SHARE Washington, D.C., brought together mainframers, computer science students, veterans, and vendors from across the globe. There were more than 300 technical sessions to keep members busy, but networking in the SHARE Technology Exchange was a big draw. With games like Passport to Prizes, “Beat the Buzzer” trivia, and a “National Treasure” hunt, and a giant mainframe and its Lego-inspired counterpart, members also had a lot of tech-inspired entertainment.
Michael Dickson, head of product marketing and analyst relations for Broadcom’s Mainframe Software Division, says, “It was energizing to connect with clients, partners, and industry peers at SHARE Washington, D.C. — and meet so many new people who are passionate about where the mainframe is headed.”
Beyond the technical sessions, bring your own device labs, and lunch-and-learns, SHARE members were often combing the halls for colleagues, grabbing coffee for quick conversations, and advising one another on problems they encounter in their own daily work. Dickson adds, “It's always inspiring to see firsthand how collaboration and innovation come together to shape the future of our industry.”
SHARE volunteers made time to meet up with one another during the conference to share their experiences and to have a little fun. The Editorial Advisory Committee — the brains behind SHARE’d Intelligence content — gathered in the Expo Hall for a photo opportunity with their “flat” colleagues. SHARE members and volunteers are always up for light-hearted antics.
Left to Right: Janet Sun, Anthony Anter, Paul Pilotto, Andi S Tepper Klorman, Serena Agusto-Cox, Reg Harbeck, Maemalynn Meanor (“flat” colleagues left to right: John Schlatweiler, Craig Mullins, Laura DeAtkine, Michael Dickson, Ray Mullins, and Emma Dean)
Maemalynn Meanor, director of public relations and communications at the Linux Foundation, says, “I've only been to a few SHARE conferences, but each time I attend, I’m always reminded of how much I love the mainframe community. SHARE Washington, D.C., was a perfect blend of a reunion with old friends and a networking event with new connections, as well as some of the most brilliant small and midsize enterprises in the industry. From thought-provoking sessions to late-night laughs, it reinforced that technology isn’t just about code — it’s about the people driving it forward."
SHARE’d History in Action
Collaboration has always been key to SHARE and the mainframe ecosystem, and that shared history was front-and-center on the expo floor. Students attending this year’s event were able to grab a quick snapshot of how SHARE and its members have contributed to the mainframe ecosystem from the 1950s to today.
Janet Sun, principal technical specialist at Sun Coast and IBM Z Champion, says, “At SHARE, I was most pleased to see a large number of students, as well as people new to the mainframe. Geoff Decker from Northern Illinois University brought about 18 students. I also met students from other universities.” She adds, “During one of my technical sessions, several early-career or at least new-to-mainframe people were in the audience. This is very encouraging for the future of the platform.”
Technical Sessions With Flare
Even inside the technical sessions, SHARE members were entertained. John C. Shebey III, senior technical staff member at IBM, and Laura Sperling, software engineer at IBM, entered their session with small, clean plungers ready to explore the Interactive Problem Control System (IPCS) in z/OS during their session, “My System Took a Dump, Do I Need a Plumber?” Their presentation kept many in the room on the edge of their seats with their humor and analogies to burst pipes.
There was no official agenda for the “Surviving and Thriving in the New Century Mainframe Landscape - An UNSESSION.” It was hosted by Frank DeGilio, chief technology officer for DeClunkification at IBM; Karla Houser, senior technology specialist at Caterpillar Inc.; and Rosalind Radcliffe, chief technology officer for IBM Z Ecosystem at IBM. Steven Perva, expert mainframe innovation engineer from Ensono, joined via phone. Topics solicited from the audience were added to an online polling tool, and voting began in real time to create a unique experience that was a big hit.
This session put the audience in the driver’s seat, enabling them to steer the conversation, which was insightful, free-flowing, and informative. Conversations included the myth of the mainframe skills gap, the need for greater “tribal” knowledge about the mainframe’s history and why things have been done the way they have, and the exciting new technology (not related to AI) entering the mainframe space.
Reg Harbeck, chief strategist for Mainframe Analytics and an IBM Z Champion, says, “I see the growing recognition of the importance of meeting as community at SHARE as complementary to the important educational sessions. Whether Open Mainframe, various SHARE committees, IBM Champions, Women in IT, Veterans in IT, project dinners, or any number of other activities, SHARE is education and so much more: we are a community of friends.”
SHARE members had the opportunity to score themselves a 70th anniversary SHARE t-shirt, commemorative pin, and prizes from the “Passport to Prizes” scavenger hunt. But the real treasure at SHARE Washington, D.C., was the connections between members and the technical knowledge many gained, whether it was in the halls, at dinners, or in technical sessions throughout the week.
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Serena Agusto-Cox has more than 20 years of editorial experience and six years of experience writing about mainframe and information technology. She interviews and crafts forward-looking and engaging technical updates related to the mainframe ecosystem, highlights the experiences of thought-leaders in the community, and shares important updates to technical education and training.