Original LinkedIn post

For me, JCrete® continues to be one of the most inspiring events in the Java community.

It's not just the stunning setting on Crete—it's the unique invite-only unconference format that brings together leading experts who genuinely want to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. The discussions are open, the sessions are interactive, and every conversation sparks new perspectives.

This year, the conference felt especially strong because of the incredible number of Java Champions in attendance. Their passion, openness, and willingness to share their experience created an inspiring atmosphere and contributed enormously to the exceptional quality of the event.

A special thank you to Heinz Kabutz, John Kostaras, Alexius Dionysius Diakogiannis for making JCrete such an extraordinary experience year after year.

I'd also like to thank Ben Evans for contributing to and moderating our discussion on Java and AI. It was a pleasure to present the work of the Java Community Process Executive Committee (JCP EC) AI Working Group and discuss how the Java platform is evolving to address the opportunities and challenges AI brings. The engaging discussion and thoughtful contributions from everyone who participated made the session especially valuable.

One of my favorite learning moments was Cay Horstmann's deep dive into Project Valhalla. It was a fantastic opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of its design, implementation techniques, and the innovations it will bring to the Java platform.

On a personal note, I was incredibly proud to see my son, Marko, deliver a session on the history of Crete. Watching him share his knowledge and passion with the JCrete community made this year's conference even more memorable.

See you soon at another Java event!

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