The Three Things I Like Best About AU

What takes place in a very full room, with standing room only, and lots of excited AU novices?  It’s the first ever AU Freshman Orientation. Hosted by Lynn Allen, the orientation was designed to help first-timers (and even some veterans) get the most out of AU 2012. The session featured instant polling using Twitter via the attendees mobile devices—an AU first!

Lynn asked each of the speakers to share what they like most about AU before getting down to specifics. Chris Bradshaw, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Autodesk, said that the 3 things he likes best are “People, people, people: the instructors, the outside speakers, and the attendees.” In fact, the most common “like” among most all of the presenters seemed to be the people and the interactions that take place at AU, from formal to impromptu.

Chris went on to introduce the audience to this year’s Innovation Forums, explaining how each is a little different, but almost all involve speakers from outside of Autodesk, including Randi Zuckerberg and Louise Leakey. He assured everyone that the Innovation Forums are not Autodesk commercials, but sessions that “look at the big picture.”

This AU offers plenty of opportunities to “get your hands dirty” too. Jason Medal-Katz, the AU Gallery curator, and Brian Mathews VP, Autodesk Labs highlighted several hands-on activities, such as TechShop in the Exhibit Hall, the Autodesk® 123D™ Catch photo booth where you create 3D models from digital photographs, and Autodesk Labs Reality Capture. Oh, and the Creative Studio is another place to get a hands-on experience. I bet the lines will be long at these activities— but everyone will have fun talking to each other while waiting.

Richard Lane, senior manager, Training & Certification at Autodesk talked about free certification exams at AU, while Ray Eisenberg, program manager, Autodesk Customer Communities, and David Harrington, President of AUGI, shared information about community groups and networking activities at AU, including the International Community Pavilion in the Exhibit Hall. Lynn mentioned the Birds of a Feather sessions as well. So much to do, so little time!

Lynn also talked about the technology lounges, which are great places to hang out or just kick back and recharge your batteries (literally?).

And it sounds like the huge screen at this year’s General Session will be something to “write home about.”  I can’t wait to see it.

--sandy