes (Dataminded)** — Talk to your data (demo) * **Stefan Van Raemdonck (Brussels Airlines)** — Data products in practice * **Jelle De Vleminck** & **David Lathouwers (Luminus)** — Data products & contracts * **Niels Claeys (Dataminded)** — EU cloud strategy * **Kris Peeters (Dataminded)** — State of Data *** 📍 **Practical Information** * **Date:** 2 April 2026 * **Location:** Dataminded HQ Vismarkt 17, Leuven 👉 RSVP is mandatory: [https://www.dataminded.com/resources/events/state-of-data](https://www.dataminded.com/resources/events/state-of-data)

Welcome to TechTuesday at HSBXL. It’s where tech enthusiasts hang out, projects get tinkered with, and the occasional debate over the best programming language ensues. Whether you’re an old hand at hacking or just dipping your toes: * **Chats & Code**: Engage in hushed tech tales, showcase your latest digital masterpiece, or simply bask in the mesmerizing rhythm of coders at work. * **Ambient Rhythms**: We curate a backdrop of everything from ambient rock to downtempo electronica. It sets the mood, enhancing the creativity without becoming a distraction. * **Refreshment Protocol**: Club Mate to fuel your creativity, assorted beers for contemplation, and soft drinks for a refreshing pause. Choose your brew. * **Machinery Magic**: Our space boasts more than just computers. Soldering irons hiss and 3D printers hum, telling tales of projects brought to life. * **Knowledge Exchange**: Encountered a tech puzzle? Someone in the room might have just the insight you need. And if you’ve unraveled a digital mystery, consider sharing it. **Note**: The beauty of HSBXL is its welcoming ethos. Member or not, if you’re curious and respectful, you’re one of us. ### Getting to HSBXL HSBXL, the beacon for tech enthusiasts in Brussels, awaits. For your navigational needs, check [here](https://hsbxl.be/enter/). Barrier issues? Broadcast at +32 28804004. For real-time digital dialogues, tap into our [Matrix chatroom](https://matrix.to/#/#hsbxl:matrix.org). ### Bring Along Your tech gear, a project in progress, or simply a mind open to the endless possibilities of tech. That’s TechTuesday at HSBXL. A laid-back evening where tech happens, naturally. See you there.

New formula: Free coworking day for people working in crypto during the day. Happy hour and meetup in the evening. ​Come cowork and mingle with fellow crypto enthusiasts at the Commons Hub Brussels every first Wednesday of the month. ​Stay focused on your work in the coworking or offer or join a workshop, conversation or presentation, unconference style. Reach out if you'd like to sponsor food or drinks.

**Welcome to our March UX Beers in Antwerp!** This time, we will host our event on Tuesday the 31st of March with [Dashdot](https://dashdot.be) at Plein Magazijn in Antwerp. [Ariad](https://www.ariadgroup.com/) and [Creative Skills](https://www.creativeskills.be/) sponsor our events. Follow the event online? We stream live via [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBqyTDAyQBw) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# UX TALKS **Talk 1:** #BYOA — Bring Your Own Application [Erik Willemse](https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikwillemse/), Senior Digital Service & AI Design Engineer We’re entering a phase where, if a tool doesn’t exist, or if the existing ones are simply too complicated, you just build the exact thing you need yourself. No roadmap. No procurement cycle. No feature request backlog. Just solve the problem. Thanks to vibe-coding, building software is becoming accessible to the people who actually experience the friction. Instead of waiting months for a feature or adapting your workflow to a generic tool, you create something that fits your problem, your process, and your team. Tools like Lovable make that possible. And this shift is bigger than it may seem. This isn’t really about a waffle charts generator or poster tiling tools. It’s about what happens when building software on demand becomes normal. When the people closest to the problem can create the solution, exactly when they need it. **Talk 2:** Digital inclusion in public transport Sjoera Roggeman Public transport is a fundamental service that should be available to everyone. But as services become increasingly digital, there is a real risk of excluding people who are less digitally confident, or have specific needs for using digital products. That’s why De Lijn implemented an “easy mode” within the existing app, a simplified interface that reduces complexity and makes key tasks more straightforward and intuitive. In this talk, Sjoera will walk you through the design process from start to end, and share her learnings and challenges as a UX designer on this project. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SCHEDULE 18:00 - Doors open. Drinks & snacks 19.00 - 19.15 - Introduction to UX Belgium Meetup, announcements 19.15 - 19:45 - Talk #1 19:45 -20:15 - BREAK 20:15 - 20:45 - Talk #2 20:45 - 21:30 - Socialize \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SLACK CHANNEL We have our own UX Belgium slack channel. [Come join us and say hi!](https://join.slack.com/t/ux-belgium/shared_invite/zt-1bjpnuiog-T4Di4flXYPWgbT9KrZ53CA) \*\*\* \#\#\# YOUTUBE CHANNEL All our livestreams and talks are recorded and available on our [UX Belgium youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCno7V18T-EglYXprgrUZQ7A). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# ABOUT UX BELGIUM UX Belgium is a growing community of User Experience (UX) professionals in and around Belgium. Look for these types of events: UX Beers Periodically, we gather at a different agency or venue to drink beers, network and listen to speakers on various themes in the world of UX and digital design. UX Antwerp: Each last Tuesday of the month UX Brussels: Each second Tuesday of the month, 4x per year UX Workshops Now and then we organize events to dive deeper into specific skills and techniques in UX. These are smaller, hands-on workshops designed to boost your UX toolbox. \*\*\* The UX Belgium Meetup Team

