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Current Events Tampa Bay

What’s happening in the Tampa Bay tech/entrepreneur/nerd scene (Week of Monday, May 23, 2022)

Here’s the list of tech, entrepreneur, and nerd events for Tampa Bay and surrounding areas for the week of Monday, May 23 through Sunday, May 29, 2022

As far as event types go, this list casts a rather wide net. It includes events that would be of interest to techies, nerds, and entrepreneurs. It includes (but isn’t limited to) events that fall under the category of:

  • 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 (because nerds really need to up their presentation game)
  • Sci-fi, fantasy, and other genre fandoms
  • Anything I deem geeky

By “Tampa Bay and surrounding areas”, this list covers events that originate or are aimed at the area within 100 miles of the Port of Tampa. At the very least, that includes the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, but as far north as Ocala, as far south as Fort Myers, and includes Orlando and its surrounding cities.

StartupBus 2022 will depart from Tampa Bay!

If you’re looking for an adventure, a chance to test your startup skills, and an experience that will make your résumé stand out, join me on StartupBus Florida, which departs Tampa Bay on July 27, when it sets course for Austin, Texas!

On this three-day journey, “buspreneurs” will form teams, create a business idea, build a software demo for that idea, and develop pitches for that idea. When they arrive in Austin, they’ll spend two days pitching their startups to a panel of judges.

I was a “buspreneur” on StartupBus Florida in 2019, the last time the event took place, and our team made it to the finals and got the runner-up position. This time, I’m a “conductor” — one of the coaches on the bus — and our team is here to help you rise to the challenge.

Want to find out more?

This week’s events

I try to keep this list up-to-date. I add new events to this article as soon as I hear about them, so be sure to check back here throughout the week!

This week’s events

Monday, May 23

GroupEvent NameTime
Front End CreativesTampa Bay’s Job Seeker Coffee Talks9:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupIn person at Fords Garage St Pete11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netVirtual Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Entrepreneurs & Business Owners of Sarasota & BradentonVirtual Networking Lunch Monday11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Christian Professionals Network Tampa BayLive Online Connection Meeting- Monday11:30 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netSt. Pete Networking Lunch! Fords Garage! Monday’s11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Entrepreneurs’ Empowerment EmpireOffice Hour12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Enhancing Your Career With Mindfulness12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay TabletoppersMonday Feast & Game Night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Black Sheep D&D NightsLevel 5 Dungeon Crawl!6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Cocktails and Convo: Book club for RomCom LoversWriting club6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesMTG: Commander Night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Board Game Meetup: Board Game BoxcarWeekly Game Night! (Lazy Moon Location)6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Beginning Web DevelopmentWeekly Learning Session6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
BerLagmark – Sarasota AmtgardMonday Night Fighter Practice!6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48North Port Toastmasters Meets Online!!6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters Division GTriple Crown Toastmasters Club 4147 (Virtual)6:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Tampa HackerspaceIntro to the Babylock Embroidery Machine (Members Only)7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Orlando StoicsONLINE: “Taoism: State of Flow, Stillness, Focus” (Part 1)7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Board Game Night at Armada Games7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Light Study PRO – A Photography Workshop for Emerging ProsMembers as far back as 2008 can access their photos7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Learning to speak our stories from the heart and soul at South Tampa TM!7:00 PM to 8:15 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || UX/UI Design: Designing A UX Case Study6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Work From Home -Online Business Opportunities and NetworkingHow To Create A Crazy, Easy Passive Income With LinkedIn8:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
The Woman Entrepreneur NetworkThe Talk That Saves Lives – Free Training9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro To Data Analytics: Excel Basics9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT
CoachieveEscape Corporate: From Employee to Entrepreneur – TampaMon, May 30, 2022, 8:00 PM EDT
Crypto Entrepreneurs of Lake County (Florida)Digital Entrepreneurs: Taking Profits from Up, Down & Sideways Markets5:30 PM to 7:00 PM EDT

Tuesday, May 24

GroupEvent NameTime
Tampa Bay Agilev-Lean Coffee7:30 AM to 8:30 AM EDT
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI)NPI St. Pete Business Builders Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Business Game Changers GroupClearwater Breakfast Mastermind Village Inn7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Happy Hour/Meetings/Meet UpClearwater/Largo Professionals Networking Breakfast All Welcome7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Orlando DevOpsDevOps Lean Coffee – For the First Time in Forever8:00 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Suncoast Credit Union Micro Enterprise Development MeetupBuilding Your Business Bankability9:30 AM to 10:30 AM EDT
Tampa Bay Amazon Sellers E-commerce MeetupAmazon Sellers Morning Coffee9:30 AM to 10:30 AM EDT
Tampa Bay Tech Career Advice ForumHow to Bounce Back from a Layoff in Tampa Bay10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Orlando Melrose MakersIn-Person: Makerspace Open Lab10:30 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Innovation CenterThe Future of NFTs webinar11:00 AM tp 12:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersUpper Pinellas, Oldsmar,Safety Harbor, Westchase Business networking lunch11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Tampa / St Pete Business ConnectionsOldsmar Professional Business Networking lunch11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Florida Startup: Idea to IPOHow to Find Product Market Fit Quickly11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netNew Tampa RGA Chapter ~ Glory Days Meet your next referral partner!11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All WelcomeProfessional Business Networking Lunch Glory Day’s New Tampa11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Suncoast Business NetworkBusiness Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Wesley Chapel, Trinity, New Tampa Business ProfessionalsNew Tampa Networking Lunch at Glory Day’s Grill New Tampa11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Global Networking SummitNetworking Brunch12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Hyperledger TampaHyperledger URSA code review: Ready for Production?12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Westshore Toastmasters12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Block Co-op – Bitcoin Crypto Blockchain OrlandoBitcoin/Crypto. Buying, Selling and sharing ideas. Small group atmosphere.1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro to Data Analytics: SQL Fundamentals12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Work From Home -Online Business Opportunities and NetworkingLearn What It Takes To Think Like A Successful Entrepreneur3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT
Florida Startup: Idea to IPOHow to Get Pre-Seed and Seed Funding without Giving Up Equity or Control3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Free Video Production Classes – TV/InternetSocial Video Marketing Tips(ONLINE CLASS)-FREE for Hillsborough County Residents4:15 PM to 5:15 PM EDT
Tampa HackerspaceWeekly Open Make Night6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Orlando Lady Developers MeetupAdvanced Coding Challenge – Trees and Graphs6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesMarvel Crisis Protocol Night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
St. Petersburg Business Networking Pick-up BasketballWeekly pickup networking basketball6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
The Woman Entrepreneur NetworkAre you ready to have fun and help make teen suicide a thing of the past?6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Florida Center for Creative PhotographyThe James Museum of Western Art – Ansel Adams & Clyde Butcher Exhibits6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
The Tampa Chapter of the Society for the Exploration of PlayCool Stuff Games: Board game night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
AGM Marketing WorkshopsMillionaire Ads That Work6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
West Pasco Toastmasters Club Weekly Meeting6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
GRID TampaLaunch! How To Rehab for Big Profits: 3 Steps to Executing a Successful Project6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Pinellas WritersWeekly Group Meetings – All Writers Welcome!6:30 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Tampa – Sarasota – Venice Trivia & Quiz MeetupTrivia Night – Moose Lodge 2117 Smartphone Trivia Game Show6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Lakeland Area Social GroupTexas Hold ‘Em Poker ♥️ ♣️ ♦️ ♠️6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Orlando Adventurer’s Guild[Online SEASONAL] Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden – DM Canon (Tier 2)7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
St. Pete Beers ‘n Board Games for Young AdultsSt. Pete Beers ‘n Board Games Meetup for Young Adults7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Tampa Entrepreneurs NetworkAttract More Clients by Simplifying Your Marketing | Mary Cravets7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Crypto/Trading/Online Business/Entrepreneurship nightsCrypto/Trading/Online Business/Entrepreneurship Nights7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Central Florida Computer SocietyCentral Florida Computer Society TechSIG (Please join us!!)7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Board Game Night at Hammerfall Games and Collectibles7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Low Light Photography GroupLow Light Photo Group7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
IIBA Tampa BayBABOK IIBA Tampa Bay Study Group7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Communication Skills for Quiet PeopleThe Guide to Beginning a New Relationship for Introverts7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
The Orlando Python User GroupPyScript: Python in Your Browser7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || What Tech Career Is Right For Me?6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
TB Chess – Tampa Bay – St. Petersburg Chess Meetup GroupLet’s play chess at 54th Ave Kava House!7:30 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Shut Up & Write!® TampaOnline Event: Shut Up & Write on Zoom7:45 PM to 9:15 PM EDT
The Woman Entrepreneur NetworkThe Talk That Saves Lives – Free Training9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro to HTML & CSS: Build Your Own Website9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Wednesday, May 25

