I share a rare personal post to share my experiences at AU 2009.

Well the Day One of Autodesk University 2009 has come and gone. I cannot begin to say it enough times; my feet hurt! But in comparison to the great time there is to be had here at AU that is a small complaint. This is my second trip to AU and I still cannot believe how much there is to be gotten out of the experience. I definitely think that every CAD professional using Autodesk products make the trip at least once.

The yearly festivities began last night with the Blogger’s Social. Thanks to the hard work of Shaan Hurley of Between the Lines and many faceless Autodesk PR people the social was a hit! The lower level of the Border Grill was jammed packed with some of the biggest names in CAD blogging. I had the definite pleasure of meeting not only Shaan Hurley but also Mark Kiker, Robin Capper, Russell Martin and Rick Ellis. Add to that some shoulder rubbing with some fantastic Autodesk staffers and it was a real delight for a little old blogger like me. I have to admit to be a bit star-struck and awed by the friendliness of all these people. And the food? Forget about it. If you like Mexican food and you are in Vegas then you have to stop at the Border Grill.

Day One started early in the morning and it was an all out rush for the entire day. As most CAD professionals know this year’s AU is being held at Mandalay Bay. It certainly is a good bit nicer than the previous venue AU was held at in 2008. The one downside, if you can really call it that, is the lack of tables in the lecture sessions. Last year every class was set up with rows of tables to sit and spread your stuff around. This year you have your lap and that is about it. While it may be a little inconvenient it is a small price to pay for a much nicer venue and a center where things are easier to reach. Last year it seemed like there was a mile that I had to rush down to get to every session. In stark comparison this year it seems as if everything is just around the corner. And that, dear readers, is music to my feet.

The end of every Day One at AU is the opening of the Exhibit Hall. It may seem odd that so many people could be so excited about getting in to a vendor hall, but we do get all worked up. Of course the fact that the opening of the floor is accompanied with gobs of fantastic food and open bars doesn’t hurt one bit. Personally I was held up by my last class and didn’t make it to the floor until after 9:00! By the time I was so hungry I could have eaten one of those rapid prototype models if it was in the shape of a sandwich. Fortunately for both me and the rapid prototyping community there was still plenty of eats to be had. By no means was the food last year sub-par but the food here at the Mandalay is nothing short of fantastic.

Well that really does about do it for the day one catch up. Just like last year I have been dazzled by the number of great people I have met here at AU so far. And it’s just day one! Tomorrow begins another great list of sessions that I am really excited about. As if all that great instruction where not enough to be pleased about I am really excited to attend this year’s Pechu Kucha event. If it is anything like last year it is bound to be a blast. Of course, everything at this year’s Autodesk University has been a blast …

- DCM -