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First-Time Esri UC Attendee – How Do You Choose What Sessions to Attend?

Leena_Abdulqader

Hi everyone,

I'm Leena Abdulqader, a master's student at the University of Texas at Austin🤠, and I have been selected as a student assistant at the Esri UC 2025.🎉 This will be my first time attending the Esri User Conference, and while I'm super excited, I'm also a bit overwhelmed by how many amazing sessions are on the agenda! There are just so many options: technical, industry talks, demos, networking sessions, and more!

For those of you who’ve attended before:
How do you decide what to prioritize?
Do you focus on learning new tools, meeting people in your field, attending social events, or something else entirely?

I’m still pretty new to the Esri ecosystem, so I’m not tied to one specific product; I just want to learn as much as possible. I’d love to hear how you approach building your UC schedule. Do you have any tips or strategies for narrowing it down without getting FOMO?🤓

Thanks in advance!

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Dr__FahadAlahmadi

Hi Leena
Since I participated 7 times in the last 15 years in Esri UCs, my advice is this
1 - don’t attend recorded or live technical workshops, unless you have some questions, event if you have some questions I advice you you go to the Expo and meet withers staff there and discus with them, technical workshops is the most important for Master students, planery and map gallery is very important, you can get many ideas
2- try to come early, some rooms are small
3- most of the user presentations are less useful to me
4 - try to attend most of the summits like Spatial Analytics summit, AI Summit, Imagery summit, manager summit (it is full)
5- for the plenary sessions try to come early around 7:30, and wait in front of door H

6 - try to download esri events app and use it to organize your plan and also the app can guide you to the locations of the events and rooms using Indoor positioning System (IPS)

7 - my last advice is prioritize your interest and make your plan accordingly

Best lock

Dr__FahadAlahmadi

Also If you want to focus only in one or mote topic
try to see the Fliers on this link, they are very helpful

https://community.esri.com/t5/forums/searchpage/tab/message?advanced=false&allow_punctuation=false&filter=location&location=category:user-conference&q=Flier

BillFox

hit the conference floor and go from there

Dr__FahadAlahmadi

Unfortunately, it is not that easy, planning is a must

JoelWasinger

Hi Leena,

Dr Alahmadi has already given you some excellent advice and I admit that my perspective will be different. I'll start by addressing his advice.
1. yep. The technical workshops are most valuable for those with specific experience and questions about the topics covered. I've found that they're generally not a good way to learn about things I'm not already working with.
3. In some ways, more than the technical, user presentations can be very narrow or distinct in their focus. And unfortunately the headlines can be misleading. Sometimes user presentations are valuable, but make sure you know what the actual topic is, and watch out for sessions that are essentially ads for an Esri solution or 3rd party system. I tend to sit toward the back, so I can slip out discreetly if necessary.

6. The app is a must. Note that you can go back and forth between the app and a browser on a PC; they sync into the same system. Don't be afraid to double or triple or quadruple book, so that you have options (e.g., you leave early).

7. This (and the items I didn't address) are solid. But give yourself grace. And, yes, there's so much, that you're going to miss out on somethings. Setting priorities is good, but take advantage of where you are and who you're with at any particular moment. Don't add to your stress. Enjoy. Try not to be shy. Most of us are nerds, so there's nothing to feel self-conscious about. 🤓

The UC is full of interesting people from around the world doing a broad diversity of things and with a variety of skill levels. Talk to people, wherever you are, including when you head into the Gas Lamp to grab a bite to eat. Esri users are friendly and fun. Every year I end up meeting a few people I couldn't have possible anticipated meeting.

As one should expect, the expo floor is well-mapped. Each region deals with a specific focus. Choose a destination or several and wander within that region.

Three areas I always enjoy and that, frankly, are less about the heavy sell (speaking of which, grab the swag, especially from the folks trying to sell you something): 1) startups; 2) social justice; 3) nonprofits.

There are plenty of opportunities to actually sit down and use the software with Esri staff there to answer your questions in person. Make sure to connect with Esri staff, within the Esri-specific regions but also scattered among the different focus areas.

Speaking of the expo, don't be afraid to disengage or say no when someone is rambling about a topic that doesn't interest you. Obviously try to do it politely. And redirect. They might have something valuable to say if you get them on topic.

Definitely hit the social events. These are after hours anyway. That's an obvious place to meet people.

For my part, I'm always looking for something new or for a better way to do what I do. But if you're interested in a specific topic that you know nothing (or not much) about, the UC is a great place to expand your horizons.

Since this is your first time, try different things. I advise against having a rigid agenda. Have a plan, but be flexible. Decide what works for you.

Also, meet Jack. I find myself in his vicinity at least a few times every conference. He shows up at the socials as well.

Talk to people. Share your enthusiasms and hopes. Listen to folks talk about their passion projects. Perhaps more than any other industry I've worked with, I've found that GIS is full of people committed to making the world a better place.

Leena_Abdulqader

Hello @Dr__FahadAlahmadi, Thank you so much for taking the time to share this, I really appreciate it! Your advice is incredibly helpful. I hadn’t considered skipping some of the recorded workshops to spend more time at the Expo, but that makes a lot of sense. I’m definitely going to prioritize talking with Esri staff there.

I’ll make sure to arrive early for the plenary (noted: Door H at 7:30!), and I’ll look into attending some of the summits you mentioned. I’ve already downloaded the Esri Events App, that's what I'm using for the schedule.

Thanks again, this makes me feel much more prepared!

Best regards!

Leena_Abdulqader

Yes sir will do! 🤠 Super excited!

Leena_Abdulqader

Hi @JoelWasinger , Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this. It felt more like a conversation than advice, which means a lot. As a first-time UC attendee, I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed, but your advice helped me take a step back and breathe. I really appreciated your reminder to give myself grace and stay flexible. I’ll definitely explore the Expo areas you mentioned, and I’ll try not to overthink things, just talk to people, be present, and enjoy the experience. I tend to be shy at first, but you’re right, most of us are nerds here, and that’s beautiful. And I’ll keep an eye out for Jack, that made me laugh 😄

Thanks again for your thoughtful and encouraging words. I’ll carry them with me throughout the week!

Best!

Dr__FahadAlahmadi

One more advice
After one or two months the web page of uc conference ( https://uc2025.esri.com/) will be deleted and the recorded and live videos will available on this link
https://mediaspace.esri.com/category/Esri+User+Conference/244311582

(at the bottom of the page you can find uc2025 videos) you can watch them so calm down and enjoy your Time at San Diego

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