GroupEvent NameTime
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI)NPI Profit Partners Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersDOWNTOWN ST PETE YOUNG NETWORKING PROFESSIONALS BREAKFAST AT THE HANGAR!7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
1 Million Cups – Orlando1 Million Cups – Orlando Weekly Meetup8:30 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
North Tampa Networking GroupBusiness networking9:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupBrandon Business Professionals Just Love Coffee11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Suncoast Credit Union Micro Enterprise Development MeetupThe Importance of a Business Banking Relationship11:30 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Entrepreneurs & Business Owners of Sarasota & BradentonSarasota Business Networking Lunch All Welcome, Just purchase Lunch!11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netCarrollwood Professional Networking Lunch Wednesday All Welcome JOIN us11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
North Sarasota Happy Hour NetworkingBusiness Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersBrandon Networking Professionals Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Wesley Chapel, Trinity, New Tampa Business ProfessionalsLutz, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Sarasota Web Development Meetup GroupLunch Hour Meetup12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Orlando Machine Learning and Data ScienceOMDLS Lunch n’Learn – May 202212:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Success Strategies for Business OwnersMarketing Series – Part 3 of 4 – Email Marketing Secrets12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tech4Good TampaWebinar: Overview of CiviCRM, a CRM software/tool12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Amazon Seller Meetup GroupPower of PixelMe12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay AgileHeart of Agile MONTHLY Coffee Corner12:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT
Ironhack Tampa – Tech Careers, Learning and NetworkingThe basics of Data Analytics 📈12:30 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All WelcomeWednesday Business Networking Lunch New Port Richey at Widow Fleatchers12:30 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Data Science Salon | Tampa BayData Reliability Engineering Conference 2022Wednesday 1:00 PM to Thursday 5:40 PM EDT
Big Data and Analytics TampaWhy Security Teams Fail to Implement Effective Security Controls Across the SDLC1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Free Video Production Classes – TV/InternetDigital Video Editing Class (ONLINE CLASS) -FREE for Hillsborough residents only1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || What is UX/UI Design?12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Work From Home -Online Business Opportunities and NetworkingFind Out About Print on Demand- A Masterclass3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT
The Woman Entrepreneur NetworkBust Your Limiting Beliefs in 60 Minutes or Less3:30 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
The Public Speakers Community of Tampa BaySpeaking Jitters or Limiting Beliefs?3:30 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
OrCamOrCam MyEye and OrCam Read Demonstration, Tampa10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT
Ironhack Tampa – Tech Careers, Learning and NetworkingOnline Workshop: Learn the Basics of Machine Learning in 1hr!5:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT
Entrepreneurs Empower EmpireEntrepreneurs Empower Empire Live Happy Hour5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Florida Startup: Idea to IPOFREE WEBINAR: How to Outsource Development of Your App5:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT
The Tampa Chapter of the Society for the Exploration of PlayPlaying Games in the Alley5:00 PM to 11:45 PM EDT
Brandon BoardgamersBoard Gaming – In Person5:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Tampa Gaming GuildWednesday Board Game Night5:30 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Brews N Board GamesBoard Game Night at Gatlin Hall Brewing6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupEvening Networking Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All Welcome6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Orlando Photo + Design MeetupVirtual Event: Adobe Photoshop – HDR Photography6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay AWS User GroupAWS Security: Use Cases, Real Experiences, and Challenges6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Hobby Night – Minis Painting Tips & Tricks at Armada Games6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Thoughtful WritingPhilosophy in Writing6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All WelcomeBusiness Networking Evening Dinner at Brick City Eatery6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesBoard Game Night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Happy Hour/Meetings/Meet UpLutz /Land O Lakes /Odessa /Trinity Evening Networking Dinner All Welcome6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Inventors Council – www.TampaBayInventors.orgTampa Bay Inventors Council – www.tbic.us bi-monthly Meetup6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Writers AllianceTampa Writers Alliance Critique Group6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
The Weirder Things Book ClubNocturnal by Scott Sigler finish6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Geekocracy!Book Club – Dial A for Aunties7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Florida Center for Creative PhotographyFCCP Assistant Organizers ONLY Meeting7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Central Florida AD&D (1st ed.) Grognards GuildNew Beginnings & Old Rivalries7:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT
MakerFX MakerspaceMakerFX Monthly Membership Meeting – VIRTUAL7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Writers of Central Florida or ThereaboutsOrlando Word Lab7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Bitcoin[In-Person] Tampa Bay Bitcoin Meetup: News, Markets, & Community7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Central Florida CitySecCitrusSec Meetup7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Communication Skills for Quiet PeopleHow to Communicate Effectively7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Nerd Night OutGames & Grog – Party Games Social Night7:00 PM to 11:59 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Carrollwood Toastmasters Meetings meet In-Person and Online7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Castaways Euchre ClubCastaways Euchre Club7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Women, Words and WineMay Book Club Meeting :: The Couple at Table Six7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Bootcamp Alumni Success Secrets6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Gen GeekWeekly Team Triva!7:30 PM to 10:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay InnovatorsLocal Innovator Presentations5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
The Woman Entrepreneur NetworkThe Talk That Saves Lives – Free Training9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || UX/UI Design: Wireframes and Prototypes9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT
Entrepreneur Collaborative Center1 Million Cups TampaWed, Dec 14, 2022, 10:00 AM EDT

