topic Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips! in User Conference Questions

Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

ChrisCatania — Sat, 06 May 2017 00:39:33 GMT

It's almost that time of year. As we get ready for the User Conference, we want to help first-time attendees prepare, so we're looking for those who have been to UC before to offer tips, advice and share other helpful knowledge to help first-timers make the most out of their experience.

So, let us know... what should first-time attendees do to prepare and have a successful UC? What should they do during and after the event to maximize learning and networking? What strategies work for you? What do you wish you did differently at your first or last UC?

Your tips will be shared here on GeoNet in the User Conference group, as well as in other pre-UC communications going out over the next couple months. Post your tips below and thanks for sharing and spreading the word!

See what others have previously shared each year below.

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

AdrianWelsh — Wed, 10 May 2017 07:00:28 GMT

Chris,

For me it is super helpful to really study the schedule. You need to go into the conference with an idea of what talks you want to go to and find those types of talks in the schedule. The Esri website has a way of "starring" these talks so they end up in your "my conference" talks to make it easier for you. Sometimes the website is a little slow and clunky but be patient with it!

If you're randomly searching for a talk to go to, you will likely be disappointed. Oh, and get there early. They fill up - nearly all of them.

Editing to add my blog post:

/blogs/AdrianWelsh/2017/05/26/top-ten-things-a-five-year-old-would-do-at-the-esri-user-conference

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

TimothyHales — Wed, 10 May 2017 14:09:37 GMT

Here are some tips for the Esri UC:

For lunch walk 10-15 minutes out from the convention center. This will help you avoid the crowds and find some really good "hole in the wall" restaurants.
Buy your GIS themed t-shirts from the Esri Store as soon as they open on Monday. They will sell out fast.
Find out where the Esri and vendor sponsored socials are each night. This is a great place to network and get some really good food. Two of my top Esri UC social events are the YPN Social and the DevMeetup. Don't forget to bring a stack of business cards. Even if you are looking for job, this is a great way to get your name out there.
Go to the Map Gallery Opening and Evening Reception on Monday. You will see maps from some of the best cartographers and analysts in the industry. Plus there usually is some good food.
Take your kids to the Kids Fair. It is ideal for children ages 5-15 and is free and open to everyone. This gives them a chance to be hands-on with GIS.

Check out my complete list: /blogs/GeoSocial/2017/05/10/10-tips-for-taking-on-the-esri-user-conference

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

AdrianWelsh — Thu, 11 May 2017 14:56:33 GMT

This is a great list! I like the blog post too, very helpful.

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

ElizabethKelly1 — Thu, 11 May 2017 15:39:02 GMT

Wear comfortable walking shoes! The expo hall is overwhelming, watch for the freebies, and the wonderful little pins. I wish the stuff you bought at the conference was for sale all year round. I need goodies for my students.

Elizabeth

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

KellyGerrow — Thu, 11 May 2017 16:05:36 GMT

Tip 1: Go to sessions, ask questions and visit us in the showcase! The thing I love most about UC is talking to customers, answering questions and learning about their projects and what kind of problems they are solving with ArcGIS!

Tip 2: Charge and wear your FitBit (or other fitness trackers). This should be a record breaking week, and if it isn't tracked, the steps don't count

Tip 3: After a day of walking and exploring the conference, opt for a ride from a pedi-cab. Your legs deserve a break. (I suggest the brightest one with the loudest tunes)

Tip 4: Find the secret taco truck, its a secret so the lines aren't crazy for delicious tacos.

Tip 5: After UC, reach out to the people you met and the contact cards you collected. UC is a great place to start relationships, but continuing the networking through the year, keeps the conference benefits going outside of San Diego!

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

DavidSemitekol3 — Thu, 11 May 2017 20:18:23 GMT

Take the time to plan out your week, not your day. Meaning, have a theme for the day since anything that you plan is going to go long. It might also help to break it up into two parts: before lunch and after.

Make sure you watch all or part of the Plenary. It is one of the most amazing and breathtaking sights you will see.

If your pass allows, DO NOT MISS the Thursday Night Party at Balboa. It is guaranteed to be one of the best experiences you can imagine.

Google Maps is your friend for dining options. The town is extremely friendly and all the restaurants will be happy to have you. Most everything is within walking distance of the conference and your hotel and your price range is, whatever it might be.

Take a minute to say hello to the Student Assistants that work the event. They are your ESRI college students helping all week and they do a tremendous job. I know from experience as an alumni to the program

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Thu, 11 May 2017 20:50:49 GMT

1. Echoing what others have said, before you get to the Conference have a tentative schedule figured out for each day.

- Plan ahead. Have at least two things to do each time slot. Sometimes you get to one session and find it isn't what you expected, so if you are already organized this will give you a opportunity to quietly slip out and quickly get into another session.

- Be ready to be flexible. You may discover during one session that there are other sessions coming up in topics you had not considered before and now want to attend.

