Categories
Conferences Tampa Bay

The Data4 conference: Wednesday, February 26 in Tampa!

The tl; dr

  • The event: Data4 conference
  • When: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
  • Where: Embarc Collective, Tampa
  • What: “A fun and friendly environment for all data professionals, no matter the industry, to meet and grow through shared contributions, interests, and mutual discovery. You’ll hear from data thought leaders, make connections across the tech ecosystem, and expand your network. You won’t be sitting down all day listening to speaker after speaker. Discussions won’t be focused on only one industry.
  • How much: $99. There’s also a government and student rate of $50!

A data conference?

You’ve heard the saying: “Data is the new oil.” That observation is generally attributed to Clive Humby, who’s said to have first used it in 2006. The idea is that data shares a lot of qualities with oil:

  • It’s a valuable resource.
  • It’s not useful in and of itself; it needs to be extracted, then refined and processed before you to highlight the idea that data, like oil, is a valuable resource that needs to be extracted, refined, and processed — but after that you get a lot of benefit  from it.
  • And finally, like oil, it’s a key driver for several industries  and the economy in general.

Something this valuable needs a conference, and we’re having such a conference here in Tampa!

That conference is Data4.

What will the talks be?

Here’s the list of talks and their speakers / panelists:

Lakehouse Catalogs 101 – Governing and Transporting your Iceberg, Delta and Hudi tables

Alex Merced
Senior Tech Evangelist, Dremio

Explore one of the most critical frontiers in the lakehouse ecosystem: catalogs. Alex will demystify leading catalog solutions such as Apache Polaris (incubating), Nessie, Unity Catalog, Gravitino, Dremio Catalog, and AWS Glue, and guide you through navigating this evolving landscape to effectively manage your lakehouse.

AI Safety: Crafting Certainty in an Uncertain World

John Licato
Founder & CEO, Actualization.ai

Unpack how robust design, user-centric interfaces, and regulatory collaboration can transform AI from a black-box risk into a predictable and valuable tool.

The Great Analytics Data Strategy Heist!

Pradnya Chavan
VP Decision Science, JPMorganChase

Learn to refine problems and apply iterative systems thinking, drive continuous improvement for data initiatives, and develop successful data strategies to reach business analytics objectives.

Defense as a Market: Overcoming Barriers for Tech Innovation in DoD

Jim Smith
Former Acquisition Executive for the United States Special Operations Command

Casey Johnson
VP of Business Development, Certus Core

Daniella Diaz
VP of Revenue and Marketing at Lumina AI

Rocio Frej Vitalle
CEO, Improving Aviation

Uncover insights surrounding Data, AI, and delivering game changing solutions to the DoD.

Using Top-Level Ontology for Better Governance – A Vendor Risk Case Study

Tim Toohill
CTO & Co-Founder, Certus Core

Joe Blankenship
CDO, Certus Core

Explore how top-level ontologies align disparate data sources to address governance challenges in knowledge graphs.

Mapping Ever Larger Data with PostGIS, DuckDB, GeoArrow and deck.gl.

Jared Lander
CEO – Lander Analytics

Learn how to make a high performance geo workflow on large data through covering the four key aspects of the geospatial pipeline.

From Data to Dominance: Navigating Edge and Enterprise Data Needs for Scalable Insights

Lisa Costa
Former Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, U.S. Space Force | VC Partner

In a world defined by data ubiquity, success hinges on the ability to align edge-based and enterprise-level data strategies. This talk explores the nuanced differences between edge and enterprise data needs and how semantic frameworks, AI, and edge-based processing can bridge the two. Learn how to harness data at the right place and time—enabling hyper-localized decision-making, predictive analytics at scale, and adaptive cyber defense to create resilient, value-driven organizations in an interconnected global ecosystem.

Driving Data Innovation in Telecom: Trends and Opportunities

Antra Malhotra
Associate Director of Software Development, Verizon

 

Prescription for Precision: Building Smarter Pharma Sales Forecasting Dashboards

Tanya Cashorali
Founder & CEO, TCB Analytics

Ensure your regional sales goals are on track while identifying problem areas in real-time.

 

There’s also a rumor that there might be some accordion entertainment during the day. Just sayin’.

Afterparty

And yes, there’s a happy hour after the event at American Social. Better still, there’ll be door prizes for a few lucky attendees!

How much will it cost to attend?

$99 for general admission. And that includes breakfast, lunch, and the happy hour.

Find out more about tickets here.

Categories
Artificial Intelligence Editorial

A helpful reminder from the computer in “Space: 1999”

The computer screen in the first episode of “Space: 1999” displaying the text “HUMAN DECISION REQUIRED”

Here’s a handy tip from the first episode of the 1975 TV series Space: 1999 that seems tailor-made for the current era of AI. Keep it in mind!

(And in case you’re curious, here’s that episode, and I’ve even cued it up to the scene where the computer displays that message…)

Categories
Current Events Meetups Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay tech, entrepreneur, and nerd events list (Monday, January 20 – Sunday, January 26, 2025)

Here’s what’s happening in the thriving tech scene in Tampa Bay and surrounding areas for the week of Monday, January 20 through Sunday, January 26, 2025! This list includes both in-person and online events.

