Only 3 days to go until IBM TechXchange 2025 kicks off in Orlando, October 6–9! This conference always delivers incredible content, connections, and hands-on learning - but this year is shaping up to be one of the best yet. Here are a few highlights I'm especially excited for:

🚀Sandbox 3.0
The Sandbox is back and bigger than ever - with the launch of Sandbox 3.0, a one-of-a-kind technical playground where attendees can explore innovations hands-on and get inspired in an immersive, fun, interactive environment.

Read Graeme Noseworthy's blog about the Sandbox here!

Take a behind-the-scenes look at what made the Sandbox a must-visit experience last year: 

🌱 Professional Development Area

This year, I'll be stationed in the Professional Development area - a hub designed for learning, collaboration, and growth. From a Book Swap & Club Stories corner to the interactive Engagement Wall, a Seeds of Growth Tree, and even a Professional Photo Booth, it's a space built to help you learn, share, and make meaningful connections.

Read Sarah Cogley's blog on the Professional Development area for a deeper look at what's planned.

Make sure to stop by - I'd love to connect in person!

🤖Session Spotlight: The TechXchange ChatBot: One Year Later [1347]

This is one session you won't want to miss! Rob Wenger, CEO, Higher Logic & Marius Ciortea, Chief Community Officer, IBM will walk through the incredible journey of launching the TechXchange Search Bot in the IBM TechXchange Community - evolving from the original launch using watsonx.ai and LLAMA 3 70B to IBM's Granite model, with new features, improved results, and integrations across IBM web properties.

Session Details: Wednesday, Oct 8 | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM EDT | S330C, Level 3, OCCC South

Make sure to add this session to your schedule!

💾 Storage Track Sessions & Activations

Join us in the Sandbox at Storage Booth #197 to connect, learn, and experience some exciting live demos and activations:

Activations
IBM Storage Deep Archive Diamondback
IBM Flash System

Featured demos (all live)
IBM Storage Diamondback Tape Library - see how the internet stores data!
IBM FlashSystem IBM FlashCore Modules 4  - Accelerate cyber-resilient data storage!
IBM Fusion - Accelerate enterprise application modernization

For more details, check out Shawn Brume's blog on IBM Diamondback Tape Library Live @ IBM TechXchange 2025

💾 Professional Development Sessions

Practical, inspiring, and designed to level up your career, these professional development sessions will be packed with tips, and insights, and career-boosting takeaways:

👉Building Career Resilience: Strategies for a Thriving Career [1090]
👉The Growth Mindset – Growth Behaviors to Stay Competitive in Tech! [2838]
👉Raise Your Game: The Negotiation Framework Tech Pros Need [2841] 
👉Grow Your Career and Build Your Eminence through Advocacy [3260]

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IBM TechXchange Community Team
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