We’re thrilled to announce the relaunch of the Drupal Maryland/ Drupal DC Meetups, alternating monthly between DC and Maryland! Our first event marked a dynamic return to community engagement with an evening packed full of networking, insightful presentations, and a touch of celebration.

The event featured a series of lightning talks designed to ignite discussions and spark new ideas among Drupal enthusiasts of all skill levels. Each talk was a concise 10-15 minute burst of knowledge, perfect for those eager to dive deep into Drupal’s latest trends without a lengthy commitment. With complimentary snacks and a selection of beer and wine, attendees enjoyed a relaxed and interactive environment where both learning and mingling flourished. For those arriving early, Launch Workplaces Gaithersburg provided a cozy co-working space and coffee, making it easy to avoid traffic and start conversations ahead of the main event.

Drupal Lightning Talks Highlights

Ease Your Editing: Mastering Gutenberg in Drupal
Speaker: John Doyle | Digital Polygon
Discover how the Gutenberg editor transforms content management in Drupal, making it more intuitive and user-friendly than ever before. Join us for a lightning round demo showcasing what’s possible to create and manage content with ease, no technical expertise required!

Ease your Editing #2: Leverage Google Docs to publish to a Drupal site without cut & paste
Speaker: Roland Benedetti | Pantheon
Drupal can be cumbersome for long-form content authoring and collaboration. Google Docs offers a potential solution with its collaborative editing, version history, and familiar interface. What if you could easily author and collaborate in Google Docs and publish to Drupal without manual work? Streamline your content operation with smart integration removing the manual work!

More power with Figma & Design Tokens
Speaker: Sarah Thrasher | Digital Polygon
Design tokens, Storybook, and Drupal offer a powerful combination to streamline this process and ensure that our design remains consistent and reusable throughout the entire ecosystem. Lets take a look at how these play together! 

The turnout for our first meetup in years was nothing short of fantastic! Attendees were buzzing with enthusiasm as they mingled over a delightful spread of snacks and beverages. The informal yet engaging atmosphere fostered lively discussions about Drupal innovations and personal experiences. Conversations ranged from technical deep dives to casual chats about favorite modules and tools. There were spirited debates and brainstorming sessions, fueled by the generous supply of wine and beer. It was clear that the community’s passion for Drupal had not waned, and the evening served as a reminder of the value of these face-to-face interactions.

The feedback from our first event has been overwhelmingly positive. Attendees appreciated the blend of concise, high-impact presentations and the ample opportunities for networking. The engaging format and friendly atmosphere were particularly praised, making it clear that this relaunch was a hit.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that our upcoming DC Meetups will be hosted at a new venue. Stay tuned for more details as we finalize the location. Whether you’re new to Drupal or a seasoned pro, these meetups are a fantastic chance to connect with fellow professionals and delve into the latest developments in the Drupal ecosystem. We’re eagerly anticipating another series of engaging and informative gatherings in both Maryland and DC. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

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Improved Content Editing and Design Tokens!