Note that each item in the list includes:

✅ When the event will take place

✅ What the event is

✅ Where the event will take place

✅ Who is holding the event


This week’s events

Monday, January 20

Event name and location Group Time
Business Networking Meeting
Online
Christian Professionals Network Tampa Bay 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Downtown St. Pete Business Networking Connection Lunch~ All Welcome< JOIN In!
The Sourdough Co.
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Trinity Professional Business Networking Lunch Join Us!
Cantina Viagero
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Intro to Mobile Videography (FREE for Hillsborough County residents)
TBCN Media Center
Tampa Bay Community Network 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM EST
Trivia @ Clancy’s
Clancy’s Sports Bar & Grill
Bradenton over 50 Meetup 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST
ACE Advanced Toastmasters 3274480
Online
Toastmasters Divisions C & D 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST
Speakeasy Toastmasters #4698
Online
Toastmasters District 48 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Monday Feast & Game Night
Village Inn
Tampa Bay Tabletoppers 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
MTG: Commander Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Game Night at the Brewery!
Anecdote Brewing Company
Game Night at the Brewery! 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Toast of Lakewood Ranch Toastmasters Club
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
Toastmasters District 48 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST
North Port Toastmasters Meets Online!!
Online
Toastmasters District 48 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Let’s Talk Toastmasters
Online
Toastmasters Divisions C & D 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Stirling Toastmasters Club #7461614 | Public Speaking & Leadership Development
Online
Toastmasters District 48 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Lakeland (FL) Toastmasters Club #2262
MIDFlorida FCU Training Center
Toastmasters Division E 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Hidden Gems Night, Presented by A Duck!
Online
Nerdbrew Events 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
MONDAY night ONLINE gaming
Online
Brandon Boardgamers 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
ONLINE: Your Brain on Fear, Part 2
Online
Orlando Stoics 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
DigiMondays
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Weekly General Meetup
Online
Beginning Web Development 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Return to the top of the list

Tuesday, January 21

Tuesday morning from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at Computer Coach in Tampa: LinkedIn Local™ events are organic meetups, hosted by members all over the world — this one’s the Tampa Bay edition! These gatherings provide an opportunity to network, build community, discuss industry trends, and share best practices for using LinkedIn.

Who should attend?

  • IT Professionals: Expand your tech network and share industry insights.
  • Business Leaders: Connect with peers and explore collaboration opportunities.
  • HR and Talent Acquisition Specialists: Meet top talent and discuss the latest trends in recruitment.
  • Entrepreneurs and Start-up Founders: Exchange ideas and gain support from like-minded individuals.
  • Community Leaders and Influencers: Strengthen your influence and build lasting relationships.

Why attend?

  • Enhance Your Network: Meet diverse professionals from various industries.
  • Professional Growth: Gain new perspectives and learn from others’ experiences.
  • Reconnect: Strengthen existing connections and make new ones.
  • Collaborative Opportunities: Discover potential partnerships and business ventures.

Find out more and register here.

Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Green Bench in St. Pete: It’s the January edition of St. Pete Connects, a meetup for a diverse group of entrepreneurs, founders, and community partners helping them to create friendships and network!

They’re bringing together the tech founders, connectors, creatives, and innovators of St. Pete. A laid back meet up for those new and old to the Sunshine City to find new friendships, expand their networks and build community partnerships.

Bring yourself and/or a friend and help us enjoy an evening with good beer and people.

Find out more and register here.

Event name and location Group Time
LinkedIn Local Tampa Bay
Computer Coach Training Center
Tech Success Network 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM EST
Oldsmar/Westchase/Palm Harbor Business Networking lunch ~
Beef O’Brady’s – Oldsmar FL
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
SWAT Networking Bradenton Luncheon
Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside
SWAT Networking – Successful Women Aligning Together 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
St. Pete Connects Janaury Happy Hour
Green Bench Brewing Company
St. Pete Connects 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST
Weekly Open Make Night
4931 W Nassau St
Tampa Hackerspace 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
TBSSUG Monthly Meeting
1150 Assembly Dr suite 500
Tampa Bay Microsoft Fabric Analytics User Group (TFAB) 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Disney Lorcana Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Hobby Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Modern Game Night (Spring Hill)
Plot Armor Games
Drunk’n Meeples the Social Tabletop (Board) Gamers 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Meet & Greet at O’Keefe’s Family Restaurant
O’Keefe’s Family Restaurant
Florida Center for Creative Photography 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Pinellas Writers and Authors Weekly Meeting (Online/Zoom)
Online
Pinellas Writers Group 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Rotary Laser Engraving
MakerSpace Clearwater
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Loner Seekers Euchre – Tampa
Gaspars Patio Bar & Grille
Loner Seekers Euchre – Tampa 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Saint Petersburg January Meetup Book Club
Habana Cafe
Saint Petersburg Book Club Meetup Group 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
The Sarasota Creative Writers
Sarasota Alliance Church
The Sarasota Creative Writers Meetup Group 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Toast of Celebration Toastmasters
Celebration Community Field Complex
Toastmasters Division E 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Networking with a Twist! 2nd Session!
Online
Women Entrepreneurs Referral & Resource Network -Orlando 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Dunedin Toastmasters – Guests Welcome
Unity Community Church
Dunedin Toastmasters 2166 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Yu-Gi-Oh Evening Tournament
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
St. Pete Beers ‘n Board Games Meetup for Young Adults
Pinellas Ale Works Brewery
St. Pete Beers ‘n Board Games for Young Adults 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Boards & Bones
SpookEasy Lounge
Nerdbrew Events 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Trivia Night with Trivia Nation
Irish 31 Pub House & Eatery
Trivia Night at Irish 31 Seminole 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
AMA – Ask Me Anything Related to Photography, Computers and Software
O’Keefe’s Family Restaurant
Florida Center for Creative Photography 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Tampa Bay Technology Center (TBTC) Monthly Meeting
2079 Range Rd
Tampa Bay Coalition of Reason is disbanded 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Nic At Nite – Weekly Movie Night
Online
Nerdbrew Events 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Online Event: Shut Up & Write on Zoom
Online
Shut Up & Write!® Tampa 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM EST
Return to the top of the list

