SolidWorks World 2007 – What to Expect on Sunday

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There are usually a few people kicking around on Friday and Saturday, but SolidWorks World officially begins on Sunday.  Some highlights…

Registration
Registration is a highlight?  Sure…you get to meet some very nice people that will hook you up with your badge, conference agenda, and your personalized session agenda (if you selected them when you registered).  I like to hang around the registration area for a while and see who shows up, you never know who you might run in to.  Wireless Internet access is usually available, so you can catch up on email, surf the net, whatever. TIP – register early, the lines get a bit longer later in the day.

CAD Managers Bootcamp
One of the most popular sessions ever at SolidWorks World, nearly 400 users participate every year.  Presented by Greg Jankowski, the session covers a wide variety of topics related to effectively deploying and managing SolidWorks in your organization.  The "bootcamp" is officially geared toward IT and system administrators, but the 4 hour session is packed with loads of information that all users can benefit from.  TIP – Get there early and sit up front.  The folks with the roving microphones will have an easier time getting to you if you have a question for Greg.

CSWP Exam
If you are signed up to take the CSWP Exam, you might as well forget about everything else.  The test is tough, and it WILL take most of the alloted eight hours to complete.  That said, passing the exam and receiving your CSWP Certification is very rewarding.  You will have your results Monday morning, and if you pass, you can enjoy the special CSWP off-site event Monday evening.  TIP – Check with your local user group for helpful suggestions on taking the exam.  Study hard and concentrate on passing the test – the certification team REALLY knows how to throw a party, you don’t want to miss the CSWP off-site event.

Welcome Reception
The Welcome Reception starts early this year, 2:00pm – 5:00pm.  Typically an evening event, the reception will be held in the afternoon so you can find a big-screen TV later to watch the Super Bowl.  Get to the Exhibit Hall at 2:00pm for food (really good food!!), drinks, and of course the SolidWorks Partner exhibit.  There will be about 100 booths this year, and the Sunday reception will give you a head start on seeing them all.  TIP – If you are looking for people you know from on-line forums only, visit the SWUGN booth in the exhibit area.  The SWUGN Committee members and user group leaders will be staffing the booth, and can help you find those people that you "know", but don’t really "know".

Conference Sunday is a great day to meet new people, so if you’re not too busy with CSWP tests, or the "bootcamp", wear your badge, wander around the halls of the conference center, and poke your head in a door or two – you’ll probably run into folks doing the very same thing.

Richard Doyle

Richard Doyle

My official title is Senior User Advocacy & SolidWorks User Groups - but most people just call me "The User Group Guy". I've been a SolidWorks user since 1997, and was one of the founding members of the SWUGN Committee. Since starting the Central Texas SolidWorks User Group in 1999, my career path has led me to DS SolidWorks and a dream job supporting the SolidWorks User Group Network worldwide.
Richard Doyle

@https://twitter.com/swugn

Richard Doyle