As the Autodesk sponsored event for design and engineering professionals, Autodesk University (AU) offers an opportunity to learn, network, and be inspired. This year, October 15-17 2024, AU is heading to the sunny shores of San Diego California, a city known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and innovative spirit. This is the first AU in San Diego.
Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned AU veteran, this thrive guide will help you make the most of your experience.
Plan Ahead
- AU event page: https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/
- Customize Your Schedule: AU offers a plethora of classes, workshops, and keynotes. Use the AU app or website to plan your itinerary. Prioritize sessions that align with your professional goals and interests.
- Download the AU Mobile App: Stay updated with real-time notifications, navigate the venue with ease, and connect with fellow attendees.
Maximize Learning Opportunities
- Classes and Workshops: Participate in hands-on labs and instructional demos to deepen your skills. There are over 650 classes.
- Panels and Roundtables: Engage in discussions with experts and peers on pressing industry topics.
- Take Notes and Ask Questions: Bring a notebook or tablet. Jot down key takeaways and don't hesitate to ask presenters for clarifications.
- General Sessions & Industry Keynotes: Don't miss the main stage where industry leaders share insights on the future of design and technology.
General Session Day 1
”Optimism is returning to all our industries, and many of you feel more prepared to address inevitable change than ever before. Embracing transformation has made you more resilient, and as the cloud unlocks more of your data, many of you are investing in AI to enable powerful new ways of working. Join Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost and CTO Raji Arasu as they show how we are accelerating the Design and Make capabilities of our platform, putting AI to work, supporting your creativity, and enabling you to solve problems big and small.”
Andrew Anagnost, President & Chief Executive Officer, Autodesk
Raji Arasu, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Autodesk - General Session Day 2
”Transformation across our industries continues at an extraordinary rate, fueled by the productivity and profitability gains businesses are experiencing as they embrace new technologies and new ways of working. In this session, senior leaders from our Media & Entertainment, Architecture, Engineering & Construction, and Design & Manufacturing businesses will share our vision for the future of our industries and stories of how customers are Making the Future by leveraging the power of Autodesk AI and our industry clouds.”
Amy Bunszel , Executive Vice President, AEC, Autodesk
Diana Colella, Executive Vice President, M&E, Autodesk
Jeff Kinder, Executive Vice President, D&M, Autodesk
“The AECO industry continues to face serious challenges around skilled labor, supply chains, decarbonization, and siloed data. Embracing new technologies and transformation is helping businesses tackle these challenges head on to achieve better outcomes. In this session, our AECO leaders will share the latest updates for the business, including news across our industry cloud and product portfolio, and stories of customers who are innovating to Make the Future. Join us to learn how Autodesk Forma is helping facilitate better collaboration, quicker project delivery and better outcomes.”
Nicolas Mangon, VP, AEC Industry Strategy, Autodesk
Sasha Crotty, Sr. Director, AEC Data, Autodesk
Marta Bouchard, AEC Sustainability Strategy, Autodesk
Shelby Smith, CIM Manager, Johnson, Mirmiran and Thompson
Autodesk Platform Services Keynote
“Get the latest updates on Autodesk Platform Services (APS), the foundation of Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform. See how you can leverage the power of Autodesk APIs and services to build innovative new solutions. Unlock unlimited value through connected data and AI. Hear how access to real-time, granular, and interoperable data is creating unprecedented opportunities in our industries. Plus, don't miss our APS game show segment where you will be inspired by companies who have used these tools to boost productivity, reduce costs, and automate workflows. Whether you are a developer or business innovator this session is for you.”
Ben Cochran, VP, Developer Enablement, Autodesk
Tulika Garg, Director of Products, Developer Enablement, Autodesk
Shelly Mujtaba, VP, Product Data, Autodesk
Nevin Yuksel-Ekici, Vice President, Platform Strategy and Technology Partnerships, Autodesk
Rajesh Bhartiya, Founder & CEO, ProtoTech Solutions
Marie-Aline Hunter, President and Founder, Avixi Inc
Marius Jablonskis, Digital Transformation Leader, Norconsult ASA
“When you think about your business, what are your goals, your dreams, your vision? What would you do if you could? You need a platform to simplify how you work, unlock the power of your data, and standardize your processes. Autodesk is that platform. We are enabling construction companies all over the world to forget the old days of a highly fragmented industry and to benefit from connected construction. During this keynote, Autodesk leaders will share Autodesk Construction Cloud updates and highlight industry innovators who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible.”
