A Day in the Life at Autodesk University: From Executive Briefings to Bay Cruises
So, it’s Day 2 of Autodesk University 2024, and after the hustle and bustle of yesterday’s jam-packed schedule, I was looking forward to a more laid-back day today. Spoiler alert: things rarely go to plan at these events. But, I digress – let’s start from the beginning.
The Early Bird Gets the… Breakfast?
It’s not every day you find yourself at the San Diego Conference Centre at 07:30, but here we are. Breakfast was on the agenda, and if you’ve ever been to one of these conferences, you’ll know it’s not just about the food. Breakfast meetings are where the magic begins – colleagues come together to prep for the day, swap stories, and gulp down coffee like it’s going out of fashion. After yesterday’s chaos, I was ready for a slightly slower pace, but I knew better than to get my hopes up.
There’s something about sharing a meal that fosters camaraderie. Whether it’s strategising the day’s approach or merely commiserating over the lack of sleep, it all happens around that first meal of the day.
First Stop: Autodesk Executive Briefing Zone
With breakfast out of the way and a much-needed caffeine boost under my belt, it was time for the first official session of the day. And no, it wasn’t a casual chat; we were headed to the prestigious Autodesk Executive Briefing Zone. Picture this: a room filled with two of my colleagues, a sea of developers, programmers, and me – trying to look like I belong.
This wasn’t your typical conference session. We had our Autodesk hats on, discussing future plans, current projects, and perhaps throwing in a few cheeky suggestions of our own. The developers and programmers were keen to hear what we had to say, and who can blame them? It’s not every day they get feedback from people in the thick of it.
But, alas, time flies when you’re talking shop, and before we knew it, the first meeting was done and dusted. Off to the next!
The Daily Briefing: In and Out
Next up: the daily briefing keynote. Now, I’ve been to my fair share of keynotes, and they’re usually filled with good information, new developments, and a few industry buzzwords thrown in for good measure. This one was no different.
However, as much as I love a good keynote, I had to do the unthinkable – leave early. Five minutes before the end, to be precise. Why, you ask? Well, duty calls. I had a second meeting back at the Autodesk Executive Briefing Zone (yes, again – they couldn’t get enough of me today). This time, it was a slightly more serious affair, with our Autodesk Customer Success Manager (CSM), technical account specialist, his boss, and, of course, my boss. All the big hitters in one room. No pressure, right?
Chicken Salad and Catch-Ups
Meetings done, it was time for a quick refuel. Lunch today was a modest chicken salad. Nothing to write home about, but hey, it did the job. Now, don’t get me wrong, conference food is fine, but by Day 2, I’m already dreaming of something a little more substantial. But a salad it was, and with that out of the way, it was time for more meetings.
Lunch meetings are another one of those conference staples. This time, it was a brief chat with a colleague and another consultant. Short, sweet, and to the point. That’s the beauty of conferences – you meet, you talk, you plan, and then you’re off again to the next thing.
AECO Keynote: Blagging Our Way to the Front
With lunch behind me, it was off to the AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations) keynote. Now, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit excited about this one. It’s always interesting to hear what’s new and shiny in the world of AECO, especially when you manage to sneak your way to row two.
Yes, you read that right – we blagged seats in the second row. Not too shabby, right? There’s something about being up close to the action that makes these speeches all the more impactful. It’s like getting a front-row seat to innovation, and I wasn’t going to miss it for the world.
Quick Introductions: Workshop XR Team
After the keynote, it was time for yet another meeting (are you sensing a theme here?). This one was a short introduction between a colleague of mine and the development team from ‘Workshop XR’. Workshop XR is one of those projects that has the potential to shake things up in the world of design and construction, so it was important to get the right people talking to each other. And hey, if I can facilitate that, all the better!
Ending the Day with AutoCAD
The final session of the day? An AutoCAD class. Now, I know what you’re thinking: after a day full of executive meetings, keynotes, and briefings, why would I end it with a class? The answer is simple: AutoCAD is at the heart of what we do, and there’s always something new to learn. Whether it’s a new feature or a more efficient way of doing things, this class was worth sticking around for.
A Nighttime Cruise on San Diego Bay
As the day began to wind down, the fun was only just beginning. The Arcadis team had been invited to a two-hour cruise around San Diego Bay. Yes, you read that right – a cruise. Beer and nibbles in hand, we set off into the night, with the San Diego skyline providing a stunning backdrop.
There’s something about being out on the water that helps you unwind after a long day. The cool breeze, the twinkling city lights, and the camaraderie of the team – it was the perfect way to end the day. Plus, after walking nearly 29,000 steps, a sit-down was more than welcome.
Back to the Hotel and Quality Time
By 21:15, it was time to call it a night. Back at the hotel, I finally had a moment to relax and spend some quality time with Michele. After a day like today, it was nice to switch off, put my feet up, and reflect on everything we’d accomplished.
What’s Next?
So, that was Day 2 of Autodesk University 2024. From early morning meetings to a nighttime cruise, it was a day full of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and a fair bit of walking! But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Come back tomorrow to see what the final day has in store – I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one!
