LAS VEGAS, NV - This time of year means more to AutoCAD users than just what to do with all the left over turkey. It's time to pack up and head to Las Vegas for Autodesk University, the biggest CAD user meeting in the world.
The numbers are not in yet, but over 10,000 are expected to attend. Autodesk itself is sending almost a thousand of its own troops. The flight from SFO, being near to company headquarters, has about 25 Autodeskers on it. For the old pros, there is a "been there, done that" weariness about AU. But for the users, there is an unmistakable buzz. For many, it is their biggest event all year. The week they can get out of the office. In Las Vegas, no less.
AU07 - most efficient registration ever! 5 minutes to log in and get a badge.
Unlike previous AUs, most of the press will be left sitting this one out. Autodesk has separated its "press events" from Autodesk University. AU used to be where AU would announce its latest products and updates but as product cycles are less likely to follow the calendar regularity of a user event, a large press attendance does not seem so critical. That seems to be the official story, though at the last minute Autodesk manufacturing division got into the act and a select few press members got invited anyway.
For me, attending the biggest user meeting in the world is a must. Being among so many CAD users is like once again feeling the earth under my feet, a reminder of why my company (TenLinks, Inc.) does what it does and a reminder of who it does it for.
Brian, thanks for the correction on the number of attendees. I just heard that the official number is now over 10,000.
Posted by: Roopinder Tara | November 27, 2007 at 01:49 PM
FYI: A few days ago there were 9,200 registrations and by now the number is likely higher.
Posted by: Brian Mathews | November 27, 2007 at 12:59 PM