Wednesday, January 22

Event name and location Group Time
World Toasters Toastmasters Club
Online
Toastmasters Division E 7:05 AM to 8:00 AM EST
Grow Your Business with focused Referral Networking
Sons of Italy Lodge
BNI Tampa -Referral based networking 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EST
NPI Profit Partners Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
Panera Bread
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EST
NPI St. Pete Sunrise Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
St Petersburg Yacht Club
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EST
Tampa Highrisers Toastmasters
Hyde Park United Methodist Church
Toastmasters District 48 7:45 AM to 8:45 AM EST
NPI North St. Pete Networkers Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
Carrabas Italian Grill
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM EST
Uncovering New Insights with Bing Webmaster Tools
Online
Tampa SEO and Digital Marketing Meetup with Steve Scott 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Inspiring Authors & Book Immersion Meetup
Online
Lady Lake Memoir Writing Meetup Group 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM EST
Social “Hump Day” Wednesdays
Online
Social Entrepreneurs Networking Group 2:15 PM to 4:15 PM EST
Wednesday Night Gaming
Nerdy Needs
Brandon Boardgamers 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Bay pines toastmaster’s hybrid meeting
C. W. Bill Young VA Medical Center
Bay Pines Toastmasters 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM EST
Wednesday Board Game Night
Bridge Center
Tampa Gaming Guild 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Orlando Chess Association
West Osceola Library
Chess in Orlando 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Great Big Trivia Wednesdays @ Terra Ceia Bay Country Club Palmetto 6-8PM
Terra Ceia Bay Country Club
South Florida Poker, Music & Entertainment Group 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Board Game Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Casual Commander Wednesdays
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Tampa Bay Inventors Council – www.tbic.us bi-monthly Meetup
Online
Tampa Bay Inventors Council – www.TampaBayInventors.org 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Game Night!
Southern Lights Brewing Company
Drunk’n Meeples the Social Tabletop (Board) Gamers 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Sun Coast Euchre Club
The Hanger Restaurant & Flight Lounge
Suncoast Euchre Club -St Pete 6:50 PM to 8:50 PM EST
[Virtual] Tampa Bay Bitcoin Meetup: News, Markets, & Community
Online
Tampa Bay Bitcoin 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Apopka Foliage Toastmasters
Online
Apopka Foliage Toastmasters 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Improve Your Communication and Presentation Skills
Online
Communication Skills for Interviews and Presentations 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Carrollwood Toastmasters Meetings meet In-Person and Online
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library
Toastmasters District 48 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Magic Pioneer Event
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM EST
Games & Grog @ The Grove SoHo!
Grove Soho
Nerdbrew Events 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
New Beginnings & Old Rivalries
Online
Central Florida AD&D (1st ed.) Grognards Guild 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM EST
Games & Grog (Social Game Night in SoHo)
Grove Soho
Nerd Night Out 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Writer’s Workshop (Get Feedback On Your Work!)
Station House
The Prose Society 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Cardfight Vanguard!! OverDress Weekly
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Return to the top of the list

Thursday, January 23

Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Tampa Bay Brewing Company in Oldsmar: This event is all about meaningful conversations and building valuable connections with fellow tech professionals and industry leaders.

No presentations, no demos—just people talking to people. Come ready to connect, and grow your professional relationships in a relaxed, engaging atmosphere.

Find out more and register here.

Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at 501 E. Kennedy (2nd floor) in Tampa: Tampa Bay AWS User Group is hosting a re:Invent recap session where local Solution Architects from AWS will talk about the many announcements and various highlights from the 2024 re:Invent event. Speakers from AWS include Renato Fichmann and Vivek Mittal.

This event is sponsored by JetSweep, and refreshments will be served!

Find out more and register here.

Thursday evening from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Embarc Collective, Tampa: Tampa Bay Data Engineering Group is kicking off 2025 with an introduction to data engineering. We’ll review Joe Reis and Matt Housley’s book Fundamentals of Data Engineering and other resources to define and explore the expanding world of data engineering practices.

Find out more and register here.

Event name and location Group Time
Canasta
Grand Bay Building 3 Cardroom
Grand Bay Canasta Meetup Group 1:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST
NPI Bayview Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
11 Central Ave
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EST
Online – Unity Live Learning Session
Online
Orlando Game Developers Meetup 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
One Business Connection Zoom Mtg
Online
One Business Connecting Networking B2B 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM EST
NPI Power Lunch – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
Carrabas Italian Grill
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Downtown Tampa Toastmasters MeetUp
509 E Twiggs St 3rd floor
Downtown Tampa Toastmasters MeetUp 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Sarasota Speakers Exchange Toastmasters
Online
Toastmasters District 48 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
CNC Build Project
MakerSpace Pinellas
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Gulfport Scrabble and Social
The Drunken Taco
Gulfport Scrabblers and Social 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Tipsy Techies New Year Get Together
Tampa Bay Brewing Company
Tipsy Techies Happy Hour 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST
Omni Toastmasters Club 6861
Online
Toastmasters Divisions C & D 5:45 PM to 7:00 PM EST
TBDEG – Data Engineering 101
Embarc Collective
Tampa Bay Data Engineering Group 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST
AWS re:Invent Recap
501 E Kennedy Blvd
Tampa Bay AWS User Group 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
The Fallen Lands
2103 Laceflower Dr
Brandon and Seffner area AD&D and OSR Group 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Warhammer Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Candle Making Class
The DIY Room
Creative DIY Meet Up 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Tampa Writers Alliance Poetry Group
Barnes & Noble Carrollwood
Tampa Writers Alliance 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
3D Printing Guild
Tampa Hackerspace West
Tampa Hackerspace 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Gemini Prompting: AI For Data mining
Online
Google Developer Group Central Florida 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM EST
Understanding People – Knowing Whom You Can Trust
Online
Communication Skills for Career Advancement Group 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Let’s Talk Toastmasters Special Meeting Theme: Financial Education
Online
Toastmasters Divisions C & D 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Palm Harbor Toastmasters Club #8248
1500 16th St
Toastmasters District 48 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
WordPress Monthly Meetup
Online
WordPress Clearwater FL 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
One Piece Thursdays
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
FABulous Thursdays
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Book Club: Columbus Day by Craig Alanson
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
Geekocracy! 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Pathfinder Society
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Live streaming production and talent
124 S Ring Ave
Live streaming production and talent 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Return to the top of the list

