Another educational trip to Vegas for #AU2013! This is the third year in a row that I have been fortunate enough to attend Autodesk University in Las Vegas, Nevada and each year is more educational then the last. This year my focus was more on customization, and Revit knowledge and as usual I have a lot to brain dump when I return home. Although there were many classes that I did not get to attend (over 700 available), the ones I did attend were very good.
If you did not get to attend this year, it does not mean you have missed out, as much of the information is available online by just creating an Autodesk account if you do not already have one – if you do, just login. Handouts and presentations are posted from the majority of the classes on the Autodesk University website at http://au.autodesk.com/.
Much of the AU experience though really has to be experienced in person. Behind all the handouts and Powerpoint presentations were very knowledgeable and experienced instructors/presenters that brought the paper to life. Although many are instructors in their day jobs, many were everyday product users like you and me.
The days started around 6:00am as you awoke and headed off to breakfast and concluded around 5:30 for classes. After that you head out for a few more hours for the evening events and vendor showcase.
Some of the funner the things you did miss out on were the nightly parties and events meant for networking and relaxing after each full day of data gathering. The two biggest events being the AUGI annual beer bust on Wednesday evening and the closing Autodesk party on Thursday.
The weather was cold (28F on Friday) compared to my home state of Florida, but if you spend most of your time inside like me, it won’t matter.
Overall I had a great time, I attended a few evening events and enjoyed hanging out with some friends I do not get to see very often otherwise. The final party was not anything like last years event, but was still a good time with lots of food and beer/wine.
I hope to make it again next year.
WES
P.S. A special thanks to Autodesk and AUGI for another great year.
