We are now a week away from Autodesk University 2022. This is first time the main AU has been outside of Las Vegas in several years for the event as well as being the first time we have got back together in person in over 2 very long years. This means my annual Thrive Guide needed a lot of modification as well some things we just don't know yet since we have held the event in New Orleans before. We will use this event to help build our non-Vegas AU tips list. One nice thing is it wont be the super dry lip cracking Vegas air, but it will be the other end of the spectrum at the hot humid side adding new perspiration challenges.
Autodesk University is the premier Autodesk event held yearly (except the recent global health situation) where several thousands learn from industry experts across architecture, engineering, construction, design, manufacturing, and media and entertainment experts descend on the city, and this year it is New Orleans. They arrive wide eyed, craving knowledge from the best in the industry. They leave tired and full of valuable knowledge to make them more productive back at work. After attending every Las Vegas based Autodesk University as well as more than 30 AU events, I have compiled and published this annual long list of tips over the years for not only surviving, but making the most of AU and to thrive at Autodesk University. For many attendees, Autodesk University is not just 12 hours a day event, there are activities virtually around the clock so pace yourself and get organized before you land with a plan.
First, Get your AU 2022 app for iOS and Android
Autodesk University 2022 on the App Store
Autodesk University 2022 - Apps on Google Play
New Orleans Info:
https://www.neworleans.com/
https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/4-days-in-new-orleans/
AU dates and location
AU : Tuesday September 27-29, 2022 | New Orleans
New Orleans Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130
Free AU Digital Pass for those unable to attend in person.
”Join the design and make conference—available both online and in-person this year. With the free AU 2022 Digital Pass, you’ll gain access to a selection of live and on-demand classes, Theater Talks, keynotes, and special sessions.
Email: [email protected]
Airport Transportation
You are responsible for your own transportation from the airport to your hotel. Here are some suggestions to jump-start your AU networking while saving on the taxi or ride share fare and possibly save your company some money sharing a ride.
- Taxi (one-way): ~$35-45 USD
I personally suggest grabbing a few other attendees then arranging a ride share Lyft Airport Rides. New Orleans Area Ride Costs - Lyft
Hotel shuttles to Conversation Center:
This information will also be available in the AU app.
Routes:
- Route 1: Service between Sheraton New Orleans and Convention Center
- Attendees at JW Marriott and InterContinental walk to Sheraton
- Route 2: Service between New Orleans Marriott, Higgins Hotel and Convention Center
- Attendees at Westin New Orleans walk to Marriott
- Route 3: Service between Four Seasons Hotel and Convention Center
- Route 4: Service between Windsor Court Hotel and Convention Center
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Schedule:
- Monday, September 26
- 4:30 PM-9:30 PM (runs every 15 minutes)
- Tuesday, September 27
- 6:00 AM-11:00 AM (runs every 15 minutes)
- 11:00 AM-3:30 PM (runs every 30 minutes)
- 3:30 PM-8:30 PM (runs every 15 minutes)
- Wednesday, September 28
- 6:00 AM-11:00 AM (runs every 15 minutes)
- 11:00 AM-3:00 PM (runs every 30 minutes)
- 3:00 PM-8:00 PM (runs every 15 minutes)
- Thursday, September 29
- 6:00 AM-11:00 AM (runs every 15 minutes)
- 11:00 AM-5:00 PM (runs every 30 minutes)
- 5:00 PM-10:30 PM (runs every 15 minutes)
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Check-in & badge
Pick up your conference badge. Photo identification is required. You must wear your badge at all times to access AU events but please do not wear it outside the event to mark you as a convention attendee ripe for the pickpockets.Check-in hours
Great Hall Pre-Conference Lobby Check-in and Customer Service:
Sunday: 4:00-8:00 PM
Monday: 7:00 AM-8:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:30 AM-8:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:30 AM-8:00 PM
Thursday: 6:30 AM-7:00 PMSecondary Check-in (Hall E lobby)
Sunday, September 25 4:00 PM-8:00 PM
Monday, September 26 7:00 AM-8:00 PM
Tuesday, September 27 6:30 AM-8:00 PM
Register at AU and get your badge early:MSY Airport Express Check-in
(Located in Baggage Claim area, no Customer Service)Sunday, September 25 12:00 PM-8:00 PM
Monday, September 26 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Hall E Lobby Check-in and Customer Service:
Sunday: 4:00-8:00 PM
Monday: 7:00-8:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:30-8:00 PMYour AU Schedule - On the web or the AU 2022 App
Autodesk University 2022 on the App Store
Autodesk University 2022 - Apps on Google Play
Mix n Mingle
You are encouraged to mix at the events and lunches and get to know your fellow AU attendees as well ask an Autodesk employee a burning You are encouraged to mix at the events and lunches and get to know your fellow AU attendees as well ask an Autodesk employee a burning question or to let them know about how you use our products and what you need for the future. I have highlighted a few of my favorite community events including the AU5k, keynotes, so much to love that you do need to pace yourself and keep all electronic devices charged.https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/conference/agenda
Make sure to attend the General Session and keynotes:
Tuesday, September 27th
11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Join Autodesk President and CEO Andrew Anagnost to learn how moving our collaboration—and our data—to the cloud can help create the right solutions.Wednesday, September 28th
General Session Day 2
11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Business leaders share how they’ve navigated their transformation journeys.
Top Notch Classes! After all this is a main reasons we attend AU, the classes and sessions are amazing. Don’t forget to ask questions, rate the classes, take the knowledge back with you to your office.
Session Catalog -
Have a burning Autodesk product question?