Thursday, May 26

GroupEvent NameTime
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupTampa Young Professionals Virtual Networking Thursday Morning All WElCOME7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netVirtual Networking Breakfast Thursday’s7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All WelcomeHappy Hangar Early Bird Professionals Networking7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Wesley Chapel, Trinity, New Tampa Business ProfessionalsBusiness Over Breakfast ~ Happy Hangar IN PERSON JOIN US!7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Business Networking Weekly Meeting for Local ProfessionalsBusiness Networking for Local Professionals8:00 AM to 9:30 AM EDT
TampaBayNetworkersSuncoast Networkers8:30 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Orlando Melrose MakersIn-Person: Makerspace Open Lab10:30 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Business Game Changers GroupClearwater Professional Networking Lunch11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Tampa / St Pete Business ConnectionsClearwater/Central Pinellas Networking Lunch11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Florida Startup: Idea to IPOHow to Cut Product Development Costs by up to 50%!11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupThe Founders Meeting where it all Began! JOIN us! Bring a guest and get a gift11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Happy Hour/Meetings/Meet UpPinellas County’s Largest Networking Lunch and your invited!11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersBrandon Networking Professionals Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI)NPI Power Lunch – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Women Who Code TampaCONNECT Recharge 2022 – Part 212:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay IRA Investing GroupWebinar – How to Find the Right Cryptocurrency Investment for You12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Cybersecurity TrainingLunch & Learn – How to Write a Technical Resume12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Data Analytics: Tools of the Trade12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
StartUp XchangeStartup Strategy Office Hours2:30 PM to 3:30 PM EDT
Florida Startup: Idea to IPOVenture Capital Panel: Investment and Latest Innovations in Health Tech3:00 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
Free Video Production Classes – TV/InternetYouTube Basics (ONLINE CLASS) – FREE for Hillsborough County Residents3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Tampa – Sarasota – Venice Trivia & Quiz MeetupTrivia Night – Bunkers Bar of Sun City Center Smartphone Trivia Game Show5:00 PM to 6:15 PM EDT
Tampa Bay DevOpsPlay Ball with Chef at Tropicana Field Event5:40 PM to 7:40 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesStar Wars Night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Ironhack Tampa – Tech Careers, Learning and NetworkingThe Basics of Web Development6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Summerfield Board/Card Game NightSummerfield Tabletop/Board/Card Games6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Brandon and Seffner area AD&D Group1st ed AD&D Campaign.6:00 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
Orlando Board Gaming Weekly MeetupCentral Florida Board Gaming at The Collective6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
New Yorker Magazine Discussion Group Pinellas CountyJoin us April 25/May 2 Issue6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Black Orlando Tech (BOT)Happy Hour Kickback with Black Orlando Tech6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Downtown St. Pete Toastmasters Weekly Meeting6:15 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Bradenton Photo GroupLight Basics – Working with Flash6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Data and AI Central Florida User GroupAzure Synapse Serverless Pools: POLARIS Deep Dive6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Ybor Free Writing GroupWriting Meetup6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Tampa Writers AllianceTampa Writers Alliance Poetry Group6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Live streaming production and talentLive streaming production and talent7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Thursday MTG Draft at Hammerfall Games and Collectibles7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Tampa Deal Finder REI (Real Estate IQ)S.A.S – The 3 Effective Investing Strategies for Maximizing Profits7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Hackerspace3D Printing Guild7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Technology CenterWordPress7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay BitcoinBitcoin 1017:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Cocktails and Convo: Book club for RomCom LoversBook talk: The No Show by Beth O’Leary7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
WordPress Clearwater FLWordPress Monthly Meetup7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Drunk’n Meeples the Social Tabletop (Board) GamersTHURSDAY Game Night @ de Bine Brewing Co.7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Treasure Coast Deal Finder REI (Real Estate IQ)S.A.S – The 3 Effective Investing Strategies for Maximizing Profits7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Coalition of ReasonCalling Bullshit: Skepticism in a Data-Driven World, Skeptical Inquirer Presents7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || UX/UI Design: Creating A Design System6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
The Public Speakers Community of Tampa BayIf you’re only going to give one talk this month, make it this one9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Tampa Business ClubSunset ROOFTOP Networking Social @The Current hote6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
The Woman Entrepreneur NetworkThe Talk That Saves Lives – Free Training9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro to JavaScript: Build a Virtual Pet9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Friday, May 27

GroupEvent NameTime
Winter Park Toastmasters – Learn while having FUN!Improve your communication, listening, and leadership skills7:15 AM to 8:45 AM EDT
Tampa Bay AgileLean Coffee for All Things Agile (Westshore)7:30 AM to 8:30 AM EDT
Agile OrlandoAgile in the Morning7:30 AM to 8:30 AM EDT
Laid Back Leads GroupLaid Back Leads Group8:00 AM to 9:30 AM EDT
Dr. Phillips Chamber of CommerceFriday Weekly Leads Group of Dr. Phillips FACE-To-FACE Networking8:30 AM to 9:30 AM EDT
Brandon Biz ProsBuild your Business with Brandon Biz Pros8:30 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
NTi Port Richey, FLNTi New Port Richey – Business Referral Network9:00 AM to 10:30 AM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Real Talkers #73069:15 AM to 10:45 AM EDT
Christian Professionals Network Tampa BayImprove Speaking Skills & Build Confidence9:25 AM to 10:55 AM EDT
Tampa Cybersecurity TrainingPanel Discussion: The Do’s & Don’ts of Technical Interviewing10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Computer Advantage, Apple Premier PartnerAdvantage Talks: Your Key to Technology and the Apple Ecosystem10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Tampa / St Pete Business ConnectionsInternational Professionals Networking Meeting11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersFriday Business Introductions!11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Professionals (IT, Sales, HR & more)Leading Across Generations11:30 AM to 1:30 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netIn PERSON Networking Lunch Sabal Park/Brandon Reserve your seat11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Happy Hour/Meetings/Meet UpInternational Networking Westshore McAlisters Deli11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupFriday Business Introductions JOIN us at Cafe Delanie All Welcome11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Powerful Women NetworkingS Orlando/Dr Phillips: Join us for fun connection growth & networking too!11:30 AM to 1:30 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Learn Data Analytics With Thinkful12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Tampa Gaming GuildFriday Board Game Night5:30 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48MESSAGE CRAFTERS5:30 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
3D Printing Orlando3D Printing Hang Out6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
MakerFX Makerspace3D Printing Guild Hangout6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Board Game night at The Strange Realms in Carrollwood Friday, 6 PM6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Positively Speaking Toastmasters6:15 PM to 7:45 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesMTG: Streets of New Capenna Draft7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Oviedo Middle Aged Gamers (OMAG)Tabletop: Friday Board Game Night7:00 PM to 11:59 PM EDT
Orlando Adventurer’s Guild[Online HISTORIC] Canon’s Custom Campaign Moonsea Tour – DM Canon (Tier 3)7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Data Science vs. Data Analytics6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Gen GeekBLACK LIGHT SILENT DISCO8:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
The Public Speakers Community of Tampa BayIf you’re only going to give one talk this month, make it this one9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
The Woman Entrepreneur NetworkThe Talk That Saves Lives – Free Training9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Front End CreativesPanel Discussion: The Do’s & Don’ts of Technical Interviewing10:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro To Data Analytics: Tableau Basics9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Saturday, May 28

GroupEvent NameTime
Central Florida Philosophy MeetupWake Up and Think Clearly Saturday morning share and discuss.7:00 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Toastmasters Division GEarly Bird Ocala8:00 AM to 9:30 AM EDT
Florida Center for Creative PhotographyFREE Camera Sensor Cleaning for FCCP Supporters — Join FCCP Now and Save $$$9:30 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Chess RepublicCoffee & Chess: Tampa Midtown9:30 AM to 12:00 PM EDT
Tampa HackerspaceWood Shop Lathe 101 (Members Only)10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT
Orlando Lady Developers MeetupCode with me – learning sessions weekly on Saturdays10:00 AM to 11:30 AM EDT
Sarasota Future-Forward ConviviumSarasota Future-Forward Convivium #310:00 AM to 11:30 AM EDT
Orlando Melrose MakersIn-Person: Makerspace Open Lab10:30 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Tampa Gaming GuildSaturday Gaming11:00 AM to 11:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Coalition of ReasonMay- N. Pinellas Book Club12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Oviedo Middle Aged Gamers (OMAG)Golf Group – Starfinder12:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Women’s Prosperity Network | Fort Lauderdale ChapterOnline | VIRTUAL Mastermind Experience: Connecting, Creating & Collaborating12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Gen GeekThe Florida Holocaust Museum12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Cocktails and Convo: Book club for RomCom LoversWriting club12:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT
The Maker Team – Plant CityRegular Monthly Meetup1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Suncoast MakersFREE Fab Lab Orientation1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Advanced Articulators Toastmasters1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Sarasota Fiction MastersFiction writers, come check out our critique group!1:30 PM to 3:30 PM EDT
Central Florida Florida Foam Fighting (Fumetsu)Fighter Practice! (Newbies welcome)2:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT
Tampa Hackerspace3D Printer Orientation: Prusa mk3s Printer (THS Members only)3:00 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Saturday MTG Draft at Hammerfall Games and Collectibles3:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Orlando StoicsIN PERSON: Social Contract (Human Freedom v. Authority)6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Lithia Dungeons & Dragons And Gaming GuildRIFTs (Palladium Games)6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Nerd Night OutNB Community Hang-out Night!7:00 PM to 11:30 PM EDT
Nerdbrew EventsCommunity Hang-out Night7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
PWOs Unite!Tampa PWOs Meetup7:00 PM to 8:30 PM CDT
Riverview Cryptocurrency Meetup GroupWings and Crypto7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Enhancing Your Career With Mindfulness6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Gen GeekKaraoke @ LaLa St Pete (Private Room!)8:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
The Woman Entrepreneur NetworkThe Talk That Saves Lives – Free Training9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
The Public Speakers Community of Tampa BayIf you’re only going to give one talk this month, make it this one9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || UX/UI Design: Designing A UX Case Study9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Sunday, May 29

