Are you as excited as we are? Autodesk University is just one week away! It’s almost time to head to Vegas, meet like minded people, learn from industry experts, explore the exciting things your peers have been up to, and show off the awesome things your company has been working on.
By this point, you’ve probably spent a lot of time ensuring all of the major things you need for Autodesk University are covered. We know first hand that these “big things” require a lot of focus and effort, so it’s easy to forget about the minor details that can truly make or break your experience at AU.
The last thing we want is for you to be at Autodesk University next week and think, “this experience would be a lot better if only I had…”. To avoid this, we put together a list of some small but important things to bring that you can easily bring along last minute to Autodesk University:
1) Phone and laptop chargers:
You’ve already packed your powerstrip and extension cords, but don’t forget your laptop and phone chargers. Your devices will likely run out of battery from the long days at AU, so having the chargers and extra batteries you need is an absolute must. If you’re traveling from overseas, be sure to bring an adapter as well.
2) Your colleagues direct phone numbers:
You’re probably used to communicating with your colleagues on Slack, Skype for Business, or email on a regular basis. While these mediums are excellent, they require Wifi which is free in the hotel and conference area, but coverage may be spotty in between. There are an array of reasons you’ll need to reach the colleagues that are with you at AU throughout the day, and having their direct phone numbers will ensure you can do so regardless of Wifi coverage. It is also a good idea to start a group message with all of your team members who will be at the show so that everyone stays in the loop.
3) AU App:
Your colleagues phone numbers aren’t the only thing you’ll want to add to your phone beforehand. Download the AU App ahead of time for your show guide, map, and agenda for the conference. You can also manage your schedule, get updates in real time, and connect with other attendees. While four days seems like plenty of time, it flies by faster than you’d think. You want to make sure you’re able to attend everything you want to attend and meet everyone you want to meet, and having this outlined in the palm of your hand is very helpful.
4) Comfortable shoes:
While those high heels or spiffy oxfords are a great choice for a typical day sitting behind the desk at the office, you will quickly learn they’re not ideal when you’re on your feet for all day for four days straight. AU is not the time to break in your brand new kicks and there has never been a better time than now to choose comfort over style. Nevertheless, you want to ensure you are dressed appropriately head to toe. AU describes the events dress code as “professional but comfortable”, so don’t go overboard and wear your slippers. Find a happy medium that is both comfortable and professional. Your trusty flats or loafers that you’ve worn many times before are a great choice for this event. It never hurts to pack bandages as well just in case you or your team ends up with blisters.
5) Snacks, water, and medicine:
Not only does being on your feet all day cause discomfort with the wrong shoes, it also requires a lot of energy which makes you hungry and thirsty. It’s important to have high energy and enthusiasm when representing your company, and let’s be honest, no one wants to talk to a hangry person. While there are snacks and lunch time, they’re never close enough when you’re hungry so bring your own energy bars that you can quickly gobble on the go. Staying hydrated is equally as important. Remember, Las Vegas is a desert and you will become dehydrated more quickly than usual. Bring along a bottle of water and make sure to drink it throughout the day. Just in case those hunger and thirst pains bring on a headache, it doesn’t hurt to have some Tylenol, Advil, or Mortin on hand.
6) Earplugs and sleep mask:
Another key aspect of maintaining high energy at AU is to replenish with a good night of sleep. While the bright lights and celebratory atmosphere Vegas offers is certainly fun, it’s not especially conducive to optimal rest. Bring along earplugs and an eye mask to make sure things are as dark and quiet as possible. You can also request a humidifier in your room from your hotel if the smokey air is bothering you and keeping you from getting rest.
7) Lip balm and breath mints:
The dry desert air in Vegas is sure to chap your lips almost right away. To avoid this discomfort and pain, make sure you have lip balm in your pocket and apply it generously throughout the day. While lip balm is great starting point, the cliche phrase “it’s what’s on the inside that counts” certainly applies here. You’ll be talking to dozens of people on a daily basis, and you don’t want your excellent message to be distracted from by your dragon breath. Breath mints will solve this issue.
8) A tote or messenger bag:
At AU, a tote bag or messenger bag serves a dual and important purpose. Firstly, it’s a great way to carry around aforementioned essentials in addition to your phone and wallet. On the other hand, it is a great place to store all of the swag, business cards, and handouts you’ll collect throughout the day. Be sure to also throw a pen and notepad in there.You’ll learn a lot of awesome new things and meet a lot of new people at AU and a quick way to take notes will certainly help you keep track of everything. While backpacks are popular choice, taking the bag off your back and unzipping it every time you get a handout is irritating with time. Using a tote or messenger bag is far more convenient.
9) Scissors, packing tape, and return labels:
When the show is over and it’s time to pack up, you’ll feel accomplished yet exhausted from a long week. The last thing you’ll need to do before heading home is break down your booth, pack up your supplies, seal the boxes, and ship them back. Being prepared with scissors, packing tape, and return labels will make this process as quick and easy as it can be.
In conclusion, it’s a good idea to treat AU as if it were a marathon, not a race. Pace and take care of yourself to make the most of your experience. We are confident that being prepared with the small but important items on this list will make your awesome experience even better. Another thing that will make add to your experience is stopping by booth A254 to meet our team. We help AECs deliver healthier, higher quality models faster with our software and services and we’d love to learn how we can help you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out ahead of time if you’d like to schedule a meeting. We look forward to seeing you there!