Friday, January 24

Event name and location Group Time
Official Cybersecurity Summit January 24
HILTON TAMPA DOWNTOWN
Tampa Bay Generative AI Meetup 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM EST
6th Annual Official Tampa Cyber Security Summit
Hilton Tampa Downtown
SWFLSec – Southwest Florida Infosec Meetup 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM EST
Caffeine & Connections: Friday Fuel for Black Professionals
Online
Pinellas County Black Business Meetup Group 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM EST
ACT Aquire Connections Today ~ RGA’s Virtual Networking All Welcome
Online
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 8:45 AM to 10:15 AM EST
Toastmasters – Improve Speaking Skills & Build Confidence
Online
Christian Professionals Network Tampa Bay 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM EST
Career Success for Experienced Professionals: Powerful at Any Age
Online
Tech Success Network 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Ms. Biz Connectz- business leaders brainstorm together
Online
Ms. Biz Connectz- business leaders brainstorming together 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
OWASP Tampa Chapter 2025-Jan Lunch and Learn
GuidePoint Security
OWASP Tampa 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Business Networking Tampa at McAlisters across from International Plaza JOIN IN!
McAlisters Deli
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Silk Screening Hats and T-shirts
MakerSpace Clearwater
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Friday Board Game Night
Bridge Club
Tampa Gaming Guild 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM EST
MTG: Commander FNM
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Euchre Tourney * Friday Jan 24
Clubhouse
Suncoast Euchre club 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Candle Making Class
The DIY Room
Creative DIY Meet Up 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Taps & Drafts | Casual EDH/MtG Social Night
Industrious
Nerd Night Out 6:00 PM to 11:45 PM EST
Innistrad Remastered Launch Party Draft
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
We’re Back: Return of the Freethinkers at Oak and Ola in Armature Works
Oak and Ola
Free Thinkers Dinner Club 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST
The Room Next Door at Green Light Cinema
Green Light Cinema
The Tampa Bay Movie Fans Meetup Group 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM EST
Modern FNM
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM EST
Friday Pokemon Tournament
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM EST
Friday night game night
Indica Cafe Tampa Bay’s First & Greatest CBD Lounge
Indica Cafe Events Friday, January 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM to Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 12:00 AM EST
Unleashing the Power of DAX Queries in Power BI | Zoe Douglas
Online
Orlando Power BI User Group 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Return to the top of the list

Saturday, January 25

Event name and location Group Time
Question reality & maybe play VINCI
Online
Central Florida Philosophy Meetup 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Machine Shop Milling 101 (Members Only)
Tampa Hackerspace
Tampa Hackerspace 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Make a LED Edge Lit Name Plaque (Members Only)
4931 W Nassau St
Tampa Hackerspace 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM EST
Saturday Chess at Wholefoods in Midtown, Tampa
Whole Foods Market
Chess Republic 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Wood Shop Lathe 101 (Members Only)
Tampa Hackerspace West
Tampa Hackerspace 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Aluminum Casting Demonstration
Tampa Hackerspace
Tampa Hackerspace 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST
Bravo Group Campaign Continues
Online
Oviedo Middle Aged Gamers (OMAG) 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST
Winning The Week – 1st Meet
Sage Biscuit Cafe
Winning The Week 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST
Intro to Sewing
MakerSpace Pinellas
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST
Bitcoin Bay Gasparilla Party
Online
Tampa Bay Bitcoin 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST
Gasparilla Pirate Parade
Bayshore Boulevard & West Bay to Bay Boulevard
The Art Of Photography – Tampa/St. Pete 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST
Star Trek: Ascendancy
Anson on Palmer Ranch
Board Games and Card Games in Sarasota & Bradenton 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
FREE Fab Lab Orientation
Faulhaber Fab Lab
Suncoast Makers 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EST
D&D (5e) @ Black Harbor Gaming (FULL)
Black Harbor Gaming
St Pete and Pinellas Tabletop RPG Group 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM EST
Painting Get Together
Coliseum of Comics Clermont
Orlando Adventurer’s Guild 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM EST
Parrish (Bradonton) Game Night (4th Saturday of each Month 4 – 10 PM)
Hawk’s House
It’s All Fun & Games Bradenton, Parrish, Sarasota, & St Pete 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Parrish (Bradenton) Game Night (4th Saturday of each Month 4 – 10 PM)
Hawk’s House
It’s All Fun and Games Tampa Bay Brandon Riverview and Ruskin 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Verity-by Colleen Hoover
curries authentic indian restaurant
Book club- clearwater/ dunedin/palm harbor 4:45 PM to 6:45 PM EST
Community Hang-out Night
Online
Nerdbrew Events 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Yu-Gi-Oh Evening Tournament
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
KARAOKE NIGHT!
The Niagara Tap Bar & Grill
Nerd Night Out Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM to Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM EST
Return to the top of the list

Sunday, January 26

Event name and location Group Time
Potluck Picnic & Music Bingo!
John Chesnut Sr. Park
Geekocracy! 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST
CNC Router-Engraved-Milling
MakerSpace Pinellas
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Make a cutting board!
Tampa Hackerspace West
Tampa Hackerspace 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST
BattleTech – The New Pinellas Expedition
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Retro Replay (The Great Escape Room)
The Great Escape Room
Tampa Escape Room Meetup 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM EST
Modern Board Games and Social
Dented Keg Ale Works
Drunk’n Meeples the Social Tabletop (Board) Gamers 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST
D&D Adventurers League
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST
Sunday Chess at Wholefoods in Midtown, Tampa
Whole Foods Market
Chess Republic 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST
Traveller – Science Fiction Adventure RPG
Black Harbor Gaming
St Pete and Pinellas Tabletop RPG Group 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM EST
Sunday Pokemon League
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
St. Pete Arthouse Cinema Club-The Room Next Door
Green Light Cinema
St. Pete Arthouse Cinema Club 4:45 PM to 7:30 PM EST
Lankhmar: City of Adventure
Nerdy Needs
Brandon and Seffner area AD&D and OSR Group 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Let’s Learn to Turn Pens!
Tampa Hackerspace West
Tampa Hackerspace 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Find Your Funny Toastmasters
Online
Toastmasters Division E 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST
A Duck Presents NB Movie Night
Discord.io/Nerdbrew
Nerd Night Out 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM EST
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About this list

How do I put this list together? It’s largely automated. I have a collection of Python scripts in a Jupyter Notebook that scrapes Meetup and Eventbrite for events in categories that I consider to be “tech,” “entrepreneur,” and “nerd.” The result is a checklist that I review. I make judgment calls and uncheck any items that I don’t think fit on this list.

