GFIRST 2013 Canceled!

Citing sequestration and the need for financial tightening, the Department of Homeland Security just canceled GFIRST 2013, a major cyber security conference that I was scheduled to speak at. They may also have had some concerns about the scrutiny to which the IRS is currently being subjected.

Toastmasters 2012 Fall Conference

The Toastmasters District 29 Fall Conference was very successful. It was an interesting event to organize and run because it has a lot more moving parts than technical conferences such as RubyNation or DevIgnition. It featured an opening ceremony, a political keynote (the mayor of Herndon, VA), two speaking competitions, a variety contest, educational sessions, a leadership luncheon, a district business meeting, a raffle, fund-raising activities and a book sale.

GFIRST 2012 Conference

I’m proud to have been selected as a speaker for the 8th Annual GFIRST Conference, which will be held August 19 – 24 in Atlanta, GA. This is a major cyber security conference with over 1500 attendees.

GFIRST 2012

RubyNation 2012 Retrospective

The organizers met at Vinifera last night for our annual conference retrospective and dinner. Great food, excellent wine, awesome friends. What more could you want for a good time?

RubyNation 2012 Is Over

RubyNation is like a microcosm of excellent talks, mind-blowing ideas, awesome food and great people. When it’s over, I’m simultaneously elated that we pulled off another great event and sad that it’s over.

RubyNation T-Shirt Orders

Whew. Shirt orders for RubyNation 2012 have been submitted to CustomInk, and we spent a pile of money. Red T-shirts for attendees; black polos for speakers and organizers; and charcoal hoodies for organizers (by special request this year).