Through the Interface

The Evolution of Autodesk University

I was really impressed with this year's AU. Yes, there were fewer people than last year (although our ADN session on Monday ended up having very similar attendance, interestingly), but it didn't feel smaller: it felt bigger. Aside from any technological shift at the product level – and cloud computing was very much talked about by Carl Bass and Jeff Kowalski – this was the year that AU spread its wings and embraced attendees around the world without them having to travel to Las Vegas.

I knew AU Virtual was coming, but I didn't anticipate how compelling an experience it would be. And how well the virtual attendee's feedback loop would be integrated into the main event: via the AU 2009 Twitter feed the conference was connected to the world at its mainstage and Design Slam events, and it suddenly felt so much bigger. The combination of virtual attendance with the explosion of social media over the last year really changed the shape of AU, probably forever. And I very much like what it's become.

I'd be very interested to hear comments from those of you who attended, whether physically or virtually. Did it feel different, this year, or was it just me? 🙂

2 responses to “The Evolution of Autodesk University”

  1. Bill Woodhams Avatar
    Bill Woodhams

    It felt much smaller in attendance but I agree the vitural side went extermly well. I sort of liked the Viniatian better for holding the event just because of the walk from the rooms to the conference but overall it was an awesome event and more then worth the cost.

    Reply
  2. Curt Moreno Avatar
    Curt Moreno

    This was my second time I have been fortunate enough to attend Autodesk University and it was great! I've heard that the on-site attendance was approximately half of what it was in 2008. Still it felt very full.

    I have to say that I prefer the Mandalay to the Venetian facilities. I felt that the overall service and quality of the facility were far better. The one comment I would make is that the Venetian conference rooms were larger so every one of them had tables instead of the Manadalay's row seating. I also liked the food more. Food is important stuff.

    As for the actual conference I noticed something very interesting. I ran into so many first time attendees it seemed that almost half of the crowd was new. My instructors were almost 50% first-year speakers also. I felt as if this really contributed to the overall attitude of the crowd. With the budget cuts taken by so many firms it was obvious that everyone who was in attendance really appreciated being there. Last year it seemed as if several people were there as a chore.

    Before I ramble further I will just say that this AU was by far better than 2008's AU. Well it was for me at least. That has to count for something and I can't wait to see you all next year.

    - KFD -

    Reply

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