GroupEvent NameTime
Florida Center for Creative PhotographyFCCP PhotoWalk at Wall Springs Park, Palm Harbor, FL8:30 AM to 10:30 AM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Clearwater Sunday Speakers Toastmasters Club9:30 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Shut Up & Write!® St. PetersburgShut Up & Write! – Starbucks in DTSP10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT
Gen GeekFort Desoto Dog Beach11:00 AM to 2:00 PM EDT
Board Games and Card Games in Sarasota & BradentonGames at Table Talk Board Game Bistro12:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro To Data Analytics: Excel Basics12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Dialogue and Human Experience.“What Happens After You Die?”2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Literate Ladies of Orlando…Well Bred…Well ReadPre-Memorial Day Party2:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Drunk’n Meeples West PascoWeekend Game Day2:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!D&D Adventurers League at Critical Hit Games2:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesD&D Adventurers League2:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Drunk’n Meeples the Social Tabletop (Board) GamersBoard Games at Dented Keg (New Port Richey)2:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters, Division DWeekend Toastmasters3:00 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
Geekocracy!Game Night at Southern Brewing3:30 PM to 6:30 PM EDT
The Historical History Book ClubBook Discussion: In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Tampa HackerspaceSew Awesome! (Textile Arts & Crafts)5:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Eccentricity Club (Foodies and Fun)Terrific Indian Cuisine at Bombay Street Kitchen on OBT in South Orlando5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Orlando Adventurer’s GuildMay New Player Nights – Various DMs (Tier 1: Level 1-4)6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Lithia Dungeons & Dragons And Gaming Guild5E (ish) AD&D – Humble Beginnings Campaign (Trouble in Elm).6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Nerdbrew EventsNerdBrew Karaoke | Emo Night7:00 PM to 11:55 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro to Data Analytics: SQL Fundamentals6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || What Tech Career Is Right For Me?9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Do you have any events or announcements that you’d like to see on this list?

Let me know at joey@joeydevilla.com!

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Categories
Programming What I’m Up To

Ghosted after submitting a job interview programming assignment (5 years ago today)

Five years ago today, I submitted the first of two programming assignments as part of a job interview with a company that makes applications for the trucking industry.

May 2017

Ben Affleck in the "job interview" scene from "Good Will Hunting".

My interview at the company’s head office is going well. I’m giving them my Q&A A-game, the back-and-forth is flowing smoothly, and my knowledge of the trucking industry and lore — a combination of having done some research as well as repeated listenings to the Mark Dalton, Trucker/Detective audiobook series — seems to be paying off.

Ninety minutes into the one-hour interview, the CTO puts the brakes on the conversation and proposes a next step.

“We like your breadth of experience,” he says. “Now we’d like to test your depth. If we gave you a quick programming assignment, which would you prefer — writing an iOS app, or an Android app? You should go with the one you’re stronger in.”

I’m a much stronger iOS programmer than an Android one. The smart move would be to answer “iOS,” and be done with it.

But in that moment, I remember the motto: Be like Han.

Tap to view the “Be like Han” philosophy at full size.

Instead, I reply “Yes, but you’re looking for someone to lead a team of both iOS and Android developers. You really should give me both.

The CTO raises an eyebrow, makes a note on his pad, and says “Hmmm…I think I will.”

This is either a “total baller move” (to borrow a turn of phrase the kids are using these day), or the end of that job prospect. But for the job that they’re trying to fill, taking on that challenge was the right thing to do.

I leave the interview with just one thought: Good thing I don’t have a job. This is going to be a lot of work.

The app

I decided to tackle the iOS version first. The tricky part was that the assignment required that the app be written in the old iOS programming language, Objective-C. In 2017, Swift had been around for 3 years, so it was still reasonable to expect to do some Objective-C development.

Actual code from the project.

I made the leap to Swift as soon as it came out, so it had been 3 years since I’d done any Objective-C coding. It took me a couple of hours to regain my “C legs,” but after a few days’ work, I managed to come up with this app:

For the really curious, you can check out the project I submitted in this GitHub repo.

5 years later

Now I’m in the position where I am handing out programming assignments to prospective employees. I keep my 2017 experience in mind, which means:

  • I try to be respectful of their time. The assignment should be detailed enough to provide a realistic picture of the the candidate’s abilities but not so complex that they have to drop everything — including home/family responsibilities and their current job — to be able to complete it.
  • I try to be open to communication and responsive. I never want them to have that “ghosted” feeling I got five years ago.

Categories
Business Humor

Don’t understand NFTs? This “Kids in the Hall” skit from 1994 explains the scam.

The folks at Digg are right — the Laundromat Business Opportunities skit by Canadian comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall predicted NFTs back in 1994!

Just watch:

The business proposition happens in a laundromat. Here’s the part of the skit that pretty much sums up the idea behind NFTs:

Suit (Bruce McCulloch): “Yes!” This is how I think we should proceed — next time you come to do your laundry, you give us a call.

Mark (Mark McKinney): Heyyy! Are you trying to buy my dirty underwear?

Suit: [uncomfortable pause] N-no. I’m not trying to buy your underwear. I’m trying to lease your underwear.

Mark: I knew it!

Suit: No no, sir. It’s not what you think.

Mark: There was a guy in here, a couple of weeks ago. He tried to buy my dirty underwear, only he wasn’t slick like you.

Suit: That was my ex-partner, sir. W-we’re not trying to buy or rent your underwear, we’re just trying to lease your underwear. We just want the title of ownership.

Mark: What?

Suit: Yes, you get to retain possession of your underwear. It’s totally a paper transaction.

Mark: Huh. Is there uh money involved with this?

Suit: Of course, sir, there’s money involved. I’m a business man. There’s fifteen dollars [waves a stack of one-dollar bills so it looks like a bundle of money].

Mark: So, you’ll give me fifteen dollars for the title of ownership to my underwear, and I get to keep it?

Suit: Of course you do, sir.

Mark: But how do you make money doing that?

Suit: We’re idea people. We profit from the idea that we own the deed to your underwear.

And that’s NFTs in nutshell, once you strip away the technology veneer and blockchain bafflegab.

Categories
Current Events Tampa Bay

What’s happening in the Tampa Bay tech/entrepreneur/nerd scene (Week of Monday, May 16, 2022)

Here’s the list of tech, entrepreneur, and nerd events for Tampa Bay and surrounding areas for the week of Monday, May 16 through Sunday, May 22, 2022

As far as event types go, this list casts a rather wide net. It includes events that would be of interest to techies, nerds, and entrepreneurs. It includes (but isn’t limited to) events that fall under the category of:

  • 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 (because nerds really need to up their presentation game)
  • Sci-fi, fantasy, and other genre fandoms
  • Anything I deem geeky

By “Tampa Bay and surrounding areas”, this list covers events that originate or are aimed at the area within 100 miles of the Port of Tampa. At the very least, that includes the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, but as far north as Ocala, as far south as Fort Myers, and includes Orlando and its surrounding cities.

StartupBus 2022 will depart from Tampa Bay!

If you’re looking for an adventure, a chance to test your startup skills, and an experience that will make your résumé stand out, join me on StartupBus Florida, which departs Tampa Bay on July 27, when it sets course for Austin, Texas!

On this three-day journey, “buspreneurs” will form teams, create a business idea, build a software demo for that idea, and develop pitches for that idea. When they arrive in Austin, they’ll spend two days pitching their startups to a panel of judges.

I was a “buspreneur” on StartupBus Florida in 2019, the last time the event took place, and our team made it to the finals and got the runner-up position. This time, I’m a “conductor” — one of the coaches on the bus — and our team is here to help you rise to the challenge.

Want to find out more?

