Join me at the January Chicago Cloud Computing Meetup, where Tim Rayburn will present “Tools in your AI’s Toolbox: An Introduction to MCP Servers”. We’ll explore how Anthropic’s open Model Context Protocol (MCP) is redefining how AI agents securely and reliably connect to tools, data, and services.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST
• Location: Microsoft Chicago Office, 200 E Randolph St, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60601

Presentation

Tools in your AI’s Toolbox: An Introduction to MCP Servers

The generative AI revolution has unlocked unprecedented capabilities, but the next frontier is agency: empowering models to safely interact with, query, and act upon the world.

Today, most teams are stuck in the “N × M integration problem”—every AI model needs custom, brittle integrations for each external tool or data source. This approach doesn’t scale and makes it hard to standardize security, observability, and reuse.

In this session, you’ll get a developer-focused introduction to Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source framework that aims to be the “USB-C port” for AI. MCP standardizes how AI clients discover and use external tools via a robust client–server architecture, moving beyond simple function calls to a richer, extensible protocol.

You’ll learn how MCP can help you:

• Understand the core concepts and architecture of the Model Context Protocol
• Utilize pre-built, open-source MCP servers to connect AI to tools like Git, Slack, and databases
• Build your own custom MCP servers to securely expose proprietary data and APIs
• Move beyond one-off integrations toward a standardized, reusable tool ecosystem
• Start building intelligent, context-aware AI agents that don’t just talk, but act

Speaker: Tim Rayburn

Tim Rayburn is a Vice President of Consulting with Improving Enterprises, a software and project management consulting company in Dallas, TX. He is a passionate advocate of apprenticeship and mentorship in corporate environments and has been awarded the Microsoft MVP in recognition of his expertise and community leadership 11 times. Tim is a conference organizer, author, and frequent speaker on agile processes, software design, and career management.

Event Highlights

• Learn how the Model Context Protocol (MCP) standardizes AI tool integrations
• See how to plug AI into tools like Git, Slack, and databases using open-source MCP servers
• Understand how to design and build your own MCP servers for proprietary systems
• Explore real-world scenarios for building intelligent, tool-using AI agents
• Network with fellow cloud and AI practitioners in the Chicago area
• Enjoy refreshments and conversations with the community

Registration and Building Security

Registration required: Please include your full first and last name when you register. Building security at the Aon Center requires this information to grant you access.

Register here: RSVP on Meetup

About the Meetup

The Chicago Cloud Computing Meetup brings together developers, architects, and IT professionals interested in cloud technologies. Our meetings feature presentations on cloud platforms, best practices, and emerging trends in cloud and AI, along with time for networking and community building.