♟️ **Rejoignez l’aventure Knight Clubbers !** ♟️ Venez vivre une soirée où l’échiquier devient un champ de bataille, entre bonne humeur et esprit de compétition. 🔗 **Inscription gratuite** : [S'inscrire](https://knightclubbers.com/meetup/662589?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=social) ✨ **Des parties pour tous les niveaux** Débutant curieux ou stratège aguerri, chaque partie est l’occasion parfaite pour progresser et rencontrer d’autres passionné.e.s. 🕒 **Liberté totale – Jouez à votre rythme** Participez aux duels ou observez dans une ambiance conviviale. 🏆 **Défiez vos adversaires et grimpez au classement** Accumulez les victoires pour tenter de devenir Roi ou Reine de l’Arène. 👑 **Prêts pour le défi ?** Rejoignez Knight Clubbers et entrez dans la légende !

La idea es quedar y practicar francés y español en Bruselas. Apto para todos los niveles. Groupe pour améliorer l'espagnol et français à Bruxelles. Pour tous les niveaux. Nos juntaremos en el Centro Cultural Metaprosa (Chaussée de Saint Pierre 9, 1040 Etterbeek, Bruselas) para conversar con un café o una cerveza en la mano. Todos los martes de 19.00- 21.30.

**Soirée débat — Cuba : l’échec du communisme ? Aux radical-chic européens ne reste-t-il que la Corée du Nord ?** Cette semaine, notre discussion porte sur Cuba. Depuis la révolution de 1959, l’île est gouvernée par une dictature communiste. Pendant des décennies, Cuba a survécu grâce au soutien économique de puissances alliées, d’abord l’Union soviétique, puis le Venezuela, l'Iran, la Chine. Aujourd’hui, l’économie cubaine traverse une crise profonde : pénuries alimentaires, coupures d’électricité, inflation, migration massive et dépendance énergétique. La fin du soutien pétrolier vénézuélien ont accentué une situation déjà dramatique. Dans le débat public occidental, Cuba est souvent présentée à travers des récits simplifiés : – soit comme un symbole romantique de résistance révolutionnaire – soit comme un exemple caricatural d’échec politique Notre objectif n’est pas de répéter ces récits. Notre objectif est de comprendre. *** ### **Topics We Cover** Nous analyserons la situation cubaine à travers plusieurs angles : **1\. Le système politique cubain** Comment un régime communiste à parti unique a-t-il maintenu le pouvoir pendant plus de six décennies ? **2\. L’économie cubaine et ses limites** Pourquoi l’économie planifiée cubaine produit-elle pénuries chroniques, dépendance énergétique et faible croissance ? **3\. Les sanctions américaines** Quel est l’impact réel de l’embargo américain ? Affaiblit-il le régime ou renforce-t-il sa légitimité politique ? **4\. La fin du soutien vénézuélien** Quel rôle le pétrole subventionné du Venezuela a-t-il joué dans la survie du modèle cubain — et que se passe-t-il lorsque ce soutien disparaît ? **5\. L’avenir de Cuba** Transition politique, réforme économique progressive ou stagnation durable ? *** ### **What Makes This Different** – Nous privilégions les témoignages de personnes originaires ou connaissant directement la région – Nous examinons ce que les médias simplifient ou ignorent – Nous encourageons les désaccords argumentés et les perspectives contradictoires – Nous analysons les intérêts, les rapports de force et les réalités économiques — pas les slogans Ce n’est pas un espace de propagande. C’est un espace de réflexion. *** ### **Why This Forum Exists** À Bruxelles, plusieurs initiatives proposent des débats structurés. Trop souvent, cependant, un petit cercle détermine les propositions et limite la diversité réelle des conclusions possibles. Il existe aussi des espaces où la géopolitique se réduit à des slogans anti-américains ou à des indignations partisanes. Ce forum n’est ni l’un ni l’autre. Nous accueillons une véritable diversité d’opinions et d’expériences. Personne ici ne sera exclu pour avoir remis en question un récit dominant. Les idées se confrontent librement. Les attaques personnelles ne sont pas tolérées. *** ### **Motions & Proposals Welcome** Nous encourageons les participants à proposer des motions de débat. Une motion doit être formulée avec sérieux : – une thèse claire – un minimum de contexte historique ou juridique – une compréhension des enjeux géopolitiques Les propositions destinées à stimuler la réflexion sont bienvenues. Les slogans et provocations faciles ne le sont pas. *** ### **Languages** La langue dépendra des participants présents. Les débats se déroulent généralement en anglais et en français, mais nous pouvons accueillir d’autres langues lorsque cela est possible. Langues actuellement possibles : – English – Français – Nederlands – Español – Italiano – Русский – Farsi L’objectif est la compréhension, pas la pureté linguistique. *** ### **What We Ask of Participants** – Venez pour comprendre, pas pour “gagner” un débat – Soyez ouverts à des perspectives qui contredisent les vôtres – Parlez avec des faits, du contexte et de l’histoire – Si vous proposez un sujet, venez préparé – Critiquez les idées, jamais les personnes – Pas de censure des opinions – Pas d’attaques personnelles – Pas de diffamation Le désaccord est normal. La paresse intellectuelle ne l’est pas. *** ### **This is not a dating meetup** Tous les espaces sociaux ne sont pas destinés à flirter ou à chercher des opportunités romantiques. Si vous considérez ce forum comme un terrain de drague ou que vous faites des avances non désirées, vous n’avez pas compris le but de ce groupe. La conversation vient d’abord. Les idées viennent d’abord. Le respect vient d’abord. *** ### **Location & RSVP** L’événement aura lieu à Ixelles, dans un bar public. Pour préserver la qualité et la sécurité de la discussion, le lieu exact est communiqué uniquement aux participants confirmés via notre groupe WhatsApp. 👉 Pour RSVP et recevoir le lieu : https://chat.whatsapp.com/LX7UkWGZ3UdLQWLBvNdezN L’objectif n’est pas l’exclusivité. L’objectif est une discussion sérieuse entre personnes capables de réfléchir librement. The goal is not exclusivity, but accountability and quality of discussion. If this format doesn’t suit you, this event may not be the right fit.

The global Azure community is coming together again, and Columbus is officially on the map. View the session lineup and speakers at [Global Azure Columbus 2026](https://coazure.github.io/cbus-global-azure-2026/) On **Saturday, April 18, 2026**, the Azure Columbus Meetup, DevOps Meetup, and Code and Coffee Meetup are hosting our local edition of Global Azure 2026. This is a free, community-driven event packed with learning, networking, and all things Microsoft Azure. Whether you’re building modern cloud-native apps, experimenting with AI agents, deploying containers, automating infrastructure, or just beginning your Azure journey, this event is for you! **What to Expect** * Engaging technical sessions * Real-world Azure architecture & cloud-native patterns * AI, agents, automation, and modern DevOps * Food and drinks (because learning burns calories) * Time to connect with fellow engineers, architects, and cloud enthusiasts **Who Should Attend?** * Software engineers (any language, any stack) * Cloud architects * DevOps engineers * Data professionals * AI explorers * Platform builders * Anyone who loves solving hard problems with great tools If you build, deploy, automate, scale, monitor, or optimize in Azure, you’ll feel right at home. **Why Global Azure?** Global Azure is a worldwide community event where Azure user groups host learning sessions on the same day across the globe. It’s grassroots. It’s technical. It’s practical. And it’s powered by people who genuinely love sharing what they’ve learned. And yes, it’s free to attend!

