BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 X-WR-CALNAME:iugconferencemidlands2026 X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:-//Sched.com i-UG Conference Midlands 2026//EN X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T083000Z DTEND:20261103T093000Z SUMMARY:Welcome\, Registration and Networking (with Tea\, Coffee\, Bacon Butties & Pastries) in the Expo DESCRIPTION:Tea\, coffee & refreshments including pastries and our signature bacon butties will be served in the Expo Hall\, in the Mander's Suite.  \;\n\nPlease take the time to speak with our generous sponsors who helped fund today's event.\n\n \; CATEGORIES:REFRESHMENTS LOCATION:Mander's Suite\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:9caa981758c8fcf42f032ed9e4a211fb URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/9caa981758c8fcf42f032ed9e4a211fb END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T093000Z DTEND:20261103T103000Z SUMMARY:Welcome & i-UG "State of the Nation" Keynote DESCRIPTION:Mike \;and the Board of i-UG will combine to outline the ‘State of the Nation’ for i-UG at this time\,\n\nMike \;will open by covering all the points relating to general activity of the group giving an update on the progress of our Education programme.  \;Here he will be joined by Colin Spofford \;to cover of some more detail on the Education Programme\, how it came about and where it could go. ?? – Senior Lecturer on Computing Science at University of Wolverhampton –will further underline where we are at with the current\, running course and where he (and the University) want to get to with this initiative... and we might get the odd Student to comment on the course so far...\n\nSteve Cast will then join us to cover the i-UG general marketing improvements\, the increased membership benefits being introduced including access to the COMMON USA library and will cover the up-coming events for 2025.\n\nAndy Youens will now build on this momentum\, offering a detailed insight into next year’s conference schedule and the strategic planning currently driving its development. \n\nTo complete the set\, Steve (Brad) Bradshaw will cover off the technical side with particular attention to how we are using our POWER 9 and how YOU can use it too – including using it for Open Source education. Brad also wants to remind us about CEAC and how we engage.\n\nFinishing off\, Mike will introduce the main Keynote speaker – ?? – and give a flavour for the days Conference. We’ll see you there. CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE PRESENTATION LOCATION:Great Hall\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:fba18e0598d564bd00ecf730a8a2edc8 URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/fba18e0598d564bd00ecf730a8a2edc8 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T103000Z DTEND:20261103T113000Z SUMMARY:Keynote - The Future is Now: IBM i\, Power\, and AI—Latest News & What's Next DESCRIPTION:Curious about the direction of your platform? Join \;Wennie \;and \;Scott \;for a dynamic\, high-impact session diving into the latest and greatest news and happenings across the core pillars of the IBM Power systems. We'll cut through the noise to bring you essential updates on:\nIBM i: \;Discover key enhancements\, strategic roadmaps\, and the future of your business applications.IBM Power: \;Get the scoop on new hardware capabilities\, performance benchmarks\, and how Power continues to deliver industry-leading resilience and efficiency.IBM AI Initiatives: \;Learn how artificial intelligence is being integrated into the Power and IBM i landscape\, and what these innovations mean for your daily operations and long-term strategy.Whether you're an administrator\, developer\, or IT manager\, this session is a must-attend to ensure you're equipped with the knowledge to drive innovation and make informed decisions in the year ahead. CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE PRESENTATION LOCATION:Great Hall\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:d4ca9ad314e1fbbc8845fd9b3034d74f URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/d4ca9ad314e1fbbc8845fd9b3034d74f END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T113000Z DTEND:20261103T115500Z SUMMARY:Networking with Morning Tea and Coffee in the Expo DESCRIPTION:Tea\, coffee and refreshments will be served in the Expo Hall\, in the Mander's Suite.  \;\n\nPlease take the time to speak with our generous sponsors who helped fund today's event. CATEGORIES:REFRESHMENTS LOCATION:Mander's Suite\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:1a71d7198c9dc38a9553504721c3beca URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/1a71d7198c9dc38a9553504721c3beca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T115500Z DTEND:20261103T124000Z SUMMARY:5 things you didn't know about Db2 for i DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Wightwick Room\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor (Please note this is upstairs and there is no lift)\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:b6df8b625b809413cce334728ccd6e10 URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/b6df8b625b809413cce334728ccd6e10 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T115500Z DTEND:20261103T124000Z SUMMARY:AI Workshop - Hands-on with IBM watsonx.ai Prompt Lab DESCRIPTION:Hands-on with IBM watsonx.ai Prompt Lab\n\nJoin Andrew and Mark for a "hands on" technical lab working with IBM Watsonx.ai. \n\nTo participate please ensure that you bring your laptop and charger with you. \n\nNOTE: This is a "hands on" lab. \; You do not need to attend all 3 labs and can join 1\, 2 or 3 of the AI