Save
We’ll admit it – we’re never satisfied.
Every year, we try to make AU better than it was the year before. We listen to feedback, we look to your comments and speaker ratings, we lean on our AU Advisory Council, and then we ask ourselves: How can we improve this program dedicated to facilitating professional development, learning, building relationships, and sharing industry innovations and new practices?
This year is no exception. So now that registration is open for AU Las Vegas 2017, we want to share some of the new offerings and activities that you haven’t seen in years gone by.
Orientation Tours
You land in Vegas, you check in at the hotel, you get your AU badge in the Hub. You have a few hours until the start of AU Orientation and the Welcome Reception. What to do? Why not get your bearings with a short orientation tour? These 30-minute walking tours led by Autodesk employees and AU ambassadors are a great way to learn where to go when, what to expect, and how to make the most of your time at the conference—especially for first-time attendees. They’re a great way to meet other attendees, too. No reservations required—just tag along with a departing tour when you’re ready. They leave from the Hub. (And if you’re a longtime member of the AU community, we’d love to have you join us as an ambassador. Want to volunteer? Send us an email.)
Office Hours
Attending a lecture or workshop is great, but there’s nothing like getting some time 1-on-1 with an expert to help you solve specific problems and get questions answered. That’s why we’re offering Office Hours with industry experts this year. On Tuesday and Wednesday, November 14 and 15, speakers will have a chance to revisit their classrooms at the end of the day to meet with you and unpack those unanswered questions. During class, confirm with the speaker that they’ll be participating. Autograph pads are encouraged but not required. Business cards might be a good idea.
Guided Tours of the Exhibit Hall
If you’ve been to AU before, you know that the Exhibit Hall is an incredible place to see innovation in practice. And this year, there’s even more to absorb, since the hall’s layout was created using generative design by our in-house experts—the same experts teaching a class on generative design during the conference. (After inputting all the goals and constraints, they arrived at an innovative floor plan much like a city center that facilitates both exploration and fun.)
But let’s face it, with so much to see in the Exhibit Hall, it can be a tad bit overwhelming. So this year, we’re offering guided tours led by subject matter experts to help you focus on the most valuable and groundbreaking work and technology on display. You have 3 options: a general tour, a tour focused on AEC, and a tour focused on design and manufacturing. Tours will also be offered in multiple languages to accommodate attendees from around the globe. Check out the tour schedule and add your selection to your calendar when you register.
The Theater
Visit the new Theater for short, dynamic presentations by thought leaders focused on the innovations that will change your industry and your world in the next 3-5 years. Sort of like the AU version of TED Talks, these sessions promise to be stimulating, inspiring, and entertaining, too. Add Theater sessions to your schedule (launching soon) or just drop in.
Meetups
At AU, learning may come first, but networking is a close second. And we want to create more opportunities for you to make professional connections. So this year, in addition to the big receptions and parties, we’re also hosting smaller meetups. Like to jog? Join others for a morning 5K trot with expert and avid runner Shaan Hurley. (All fitness levels are welcome—you won’t be timed.) Or sign up for Sunrise Yoga to start your day in a mindful way. Whatever your thing may be, these micro-networking events are designed to help you meet other professionals with similar interests, expand your professional circle, and have some fun at the same time.
Self-Paced Labs
Ready to test what you’ve learned in an AU class? Stop by the Self-Paced Labs and put it into practice. They’re open all day so you can flex new skills, try out new tools, and catch up on the product-based learning you’ve been putting off.
Register now to get the early bird price, plan your week, and we’ll see you in November.
