For Dusty Rivers, the value of a SHARE conference extends well beyond the technical agenda.
In a recent conversation with Planet Mainframe, Rivers discussed the growth of SHARE’s New to Z community, the importance of building professional relationships, and the opportunities attendees have to explore new technologies and skills.
The New to Z reception alone has grown from roughly 15 participants at its first gathering to 147 attendees at the most recent conference. That growth reflects increasing interest from students, recent graduates, and professionals moving into the mainframe community.
But Rivers emphasized that simply attending is not enough. To get the most from SHARE Pittsburgh, attendees need to participate.
1. Talk to People
Some of the most valuable conference conversations happen outside the scheduled sessions—in hallways, over lunch, at the STE, or after a presentation.
“Don’t waste your networking opportunities,” Rivers said.
2. Ask for an Introduction
New attendees should not be afraid to ask a SHARE volunteer, board member, or experienced participant to introduce them to someone they want to meet.
Networking is a skill, Rivers noted, and it becomes easier with practice.
3. Learn Beyond Your Current Role
Attendees should avoid limiting themselves to sessions that match their existing job titles.
SHARE Pittsburgh will include established mainframe topics alongside AI, DevOps, modern development tools, and post-quantum security. Exploring unfamiliar areas can help professionals anticipate where their roles—and their companies—are heading.
4. Use the Access You Cannot Get from a Recording
Online education is valuable, but an in-person event offers something different: the ability to ask a speaker a question, continue the conversation afterward, and connect with an expert who may become a future resource.
“You can go to YouTube and watch a video,” Rivers said. “The one thing you get at SHARE in person is that interaction.”
5. Bring Something Useful Home
A successful conference should produce more than notes and slides.
Rivers encouraged attendees to return with a new idea, solution, connection, or insight that creates value for their organizations. That might come from a session, a vendor conversation, or another attendee who has already faced the same problem.
His advice for Pittsburgh is simple: talk to people, ask questions, and do not stay only with what feels familiar.
Watch the full conversation with Dusty Rivers for more on New to Z, professional networking, emerging mainframe technologies, and making the most of the SHARE experience.
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