In addition to events that my scripts find, I also manually add events when their organizers contact me with their details.

What goes into this list? I prefer to cast a wide net, so the list includes events that would be of interest to techies, nerds, and entrepreneurs. It includes (but isn’t limited to) events that fall under any of these categories:

  • Programming, DevOps, systems administration, and testing
  • Tech project management / agile processes
  • Video, board, and role-playing games
  • Book, philosophy, and discussion clubs
  • ️ Tech, business, and entrepreneur networking events
  • Toastmasters and other events related to improving your presentation and public speaking skills, because nerds really need to up their presentation game
  • Sci-fi, fantasy, and other genre fandoms
  • Self-improvement, especially of the sort that appeals to techies
  • Anything I deem geeky
Categories
Process What I’m Up To

I’m working on the docs for Packfiles’ SaaS, Warp

Screenshots from the documentation for Packfiles (https://packfiles.io).

I’m busy at work on the documentation for Packfiles’ SaaS, Warp, which automates the difficult, tedious, and error-prone process of migrating repositories from other source control systems to GitHub. Warp is already operational and it turns days of work into minutes, but it needs a “quickstart” guide, which I’m working on right now!

I’m painfully aware that nobody reads documentation, and I’ve taken steps to ensure that the docs I’m writing are clear, easy to follow, and get to the point ASAP. You won’t need a Ph.D. to read what I’m writing, unless it means “Push here, devops.” I’m trying to make it that simple.

Categories
Humor Picdump

Saturday picdump for January 11, 2025

Welcome to the another Global Nerdy Saturday “picdump!” It’s the weekly article where I post the technology- and work-related memes, pictures, and cartoons floating around the internet that I found interesting or relevant this week. Share and enjoy!

Categories
Current Events Meetups Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay tech, entrepreneur, and nerd events list (Monday, January 13 – Sunday, January 19, 2025)

Here’s what’s happening in the thriving tech scene in Tampa Bay and surrounding areas for the week of Monday, January 13 through Sunday, January 19, 2025! This list includes both in-person and online events.

Note that each item in the list includes:

✅ When the event will take place

✅ What the event is

✅ Where the event will take place

✅ Who is holding the event


This week’s events

Monday, January 13

Event name and location Group Time
Trinity Professional Business Networking Lunch Join Us!
Cantina Viagero
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Downtown St. Pete Business Networking Connection Lunch~ All Welcome< JOIN In!
The Sourdough Co.
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Intro to Mobile Videography (FREE for Hillsborough County residents)
TBCN Media Center
Tampa Bay Community Network 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM EST
Speakeasy Toastmasters #4698
Online
Toastmasters District 48 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Monday Feast & Game Night
Village Inn
Tampa Bay Tabletoppers 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
MTG: Commander Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Game Night at the Brewery!
Anecdote Brewing Company
Game Night at the Brewery! 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Toast of Lakewood Ranch Toastmasters Club
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
Toastmasters District 48 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST
North Port Toastmasters Meets Online!!
Online
Toastmasters District 48 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Intro to the Babylock Embroidery Machine (Members Only)
4931 W Nassau St
Tampa Hackerspace 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Let’s Talk Toastmasters
Online
Toastmasters Divisions C & D 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Stirling Toastmasters Club #7461614 | Public Speaking & Leadership Development
Online
Toastmasters District 48 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
MONDAY night ONLINE gaming
Online
Brandon Boardgamers 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Hidden Gems Night, Presented by A Duck!
Online
Nerdbrew Events 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
DigiMondays
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Weekly General Meetup
Online
Beginning Web Development 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Return to the top of the list

Tuesday, January 14

Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at Hays, Tampa: The topic is OKRs — objectives and key results. they’re not just a goal-setting framework, but a powerful tool for driving focus, alignment, and measurable outcomes in product management. In this session, we will discuss how OKRs can significantly sharpen your product strategy to create meaningful and impactful results for your teams.

Find out more and register here.

