The sunshine state has welcomed SHARE with open arms, and our members are soaking up all the education and networking opportunities they can before the week is out.
In the SHARE Technology Expo, attendees walked into a classroom-style environment to learn from experts in the mainframe ecosystem and take away solutions to solve challenges at their own enterprises. This new lab experience is just one of the innovative education opportunities at SHARE Orlando.
During the Broadcom-sponsored Lunch-and-Learn, Greg Lotko, senior vice president and general manager for Broadcom’s Mainframe Software Division, led discussions about challenges facing mainframe ecosystems.
It wasn’t all education, as SHARE members engaged in some Family Feud-style fun and met the cast of the viral sensation Big Iron Bits. The stars of the series were also seen filming throughout the day on Feb. 24.
Beyond the lunch-and-learns and the new labs at SHARE Orlando, the Women in IT session, “Beyond the Path: Women’s Stories of Growth, Grit, and Possibility,” spotlighted the impact of resilience and mentorship on careers and trajectory of the profession from Barbara Ballard, Rebecca Levesque, Cynthia Overby, Jennifer Bates Scott, and Janet Sun. Stories like these enable mainframers and other enterprise leaders to learn and adapt their focus in an ever-changing industry.
Education in Action
As mainframers and enterprise leaders gathered for networking and education opportunities regarding mission-critical systems, SHARE Orlando also ensured that education and discussion lead to movement within the mainframe community.
Building on recent discussions about the sunsetting of zPDT by IBM, SHARE brought together more than 20 ISVs for an important discussion with IBM leadership. The session built on the SHARE Positioning Paper and reflected our commitment to elevating the unified concerns of the ISV community.
IBM leadership shared their plans for new alternative solutions and provided clarity around next steps in the transition. ISVs who want to stay engaged in these conversations can connect directly with IBM leadership through a private community. To request access, email zOPD@ibm.com.
SHARE will continue to ensure that the collective voice of the mainframe community is heard.
Recognition for SHARE Members
Janet Sun was awarded the Laetitia Harrer Snow Memorial Award for Humanitarian Service to SHARE, alongside Edward Jaffe, who was the recipient of the John R. Ehrman Award for Sustained Excellence in Technical Education. SHARE honors its members who engage with the community and foster the continued education of mainframers in the field. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at SHARE.
BMC’s Anthony Anter and award recipient Sun Coast’s Janet Sun, both from SHARE’d Intelligence’s Editorial Advisory Committee, with SHARE President Art Gutowski
Phoenix Software International’s Edward Jaffe and SHARE President Art Gutowski
The Mainframe Future Is Strong
There’s information and connection for everyone at SHARE Orlando, including students and New-to-Z professionals. Sunday night kicked off with a networking event just for this group — if you attended, let the SHARE team know what you learned and how it’s inspiring you!
IBM Champions Virginia Commonwealth University Professor Len Santalucia and Geoffrey Decker of Northern Illinois University brought 29 students to experience the energy of the mainframe community.
University of North Florida professor and IBM Champion Scott Piersall also brought five students to SHARE Orlando.
With technical sessions on the topics that matter, hands-on labs, and new formats, SHARE Orlando offers something for every enterprise leader and mainframer. SHARE is focused on providing the education and platform that its community needs in an evolving marketplace. Whether its artificial intelligence or quantum computing, SHARE is ready to provide the insight and tools technology experts need to keep their mainframe strong and boost the value of their enterprises.
Don’t despair, additional and unique education and networking opportunities are coming to SHARE Pittsburgh. Save the date: Aug. 16-20, 2026.