Quarkus at DevNexus 2026

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Event Description: Devnexus is the largest and longest-running Java ecosystem conference in the U.S. and a leading global tech event. Founded by the Atlanta Java Users Group in 2004, it draws 1500+ developers for two or three days of hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, in-person mentoring by Java Champions and speakers, and live demos. With 10 tracks and 100+ sessions, Devnexus offers deep dives into the latest technologies and a chance to connect with top technologists and fellow developers.

Date: March 4-6, 2026
Location: Atlanta, Georgia USA
Event Type: In-Person

https://devnexus.com/

Sessions

Session: Building Trustworthy and Reliable LLM Applications
Speaker(s): Alex Soto & Markus Eisele
Date/Time: TBD
Abstract: We are entering the next wave of LLM understanding, so we want to make Natural Language Processing applications more reliable, robust, and trustworthy. This talk introduces the best practices and techniques for securing LLMs through guardrails that monitor and filter inputs and outputs.

We’ll examine how to effectively prevent malicious intent in inputs and protect against the exposure of sensitive data in outputs, using practical examples with Hugging Face and OpenAI models.

Through live demonstrations, attendees will learn how tools like LangChain4J can work together to detect and mitigate risks such as prompt injection attacks, unauthorized data access, poisoning RAG, and sanitization.

The session will conclude with a discussion on the evolving landscape of LLM security, the importance of vigilant permissions, and continuous monitoring to safeguard user and organizational data. This talk is ideal for developers, security practitioners, and anyone responsible for deploying LLMs into real-world applications.

Session: The wrong reasons to build an MCP server
Speaker(s): Daniel Oh & Shaaf Syed
Date/Time: TBD
Abstract: We’ve built multiple MCP servers—enough to know where they shine, and where they hurt. MCP is powerful: it standardizes how LLMs connect with tools, prompts, and resources. But here’s the hard truth: not every use case deserves an MCP server. Sometimes it’s just overhead, slowing you down when a plain SDK or direct API call would have worked better.

In this workshop, we’ll share lessons learned from real MCP builds: the wins, the painful over-engineering, and the “wish we hadn’t done that” moments. You’ll see common anti-patterns like wrapping trivial APIs, using MCP as a database proxy, or introducing it in environments where latency and lifecycle management become a nightmare.

Most importantly, we’ll give you a practical checklist to decide when MCP is worth it—and when it’s simply the wrong tool. You’ll walk away with clear guidance, battle-tested stories, and the confidence to avoid the mistakes we made.

Contents of the workshop: Part 1: The API Trap Part 2: The Right-Sized Use Case Part 3: Choose your game: Chatbot, MCP, Agent Part 4: Decision Framework in Action

Learning Benefits and Takeaways:

Not every integration needs an MCP server—sometimes it’s just overhead.
Learn to spot common anti-patterns (wrapping trivial APIs, database proxies, FOMO-driven builds).
A decision checklist to evaluate MCP vs. simpler options.
Understand when MCP adds real value: interoperability, tool ecosystems, complex workflows.
Lessons learned from real-world MCP implementations—what worked, what didn’t.

Session: Supercharge Your Applications with Java, Graphs, and a Touch of AI
Speaker(s): Jennifer Reif & Erin Schnabel
Date/Time: TBD
Abstract: We all want to use GenAI to give ourselves superpowers, right? It’s fun to imagine and build innovative applications, but what does it take to move beyond simple examples? In this session, the presenters will build a RAG application using Quarkus and Neo4j, highlighting the differences from a traditional, non-AI approach. We’ll explore how Quarkus leverages familiar Java development patterns while supporting the performance and efficiency needed for AI workloads. Along the way, we’ll discuss design considerations, common challenges, and developer-friendly features that simplify building smarter apps. From concepts to coding, join us to learn how to take your Java applications to the next level.