Event name and location Group Time
Contractor/Trades Professional Networking Breakfast All Welcome ~ Feather Sound
Panera Bread
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM EST
CEO Toastmasters
Online
Toastmasters Divisions C & D 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM EST
IT Certifications Help You Soar – No Degree Required
Online
Tampa Cybersecurity Training 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Enable and manage secure access for your remote workforce
Online
Orlando Cybersecurity Meetup 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Oldsmar/Westchase/Palm Harbor Business Networking lunch ~
Beef O’Brady’s – Oldsmar FL
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Online: Game Character Animation Info Session/Blender Fundamentals
Online
Orlando Game Developers Meetup 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM EST
Adults Embracing Autism: Join us for a Tranquil Stroll
Selby Gardens
Adults Embracing Autism 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM EST
Deliver Impactful Products with OKRs – Tampa Bay Product Group
Hays
Tampa Bay Product Group 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Weekly Open Make Night
4931 W Nassau St
Tampa Hackerspace 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Bartow Toastmasters HYBRID Meeting
2250 S Floral Ave
Toastmasters Division E 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM EST
Hobby Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Disney Lorcana Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Meet & Greet at O’Keefe’s Family Restaurant
O’Keefe’s Family Restaurant
Florida Center for Creative Photography 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
West Volusia Toastmasters
Online
Toastmasters Divisions C & D 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM EST
Resin Casting
MakerSpace Clearwater
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Winter Haven Toastmasters
St Paul’s Episcopal Church
Toastmasters Division E 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Learn About Podcasting and How to Monetize Your Interest!
McAlisters Deli
Tampa eMarketing Groups 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Loner Seekers Euchre – Tampa
Gaspars Patio Bar & Grille
Loner Seekers Euchre – Tampa 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Death in Venice: A Winter’s Tale of Obsession and Art
Online
Their Eyes Were Watching Books – Classic Book Meetup 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Practice Solving Data Structures and Algorithms Problems
Online
Florida Software School 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Woodshop Safety (Members Only)
Tampa Hackerspace West
Tampa Hackerspace 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Dunedin Toastmasters – Guests Welcome
Unity Community Church
Dunedin Toastmasters 2166 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Creative Speaking
Roots To Crown
Creative Speaking St Pete 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Toast of Celebration Toastmasters
Celebration Community Field Complex
Toastmasters Division E 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Trivia Night with Trivia Nation
Irish 31 Pub House & Eatery
Trivia Night at Irish 31 Seminole 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
St. Pete Beers ‘n Board Games Meetup for Young Adults
Pinellas Ale Works Brewery
St. Pete Beers ‘n Board Games for Young Adults 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Yu-Gi-Oh Evening Tournament
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Boards & Bones
SpookEasy Lounge
Nerdbrew Events 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
December/January Game of the Month: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Dunedin Brewery
Dunedin-Palm Harbor Video Game Book Club 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
AMA – Ask Me Anything Related to Photography, Computers and Software
O’Keefe’s Family Restaurant
Florida Center for Creative Photography 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Nic At Nite – Weekly Movie Night
Online
Nerdbrew Events 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Online Event: Shut Up & Write on Zoom
Online
Shut Up & Write!® Tampa 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM EST
Return to the top of the list

Wednesday, January 15

Event name and location Group Time
World Toasters Toastmasters Club
Online
Toastmasters Division E 7:05 AM to 8:00 AM EST
NPI St. Pete Sunrise Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
St Petersburg Yacht Club
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EST
Grow Your Business with focused Referral Networking
Sons of Italy Lodge
BNI Tampa -Referral based networking 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EST
NPI Profit Partners Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
Panera Bread
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EST
Tampa Highrisers Toastmasters
Hyde Park United Methodist Church
Toastmasters District 48 7:45 AM to 8:45 AM EST
Career Transition & Job Seeker Networking & Support Meeting – In Person Meeting!
Corporate Center One
Career Rebound – New Job or Career Search for Professionals 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
NPI North St. Pete Networkers Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
Carrabas Italian Grill
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM EST
Effortless Microsoft 365 management with ZERO PowerShell scripts
Online
Orlando Cybersecurity Meetup 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST
7 Keys to Save Time & Increase Sales with Virtual Assistants & AI
Online
Productivity, Profit, AI, Delegation Group – San Antonio 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM EST
Inspiring Authors & Book Immersion Meetup
Online
Lady Lake Memoir Writing Meetup Group 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM EST
Social “Hump Day” Wednesdays
Online
Social Entrepreneurs Networking Group 2:15 PM to 4:15 PM EST
Wednesday Night Gaming
Nerdy Needs
Brandon Boardgamers 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Bay pines toastmaster’s hybrid meeting
C. W. Bill Young VA Medical Center
Bay Pines Toastmasters 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM EST
Orlando Chess Association
West Osceola Library
Chess in Orlando 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Wednesday Board Game Night
Bridge Center
Tampa Gaming Guild 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Board Game Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Great Big Trivia Wednesdays @ Terra Ceia Bay Country Club Palmetto 6-8PM
Terra Ceia Bay Country Club
South Florida Poker, Music & Entertainment Group 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Casual Commander Wednesdays
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Women’s Chess Club! at the St Pete Chess Club
St. Petersburg Chess Club
Chess Republic 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Game Night!
Southern Lights Brewing Company
Drunk’n Meeples the Social Tabletop (Board) Gamers 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Lock In by John Scalzi – FINAL
Inner Compass Brewing Company
The Weirder Things Book Club 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Sun Coast Euchre Club
The Hanger Restaurant & Flight Lounge
Suncoast Euchre Club -St Pete 6:50 PM to 8:50 PM EST
3D Printing Orientation: Models and Slicers
Online
Tampa Hackerspace 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
[Virtual] Tampa Bay Bitcoin Meetup: News, Markets, & Community
Online
Tampa Bay Bitcoin 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
CigarCitySec Meetup
Cigar City Brewing
Central Florida CitySec 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Carrollwood Toastmasters Meetings meet In-Person and Online
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library
Toastmasters District 48 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Communication Practice and Improvement
Online
Communication Skills for Interviews and Presentations 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
In the Light of a Ghost Star – a one shot Weird Science Fantasy RPG
Black Harbor Gaming
St Pete and Pinellas Tabletop RPG Group 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Games & Grog @ The Grove SoHo!
Grove Soho
Nerdbrew Events 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Presenting Wed 01/15 at 7 pm – DISCOVERING CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY: Chuck LaChance
Online
The Art Of Photography – Tampa/St. Pete 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
New Beginnings & Old Rivalries
Online
Central Florida AD&D (1st ed.) Grognards Guild 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM EST
Games & Grog (Social Game Night in SoHo)
Grove Soho
Nerd Night Out 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Cardfight Vanguard!! OverDress Weekly
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Trivia Night at the Blind Goat
The Blind Goat
Gen Geek 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM EST
Return to the top of the list

Thursday, January 16

Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Computer Coach, Tampa: Join Tampa Bay User Experience for a year of reflection. As we enter 2025, it is time to look back on what we have done, celebrate together, learn together, and talk about what 2025 might look like.

Rob will share some highlights from the year. Then, we will switch gears and you will have the opportunity to share what you want from the group in 2025.

Find out more and register here.

Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Magnanimous Brewing, Tampa: Join Tampa M365 for an awesome social gathering at Magnanimous in Seminole Heights on Florida Ave., where you can enjoy beers, socialize, and network with awesome local techies. Whether you’re new to Microsoft 365 or an experienced M365 IT Pro / Developer, this event is a great opportunity to meet new faces and get to know your local counterparts!