sessions. \; CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Wulfrun Suite\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor (Please note this is upstairs and there is no lift)\, The Mount Hotel\, Mount Road\, Wolverhampton\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:de35ae4ae7d97250bf48b1887aeb34ab URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/de35ae4ae7d97250bf48b1887aeb34ab END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T115500Z DTEND:20261103T124000Z SUMMARY:Inject more security using SQL DESCRIPTION:In this award winning and updated session\, Scott will explore the many ways that “bad actors” can attempt to subvert the security on IBM i. Whether the topic is protecting against SQL Injection\, closing doors to acquiring elevated privileges\, or attempting to discover unprotected objects\, this session will include techniques for evaluation and protection of your IBM i. Attend this session to take a big step towards discovering and eliminating attack vectors within Db2 for i! CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Event Bar\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:f61bd21e3263abf22a437973ab7ff0f5 URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/f61bd21e3263abf22a437973ab7ff0f5 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T115500Z DTEND:20261103T124000Z SUMMARY:VS Code + IBM i: Tips\, Tricks\, and Real Talk DESCRIPTION:Are you already using VS Code for IBM i development or thinking about making the switch? This session is for you. Join a fellow IBM i developer who lives and breathes VS Code as we dive into real-world examples\, tips\, tricks\, and the reasons why VS Code is becoming the go-to editor for modern IBM i development.\n\nWe’ll kick things off with some practical advice and a few of my favorite extensions\, settings\, and shortcuts. But this won’t be a lecture—it’s an open conversation. Come ready to share your own experiences\, hacks\, frustrations\, and wish list items. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just VS Code-curious\, you'll leave with fresh ideas and new ways to level up your development environment.\n\n\n CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Great Hall\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:44ab9cdab46cf9d178403ef2d860f194 URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/44ab9cdab46cf9d178403ef2d860f194 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T124000Z DTEND:20261103T135000Z SUMMARY:Networking Lunch in the Expo DESCRIPTION:A buffet lunch will be served in the Expo Hall\, in the Mander's Suite.  \;\n\nPlease take the time to speak with our generous sponsors who helped fund today's event.\n\n CATEGORIES:REFRESHMENTS LOCATION:Mander's Suite\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:291f8587ba274425ecefaebc79bfe599 URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/291f8587ba274425ecefaebc79bfe599 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T135000Z DTEND:20261103T143500Z SUMMARY:AI Workshop - Agentic AI with IBM Watsonx Orchestrate DESCRIPTION:Agentic AI with IBM Watsonx Orchestrate\n\nJoin Andrew and Mark for a "hands on" technical lab working with IBM Watsonx Orchestrate.\n\nTo participate please ensure that you bring your laptop and charger with you.\n\nNOTE: This is a "hands on" lab. You do not need to attend all 3 labs and can join 1\, 2 or 3 of the AI sessions. CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Wulfrun Suite\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor (Please note this is upstairs and there is no lift)\, The Mount Hotel\, Mount Road\, Wolverhampton\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:7c0eadfdc20a113bebc739bb897b4ede URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/7c0eadfdc20a113bebc739bb897b4ede END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T135000Z DTEND:20261103T143500Z SUMMARY:Introduction to Microservices on IBM i DESCRIPTION:The design paradigm of enterprise solutions has changed dramatically in recent years. Traditional monolithic architectures are giving way to a new\, simpler\, and more flexible approach — microservices. But how did such a seemingly simple concept capture all the attention in modern IT?\nIn this session\, we’ll explore why microservices have become the cornerstone of modern enterprise design and how they bring agility\, scalability\, and freedom of choice to IBM i environments. Whether you’re developing in Node.js\, Java\, Python\, or RPG\, microservices enable seamless integration and deployment across any platform — on-premise or in the cloud.\n\nJoin us to see how this architectural shift empowers IBM i developers to innovate faster\, modernize existing applications\, and leverage open technologies without leaving the platform. Discover just how flexible\, portable\, and future-proof your IBM i solutions can become when built on microservices principles.\n \;\nAgile development\, Modernization\, IT transformation . Using open source tooling CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Event Bar\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:999936a93368012285c4677c90d82f2d URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/999936a93368012285c4677c90d82f2d END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T135000Z DTEND:20261103T143500Z SUMMARY:Migrating BRMS from BR1 to BR2 DESCRIPTION:If you want to run Backup Recovery and Media Services on IBM I with full support\, we all know what needs to be done.\n\nThis is due to the official the end of support on the last day of September. For we can stay running BRMS 5770-BR1 hoping if we end up into trouble it will be a known defect.