Autodesk University and Forge DevCon - the Lay of the Land

Autodesk University (AU) is a set of events in various countries where Autodesk customers come to learn about technology and take classes on how to use Autodesk products and services. We have an upcoming event in Las Vegas on November 13-15.

The Autodesk Forge Developer Conference (Forge DevCon) is the largest gathering of design and engineering software developers in the world. Once again this year, we are partnering with Autodesk University (AU). No longer do you need to choose between DevCon and AU. You can do both. New this year, Forge DevCon and Connect & Construct have come together. Now you can take advantage of more classes than ever before. Register once and choose from a broad selection of keynotes, workshops, and classes. Connect & Construct attracts thought leaders with real-world experience in construction, technology, and the digital economy. This is the event to connect with the BIM 360 team and industry leaders to learn about setting your business apart. Forge DevCon is today, November 12.

If you've never been to Autodesk University or Forge DevCon before, here are some key locations:

• The Hub

  

  The Hub will were attendees pick up their registration packets there on their first day. The Hub includes a Meetup Café and the Autodesk Store (AU swag). Various events will happen in The Hub during the week such as the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Welcome Reception, Women at AU Networking Reception, and Farewell Happy Hour. Attendees will walk through The Hub to get to events such as the Opening General Session keynote, AEC Keynote, and Product Design & Manufacturing Keynote.

• The Theater

  

  The AU Theater will feature 15-minute TED-like talks from industry and thought leaders organized around important trends and themes. Topics will include advances in generative design, the future of machine learning and artificial intelligence for design, and how design-to-make and design-to-build are converging. The theater will also host the Media & Entertainment Welcome Reception, a screening of Project Impossible (History Channel series about audacious engineering projects), lunch and learns about Autodesk accounts and subscriptions, and an AU Global Meetup. Attendees will be able to check the marquee to determine which events they'd like to attend.

• Venetian I/J

  

  Venetian Halls I/J will feature a Tech Trends Panel on Tuesday, the “Rock the Stadium Design Slam | Sponsored by Z by HP” (features 3 competitions focused on the design of a sports stadium, the infrastructure around the stadium, and the equipment used by the team within the stadium) on Wednesday, a Play Hard Mixer (precedes The Advance Party on Wednesday night  at the LINQ Promenade (live music, entertainment, great food, fun activities).

• Hall C

  

  Hall C is where everyone will eat breakfast. New this year, the hall will also feature Breakthrough AU — An Escape Room Experience. Games will be available Monday through Thursday. Attendees enroll in advance through the course catalog or join teams created by first-come, first-served walk-ins. The interactive experience will not require any special knowledge to play, will last 45 minutes, and will provide participants with a chance to use in-game tools to solve challenges in construction and manufacturing to move from one room to the next.

• The Expo

  

  The Expo will include interactive galleries and displays featuring AEC, infrastructure, and manufacturing as well as the convergence of these industries. The Expo will also host network lunches, the Community Reception on Tuesday, The Factory (end-to-end design process to make an air quality sensor that doubles as a desktop lamp), The Answer Bar (talk one-on-one with Autodesk product specialists), and Community Quads (places for industry-specific conversations). Autodesk employees and others will be conducting Expo Tours. Lunch will be served in The Expo each day.

• Classrooms

  

  Classes are a significant aspect as to what AU is all about.

  • Level 3
    • Product Design & Manufacturing classes
    • Speaker Ready room
    • The Self-Paced Lab
    • Campus Lounge - Murano 3301A
  • Level 4
    • AEC & Design Visualization classes
    • Certification Lab
    • Campus Lounge - Lando 4301A
  • Level 5
    • Preconference events such as Forge DevCon
    • Excellence in AEC Awards Breakfast on Tuesday

See you in Las Vegas. I'll be working the VR exhibit in the AU Expo.

Orientation is alive in the lab.