This week’s events

I try to keep this list up-to-date. I add new events to this article as soon as I hear about them, so be sure to check back here throughout the week!

Monday, May 16

GroupEvent NameTime
Rafael StuchinerBlockchain, Bitcoin, Crypto! What’s all the Fuss?~~~Tampa, FL
Tampa Bay Tech Career Advice ForumTampa Bay’s Job Seeker Coffee Talks9:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupIn person at Fords Garage St Pete11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Entrepreneurs & Business Owners of Sarasota & BradentonVirtual Networking Lunch Monday11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Christian Professionals Network Tampa BayLive Online Connection Meeting- Monday11:30 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netSt. Pete Networking Lunch! Fords Garage! Monday’s11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netVirtual Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Entrepreneurs’ Empowerment EmpireOffice Hour12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Coaching for Everyone: Sarasota-ManateeGSCA May 16th “Virtual” Meeting1:00 PM to 2:30 PM EDT
Network After Work Tampa – Networking EventsHow to Create a Hybrid Course2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters, Division DACE Advanced Toastmasters 32744806:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesMTG: Commander Night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
BerLagmark – Sarasota AmtgardMonday Night Fighter Practice!6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Eccentricity Club (Foodies and Fun)Phonomenal Vietnamese Cuisine at Four Guys Pho in Casselberry6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Learn Data Analytics With Thinkful6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Board Game Meetup: Board Game BoxcarWeekly Game Night! (Lazy Moon Location)6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay TabletoppersMonday Feast & Game Night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Beginning Web DevelopmentWeekly Learning Session6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48North Port Toastmasters Meets Online!!6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa – Sarasota – Venice Trivia & Quiz MeetupTrivia Night – Off the Wagon Kitchen & Brewery Smartphone Trivia Game Show6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Library Book Clubs – OCLSVirtual Event: Hiawassee Book Club7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Learn-To-Trade Forex – Online (As Seen on Orlando Sentinel)Learn-To-Trade Q&A (ONLINE)7:00 PM to 7:45 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Sharpen Your Presentations at South Tampa TM Before Going Live!7:00 PM to 8:15 PM EDT
Toastmasters Division ELakeland (FL) Toastmasters Club #22627:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Orlando StoicsONLINE: “The Major Stoics and their Powerful Ideas” (Part 2)7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Time to Take Speaking Your Passion to the Next Level at South Tampa TM!7:00 PM to 8:15 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Board Game Night at Armada Games7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Learn-To-Trade Crypto – Online (As Seen on Orlando Sentinel)Learn-To-Trade Q&A (0NLINE)7:00 PM to 7:45 PM EDT
Tampa Area Crypto And NFT IRLTampa Area Crypto and NFTs – Share and Learn Group7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Light Study PRO – A Photography Workshop for Emerging ProsMembers as far back as 2008 can access their photos7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa OtakuPonyo (Subbed)7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Central Florida AD&D (1st ed.) Grognards GuildWorld of Greyhawk: 1E One-Shots7:30 PM to 11:30 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Data Science vs. Data Analytics9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Tuesday, May 17

GroupEvent NameTime
Queen Adalah AzaThe Rehearsal Stage-No More Spooked Speaking 
Tampa Bay Business Networking Happy Hour/Meetings/Meet UpClearwater/Largo Professionals Networking Breakfast All Welcome7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netBreakfast with professionals at Perkins!!! New Location!7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Business Game Changers GroupClearwater Breakfast Mastermind Village Inn7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Bootstrappers Breakfast® – Tampa Bay AreaEast Coast Bootstrappers Breakfast®8:30 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Orlando Melrose MakersIn-Person: Makerspace Open Lab10:30 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersUpper Pinellas, Oldsmar,Safety Harbor, Westchase Business networking lunch11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupIn Person Networking at the Great Catch ~~ Oldsmar All Welcome to connect!11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Tampa / St Pete Business ConnectionsOldsmar Professional Business Networking lunch11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netOldsmar Tuesday Professional Networking Lunch The Great Catch! JOIN IN11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All WelcomeProfessional Business Networking Lunch Glory Day’s New Tampa11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Wesley Chapel, Trinity, New Tampa Business ProfessionalsNew Tampa Networking Lunch at Glory Day’s Grill New Tampa11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Global Networking SummitNetworking Brunch12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Dr. Phillips Chamber of CommerceLadies Entrepreneurs of Dr. Phillips12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro To Data Analytics: Tableau Basics12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Block Co-op – Crypto Blockchain Orlando & Beyond ClubBitcoin/Crypto. Buying, Selling and sharing ideas. Small group atmosphere.1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Tampa Cybersecurity TrainingSuccess Planning for a Career in Tech1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay PythonOffice hours: drop in for unstructured discussions among fellow Pythonistas3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Free Video Production Classes – TV/InternetSocial Video Marketing Tips(ONLINE CLASS)-FREE for Hillsborough County Residents4:15 PM to 5:15 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesMarvel Crisis Protocol Night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Ladies Connect!Life Coaching (strategy and execution)6:00 PM to 6:15 PM EDT
Tampa Bay SQL Server User Group (TBSSUG)TBSSUG Monthly Meeting6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Central Florida Philosophy MeetupA Disquisition on Demand Side Economics6:00 PM to 6:45 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Coalition of ReasonMonthly N. Pinellas TBCorHumanist Social Dinner6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
St. Petersburg Business Networking Pick-up BasketballWeekly pickup networking basketball6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa HackerspaceWeekly Open Make Night6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
The Tampa Chapter of the Society for the Exploration of PlayCool Stuff Games: Board game night6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
The Pinellas County Young “Professionals”Outdoor Boot Camp6:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Tampa – Sarasota – Venice Trivia & Quiz MeetupTrivia Night – Moose Lodge 2117 Smartphone Trivia Game Show6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Investor/Training MeetupTampa Bay Investor Training6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Tampa Investor/Training MeetupTampa Bay Investor Training6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Pinellas WritersWeekly Group Meetings – All Writers Welcome!6:30 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
West Pasco Toastmasters Club Weekly Meeting6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
SecTech Industry Consulting – SICFSW Talks6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
The Sarasota Creative Writers Meetup GroupThe Sarasota Creative Writers6:30 PM to 6:30 PM EDT
Orlando Adventurer’s Guild[IN PERSON] DDAL05 Storm King’s Thunder (Tier 2, FR, historic)6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
Saint Petersburg Book Club Meetup GroupMay Book Club6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Communication Skills for Quiet PeopleHow to Get Rid of Negative Thinking and Negative Emotions7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
TampaBay TimebanksMonthly Meeting in Tampa7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Hosted by Precision, Lockheed Martin, and TrilliumSOFIC Cocktail Party7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Florida Center for Creative PhotographyAMA – Ask Me Anything Related to Photography, Computers and Software7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Crypto/Trading/Online Business/Entrepreneurship nightsCrypto/Trading/Online Business/Entrepreneurship Nights7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Let Go of Your Past and Make New Positive FriendsHow to Be a More Confident Communicator7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
St. Pete Beers ‘n Board Games for Young AdultsSt. Pete Beers ‘n Board Games Meetup for Young Adults7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
IIBA Tampa BayBABOK IIBA Tampa Bay Study Group7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!D&D Adventurers League at Armada Games7:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT
Literate Ladies of Orlando…Well Bred…Well ReadThe Last Thing He Told Me for May7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
VenteurStartup Afterparty St. Petersburg7:30 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
DOUX — Downtown Orlando UX Meetup[Online Workshop] Finding the Power in Your Career Pivot into UX!7:30 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
TB Chess – Tampa Bay – St. Petersburg Chess Meetup GroupLet’s play chess at Muddy Water!7:30 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Shut Up & Write!® TampaOnline Event: Shut Up & Write on Zoom7:45 PM to 9:15 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Enhancing Your Career With Mindfulness9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Wednesday, May 18