Find out more and register here.

Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at 5406 Hoover Blvd STE 10, Tampa: 

Curious about how hackers think? Want to explore the mindset that drives innovation, creativity, and problem-solving in the digital age? Join us for “The Hacker’s Mindset w/ Outlier”, hosted by Neon Temple!

Dive deep into the world of ethical hacking, critical thinking, and strategies that will challenge the way you approach problems. Whether you’re a cybersecurity pro, a tech enthusiast, or just curious, this event is for YOU!

Find out more and register here.

Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Wind Rover Brewery, Tampa: Tampa Bay Agile & Clearly Agile are bringing the happy hour version of Lean Coffee to your area! Drinking not required!

Lean Beer is an alternative to the early morning Lean Coffees, for folks who can’t always join us at 7:30AM. Lean Beer is a great place to ask questions and share your stories of using Agile and Lean software approaches, over an adult beverage, if you choose. We discuss any topics on Agile and Lean that are of interest to whomever is gathered. You suggest the topics, then we prioritize that list democratically, through a good ole’ fashion vote. We manage our discussions via time boxes, and a Roman vote (drinks up/drinks down). Vegas rules apply!

We are a non-formal group, like to loosen our ties and roll up our sleeves at the end of a long day, and gather with other like-minded Agile Practitioners to exchange ideas and information. Come see what Lean Beer is all about and get your Agile on.

Find out more and register here.

Event name and location Group Time
NPI Bayview Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
11 Central Ave
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EST
One Business Connection Zoom Mtg
Online
One Business Connecting Networking B2B 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM EST
NPI Power Lunch – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals
Carrabas Italian Grill
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI) 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Achieving Financial Wellness: Reset, Plan, and Prosper
Online
Tech Success Network 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Sarasota Speakers Exchange Toastmasters
Online
Toastmasters District 48 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Downtown Tampa Toastmasters MeetUp
509 E Twiggs St 3rd floor
Downtown Tampa Toastmasters MeetUp 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Canasta
Grand Bay Building 3 Cardroom
Grand Bay Canasta Meetup Group 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Gulfport Scrabble and Social
The Drunken Taco
Gulfport Scrabblers and Social 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Omni Toastmasters Club 6861
Online
Toastmasters Divisions C & D 5:45 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Tampa M365 – Social @ Magnanimous
Magnanimous Brewing
Tampa M365 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
2024 Year in Review
Computer Coach Training Center
Tampa Bay UX Group 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Tampa SEO and Internet Marketing Meetup with Steve Scott
Online
Tampa SEO and Digital Marketing Meetup with Steve Scott 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Reed Piernock – Writing Expressive and Effective ALT Text
Online
West Orlando WordPress Meetup 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
The Fallen Lands
2103 Laceflower Dr
Brandon and Seffner area AD&D and OSR Group 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Warhammer Night
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Candle Making Class
The DIY Room
Creative DIY Meet Up 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
TBDSG: Your Presentation Title HERE!
To Be Determined
Tampa Bay Data Science Group 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Writing Meetup
HotWax Coffee Shop, Kava Bar & Tap House
Tampa Free Writing Group 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
The Hacker’s Mindset (with Outlier)
5406 Hoover Blvd, suite 10
The Neon Temple 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
3D Printer Orientation: Printing at Tampa Hackerspace (THS Members only)
4935 W Nassau St
Tampa Hackerspace 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Lean Beer for All Things Agile (Tampa)
Wild Rover Brewing Company
Tampa Bay Agile 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Practice Solving Data Structures and Algorithms Problems
Online
Florida Software School 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
A Discussion on Modern Nomadism with John Valencia
Bitcoin Bay Foundation
Tampa Bay Bitcoin 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
How to Get Rid of Unwanted Thoughts and Emotions
Online
Communication Skills for Career Advancement Group 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Let’s Talk Toastmasters Special Meeting Theme: Financial Education
Online
Toastmasters Divisions C & D 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Palm Harbor Toastmasters Club #8248
1500 16th St
Toastmasters District 48 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST
FABulous Thursdays
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Pathfinder Society
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
One Piece Thursdays
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Live streaming production and talent
124 S Ring Ave
Live streaming production and talent 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Writer’s Room (Let’s Get to Work… Virtually!)
Online
Prose Society Writers Group 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Return to the top of the list

Friday, January 17

Event name and location Group Time
Board Games
MakerSpace Pinellas
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Caffeine & Connections: Friday Fuel for Black Professionals
Online
Pinellas County Black Business Meetup Group 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM EST
Toastmasters – Improve Speaking Skills & Build Confidence
Online
Christian Professionals Network Tampa Bay 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM EST
Ms. Biz Connectz- business leaders brainstorm together
Online
Ms. Biz Connectz- business leaders brainstorming together 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Business Networking Tampa at McAlisters across from International Plaza JOIN IN!
McAlisters Deli
RGA Networking Professional Business Networking 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Friday Board Game Night
Bridge Club
Tampa Gaming Guild 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM EST
TiE Welcome Party 2025
USF Research Park Innovation Building
TiE Tampa Bay 6:00 PM
MTG: Commander FNM
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Taps & Drafts | Casual EDH/MtG Social Night
Industrious
Nerd Night Out 6:00 PM to 11:45 PM EST
Foundations Draft
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Modern FNM
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM EST
Wolfman
AMC Veterans 24 Theaters
The Tampa Bay Movie Fans Meetup Group 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
“The Practicing Stoic” – Ward Farnsworth; Chapter 6 – Wealth and Pleasure
Raining Berries USF – Açaí • Smoothie • Coffee
Tampa Stoics 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
GAME NIGHT at PANERA’S
Panera Bread
Adventure Group of Lakeland 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Friday Pokemon Tournament
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM EST
✨ Creating a Basic Memory Game w/JavaScript Jan 17th, 8 PM
Online
Orlando Unity Developers Group 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Friday night game night
Indica Cafe Tampa Bay’s First & Greatest CBD Lounge
Indica Cafe Events Friday, January 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM to Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM EST
Monthly Cell Phone Photo Showcase
Online
Florida Center for Creative Photography Friday, January 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM to Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 12:01 AM EST
Return to the top of the list

Saturday, January 18

Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company, Tampa: Tampa Bay Techies is holding their monthly study group and tech meetup!

