SWUGN Year in Review – February 2009

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SolidWorks World 2009 attracts over 4,500 attendees in what many would consider a down year economically.  The attendance figure surprises everyone, including the event caterer, and the Monday breakfast falls a little short food-wise.  Richard Branson is interviewed by Jeff Ray at the Monday general session, and immediately afterwards wants to know how he can get some incubators shipped, like, right now!!

At the Wednesday SWUGN presentation, Rob Jensen accepts the Group Leader of the Year Award, the Central MA/Northern CT SolidWorks User Group takes honors for User Group of the Year, and Dan Bertschi and Gerald Davis are named as SWUGN Lifetime Achievement award winners.  In a surprise twist, Gerald isn't in the general session to accept his award, and gets a second round of applause as it's presented while he sets up for his breakout session.

Honorable Mentions
The 1st Annual "Tweetup at SolidWorks World" occurs, and conversations are not limited to 140 characters.

Chris White becomes the first non-incumbent elected to the SWUGN Committee.

Joe Lance and Nicole Walden assume leasdership of HOUSUG, good things follow.

The quad-ruled SolidWorks pads are back and heading out as giveaways to user group meetings (thanks to Wendy).

After a few years of being assigned to tear-down at SolidWorks World, I'm given the chance to work the SolidWorks Store instead.  Lots of people throw money at me, and I regret the choice.

Gabi Jack attends her first SolidWorks World conference.  She still doesn't speak any words, but writes a whole lot about it.

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