GroupEvent NameTime
Entrepreneur Collaborative Center1 Million Cups Tampa 
Business Networking for Entrepreneurs of ColorVirtual Business Networking – Entrepreneurs of Color7:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Network Professionals Inc. of South Pinellas (NPI)NPI Profit Partners Chapter – Exchange Qualified Business Referrals7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersDOWNTOWN ST PETE YOUNG NETWORKING PROFESSIONALS BREAKFAST AT THE HANGAR!7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Florida Center for Creative PhotographyCoffee & Photography at O’Keefe’s Family Restaurant in Clearwater9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
1 Million Cups – Orlando1 Million Cups – Orlando Weekly Meetup9:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Tampa Bay WaVEOPEN/FREE Coworking for Veteran Entrepreneurs9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
North Tampa Networking GroupBusiness networking9:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Christian Professionals Network Tampa BayOnline Mastermind 3rd. Wednesday11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netIn Person Networking BRANDON! Just Love Coffee Cafe – Brandon FL11:15 AM to 12:45 PM EDT
Entrepreneurs & Business Owners of Sarasota & BradentonSarasota Business Networking Lunch All Welcome, Just purchase Lunch!11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupBrandon Business Professionals Just Love Coffee11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Wesley Chapel, Trinity, New Tampa Business ProfessionalsLutz, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersBrandon Networking Professionals Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Success Strategies for Business OwnersMarketing Series – Part 2 of 4 – Effective Digital Marketing Channels12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || UX/UI Design: Designing A UX Case Study12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Ironhack Tampa – Tech Careers, Learning and NetworkingThe Great Wave off Innovation: A New Approach to Entrepreneurship12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All WelcomeWednesday Business Networking Lunch New Port Richey at Widow Fleatchers12:30 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Data Science Salon | Tampa BayDSS Virtual Mini Salon: Applying AI & ML to Retail & E-Commerce1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Board Game Players ClubBoard game playing1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Data Science Salon | Central FloridaDSS Virtual Mini Salon: Applying AI & ML in Retail & E-Commerce1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Free Video Production Classes – TV/InternetDigital Video Editing Class (ONLINE CLASS) -FREE for Hillsborough residents only1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
The Woman Entrepreneur NetworkBust Your Limiting Beliefs in 60 Minutes or Less3:30 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
The Public Speakers Community of Tampa BaySpeaking Jitters or Limiting Beliefs?3:30 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
Brandon BoardgamersBoard Gaming – In Person5:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
The Tampa Chapter of the Society for the Exploration of PlayPlaying Games in the Alley5:00 PM to 11:45 PM EDT
Orlando Adventurer’s Guild[HISTORIC] Storm King’s Thunder Tier 2 – DM Robert5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Gaming GuildWednesday Board Game Night5:30 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Eccentricity Club (Foodies and Fun)Sushi in Longwood at Bayridge5:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
The MainframeThe Mainframe Presents: Black St. Pete Techies & Innovators Happy Hour6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Hobby Night – Minis Painting Tips & Tricks at Armada Games6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
DigitalDeLandDigital DeLand Monthly Meeting6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All WelcomeBusiness Networking Evening Dinner at Brick City Eatery6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Continuous Improvement Network (CI Net)C.I.NET MeetUp6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Brews N Board GamesBoard Game Night at Gatlin Hall Brewing6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Thoughtful WritingPhilosophy in Writing6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Boss TalksBoss Talks Mixer6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupEvening Networking Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All Welcome6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Agile Mindset Book Club (Tampa, FL)A Book of Scrum – The Spirit of the Game by Jeff Sutherland6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro To Data Analytics: Excel Basics6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Boss TalksBoss Talks Tampa Chapter Mixer6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesMTG: Pauper Open Play6:30 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Tampa DevsTDevs – Meet & Greet @ Armatureworks [with Tampa20s and 30s groups]6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
OrlanGoGo Workspaces6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Central Florida CitySecCigarCitySec Meetup7:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Central Florida AD&D (1st ed.) Grognards GuildNew Beginnings & Old Rivalries7:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT
Orlando IoTIoT at Scale7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Communication Skills for Quiet PeopleHow to Open Yourself Up and Connect with People7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Downtown Tampa Software DevelopersArmature Works Developer Hangout7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Carrollwood Toastmasters Meetings meet In-Person and Online7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Nerd Night OutGames & Grog – Party Games Social Night7:00 PM to 11:59 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Bitcoin[Virtual] Tampa Bay Bitcoin Meetup: News, Markets, & Community7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Tampa Hackerspace3D Printing Orientation: Models and Slicers7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Castaways Euchre ClubCastaways Euchre Club7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Gen GeekWeekly Team Triva!7:30 PM to 10:30 PM EDT
Work From Home -Online Business Opportunities and NetworkingCreate A Successful Print on Demand Business8:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Orlando Lady Developers MeetupCode challenge bi-weekly coding session8:00 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
Tampa Startup Founder 101How to Cut Startup Product Development Costs Up to 50%, with Nelly Yusupova8:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro to Data Analytics: SQL Fundamentals9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Thursday, May 19

poweredUP, hosted by Tampa Bay Tech, takes place this afternoon!

GroupEvent NameTime
7th + GroveThird Thursdays with Fifth Third Bank 
Pasco County Entrepreneurs & Business Owners All WelcomeHappy Hangar Early Bird Professionals Networking7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netWesley Chapel/Lutz networking breakfast7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupTampa Young Professionals Virtual Networking Thursday Morning All WElCOME7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netVirtual Networking Breakfast Thursday’s7:30 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Business Networking Weekly Meeting for Local ProfessionalsBusiness Networking for Local Professionals8:00 AM to 9:30 AM EDT
All For NerdsMegacon 2022 (Orlando)10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT
Orlando Melrose MakersIn-Person: Makerspace Open Lab10:30 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Florida Startup: Idea to IPOHow to Cut Product Development Costs by up to 50%!11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Business Game Changers GroupClearwater Professional Networking Lunch11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Happy Hour/Meetings/Meet UpPinellas County’s Largest Networking Lunch and your invited!11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Block Co-op – Crypto Blockchain Orlando & Beyond ClubCrypto Set-up Class -Limited to 5 Seats Only11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupThe Founders Meeting where it all Began! JOIN us! Bring a guest and get a gift11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Tampa / St Pete Business ConnectionsClearwater/Central Pinellas Networking Lunch11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Wesley Chapel, Trinity, New Tampa Business ProfessionalsWesley Chapel Grill Smith Professional Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersBrandon Networking Professionals Networking Lunch11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Ironhack Tampa – Tech Careers, Learning and NetworkingEP4: UX & Sustainable Web | I’MPULSE Sessions: Design By Nature 🍃12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || What Tech Career Is Right For Me?12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
“Learn and Earn” Millionaire Mind Secrets & NetworkingOnline Zoom! Millionaire Mind Lunch; Book Club and Networking!12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay TechPowered Up Tech Fest1:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT
Free Video Production Classes – TV/InternetYouTube Basics (ONLINE CLASS) – FREE for Hillsborough County Residents3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Talk Nerdy To MeMegacon 2022 Night 14:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT
Tampa Professional Networking MeetupHappy Hour Networking – Cigars, Fine Wines and Brews5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa – Sarasota – Venice Trivia & Quiz MeetupTrivia Night – Bunkers Bar of Sun City Center Smartphone Trivia Game Show5:00 PM to 6:15 PM EDT
livingHRDisruptHR Tampa 20225:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Networking for CreativesNetworking for Creatives Meetup5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Library Book Clubs – OCLSVirtual Event: Tween Book Club (ages 9-12)5:00 PM to 5:45 PM EDT
Bradenton Holistic Wealth & Success Business Networking GrpMay 19th – Nationwide Networking: ONLINE Biz Mixer5:30 PM to 6:30 PM EDT
Learn Cybersecurity Tampa | Flatiron SchoolVirtual – Intro to Cybersecurity | Phishing for Beginners6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Orlando Photo + Design MeetupVirtual Event: Critiquing Photos6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
We Write Here Black and Women of Color Writing GroupVirtual Writing Get Downs6:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Tampa SEO & Internet Marketing Meetup with Steve ScottRedesigning Your Website Without Crushing Your Traffic or Rankings6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Magic the Gathering Tampa/Brandon/St PeteNerdy Needs (Casual Thursday Commander Night)6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!D&D Adventurers League at Critical Hit Games6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Land O Lakes Cigars and Networking GroupCigars, Networking, Referrals –6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Winter Haven Business Referral Networking Meetup Group1st Winter Haven Small business networking Meetup6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro to HTML & CSS: Build Your Own Website6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Tampa Industry 4.0“How to break into the tech field” With Katpro Technologies6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Brandon and Seffner area AD&D Group1st ed AD&D Campaign.6:00 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
Orlando Board Gaming Weekly MeetupCentral Florida Board Gaming at The Collective6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
West Orlando WordPress MeetupNick Diego – Introduction to WordPress Full Site Editing6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
The Pinellas County Young “Professionals”Thirsty Thursday @ The Dog Bar!6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Digital Marketers and Online Entrepreneurs[IN PERSON] Irish 31 Pub6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Bradenton Photo GroupBeyond Camera Basics6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay AgileLean Beer for All Things Agile (Tampa)6:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Live streaming production and talentLive streaming production and talent7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Business Networking for Entrepreneurs of ColorVirtual Business Networking – Entrepreneurs of Color7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
The Tampa Ruby BrigadeTampa.rb: Mystery Meetup!7:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Tampa HackerspaceLaser Cutter Orientation (Members Only)7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Central Florida Writers Who ReadRead: Hunger by Roxane Gay7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
3D Printing OrlandoIntro to OpenSCAD7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Tampa HackerspaceWoodshop Tool Sign Off-Jointer, Planer, & Bandsaw (Members Only)7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Tampa Startup Founder 101FI Silicon Valley Graduation w/ Keynote from Alumni who Raised a $12M Series A8:00 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || What is UX/UI Design?9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Friday, May 20