This is a space to socialize, show off your current projects, ask questions with others studying for similar topics, and enjoy a nice cup of coffee! ☕‍✨

Whether you just started studying, about to take an exam, or still trying to figure out which certification path to take, our study groups are the perfect setting to share knowledge, learn some new study tips & tricks, and ask questions to current industry professionals.

Although they schedule the study session from 10am-1pm, attendees are free to come and go as they please.

Find out more and register here.

Event name and location Group Time
There’s No Wave Function?
Online
Central Florida Philosophy Meetup 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Hunters Creek Toastmasters
Online
Toastmasters Division E 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Saturday Chess at Wholefoods in Midtown, Tampa
Whole Foods Market
Chess Republic 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM EST
January Study Group & Tech Meetup
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Tampa Bay Techies 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST
“The Grace Year” by Kim Liggett
Fiorelli Winery
SRQ Ladies Book Club 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Winning The Week – 1st Meet
Sage Biscuit Cafe
Winning The Week 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST
JOIN our Facebook Group, LIKE our Fan Page and Invite your Friends
Online
Florida Center for Creative Photography 12:00 PM to 12:15 PM EST
Introduction to Welding
MakerSpace Pinellas
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST
January Book Club
Special Pho Pinellas park
Tampa Bay Women’s Book Club Meetup Group 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST
FREE Fab Lab Orientation
Faulhaber Fab Lab
Suncoast Makers 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EST
D&D (5e) @ Black Harbor Gaming (FULL)
Black Harbor Gaming
St Pete and Pinellas Tabletop RPG Group 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM EST
Socrates Café (Philosophy)
Clearwater Public Library
Clearwater Socrates Café 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM EST
Models On The Town – Model SIGN UP
Munn Park, Lakeland FL
The Lakeland Shooters, Polk County Photography & Modeling 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich by Norman Ohler
New World Tampa
Tampa Book Club – Award-Winning Books 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST
Models On The Town – PHOTOGRAPHER SIGN UP
Munn Park, Lakeland FL
The Lakeland Shooters, Polk County Photography & Modeling 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Saturday Afternoon Catan
Whole Foods Market
Tampa Bay Settlers of Catan 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Studio Lighting Workshop and Shoot-out
La Vie Bridal
Largo Studio Photography Workshop 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM EST
Geeks Go To Gaspar’s Patio Bar & Grill
Gaspars Patio Bar & Grille
Geekocracy! 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Winter means staying indoors playing games
IHOP
New Port Richey Casual Games and Fun Socializing Group! 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM EST
Community Hang-out Night
Online
Nerdbrew Events 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Yu-Gi-Oh Evening Tournament
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
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Sunday, January 19

Event name and location Group Time
Laser class 3 – Fiber Laser & practice
MakerSpace Pinellas
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST
Laser engraver -cutter basics
MakerSpace Pinellas
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST
Board Game Day in Sarasota
Bee Ridge Road
Board Games and Card Games in Sarasota & Bradenton 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST
Sunday Gaming
Tampa Bay Bridge Center
Tampa Gaming Guild 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST
Modern Board Games and Social
Dented Keg Ale Works
Drunk’n Meeples the Social Tabletop (Board) Gamers 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST
D&D Adventurers League
Critical Hit Games
Critical Hit Games 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST
Sunday Chess at Wholefoods in Midtown, Tampa
Whole Foods Market
Chess Republic 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST
Direct to Film Digital Printing
MakerSpace Clearwater
Makerspaces Pinellas Meetup Group 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Sunday Pokemon League
Sunshine Games | Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sunshine Games 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Learn to play Dragonbane RPG – One Shot
Tampa Bay Bridge Center
Tampa Gaming Guild 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Lankhmar: City of Adventure
Nerdy Needs
Brandon and Seffner area AD&D and OSR Group 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Sew Awesome! (Textile Arts & Crafts)
Tampa Hackerspace West
Tampa Hackerspace 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM EST
Continuing adventures in the setting of Symbaroum.
Online
St Pete and Pinellas Tabletop RPG Group 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
A Duck Presents NB Movie Night
Discord.io/Nerdbrew
Nerd Night Out 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM EST
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About this list

How do I put this list together? It’s largely automated. I have a collection of Python scripts in a Jupyter Notebook that scrapes Meetup and Eventbrite for events in categories that I consider to be “tech,” “entrepreneur,” and “nerd.” The result is a checklist that I review. I make judgment calls and uncheck any items that I don’t think fit on this list.

In addition to events that my scripts find, I also manually add events when their organizers contact me with their details.

What goes into this list? I prefer to cast a wide net, so the list includes events that would be of interest to techies, nerds, and entrepreneurs. It includes (but isn’t limited to) events that fall under any of these categories:

  • Programming, DevOps, systems administration, and testing
  • Tech project management / agile processes
  • Video, board, and role-playing games
  • Book, philosophy, and discussion clubs
  • ️ Tech, business, and entrepreneur networking events
  • Toastmasters and other events related to improving your presentation and public speaking skills, because nerds really need to up their presentation game
  • Sci-fi, fantasy, and other genre fandoms
  • Self-improvement, especially of the sort that appeals to techies
  • Anything I deem geeky
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Humor Systems

Thank you, PowerShell Gambit

I’ve only gotten back into PowerShell recently, so I was unaware that they have a cartoon mascot that I think of as “PowerShell Gambit.” The mascot appears at the start and completion of its installer, and now I call out PowerShell commands as I type them in my terrible approximation of Channing Tatum’s cajun accent in the Deadpool and Wolverine movie.