CincyPy November Meetup - "Almost" Hackathon

CincyPy "Almost Hackathon" — A Different Kind of Meetup
No prizes. No winners. No losers. Just folks — solo or in small groups — working in the same room on the same project.
Have you ever wanted to build an AI agent in Python?
This month's CincyPy is your chance.
Instead of our usual talk format, we're running a short, low-stakes, no-prizes hackathon-style session. Think of it as a creative show-and-tell with code.

The project: an AI agent application written in Python.
We'll reveal the specifics at the meeting — what the agent does, what its inputs and outputs look like, what "done" means — but we want you to know the shape of it in advance so you can pick tools and arrive ready.
When: Wednesday 11/18/26 — 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM)
Where: Pinnacle Solutions Group office, (our regular CincyPy venue, generously hosted by Pinnacle)
Who: Anyone who likes writing Python. No team required — come solo or pair up with someone you meet on the night.
Cost: Free. As always.

What "Almost Hackathon" means

~2 hours total. Roughly 90 minutes of build time, with the last 30 minutes reserved for anyone who'd like to show what they made.
No prizes, no judges, no contest. This is about tinkering, learning, and seeing what folks come up with — not winning.
The problem gets revealed at the meeting. You'll get it on the night, along with a handful of sample inputs to throw at your solution.
Python solutions. Per tradition.
AI tools are fair game — and totally optional. Use a frontier API key, run Ollama locally, or call Steve's no-auth Ollama instance on the office network — your call. You're not required to use any of them. And you're not required to skip them either. Pick whichever path (if any) you like.
AI-assisted dev tools are also optional. Use Claude Code, Copilot, Cursor, Devin, or whatever you like — or don't. Your call.
Show-and-tell is optional. If you'd rather just build and chat, that's totally fine too.

Who this is for

Everyone. Experts, intermediates, and people still getting the hang of Python — all welcome. We're looking for creativity, not credentials. Coaches will be on hand during the build session to help anyone who wants a hand getting started or unstuck.

What to bring

A laptop with Python 3.10+ installed.
Your favorite editor.
(Optional) An API key for a frontier model, OR a working local Ollama install, OR a willingness to use Steve's LAN endpoint. All three are optional.
(Optional) An AI-assisted dev tool like Claude Code, Copilot, or Cursor — installed and authenticated. Also optional.
We'll send out setup instructions before the meeting so you can get sorted ahead of time — that way we don't burn half the night on installs.
A willingness to think a little creatively.

Schedule (rough)

6:30 – 6:40 PM Welcome, reveal the challenge, hand out sample inputs.
6:40 – 8:00 PM Build time. Coaches (including Steve) will float around and help anyone who wants a second pair of eyes — or a first pair.
8:00 – 8:30 PM Optional show-and-tell. Anyone who made something fun can demo it in a minute or two.

RSVP

Please RSVP on Meetup so we have a headcount for food and seating. Walk-ins are welcome if we have room.
Questions about logistics (RSVP, the announcement) → Brian Sauer, CincyPy organizer.
Questions about venue or food → Steve Brettschneider (Pinnacle Solutions Group, as host).
Questions about the format or what to expect → Steve Brettschneider.
See you there.