The 2026 VM Workshop wrapped up at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, and it was a wonderful success.
Len Santalucia, Director of Global Strategy at 21cs, and Chair of the Open Mainframe Project Governing Board, presented “Mainframe Evolution: Securing, Monitoring, and Scaling with Next-Gen Open Source.”
The session highlighted how the Open Mainframe Project continues to modernize enterprise computing through open source collaboration. Speakers showcased the launch of the new Mainframe Infrastructure, a significant milestone that provides a governed path to shared infrastructure access for open source projects. Attendees also learned how initiatives such as Zowe, Mainframe Open Education, Feilong, and the Mainframe Software Hub for Linux are helping bridge modern development practices with traditional mainframe environments while building the next generation of mainframe talent. Together, these efforts demonstrate how the Open Mainframe Project is ensuring the long-term sustainability and continued evolution of the enterprise mainframe.
Len received positive feedback from the ISVs, z/VM, Linux on Z, and VSEn users in attendance. The audience particularly enjoyed learning about active Open Mainframe projects in progress, the business and technical benefits of membership, and how open source community editions of ISV offerings can attract new clients.
He also teased an exciting upcoming mainframe infrastructure announcement planned for SHARE Pittsburgh and IBM TechXchange. The enthusiastic response indicated a wealth of opportunity for future membership drives via social media, webinars, and conferences
The feedback was direct and consistent: there is a lot of interest for Open Mainframe Project involvement across the z/VM, Linux on Z, and VSEn user base. Len came away with a clear signal that targeted membership outreach (through social media, conferences, and webinars) has room to grow.
The VM Workshop itself has been running since 1977, and it shows how the community operates. Sessions skew technical and practical over sales-oriented. Speakers volunteer their expertise. Sponsors keep registration costs low. This year’s event at VCU kept that tradition intact, with lectures, panel discussions, and hands-on labs drawing attendees ranging from students to senior practitioners.
If you missed the event, session materials are available in the 2026 Presentation Archives. Videos and photos will be available shortly. Stay tuned.
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