As this post illustrates, I have accrued numerous mementos since I started my career working on the IBM Z Platform! 🎉
I'll list some of the memorabilia that I've collected below, but I'm curious about if any other IBM Champions have collected some cool items?
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At the IBM TechXchange EMEA 2024 event at the CCIB, I was able to snag myself a set of IBM shoelaces, and was awarded my Champion varsity jacket, as well as my champion badges! 👁️🐝Ⓜ️
For my enthusiasm and commitment in supporting Mainframe Society, I was selected to become an ambassador and thereupon gifted with one of their pullover hoodies and a formal shirt, which I have Alzares Stephens to thank for 🙏
My colleagues who attended re:IPL in Kansas City also brought back a pin-badge (64/75) just for me, designed by Steven Perva of Seven9s fame 9️⃣
That has recently been complimented by a Dinoframe enamel badge and a Blackwall enamel pin, both created by Emma Skovgård with the iconic Zaur mascot on the designs 🦕
I've also had a robot from BMC Software scan my face and sketch it with a pen 🤖🖋️
At last year's Guide Share UK conference we had a fancy-dress theme and wore some 'groovy' 1960s gear 🕺🪩
All in all, I've had an eclectic mix of experiences which ultimately yielded some great merchandise
The hardest part of accruing such a collection? - Convincing my partner that I'm not a hoarder 🤣
But what about you? What cool and quirky items have you collected during your careers?
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Niall Ashley (he/him)
Consultant in Mainframe Security (RACF)
Vertali Ltd
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