GroupEvent NameTime
Winter Park Toastmasters – Learn while having FUN!Improve your communication, listening, and leadership skills7:15 AM to 8:45 AM EDT
Brandon Biz ProsBuild your Business with Brandon Biz Pros8:30 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Homebrew HillsboroughMay 2022 VIRTUAL Homebrew Hillsborough: Florida High Tech Corridor8:30 AM to 9:30 AM EDT
Dr. Phillips Chamber of CommerceFriday Weekly Leads Group of Dr. Phillips FACE-To-FACE Networking8:30 AM to 9:30 AM EDT
NTi Port Richey, FLNTi New Port Richey – Business Referral Network9:00 AM to 10:30 AM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Real Talkers #73069:15 AM to 10:45 AM EDT
Christian Professionals Network Tampa BayImprove Speaking Skills & Build Confidence9:25 AM to 10:55 AM EDT
All For NerdsMegacon 2022 (Orlando)10:00 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Professionals (IT, Sales, HR & more)Leading Across Generations to Retain Employees10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Computer Advantage, Apple Premier PartnerAdvantage Talks: Apple Product Overview10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netFriday International Business Introductions at McAllisters Westshore11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa / St Pete Business ConnectionsInternational Professionals Networking Meeting11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Young Professionals of Tampa Bay Networking GroupFriday Business Introductions JOIN us at Cafe Delanie All Welcome11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Meetings & MixersFriday Business Introductions!11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Networking Happy Hour/Meetings/Meet UpInternational Networking Westshore McAlisters Deli11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Professional Business Networking with RGAnetwork.netIn PERSON Networking Lunch Sabal Park/Brandon Reserve your seat11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Tampa Social Media EnthusiastsFree Webinar: 5 Ways to Grow Your Business with Send Social Media1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Learn-To-Trade Stocks – Online (As Seen on Orlando Sentinel)Monster Learn-To-Trade Stocks5:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT
Clermont Nerd GamesBoard Game Night!5:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48MESSAGE CRAFTERS5:30 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Tampa Gaming GuildFriday Board Game Night5:30 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Meeple Movers Gaming GroupLet’s Play Games ONLINE on Fridays!5:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Data Analytics – Tampa BayData Analytics – Tampa Bay – MAY MEETUP6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || UX/UI Design: Wireframes and Prototypes6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Board Game night at The Strange Realms in Carrollwood Friday, 6 PM6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
MakerFX MakerspaceMakerFX Woodshop Guild IRL Hangout6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Orlando Local Makers Pop-Up MarketsPop Up Makers Market in Winter Park6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters District 48Positively Speaking Toastmasters6:15 PM to 7:45 PM EDT
Orlando Adventurer’s Guild[Online HISTORIC] Canon’s Custom Campaign Moonsea Tour – DM Canon (Tier 3)7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Orlando StoicsThe Practicing Stoic – Chapter 9 (continued)7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Learn-To-Trade Crypto – Online (As Seen on Orlando Sentinel)Learn-To-Trade Advanced Strategies (ONLINE & OFFICE)7:00 PM to 7:15 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesMTG: Streets of New Capenna Draft7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Gen GeekEscape Artist: The Final Seance Escape Room @stpete8:45 PM to 10:15 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Data Analytics: Tools of the Trade9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Saturday, May 21

GroupEvent NameTime
Central Florida Philosophy MeetupWake Up and Think Clearly Saturday morning share and discuss.7:00 AM to 9:00 AM EDT
Toastmasters Division GEarly Bird Ocala8:00 AM to 9:30 AM EDT
Sarasota Future-Forward ConviviumSarasota Future-Forward Convivium #28:00 AM to 9:30 AM EDT
Florida Center for Creative PhotographyLearn the iPhone Camera & Software9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Chess RepublicCoffee & Chess: Tampa Midtown9:30 AM to 12:00 PM EDT
Toastmasters Division EHunters Creek Toastmasters9:30 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Orlando Lady Developers MeetupCode with me – learning sessions weekly on Saturdays10:00 AM to 11:30 AM EDT
All For NerdsMegacon 2022 (Orlando)10:00 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
North Florida Stock Investing EducationAnalysis of the Top 100 BetterInvesting Stocks10:00 AM to 11:30 AM EDT
Orlando Melrose MakersIn-Person: Makerspace Open Lab10:30 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Oviedo Middle Aged Gamers (OMAG)Bravo Group Campaign Continues11:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || UX/UI Design: Creating A Design System12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Lithia Chess Meetup Group(Chess in the Park) Chess at Park Square Plaza12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Tampa Amazon Seller Meetup GroupFull-time Retail Arbitrage #2 of 6 – Scanning with Strategy-For-Profits1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Suncoast MakersFREE Fab Lab Orientation1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Women’s Book Club Meetup GroupMay Book Club1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesWarhammer 40K Tournament1:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Central Florida Florida Foam Fighting (Fumetsu)Fighter Practice! (Newbies welcome)2:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT
The New Normal Book Club – OrlandoROCK AND A HARD PLACE by Andrea Bramhall2:00 PM to 3:30 PM EDT
Casual Scrabble PlayAnyone up for Scrabble?2:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT
Tampa Book Club – Award-Winning BooksCrying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT
Socrates Cafe – “The unexamined life is not worth living”ONLINE: “Is social media the new Tower of Babel?” (Part 2)3:00 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!Saturday MTG Draft at Hammerfall Games and Collectibles3:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Tampa Games Developer GuildGame Project Therapy (Virtual)4:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT
Gen GeekI’m throwing myself a surprise Birthday Party!!!!5:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
Lithia Dungeons & Dragons And Gaming GuildRIFTs (Palladium Games)6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Kitchen Table Book Club: Year of Short StoriesEverything Inside by Edwidge Danticat6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro to JavaScript: Build a Virtual Pet6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
The Fun Time Meetup GroupGame night!! More fun!!6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
Nerdbrew EventsCommunity Hang-out Night7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Nerd Night OutNB Community Hang-out Night!7:00 PM to 11:30 PM EDT
Tampa HackerspaceTampa Hackerspace Monthly Board Game Night (Online)7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Learn Data Analytics With Thinkful9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Sunday, May 22

