🗓️ Tuesday, June 17
🕕 6–8 PM ET
📍 GameOn Bar + Arcade — 114 West St, Annapolis, MD
🎤 Hosted by GDG Annapolis
🎙 This Week’s Prompt: Tech Misunderstandings & Aha Moments
We’ve all fumbled the jargon:
📡 Thought the Cloud lived in the sky?
🪂 Thought AirDrop was airdrop?
💰 Thought “cache” was… cash?
Whether it was an innocent mix-up or a hard-earned insight, we want to hear it.
Tell us about the moment you finally got it — or totally didn’t.
No slides. No lectures. Just real people, ridiculous stories, and refreshing honesty about the strange digital world we all navigate.
💡 Why It Matters (and Why It’s Fun):
Because tech isn’t intuitive — and we’ve all felt like the last to know.
This is a space to laugh, connect, and celebrate the chaos of learning in public.
✨ Come for the stories. Stay for the arcade games. Leave with a new perspective. (and maybe a new friend's).
👾 Who Should Come?
Curious humans who’ve ever been confused by tech
Tech enthusiasts looking for fellow tech-ites
People who just want same awesome company
✅ RSVP Now — and bring a story, a friend, or just yourself.
This is the most unserious night in tech — and it’s better with you in the room.
Questions?
Mary Leaf
✉️ letstalk@mlofstrategies.com
📱 301-683-7654
Agenda
---
Hosted By
Angelo Thalassinidis, GDG Organizer
Spotlight on Angelo Thalassinidis: Empowering the Future of Tech and Education
With over 25 years of experience in education and professional services, Angelo Thalassinidis is a proven leader in shaping the future of technology programs, and supporting founders and innovation. As a first-generation college graduate, Angelo is at the forefront of social mobility efforts and creating impactful degrees, certifications, and industry partnerships that bridge the gap between academia and the tech industry.
🔧 Transforming Technology Education
Angelo has spearheaded the development of new academic programs, especially in MedTech, AI, and Information Systems, preparing students for the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
🌐 Building Communities and Connecting Innovators
As a co-organizer of GDG Baltimore and GDG Annapolis, Angelo is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where tech enthusiasts, developers, and entrepreneurs can connect, learn, and innovate. Events like the StartathonAI, Chesapeake Innovation Summit, and DevFest Annapolis offer invaluable opportunities to engage with the latest in AI, data analytics, and emerging technologies.
💡 Entrepreneurial Leadership
Angelo led multimillion-dollar projects and corporate ventures in business intelligence, data warehousing, and IT service management with MCI Systemhouse, EDS, ATT GIS, and various startups. His leadership has created high-impact solutions and successful ventures in both the US and Europe. Angelo has also founded several companies in both Europe and the US.
📊 Shaping the Next Generation of Tech Leaders
Angelo’s expertise extends to program development, having created graduate and undergraduate degrees in IS/IT, as well as custom educational solutions for corporations. His experience at Tampa Bay Tech and Tampa BSides further underscores his commitment to fostering tech communities and knowledge sharing. Angelo has planted the seed and mentored several startups and has a goal to increase the pipeline of founders.
💬 Driving Strategic Growth
Known for his ability to drive strategic initiatives and data-driven organizational change, Angelo’s leadership focuses on value creation, customer-centric solutions, and continuous improvement. He consistently helps organizations harness emerging technologies to scale and succeed.
James Gibbons,
James S. Gibbons Founded Alpha Pointe Capital in 2012-Present. James took his wealth management and 401(k) service experience from 1998 as a financial advisor to an independent, entrepreneurial business model focusing on bringing Wall Street sophistication to Main Street- Emerging Industry Executives and Companies.
Outside of his duties as Founder of Alpha Pointe Capital www.alphapointecap.com, James is passionate about facilitating entrepreneurial ecosystems and emerging industries in the Chesapeake Region through his efforts on various councils, trade organizations, and advocacy groups.
His involvements include:
Co-Chair of the Chesapeake Regional Chapter of the Maryland Tech Council
Former Board Member of the Maryland Tech Council
Co-Producer of ChesaPitch, Co-Producer of Chesapeake AI Hackathon,
Co-Founder of GDG Annapolis (Google Developer Groups),
Co-Led several Summits and Conferences aimed to serve Emerging Industries,
Member of many emerging industry and entrepreneurial teams and groups.
Member of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
Member of the Americans for Safe Access
Why?
He strives to be a part of the movement and to help emerging industry businesses and entrepreneurs “make it”.
Mary Leaf, Co-organizer
Mary Leaf is the founder of MLof Strategies, where creativity meets strategy to elevate brands. Specializing in Brand Identity Design and Content Creation, she excels at developing compelling brand narratives and visual identities. Her approach integrates brand development, marketing, and artistic talent with a holistic mindset.
Mary believes a brand’s strength comes not only from its logo but from a clear, deep understanding of its core identity and the narrative it tells. By blending creative design with marketing insights and data-driven strategies—including the innovative use of AI and advanced tools—she enhances content performance and overall brand development.
Leveraging her business acumen, Mary also excels in crafting executive summaries and strategic roadmaps, providing clients with actionable steps to clarify their vision, define their unique position, and achieve sustainable growth. As a Marketing Content Creator, she utilizes SEO and data analytics to help businesses improve their online presence and engage meaningfully with their target audience.
With a background in operational optimization and project management, Mary ensures that every project is executed efficiently from concept to completion. Whether supporting startups to define their brand or helping established businesses refine their strategy, Mary is dedicated to positioning every brand for success in a rapidly evolving market.
Jesse Alton,
Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-annapolis-presents-stupid-tech-tuesday-i-thought-it-meant-what-2025-06-17/.
