Name: Peter Nightingale (peter.nightingale@ca.ibm.com)
Location: Ottawa, Canada
My role on the User Groups team: User Group Program Lead, working to engage with user group leaders around the world to support them in running successful user groups and user group events.
Working to bring user groups to Community Day at IBM TechXchange, and helping to spread the word about user groups and user group benefits at the User Group Pavilion in the Sandbox at TechXchange.
Favourite User Group memory: Northeast Maximo User Group, Providence RI, 2024. Got to meet a few people new to the user group experience and witnessed their amazement with everything that group offered. Also, great city, great networking events, and great food.
My goal for 2025: 10X the number of events we support through User Group Benefits
Fun facts/hobbies: I have played the bagpipes since I was 8 years old. Took a 20 year break as my kids grew up, but I am now back in the same band I was in, with the same kids I played with when I was 8. In the three years we have been back, we have opened for Canadian rock legends Sloan and Ashley MacIsaac, and came in first place last year in the Medley competition at the New Hampshire Highland Games.
Name: Morgan McKeen (morgan.mckeen@ibm.com)
Location: Ottawa, Canada
My role on the User Groups team: I’m extremely passionate about using digital content to bring people together in real life! From creating your user group homepage to having ready-to-use templates to promote your event, I strive to make your experience as a user group leader as seamless as possible. You may also recognize me from hosting the bi-monthly Leaders & Liaisons calls!
Favourite User Group memory: I might be biased but, attending my first user group event with Cognos in the Capital. I just remember feeling “wow, here are some of the smartest people I’ve ever met in one room”.
My goal for 2025: Help User Group leaders feel ready to run their first event within 90 days!
Fun facts/hobbies: My favourite past-times revolve around sports (and always trying to improve)! Just this year, I’ve taken up tennis and golf lessons in preparation for a beautiful summer in Ottawa.
Name: Ben Castle (Ben.Castle@ibm.com)
Location: Toronto, Canada
My role on the User Groups team: I help our largest User Groups integrate into IBM TechXchange 2025 in Orlando including 138 sessions and 7 Integrated User Groups. I also help with other User Group events helping IBMers invite their clients to User Group events.
Favourite User Group memory: 30th Anniversary of Java with Toronto Java User Group
My goal for 2025: Introduce every IBM client to an IBM User Group!
Fun facts/hobbies: I recently graduated from the Toronto Second City Improv Program and have started doing local performances in Toronto with my class!