The 2026 Technology & Business Conference (TBC) once again brought together customers, partners, vendors, and HPE experts from across the Nonstop ecosystem. While the conference is known for its technical content, strategic updates, and industry insights, it is equally valued for the connections and conversations that help strengthen the community.
For those who are new to Nonstop, events like TBC provide a unique opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, build relationships, and gain a broader understanding of the technologies and people that make the ecosystem thrive. Following this year’s conference, members of the New to Nonstop (N2NS) Committee reflected on their experiences, sharing the sessions, conversations, and moments that stood out to them, along with why they believe TBC remains such an important event for the next generation of Nonstop professionals.
Charlie: What were your overall impressions of this year’s conference, and what stood out most to you?
Kevin: The conference went really well and I enjoyed the overall atmosphere of it. Both the hotel and Connect staff did an amazing job at organizing and executing the event.
Paden: This year’s conference was a blur for me. So much activity, really great discussions, opportunities for networking and mingling, New to Nonstop had a strong presence, and the content seemed to shift towards AI which was interesting to see.
Tristan: The community and support of each other in mutual success of running the HPE Nonstop systems and supporting ecosystem.
Charlie: Were there any sessions, announcements, or discussions that you found particularly valuable or thought-provoking?
Kevin: Hearing the Leadership panel speak on the last day was very informative. It was an open air conversation with an array of questions from both partners and customers that the panel answered. The questions asked helped the audience understanding the different perspectives of others in the room. It gave things a communal feel and added a layer of intimacy to the event
Paden: With so many NS Veterans at this event – the opportunity for newer folks to mingle with, learn from, and meet these veterans was key. We had quite a few folks sign up for our Mentorship program and we’ve strategized how we can accelerate it with a few new contributors.
We also saw a lot of new folks at the N2NS social event – it was really encouraging to see and wonderful to meet these folks. Many of these folks were early to mid-career – meaning they have some experience under their belt and there’s a lot they can bring to the NS community.
Tristan: YES, a member of the SVS team was thrilled that New to Nonstop existed and was willing to help him in Nonstop mentoring. His leadership was also pleased as they want to retain him and his enthusiasm for Nonstop.
Charlie: Conferences like this are as much about the people as the technology. What conversations or connections did you find most meaningful?
Kevin: I had a really good time speaking with customers and hearing about their recent successes and challenges. It helps to give a “boots on the ground” feel to what is important to users right now.
Paden: During the N2NS Social Event, I found myself chatting with an HR Professional. Looking back, it’s easy for me to chuckle because many folks may think of their only interactions with HR related to hiring and firing or, “Ooh you’re in trouble” but this really widened my perspective on that topic because this individual knew so much about it and clearly were experienced and familiar with the strategies companies can employ. I never expected to learn a bit about HR at a TBC event!
Charlie: For someone new to the Nonstop ecosystem, what do you think is the biggest benefit of attending a conference like TBC?
Kevin: Face to face interactions, easily. We work so much remotely and need to remember to prioritize in person events when we can.
Paden: The informal chats plus getting a pulse of the community. Informal interactions and seeing how the people that manage, run, and contribute towards this community goes a long way towards adopting the NS culture. It is great to see the powerful, foundational Tandem spirit live on by seeing how passionate people across HPE, Customers, and Partners in the community have towards HPE Nonstop. It is an incredibly strong drive that still lives on to this day.
Tristan: Seeing all of the members of the community, hearing about the legacy of the community and its dedicated members that have passed or since retired is great to hear. It was also great to see more and more new faces at the event which is great to see how the investment in talent and resources has changed in recent years.
Charlie: The N2NS Committee hosted their 2nd annual social event. For someone who is new to the Nonstop community, how important are events like this in helping them feel welcomed and connected?
Kevin: These events are very important. A lot of the conversations that take place at them are about brainstorming how to grow the initiative. It helps get people involved and invested in the work we are doing.
Paden: Incredibly important – but I have to say that we couldn’t do it without the various Vendors that supported us and also the volunteers from these Vendors and HPE that made this event possible. It makes it so much easier to put a face to the name and get plugged in when you’re with others in-person and you get to meet who the key players are.
Tristan: I think we need to continue to drive adoption into the community and help develop each other.
Charlie: What was your favourite moment or conversation from the social event?
Kevin: Speaking with members of HPE Education to come up with ways for us to collaborate more. The excitement was contagious!
Paden: This may sound cheesy – but towards the end of the night – I really enjoyed taking a picture with my fellow Board Members – there’s an awful lot of hard work that goes into these events and to just pause for a moment and be together to enjoy the moment really resonated with me. I’m really thankful for this year’s TBC and all the hard work everyone at Connect and in the Committee puts into this event – so thank you all to the Board, the Vendors that support us, and of course the Nonstop community for our joint efforts towards growing this community!
A common theme throughout these reflections is that the value of TBC extends well beyond the conference sessions themselves. Whether it was gaining insight from industry leaders, discovering new technologies, connecting with long-standing members of the community, or meeting people attending their first event, the conference showcased the strength and openness of the Nonstop ecosystem.
The continued growth of the N2NS community, the success of the second annual N2NS social event, and the enthusiasm shown by both new and experienced professionals all highlight the importance of creating opportunities for learning, mentoring, and networking. As the community looks ahead, these connections will play a vital role in ensuring that the next generation of Nonstop talent is equipped to carry the platform’s legacy forward.
If you’re new to Nonstop and haven’t yet engaged with N2NS, now is the perfect time to get involved. Whether through our mentorship programme, community events, or online resources, there are many ways to connect, learn, and be part of the journey. You can check out our LinkedIn page for more details: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13179042/
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