All the Cool Stuff I Saw at POWERUp 2026 This Year!
By Marek Walczak
Wow, what an electrifying experience at POWERUp 2026 in New Orleans! Held April 27-30 at the New Orleans Marriott, this was the largest IBM i community event in the world, packed with hands-on training, expert sessions, and cutting-edge enterprise tech innovations. diving into the IBM Power world, I was blown away by the energy, connections, and forward-thinking vibes. Here's my roundup of what I thought were the coolest highlights from the conference:
Keynote Magic with Hillery Hunter
The standout moment? IBM Power's general manager Hillery Hunter's keynote unpacking how AI, Git, VS Code, open source, and IBM Bob are supercharging the platform's future. She tied it all to COMMON's Project 2030, showing real-world intersections of these tools with IBM i strategies. It wasn't just talk, the demos had the crowd buzzing about practical AI integrations for enterprise apps. It was pure inspiration for anyone leveling up their tech stack!
Hands-On Workshops and Session Variety
Diving into the educational sessions was next-level. With formats from quick 20-minute deep dives on emerging tech to full-day workshops, there was something for newbies and pros alike. I geeked out in a hands-on IBM i lab, tweaking open-source tools live, and another on VS Code for IBM i development that shaved hours off my usual workflows. The expo hall, the biggest ever, let me chat with IBMers and vendors demoing solutions that could transform orgs: think seamless integrations and powerhouse analytics tools.
Epic Networking and Fun Events
But POWERUp shone brightest in community-building. Ditching screens for the COMMON Problem Solving event was genius—teams crushed word puzzles and brain teasers, forging bonds over laughter. Trivia night had fierce rivalries with IBM i lore questions, while the pickleball tournament turned the Marriott courts into a sweaty networking hub. My fave? Pups and Cups, partnering with a local shelter, sipping coffee while playing with adorable puppies was the perfect decompression after intense sessions. These non-tech activities nailed the "community first" ethos, helping me make lifelong peers.
New Orleans Vibes and Lasting Takeaways
New Orleans added flair: beignets between sessions and jazz echoing through the halls. Attendees raved about the engagement: "It's pretty awesome" seeing developers and IBM folks connect so genuinely. I flew home to Poland empowered with career-boosting insights, new tools like AI-enhanced IBM i, and a network spanning the globe. POWERUp 2026 wasn't just a conference; it was a launchpad for IBM i innovation and friendships. If you're in this space, don't miss next year…it's transformative!
