The holiday season is upon us, and we’ll soon be getting into full swing with American Thanksgiving. I have much to be thankful for, most especially my family and friends. I’m grateful, too, for the mainframe platform and what it has provided me over the years — gainful employment, challenging learning experiences, and most importantly, the many friends and professional relationships I’ve developed in the last 30 years that I’ve been involved with SHARE. I want to take this moment to collectively thank the volunteers, speakers, staff, and fellow members who have made an impact on my career and my life, and to appreciate SHARE, which made it possible for me to be where I am today.
As the holidays and year-end freeze periods approach, big projects are winding down. SHARE is spinning up for the Washington, D.C. conference, and we are working hard on our strategic initiatives. We are also in the early planning phase for the summer event in Cleveland, where SHARE will celebrate its 70th Anniversary. But before we hit summer, as the new year approaches, I want to hear about your professional New Year’s resolutions — provide your answer via our easy-to-use video platform for a chance to be featured on SHARE’s channels.
The SHARE Board has task forces dedicated to our three strategic initiatives: brand and technology, membership, and year-round education. Volunteers have been selected and notified, and the groups have kicked off their first sprints. There will be more to come before the year is out, so look for updates in the upcoming Status of SHARE, on SHARE’d Intelligence, and over other SHARE media channels.
Registration for SHARE Washington, D.C. is now open, so be sure and register by January 10 and take advantage of the early-bird rates. While registering, consider adding an annual individual membership. This event is the perfect opportunity for government sector mainframers to join us, as we’ll be right in your backyard. I am looking forward to the 350+ technical sessions, partner-sponsored presentations, and Lunch and Learns. Our technical program includes 130+ sessions in Core Technologies (my favorite), including the latest and greatest in AI-infused Operating Systems and Hardware, more than 30 in New and Innovative Technology (ML/AI, Zowe and Quantum), 70+ sessions on Service Delivery topics, over 110 sessions in Languages and Middleware, plus a few professional development sessions.
We have an engaging keynote speaker lined up and are finalizing the terms and topic. We are also firming up our Women in Technology program and headline speaker, so stay tuned for details. I am really looking forward to the additional time blocks set aside for Early Bird and Night Owl Birds-of-a-Feather sessions, where people can meet in smaller groups and work through current technological challenges and solutions, run hackathons, or simply share stories about what’s going on back home at the shop.
The summer SHARE event in Cleveland, Ohio, will mark our 70th Anniversary, and I am excited to be a part of it. It’s hard to believe that my father, who was an operator and programmer on the IBM 360 (and 1601 before that), and from whom I inherited some of my passion for the mainframe, was just about to enter the third grade when SHARE was formed. We are in the early planning stages for what I think will be a true gala event. You won’t want to miss this one, so start making plans now to be there in August!
Until then, I look forward to meeting you in D.C. at our daily coffee chats, in sessions, in the SHARE Technology Expo (STE), at the receptions, and around the hallways throughout the conference. Will I see you there?
Art Gutowski
SHARE President