After a week away enjoying some sun and surf (on the Mid North Coast of NSW) it’s time I do a little more planning for SolidWorks World 2012 – San Diego.
Now only a few weeks away it’s time I reviewed what I have currently planned and finalise what I still need to arrange. Whilst this is only my second “World” last years’ experience has me more relaxed and better prepared for what will be an intense and busy three or four days.
Breakout Session Selection
I spent a few hours the other week going through what sessions I would like to attend. This year I’ve tried to be more diverse in my selection, still have selected areas I would like to improve in (Surfacing) and topics that I most enjoy (PhotoView 360 & Sheet Metal). I have also selected topics of File Management, Dumb Solids and Productive Tools! Most sessions I have a “backup” selected, as I found out last year just because you have registered for it doesn’t mean that you will get in! ADVICE: If you really want a seat get to the door EARLY!
For those of you who may of missed it Lou Gallo at SolidWorks Heard has some good advice in his podcast: SolidWorks: Heard!: Episode 369 SolidWorks World Prep
Partner Pavilion
The one thing I didn’t do last year was spend enough time in the Partner Pavilion. It’s easy to run out of time with trying to fit everything in. This year I think, on one of the days, I’ll have a quick lunch and bypass one of the after lunch breakout session and give myself greater time in the Partner Pavilion.
Partner Pavilion Times
Sunday, February 12th: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Reseller Exclusive Preview 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Welcome Reception
San Diego
As I have a bit of a hike to get to San Diego, close on 22 odd hours by the time I leave my door to the time I get to the motel. San Diego looks a fascinating city so I would be crazy not to spend a couple of extra days. I’ve already had one hit & run visit to the US (Louisville, Kentucky) last year. Where all I saw were airports, motels and the conference centre!
I’ve planned to be in San Diego early afternoon Friday the 10th . This will give me sometime’ on Friday early evening and Saturday to relax, get on the right time zone and have a quick look around. Nothing definitely planned but I’ve listed a couple of places I would like to see.
One is the San Diego Air & Space Museum anyone who lists Spitfire, Hellcat and Skyhawk has to be worth a look.
I’m looking forward to The Special Event – Gaslamp Block Party if it’s half as good as last years’ event (Cowboys Dance Hall) it will be a great night. The Gaslamp Quarter looks to be an interesting place, 5th Avenue appears to be wall to wall, restaurants, bars and night clubs. That can’t be bad! One place I’ll try to get to in the Gaslamp quarter is the The Keating by pininfarina. It is “just” a hotel (est. 1890) but redevelop in 2005 was by Pininfarina – Design Most would recognise the name Pininfarina as designers of many a fine automobile (and the odd not so fine one) Ferrari and Maserati are but two names that have history with Pininfarina. I’ll be interested to see how Pininfarina has influenced Architecture!
One error I made last year was flying out on the Wednesday evening after the final day! After the intensity of the three day I think you need to be able to wind back on the Wednesday evening. So this year I’ve an early evening flight on the Thursday to Los Angeles with a late connection back to Sydney (where I miss Friday and get back home on Saturday morning!) This will give me most of Thursday to look around so I might head to San Diego Zoo
That’s my brief plans so far, I’m looking forward to catching up with many of my friends from the SolidWorks community and I’m sure meeting up with a few new ones!
Michael Lord 
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