\n\nIf you do not want to take that risk\, the move to 5770-BR2 can no longer be postponed.\nIn this session I will explain how the migration can be done\, using the BRMS migration documentation and some RSS usage.\n\nAlso the BRMS subscription licensing needs some explaining and a demo of the new HTTP server will be given.\n\n CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Wightwick Room\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor (Please note this is upstairs and there is no lift)\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:bf96553e3f54ecbbec14bf74c9c8b9a3 URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/bf96553e3f54ecbbec14bf74c9c8b9a3 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T135000Z DTEND:20261103T143500Z SUMMARY:VS Code for i - Database Extension DESCRIPTION:This session is a review of the newest and most awesome features added to the VS Code4i Database Extension.\n\nThis is designed to be an interactive\, with questions and comments from the attendees\, so be ready to interact\, cheer\, jeer\, or inspire us with your good ideas.\n\nCome to this session and interact with the VS Code4i - Database Extension technology leaders!\n\n\n CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Great Hall\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:fb263c10f5268c04cfb709700d6c470c URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/fb263c10f5268c04cfb709700d6c470c END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T143500Z DTEND:20261103T150000Z SUMMARY:Networking and Refreshment Break in the Expo DESCRIPTION:Tea & coffee will be served in the Expo Hall\, in the Mander's Suite.  \;\n\nPlease take the time to speak with our generous sponsors who helped fund today's event.\n\n CATEGORIES:REFRESHMENTS LOCATION:Mander's Suite\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:5743b45e7390bd6abf75ee5d543070f3 URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/5743b45e7390bd6abf75ee5d543070f3 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T150000Z DTEND:20261103T154500Z SUMMARY:AI Workshop - Introduction to AI / AI for User Groups DESCRIPTION:Introduction to AI / AI for User Groups\n\nPlease join Mark and Andrew for this informative presentation on AI.\n\nAll attendees will have the chance to complete a multiple choice "exam" through the session\, with a successful "pass" resulting in an IBM / Credly accreditation.\n\nNOTE: This session is NOT "hands on" and you will not need to bring a laptop with you. You do not need to attend all 3 labs and can join 1\, 2 or 3 of the AI sessions. CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Wulfrun Suite\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor (Please note this is upstairs and there is no lift)\, The Mount Hotel\, Mount Road\, Wolverhampton\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:3befb1b7afc14b8a7bed3705be2a1d3f URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/3befb1b7afc14b8a7bed3705be2a1d3f END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T150000Z DTEND:20261103T154500Z SUMMARY:Project Bob and IBM i DESCRIPTION:The emergence of Project Bob will provide an AI-powered development partner.\nComes to this session to learn ‘What is Bob?’\, and more importantly\, how Bob can help software developers on IBM i go farther\, faster\, and higher than ever before.\nhttps://www.ibm.com/new/announcements/ibm-project-bob\n\n CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Great Hall\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:cecc1038a5461c61af206e9708735eb2 URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/cecc1038a5461c61af206e9708735eb2 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T150000Z DTEND:20261103T154500Z SUMMARY:TLS Subscriptions Demystified DESCRIPTION: CATEGORIES:SESSION LOCATION:Event Bar\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:be7666fb4416a968f7058af4b28a377e URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/be7666fb4416a968f7058af4b28a377e END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T155000Z DTEND:20261103T163500Z SUMMARY:Hidden Gems of IBM i DESCRIPTION:The IBM i team has been delivering new functions two times per year since 2010. New releases and technology refreshes deliver a broad range of function and sometimes the smallest line items can be easily missed. The IBM i team has reviewed the past releases/refreshes and have assembled some of their favourite hidden gems\; things that you might have missed but should know. Everyone will leave with something new that will help them in their day to day work.\n\nLearning Objectives:\n1. Learn about some of the very useful but lesser known functions of IBM i.\n2. Have fun with the 3 S's. (Steve\, Scott\, and Sanjula)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE PRESENTATION LOCATION:Great Hall\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:1c5ef7773364a9e1802a890ca2f550c4 URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/1c5ef7773364a9e1802a890ca2f550c4 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T024822Z DTSTART:20261103T163500Z DTEND:20261103T164500Z SUMMARY:Close DESCRIPTION:Join Mike and Steve for a recap of today's event and reminders of our events in 2024.\n\nDon't forget to complete those feedback forms! \; CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE PRESENTATION LOCATION:Great Hall\, The Mount Hotel Country Manor\, Mount Rd\, Tettenhall Wood\, Wolverhampton WV6 8HL\, UK SEQUENCE:0 UID:bde46631ad7b71252836a7484bf874bd URL:http://iugconferencemidlands2026.sched.com/event/bde46631ad7b71252836a7484bf874bd END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR