User Research

**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. *

In an era focused on scalable efficiency, the pursuit of absolute service consistency is often seen as the ultimate goal. But what is gained and what is lost when service offerings are entirely predictable? Does aiming for uniformity stifle necessary adaptation and human connection? Join us for an intimate discussion exploring the often overlooked trade-offs of **service consistency**. We'll dive into when consistency builds “trust and reliability”, and when it becomes “a barrier to designing flexible, empathetic, and truly customer-centric experiences”. **#ServiceDesign #ServiceConsistency #ServiceManagement** **What’s a Service Design DC salon?** Our salons are an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow designers, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain fresh perspectives on the evolving landscape of our field. Space is limited to ensure an intimate atmosphere and encourage deeper conversations. Whether you have been to a past salon or will be a first timer, we’d be happy to have you join this group discussion of service design practitioners and enthusiasts in the Washington D.C. area! **Evening Agenda** * 6:00 P.M. - Doors Open / Socializing \* * 6:30 P.M. - Salon begins * 8:00 P.M. - Salon Wraps up \*We will provide light refreshments, including food and drinks, during the salon. **Note about RSVPs:** * Due to the limited number of available spots, we kindly request that you update your RSVP if you are unable to attend so others may have the opportunity to join. Thank you for your understanding. *** Many thanks to our host and sponsor, **Technical Assent!** *At Technical Assent, we believe that government can be a platform for service innovation where services can be designed to be more relevant to customers, more reliable, and delivered at a lower cost.* *Our company exists to build high-performing government service organizations — government-to-citizens (G2C), government-to-government (G2G), and shared services. Our approach is unique in that we improve service performance from the bottom-up, starting with customer experience. We use that insight to design and modify the talent, tools, and technology that deliver government services to each customer. Technical Assent is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business appraised at CMMI-SVC Level 3.*

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 :)

Whether you are brand new to PowerShell or looking to strengthen your foundation, this session will walk through the core concepts that make PowerShell such a powerful automation tool. We will focus on practical, everyday skills you can immediately use in your environment. ***This will be an in-person meeting, giving everyone a chance to learn, ask questions, and connect with other PowerShell users in the local community.*** **Meeting Overview:** Topics will include: • Using **[Get-Command](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/get-command?view=powershell-7.5)** to discover what PowerShell can do • Using **[Get-Help](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/get-help?view=powershell-7.5)** to learn commands quickly and effectively • Understanding **objects** and why PowerShell works differently from traditional shells • Learning how the **[pipeline](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_pipelines?view=powershell-7.5)** passes data between commands This will be a ***fundamentals-focused session*** with demonstrations and explanations designed to make PowerShell approachable and useful from the start. **TimeZone Info:** Want to know what time this meeting is in your time zone? [https://meeting.rtpsug.com/timezoneinfo](https://meeting.rtpsug.com/timezoneinfo) **About RTPSUG:** RTPSUG is a friendly cadre of PowerShell fans from different walks of life, all coming together to share our love for ideas and knowledge. Our meetups are open to everyone, whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started with PowerShell. So, if PowerShell is your jam, come hang out with us and see how our group can level up your PowerShell journey. **Recording Notice:** Get ready to shine in the spotlight! We love capturing the magic of our meetings and sharing it with the world on our YouTube channel a few days later. By showing up, you're giving us the green light to use any recordings that might have your star appearance in them. We might even make you famous on YouTube and Reddit! 🌟📹😄

Hello everyone, we are excited host our first meetup of 2026! We'll have an amazing speaker presenting on a great topic. Hope to see everyone there! **Schedule** 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Sign-in/Meet and greet/networking 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm - AutoMobile 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Networking **Talk and Speaker Details** **Time:** 5:30 p.m. EST. **Title:** AutoMobile **Summary:** What if you could tell an AI agent "explore this app and find accessibility issues" and watch it navigate your mobile app autonomously? AutoMobile makes this possible today. AutoMobile is an open-source MCP server that gives AI agents native control over Android and iOS devices using natural language. It combines platform tools (adb, simctl) with custom Kotlin AccessibilityService and Swift XCTestService to enable AI-driven mobile workflows that are 10x faster than existing automation frameworks. Live demonstrations include: \- Install & run from scratch \- AI agent running UX deep dive\, reproducing bugs \- Accessibility & performance audits \- What running tests looks like \- Prototype IDE integration **Speaker:** Jason Pearson **Speaker Bio:** Jason Pearson spent the last 15 years building great UX across Android, iOS, Mac, Web, Backend, and Windows. Now he's applying all of that to AI tools while working at Slack in DevXP. **How to find us:** 1680 Capital One Drive, McLean, VA 22102 We'll be located in C2 **100 A**. The area is publicly accessible. If you can't find it, you can ask the front desk for directions to the **C2 100 A** **Attending Virtually?** We'll be streaming the event on Zoom [https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85740109015?pwd=1FQJyvaQp2ZgRrj5drb3a2FGVqll7H.1](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85740109015?pwd%3D1FQJyvaQp2ZgRrj5drb3a2FGVqll7H.1&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1A-o2UNm0I1YVmkJcSCxfx) Meeting ID: 857 4010 9015 Passcode: 437286 **Parking**: You can park at 1680 Capital One Drive; this garage has a sign indicating public parking. Or at the WEGMANS parking lot.

Laser tag with the GLtech team! Join our discord community: [Join us on discord!](https://discord.gg/kUGh856SZH)

Getting attention as a B2B marketer is harder than ever. Posting more isn’t working. Being everywhere isn’t realistic. And most content disappears as fast as it’s published. This session is about using **one tool, a podcast, to expand your reach in oversaturated markets**. **Stephen A. Hart** will walk through how he built and scaled *Wait Just An Infosec* at **SANS Institute**, turning a single weekly show into a reliable way to put the brand’s thinking in front of the right people, without flooding the market or burning out the team. This is not a “start a podcast” talk. It’s about designing a podcast so it does real work for your business. You’ll see: * How to use a podcast to say what your brand stands for, clearly and consistently * How to reach new audiences by featuring people who already have trust and attention * How one long conversation can support marketing, sales, and partnerships at the same time You’ll leave knowing whether podcasting makes sense for your business and if it does, how to use it to extend your reach, strengthen your voice, and support growth without posting every day.