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We\u2019ll admit it – we\u2019re never satisfied.<\/strong><\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n This year is no exception. So now that registration is open<\/a> for AU Las Vegas 2017, we want to share some of the new offerings and activities that you haven\u2019t seen in years gone by.<\/p>\n Orientation Tours<\/strong><\/p>\n 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<\/strong> 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\u2014especially for first-time attendees. They\u2019re a great way to meet other attendees, too. No reservations required<\/strong>\u2014just tag along with a departing tour when you\u2019re ready. They leave from the Hub. (And if you\u2019re a longtime member of the AU community, we\u2019d love to have you join us as an ambassador. Want to volunteer? \u00a0Send us an email.<\/a>)<\/p>\n Office Hours\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Attending a lecture or workshop is great, but there\u2019s nothing like getting some time 1-on-1 with an expert to help you solve specific problems and get questions answered. That\u2019s why we\u2019re 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\u2019ll be participating.\u00a0Autograph pads are encouraged but not required. Business cards might be a good idea.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Guided Tours of the Exhibit Hall <\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been to AU before, you know that the Exhibit Hall is an incredible place to see innovation in practice. And this year, there\u2019s even more to absorb, since the hall\u2019s layout was created using generative design<\/strong> by our in-house experts\u2014the same experts teaching a class on generative design<\/a> 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.)<\/p>\n But let\u2019s face it, with so much to see in the Exhibit Hall, it can be a tad bit overwhelming. So this year, we\u2019re 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<\/a> <\/strong>and add your selection to your calendar when you register.<\/p>\n The Theater<\/strong><\/p>\n Visit the new Theater <\/a>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.<\/p>\n Meetups<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019re also hosting smaller meetups<\/a><\/strong>. Like to jog? Join others for a morning 5K trot with expert and avid runner Shaan Hurley<\/strong>. (All fitness levels are welcome<\/strong>\u2014you won\u2019t be timed.) Or sign up for Sunrise Yoga<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Self-Paced Labs<\/strong><\/p>\n Ready to test what you\u2019ve learned in an AU class? Stop by the Self-Paced Labs<\/a> and put it into practice. They\u2019re open all day so you can flex new skills, try out new tools, and catch up on the product-based learning you\u2019ve been putting off.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.autodesk.com\/autodesk-university\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2017\/08\/Autodesk_University_2016-0625-CG-300x200.png\")
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