We're excited to launch **GitHub Copilot Dev Days**, a global in‑person community event series running **March 15 – April 30**! Let's come together as developers, grow our local community, and showcase the power of GitHub Copilot with **free, high‑quality training materials** from Microsoft + GitHub. * GitHub Copilot in VS Code * GitHub Copilot CLI … and more! * **Intro Talk (30–45 min):** GitHub Copilot + AI development * **Local Community Talk (30–45 min):** NOT ME, **[Matt Eland](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matteland/)** * **Hands‑on Workshop (1 hour):** Practical exercises using GitHub Copilot * **SPECIAL GUEST** **(virtual)**: **[Andrea Griffiths](https://www.linkedin.com/in/acolombiadev/)** (Senior Developer Advocate at GitHub) ***Bring your laptop and expect to write some (AI-generated) code; this time!*** Food and drinks will be available. There will be a Pro+ Sweepstakes, and details on how to enter will be provided at the event. Microsoft will be raffling off 300 GitHub Copilot Pro+ codes at the end of Dev Days. How it works: * Attendees will enter the raffle by filling out an entry form provided at the event. * Codes will be raffled off at the end of the event series! **LOCATION:** 6515 Longshore Loop, Suite 300, Dublin, OH 43017 **FREE PARKING:** 6725 Longshore Street, Dublin, OH 43017

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBD

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

Colombus Code & Coffee is thrilled to partner with Central Ohio Azure to put on the global Azure community day! RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/central-ohio-azure/events/313484939/ View the session lineup and speakers at [Global Azure Columbus 2026](https://coazure.github.io/cbus-global-azure-2026/) On **Saturday, April 18, 2026**, the Azure Columbus Meetup, DevOps Meetup, and Code and Coffee Meetup are hosting our local edition of Global Azure 2026. This is a free, community-driven event packed with learning, networking, and all things Microsoft Azure. Whether you’re building modern cloud-native apps, experimenting with AI agents, deploying containers, automating infrastructure, or just beginning your Azure journey, this event is for you! **What to Expect** * Engaging technical sessions * Real-world Azure architecture & cloud-native patterns * AI, agents, automation, and modern DevOps * Food and drinks (because learning burns calories) * Time to connect with fellow engineers, architects, and cloud enthusiasts **Who Should Attend?** * Software engineers (any language, any stack) * Cloud architects * DevOps engineers * Data professionals * AI explorers * Platform builders * Anyone who loves solving hard problems with great tools If you build, deploy, automate, scale, monitor, or optimize in Azure, you’ll feel right at home. **Why Global Azure?** Global Azure is a worldwide community event where Azure user groups host learning sessions on the same day across the globe. It’s grassroots. It’s technical. It’s practical. And it’s powered by people who genuinely love sharing what they’ve learned. And yes, it’s free to attend!

**The Data-Driven Brand: Using Analytics to Shape Perception** Can you use analytics to improve tacos? This being CBUSDAW, we think the answer is probably “yes”, but we’re not sure how to implement or test this theory. For our April meetup we’ve got Sara Kear, CMO of Condado Tacos, to investigate this delicious question. Sara will explore how she blends quantitative data and qualitative customer feedback to shape brand positioning and drive business decisions. We all know that marketing and analytics go way beyond attribution. Sara will show how Condado uses customer insights to inform product and pricing strategy. She’ll also highlight how Condado leverages customer feedback at scale to influence operational priorities, positioning marketing as the voice of the customer across the organization. In the last 12 years Condado has gone from one location in Columbus to 52 locations across 10 states, so we’re guessing there’s more to that growth than really good guac (though the guac probably helps). Ultimately, this talk focuses on the intersection of art and science—using data to inform creativity and build a brand that resonates with customers in a measurable way. **About Our Speaker** Sara Kear is Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos, where she oversees brand, restaurant design, menu and pricing strategy, off-premise including catering, and customer data strategy. Since joining in 2021, she has helped grow the brand from 19 to 52 locations while building a data-driven marketing organization focused on loyalty and customer insights. Condado has since been named to the Inc. 5000, recognized as Breakout Retailer by Chain Store Age, and consistently ranked among FastCasual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers. 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)

**First meetup of the Columbus AI Engineering group.** We’ll kick things off with a practical, beginner-friendly discussion on: **How LLMs like ChatGPT actually work — and how to build real applications with them.** We’ll cover: * what’s actually happening under the hood (at a high level) * why LLMs behave the way they do (hallucinations, prompt sensitivity, etc.) * how people are building real systems with them today * where things break in practice This will be a **short, informal talk (\~15–20 min)** followed by open discussion and Q&A. Whether you’re an engineer, builder, or just curious about how modern AI systems work, you’re welcome to join. No slides, no fluff — just real conversation about real systems. We’ll hang out afterward and get to know each other.