Jim Lynch, SVP & GM, Autodesk Construction, Autodesk
Lalith Subramanian, Vice President, Product Management and Engineering – Autodesk Construction Solutions, Autodesk
Allison Scott, Director, Customer Experience & Advocacy, Autodesk
John Lim, Chief Digital Officer, Gamuda Bhd
Design & Manufacturing Industry Keynote
“The transformations taking place in design and manufacturing continue to create huge opportunities for businesses to rethink how they work. Technologies like artificial intelligence are helping businesses improve their productivity and unlock the data at their disposal to create competitive advantage. In our Design & Manufacturing Keynote, Autodesk leaders will detail important updates to Autodesk Fusion and our product portfolio, as well as highlight how customers are leveraging our technology to achieve better outcomes. Join us to learn how Autodesk is partnering with our customers to support them in Making the Future!”
Srinath Jonnalagadda, VP, D&M Industry Strategy, Autodesk
Carlonda Reilly, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Kennametal
Derrek Cooper, Vice President, Autodesk
Stephen Hooper, Vice President, Design & Manufacturing, Autodesk
VOHO SEO, Senior Designer, Hyundai Motor Co.
Andrew Warren, Senior Manager, Engineering Service Support, Bridgestone
Media & Entertainment Industry Keynote
“Exciting possibilities lie ahead in Media & Entertainment. Unprecedented demand for high production value content is ushering in a new era of technological innovation. In this session, M&E leaders will share more about Autodesk's Design & Make Platform, as well as the newly announced capabilities in Autodesk Flow, our industry cloud for media & entertainment. Learn about how you can join the Flow mission into the future of content production while leveraging the power of Autodesk AI and our core portfolio.”
Maurice Patel, VP, M&E Strategy, Autodesk
Leona Frank, Director, Media & Entertainment Marketing, Autodesk
Rachael Appleton, Sr. Director, M&E Business Strategy, Autodesk
Dan Herman, CEO, DigitalFish, Inc.
Neil Okamoto, Head of Pipeline, DigitalFish
Nikola Todorovic, Co-Founder, Wonder Dynamics (formerly Aether, Inc.)
Jacoby DuBose, Professor, Howard University
Network Like a Pro
- Attend Social Events: From the Welcome Reception to industry meet-ups, social events are perfect for making new connections. Have business cards or better yet, an app like Linq to share electronic contact information for following up with after AU.
- Visit the Expo Hall: Explore the latest technologies and solutions from Autodesk partners. It's a great place to meet innovators and discover new tools.
Explore San Diego
- Balboa Park: Visit museums, gardens, and the famous San Diego Zoo.
- Gaslamp Quarter: Experience the heart of downtown with its dining, shopping, and nightlife.
- Beaches: Relax at La Jolla Cove or catch waves at Pacific Beach.
Take Care of Yourself
- Stay Hydrated and Rested: Conferences can be exhausting. Drink plenty of water and ensure you get enough sleep to stay energized.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: You'll be on your feet a lot. Comfortable footwear is a must.
- Mindfulness and Wellness: Take short breaks between sessions.
Post-Conference Actions
- Review and Reflect: Go over your notes and summarize key learnings. Consider how you can apply new knowledge to your work.
- Share with Your Team: Present your findings to colleagues who couldn't attend. Sharing insights maximizes the value of your attendance.
- Stay Connected: Follow up with new contacts. Connect on LinkedIn or schedule follow-up meetings to foster professional relationships.
While I am not attending this years AU event, Autodesk University 2024 in San Diego promises to be an event filled with innovation, learning, and inspiration. By planning ahead and actively engaging, you'll not only enhance your professional skills but also build lasting connections within the industry. Embrace the experience, enjoy the beautiful city of San Diego, and get ready to take your career to new heights!
Safe travels and have a great AU 2024!
-Shaan
