The Introvert’s Guide to Autodesk University

October 9, 2017

“Hi, my name is Frank, and I’m an introvert.”

[crowd response] “Hi, Frank!”

Okay there’s no real support group for introverts that I know of (not that we’d get together for it anyway), but it is a personality trait shared by a large percentage of the population. I started to research the numbers, and the best I can say is, it’s probably less than half.

For those of you who are not blessed with our condition, it doesn’t mean we’re antisocial, awkward, or shy. In a nutshell, it means that we don’t draw our energy from other people like extroverts do. We draw it from within. Given that, forced social interaction bothers us… it wears us out and zaps our energy after a while. We have to find some alone time to recharge our batteries. It’s just who we are.

So, you may wonder how we deal with a massive geek-fest like Autodesk University.

2017 will mark my 15th AU, and my 12th consecutive year of attendance. During that time, I’ve gone from being a meek little dormouse hiding in the corner, to being approached often, and at any time, by my fellow CAD pros—even the more famous ones. I couldn’t have gotten to that point without networking and participating, but it’s not always easy.

I have learned a few things over the years that can help introverts deal with the constant crowds and social activities you’ll encounter at AU. With attendance expected to be nearly 10,000 this year, potentially thousands of us may need to get away and recharge, so here are some tips—a few are even specific to The Venetian itself (again home to AU this year).

Generally Speaking

It may go without saying, but it is important to just get away from it all for a while. Isolate yourself. Do not over-pack your schedule and be sure leave some time for yourself. Use that time to go back to your room, or take a walk outside. You’d be surprised how fast a week can go by and you don’t see anything but the inside of the venue. Explore The Palazzo too… you’ll find plenty of benches to catch some quiet time away from the conference. Across from The Palazzo front desk are some escalators that will take you down to the entrance to Lagasse’s Stadium. During the day, that can be one of the quietest places in the whole resort complex. This year, there’s even a Rolling Stones exhibit nearby that may give you some satisfaction (see what I did there?).

Of course, AU is all about learning, but getting to and from your classes can be difficult for introverts, as it’s typically a mass of human congestion. If you don’t like being shoulder to shoulder and face to… um… backside on escalators, you might consider using the elevators. Seriously. For some reason, they’re like a hidden secret passage that nobody uses.

As for lunch… eating with thousands of other attendees is not mandatory. I’ve done my share of AU lunches, and even though other AU advice posts may tell you to use that time to network and meet someone new… this introvert needs that time to decompress. You’ll have plenty of other opportunities for networking. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of the free grub—you can always make it to-go. And if you really need to get away, you can grab a bite at a nearby restaurant.

The highlight of AU for many are the keynote addresses, and rightfully so. You probably won’t want to miss this year’s Opening Keynote, as new CEO Andrew Anagnost shares his vision of automation, and the future of work. What you might want to miss, though, is going shoulder to shoulder with ten thousand others to get in to see the address. This year, you can relax in your own personal space in the new AU Theater, as the keynote will be streamed live there. In fact, you can be almost anywhere soaking up some needed quiet time, and watch the address streaming on your tablet or laptop. You’ll emerge refreshed, recharged, and ready for lunch and that first afternoon class.

Socializing and Networking

Once classes are done for the day, it’s time for those huge, non-introvert-friendly social events. Whee! This year, there are more events than ever, but many are designed to be small, intimate affairs specifically for people with similar interests. Enjoy a morning run with Shaan Hurley, or relax with some yoga at sunrise. With all the options available, you can still network and socialize, without having to do so with thousands of others.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy the larger evening events, or cruise through the Exhibit Hall—you should, but it can be a challenge for us. Since you may need to limit your time, you might want to check out the Exhibit Hall map beforehand and make a game plan. Choose the booths you really want to see, and plan your route accordingly. If you find yourself needing some away time, take 15-20 minutes to sit and watch a product demo or pop into the AUGI booth to escape the flow of traffic. There are also several lounge areas just outside the main entrance, great for a little getaway time.

Even armed with these tips, you may find that taking on the Exhibit Hall by yourself is still too daunting. This year you can sign up for an hour-long guided tour of the hall during your class scheduling. You can even tailor your tour to your industry, interests, or native language. Just filter for Exhibit Hall Tour on your scheduling page.

In Summary

You can still feed your inner introvert, even at a huge social event like AU. Don’t over-schedule yourself; get away for some quiet time. Before the conference starts, scope out The Venetian/Palazzo complex if you’ve never been there before. You’ll find the escapes and quiet spots I’ve described, and probably others. You’ll also want to take advantage of the AU Orientation Tours that leave from the Hub starting Sunday afternoon, and continue all day Monday. If you’re like me, knowing what to expect keeps you from feeling overwhelmed.

Also, make sure you take the advice that you’ll find in all the other tip and advice posts you’ll see in the coming weeks on various social sites. Wear comfy shoes, bring lip balm, drink water, and of course, network, network, network.

But remember, you’re an introvert. You’re special. Just set aside some time to recharge and you’ll have a successful AU. So next year, instead of dreading the crowds, you’ll most likely look forward to returning.