GroupEvent NameTime
Toastmasters District 48Clearwater Sunday Speakers Toastmasters Club9:30 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
All For NerdsMegacon 2022 (Orlando)10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT
Gen GeekBrunch @Wat Mongkolratanaram10:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Data Science vs. Data Analytics12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Board Games and Card Games in Sarasota & BradentonGames at Table Talk Board Game Bistro12:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Gaming: RPG’s, Board Games & more!D&D Adventurers League at Critical Hit Games2:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Dialogue and Human Experience.The Utility of Self-delusion2:00 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
Drunk’n Meeples the Social Tabletop (Board) GamersBoard Games at Dented Keg (New Port Richey)2:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Drunk’n Meeples West PascoWeekend Game Day2:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Critical Hit GamesD&D Adventurers League2:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Orlando Business Leadership and Development Meetup GroupGet to Know You Session3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Intro To Data Analytics: Tableau Basics6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Tampa HackerspaceLet’s Learn to Turn Pens!6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Lithia Dungeons & Dragons And Gaming Guild5E (ish) AD&D – Humble Beginnings Campaign (Trouble in Elm).6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Gaymes And MainsSCATTERGORIES!7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Nerdbrew EventsHidden Gems Night, Presented by A Duck!7:00 PM to 11:30 PM EDT
Nerd Night OutA Duck Presents NB Movie Night7:00 PM to 11:30 PM EDT
Thinkful TampaThinkful Webinar || Free Crash Course: JavaScript Fundamentals9:00 PM to 10:30 PM EDT

Do you have any events or announcements that you’d like to see on this list?

Let me know at joey@joeydevilla.com!

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Categories
Current Events Tampa Bay

“The future of NFTs”: A Tampa Bay Innovation Center webinar on Tuesday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m.

Click the image to register for the webinar.

The tl;dr

Please tell me what all these things are!

NFT

Ooh. This is a big one. I’ll give you the quick-and-dirty definition and then point you to some layperson-friendly longer explainers.

NFT is short for non-fungible token, which is a one-of-a-kind chunk of digital data stored on a blockchain (a digital ledger that uses math tricks to make it very difficult to alter past entries and is duplicated across the internet to make it very difficult to make fake ledgers) that authenticates a given asset as original and genuine. These qualities make it possible to use NFTs as digital certificates of authenticity and ownership that are hard to tamper with.

In the popular imagination, NFTs are digital pictures of apes, punk rockers, cats, and so on, but they’re actually the certificates of authenticity and ownership of those pictures. Digital pictures can be infinitely copied, but there’s always an originating image, and an NFT can tell you which one is the original and who owns it.

In theory, NFTs give digital artists something that only artists who worked with physical media had — a way to prove that a work was original. Anyone can tell the difference between an original painting and a poster print, and an expert can figure out the difference between an original work and a forgery, but for the first time, it’s possible to know if a digital work — an image, an audio file, a video recording, a program, a database — is an original or a copy. It’s believed that NFTs open up new markets and opportunities for people, especially artists.

This is a big topic, and these explainers can cover it in greater detail:

Tampa Bay Innovation Center

Tampa Bay Innovation Center logo.

Tampa Bay Innovation Center (TBIC) is organizing and hosting the webinar — register for it here.

For nearly 20 years, they’ve been promoting and helping grow the entrepreneurial environment in Tampa Bay and Florida by:

  • Building technology companies
  • Building the innovation community
  • Teaming with innovation partners

They’ve been doing this by

  • Raising awareness for the startup community through educational programming and outreach activities
  • Advising and mentoring innovators and entrepreneurs
  • Connecting company founders with public/private funding
  • Hosting growing companies within a dedicated incubator facility
ARK Innovation Center for tech startup ventures
Artist’s rendering of the ARK Innovation Center

Recently, TBIC has partnered with ARK Investment Management (a.k.a. “ARK Invest”) to build the ARK Innovation Center in St. Pete. This facility is expected to open in July 2023 and will include a 200-person event center, an innovation lab for prototyping, an AR/VR studio, 2 state-of-the-art classrooms, conference rooms, and coworking space.

ARK Invest

Ark Invest - Wikipedia

ARK Invest is an investment management company with a theme: investing in technological innovations that disrupt the status quo, boost productivity and change the way the world works.

ARK was founded in 2014 by Cathie Wood, who was then chief investment officer of global thematic strategies at AllianceBernstein, left after they deemed when managed exchange-traded funds based on disruptive innovation was deemed her idea for actively managed fund on disruptive tech “too risky.”

They made a big splash last year when they moved their offices from New York City to St. Pete.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer for timeanddate.com

I’m a supporter of the Tampa Bay innovation and entrepreneurial scene and a friend of TBIC, but I’m skeptical of the pie-in-the-sky promises of NFT promoters (more on this topic in a later post). Still, I’ve give this webinar a listen — the speakers know waaaay more about finance than I do, and I’m willing to keep an open mind.

One more time: how do I catch this webinar?

Register here, which will get you an invitation to the Zoom conference where the webinar will take place.

Categories
Humor

Sign of the day

Sign that reads “Unattended Laptops Will Be Upgraded Το Windows 11.”

I wish I’d seen this image before managing a booth at PyCon — I would printed up my own version!

Categories
Conferences Current Events Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay’s tech festival, the poweredUP Tech Fest happens Thursday, May 19th!

May be an image of 4 people and text that says 'poweredUP FESTIVAL TAMPA BAY TECH May 19 at the Mahaffey MEET ME IN THE METAVERSE Ande Johnson Jason Warnke Carly Evans Dan Guenther accenture REGISTER TODAY AT TAMPABAY.TECH'

The tl;dr

  • What: The poweredUP Tampa Bay Tech Festival, a single-afternoon conference for people who work in tech in Tampa Bay.
  • When: Thursday, May 19, from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Where: Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg
  • How much?
    • General admission ticket: $58.50 ($50 for the ticket, $4.67 processing fee, $3.83 sales tax). Includes admission, and happy hour appetizers and 2 drink tickets.
    • Student ticket: Free. Includes happy hour appetizers, but no drink tickets.

The agenda

poweredUP Tech Festival • St Pete Catalyst
WhenWhat
1:00 p.m.Opening Remarks by Jill St. Thomas, CEO, Tampa Bay Tech
1:05Welcome to St. Pete!
Welcome and overview
1:15Blockspaces & Cogent Bank
All things blockchain, crypto, NFTs
1:35Accenture
Meet me in the metaverse
2:05AWS
Tech for good
2:25Hays & Synapse
The state of talent
2:45Break
3:00Tampa Bay Business Journal / Tampa Bay Inno
“The future is female-led” panel
3:30ARK Invest & Metacity
Fireside chat with Cathie Wood, founder/CEO of ARK Invest and Joe Hamilton, Head of Network, Metacity
4:10CISO Panel:
Cisco, Moffitt Cancer Center, Nielsen, and TD Synnex
4:55Closing remarks and happy hour kickoff by Jill St. Thomas, CEO, Tampa Bay Tech
5:00 – 6:00Happy hour

The event will also feature:

  • The Live Bold & Boss Up podcast, who’ll be podcasting live from the event
  • GeekRow: an expo hall of technologists holding live demos of their technology for attendees to see, learn and dive into!

Why go?

poweredUP will feature some interesting people, including Cathie Wood, founder and CEO of ARK Invest, who moved their office from New York to St. Pete in October 2021. ARK Invest made their name by investing primarily in disruptive technologies: cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, robotics, electric vehicles, energy storage, fintech, 3D printing and blockchain technology.

The session will cover today’s big tech trends: cybersecurity, the metaverse, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, sustainability in tech, tech for good, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion,) leadership, the current state of our tech workforce.

It’s also a great chance to catch up with local techies again, after having to shelter in place during the pandemic! I’ve been to previous poweredUPs, and in every case, I’ve either re-established an old connection or made a new one.

Register now!

Ticket sales end Friday, May 13, so register now!