AU is a great place to get that answer on how to do something or give feedback. Just cozy on up to the Answer Bar or Community Zone where solutions and wisdom are served tall without ice.The Community Zone at AU Las Vegas 2019
Participate in the user research activities to help shape the future of Autodesk technologies and products.
Attend the AU PartyThursday September 29th
7:00 PM–10:00 PM
Join us for a traditional New Orleans celebration featuring live music, entertainers, food and drink, and tons of fun activitiesPast AU Parties. Wahoo!
Visit the Expo
There’s more to AU than just classroom learning. Get hands-on with the technologies changing how we design, make, and build the world around us in the Expo. - Meet Autodesk leadership
- Connect with your peers in the Industry Community
- Test drive new technology
- Try the latest Autodesk products
- Get inspired by pioneering work
- Experience advances in virtual reality
- Make your design come to life in the Factory
- Discover new ways of designing, making, and building
- Talk to product experts at the Answer Bar
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But please, don't climb on or into the exhibits.AU Dress Code Tips:
Dress business casual and comfortable. Remember this is a professional event where your peers and there are people you may want to network with. This is not the place to wear Bermuda shorts and show off your hairy legs. Wear some fun socks and show off your funky style and consider compression socks so your legs don't feel like falling off at the end of the long walking days.Hashtags: When posting blog posts, or updates on social media like Twitter, Facebook, or photo sites like Instagram or Flickr please use the hashtag #AU2022. This way people can follow the event around social media.I am @ShaanHurley on Twitter.
Eat: There are some emails and light snacks and coffee each morning and then lunch is provided. A Tip: walk to the furthest food lines to avoid the longer waits due to people just taking the first line.
Hydrate: Drink lots of water. You will lose water faster than you can consume it. Soda, coffee, and beer do not hydrate you.
Caffeinate: If you stay out late make sure to grab a coffee, tea, or healthy herbal remedy to be alert for the days sessions. There are several coffee shops in the Venetian as well as a fresh green juice shop.
Dragon Breath? You do not want to walk around and talk to your peers with breath that smells like a mixture of coffee, garlic, and road kill. Take some mints or gum and drink lots of water.Try new things and technologies. Keep an open mind and explore outside the box. Take a look into the future or just have some immersive fun.
AU 5K and Fun Run: Get fresh air, exercise, and make friends:
Wednesday September 286:00 AM–7:15 AM
Grab your running shoes and meet us for a group run through historic New Orleans.
Past AU 5K photos:Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes as the walking distance between rooms and the event can add up and you will feel it at the end of the day. My step counts show that I walk about 4-10 miles a day at AU.
Fuel: Carried some spare snacks for when you get hungry, perhaps granola bar, nut butter packets, or something to tie you over as your brain is running full power during AU sessions.
Air: Due to the dry air and smoke in the casinos, make sure to bring some eye drops and perhaps a nasal spray.
Sleep: I am not sure if it is all the stimulation of the sights and sounds, but it is pretty hard to get to sleep at night so bring some earplugs to quiet the ambient noises.
Wireless Security: Make sure if using the public wireless connection to have a firewall enabled to prevent someone from messing with your machine or gathering data. It would be good to use a VPN connection to secure your data.
Static Electricity! Be careful and touch a door nob before touching your laptop. A few people including me fried their laptops due to all the static electricity built up on the carpets. There is nothing worse than your entire laptop frying the day before your class session you are teaching and having to stay up all night to re-write and redo some content that was edited during AU. I have heard having a dryer sheet or coins in your pocket will help minimize static electricity risks.
Watch Your Valuables and Keep yourself and others Safe: Keep an eye on your laptop and valuables. Like any place with thousands of geeks and cool electronics in one location, the crooks will be around in sheep's clothing.Also this is a new city for AU and you need to be aware of your surroundings and look out for others. Don’t go strolling down shortcuts late at night through an alley. This isn't Vegas with all the surveillance cameras and security everyone 24/7.
Keep Notes: Use an app like OneNote Evernote on your mobile or tablet to jot down notes during a session or those follow up questions for the speaker.
Can you hear me now? You may not always be able to get a cell phone signal or Internet. AU will provide a Wi-Fi in the conference area.
Gadget cables, cords and power supplies. You devices may run out of power while at AU, so carry some of the most needed power cords, portable batteries, and chargers with you. Bring your airbuds and
Weather: It will be hot and humid, maybe rain..
After Hours Dress Code: Make sure that if you plan on attending some events or venturing out to the clubs you do not wear tennis shoes or a tee shirt. Some events and finer restaurants will enforce a dress code and normally do not permit sneakers or tee-shirt-wearing guests.Autodesk University History: https://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/autodesk-university-history.html
Get Outside
“One of my favorite tips for anybody going, especially first timers, is to GO OUTSIDE during the day. A few minutes, or even schedule an open period to get a walk in the fresh air. There is no need to be a troll for the 3 days.” From Ray Gorman
Pace Yourself: Go to the lounge and relax in a beanbag while catching up on email or in between events. Don't run yourself to exhaustion.
There are many more events and opportunities so please check your AU schedule and plan accordingly as you will get extremely busy. Also, keep an eye on this blog for more AU updates as well as my Twitter account which I do update while at the event. Make sure to share this Autodesk University 2022 Thrive Guide with others that may be attending to help them out to not only survive AU, but thrive.Community Zone will be a good resource for all customers to get their burning questions heard and answered.
“There are no strangers, only friends that have not yet met.”
See you soon and safe travels! It has been far too long since we were all back together in person.
-Shaan
@ShaanHurley on Twitter and Instagram
