To catch everyone up \u2013 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World is our annual user conference.\u00a0 This year, it was to be held on February 6-9 in Atlanta, Georgia as well as virtually.\u00a0 At the 11th<\/sup> hour we were forced to pivot, due to COVID, to an entirely virtual event.\u00a0 This decision was heart-breaking for us, as well as for our very passionate users. It was extra difficult for our SWUGN<\/a> leaders (SOLIDWORKS User Group Network), who take their passion for SOLIDWORKS to an entirely different level!<\/p>\n This pivot to virtual meant that we would be forced to livestream the 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World General Sessions at our headquarters in Waltham (near Boston), MA.\u00a0 Some of the SWUGN Leaders asked (begged) their SOLIDWORKS liaison, Dan Wagner<\/a>, if they could join us at HQ \u2013 but were told (vehemently) that only employees would be allowed to attend.<\/p>\n But there is always one who thinks outside of the box, who bends the rules\u2026enter the amazing, extra passionate, Joe Lance.<\/p>\n Joe Lance jogging in Waltham near SOLIDWORKS HQ<\/p>\n For those who don\u2019t know Joe Lance \u2013 he is the SWUGN leader in Houston, TX.\u00a0 He is a fan favorite at 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World as he is the chosen one who leads us all in the wave at the very beginning of the conference.\u00a0 He has even been known to take the mainstage from time to time.\u00a0 Joe and his wife already had tickets to Atlanta, and decided to do a pivot of their own \u2013 to Boston!\u00a0 Let the 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World crashing begin!<\/p>\n Now let it be known \u2013 that Joe asked ever-so-kindly if he could join for General Session\u2026and he was told ever-so-kindly that he could not.\u00a0 Joe was content with that answer, he is definitely not one to ruffle feathers (at all.)\u00a0 He and his wife checked into the local hotel where many of the SOLIDWORKS employees stay and they set about to enjoy their vacation. Joe went for his daily morning jogs, caught a glimpse here and there of some familiar faces and watched 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World virtually, in his room, like his SWUGN colleagues.<\/p>\n Until\u2026Day 2\u2026when he was spotted in the elevator by our popular emcee \u2013 Tracey Wilson!\u00a0 She, in turn, told the 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World team about the \u201cJoe Lance sighting.\u201d\u00a0 After much discussion, the team decided they just couldn\u2019t let that bright light stay in the hotel one more day to watch General Session virtually.\u00a0 Joe received an official invitation to join for Day 3.<\/p>\n Imagine everyone\u2019s surprise when we walked into the General Session room and saw Joe\u2019s smiling face!\u00a0 Joe brought the user energy we all needed and missed so badly.\u00a0 I can\u2019t even begin to explain what it is like moving forward with 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World without being face-to-face with our users.\u00a0 While we try to create a similar experience online \u2013 it just doesn\u2019t compare in the least.\u00a0 In fact, if you are reading this, and haven\u2019t been to an in-person 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World,<\/a> I highly recommend it.\u00a0 It is simply exhilarating!\u00a0 And that is what Joe did for us, right then and there, so I decided to pivot one last time.\u00a0 I invited him to join me on the stage!<\/p>\n Joe Lance on stage with new Executive VP of 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE Works, Gian Paolo Bassi<\/p>\n Yes\u2026not only did I invite Joe Lance to join me on the stage, but I also gave him the very prestigious honor of announcing where 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World 2023 was going to be held!\u00a0 We are looking to recreate the magic of our last in-person event, in Nashville, and honestly I can\u2019t think of anyone who captures the magic more than Joe Lance.\u00a0 It was meant to be.<\/p>\n Thank you Joe for pushing through and lighting up our final 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE General Session.\u00a0 Thank you to all our passionate users out there for motivating us to continue to create great products and improving your everyday design, engineering and manufacturing experience.\u00a0 We look forward to seeing you all next year in Nashville\u2026in person.\u00a0 We don\u2019t want Joe (or anyone else) to ever need to crash 3D<\/strong>EXPERIENCE World again!<\/p>\n One last note.\u00a0 Not only does Joe give back to the SOLIDWORKS community, he\u2019s currently gearing up his fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis with MS150 Texas MS-150<\/a>.\u00a0 That\u2019s right \u2013 he\u2019s cycling toward a world free of MS!\u00a0 He\u2019s going the distance with this fundraising ride that changes the world for people affected by MS.\u00a0 If you feel so motivated to support his efforts \u2013 we invite you to do so and follow Joe on his incredible experience.<\/p>\n It is all about the experience\u2026after all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![](\"https:\/\/blog-assets.solidworks.com\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/joelance-rotated.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/blog-assets.solidworks.com\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/postworldblog_2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/blog-assets.solidworks.com\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/joe_2.png\")
<\/p>\n