- If you find you have a time slot where none of the Sessions/Presentations seems appealing, don't forget the Map Gallery and the Exhibit Hall. In particular, check out the Demo Theaters in the ESRI section of the Exhibit Hall and the "hands-on" computers available with ESRI Staff on hand to answer your questions. This is a great opportunity to get those questions answered for situations where you've always wondered "why doesn't this work" or "I wonder if that can be done with GIS".

2. The official lunch break can lead to quite a crowded lunch situation near the Convention Center. Consider instead taking the early afternoon session off and going to lunch then on some days to avoid the lunch crush. In particular, consider taking this break on Wednesday and/or Thursday, as by then one usually is in GIS saturation mode.

3. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking alot.

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

MaryRozmajzl — Thu, 11 May 2017 22:23:15 GMT

Go to the Welcome and Orientation for first time attendees. The information is VERY HELPFUL.

Have a 'back up' class selected in case the one you want is full or not what you expected.

We found the conference lunches enjoyable and they have a good variety of food. It IS crowded but you can network and see the exhibits too.

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

RandallWilliams — Thu, 11 May 2017 23:57:19 GMT

1. While enjoying the expo, if a product island is slammed, you can likely find insight at the Support Neighborhood. In general, Esri support analysts are there to represent Esri's best of class Support. If you've used Support Services in the past, there's a good chance you'll get to meet your hero!

2. Second KGerrow-esristaff‌'s tip on the hidden taco truck.

3. In addition to studying up on the sessions you'd like to attend, compile a list of GIS questions/issues/requests/ideas that you'd like to discuss with product teams. UC represents a unique opportunity to speak one-on-one with the folks who develop the products you rely on. Your feedback counts!

4. Speaking of Support Services, use the My UC site or app schedule an appointment ahead of time. Even folks without a Support contract can leverage this resource. Many customers bring a machine to help demonstrate a question or workflow, and some even VPN into their environment for in depth troubleshooting!

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

JeffreySutherland — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:33:43 GMT

Randall - can you and Kelly Gerrow divulge any hints as to the location of the secret taco truck club?

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

MaryRozmajzl — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:38:57 GMT

Hi,

Is there a way for me to NOT get all of these emails?

Thank you.

p.s. glad to help but I don't need to know about every like.

Mary Rozmajzl, MA, MA, GISC, BA

Cartographer

National Park Service

Midwest Regional Office

601 Riverfront Drive

Omaha, NE 68102

(402) 661-1778

FAX (402) 661-1779

Mary_Rozmajzl@nps.gov

On Fri, May 12, 2017 at 10:34 AM, Jeffrey Sutherland <geonet@esri.com>

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

KellyGerrow — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:44:20 GMT

Hi Mary,

To stop the emails you can go to the top of this post, click actions and then unfollow the post. If you don't want any emails from geonet, not just this post, go to preferences and change the notification preferences to not receive emails.

-Kelly

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

AdamCarnow — Fri, 12 May 2017 17:31:08 GMT

The food trucks near the Hilton Bayfront are a great option, but be prepared to wait and bring sunscreen, you can get sunburnt while waiting in line. I will also echo other recommendations on the hidden taco truck.
Schedule time for the Expo Hall, at least half a day (http://www.esri.com/about/events/uc/expo). Work with your Esri Account Team to setup meetings ahead of time with key people if needed, whether it is Esri Tech Support, Ed Services, Professional Services, etc. and/or partners, exhibitors. If data health checks are available, check them out.
Check out related events (http://www.esri.com/about/events/uc/agenda/related-events) like the GIS Manager Open Summit, as well as the pre-conference seminars (http://www.esri.com/about/events/uc/agenda/precon-seminars).
Try to get an executive interested in attending the Senior Executive Seminar (invite only) - work with your Esri Account Team - if successful, make sure they stay and attend the Monday Plenary, as well as a visit to the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday for appropriate, pre-arranged meetings with Esri staff, partners, and/or exhibitors. Then they can return home.
Make your experience live beyond that week. Take great notes and order the proceedings and share them with everyone in your organization. When you get back to work after the conference, host a brown bag and share your experience and lessons learned from the event with others that could not make it. Take something new you learned at the UC and apply it to your work. Keep in touch with someone new you met at the UC.
Even if you don't actively participate in social media, monitor it during UC for key info and trends.
Be sure to pickup your badge before Monday morning to avoid the crowd.
The closing session is full of great Q&A, attend it if you can.
Network at Special Interest Group (SIG) and Regional User Group meetings.
Participate by presenting and/or participating in the Map Gallery and/or submitting imagery to be used in the plenary and/or submitting an entry in the Story Map contest (http://www.esri.com/landing-pages/story-maps/contest/).
Be sure to fill out and submit your pre-UC survey and read the UC Q&A before you arrive at UC.

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

MeganMcClain — Sat, 13 May 2017 01:13:23 GMT

*Follow #esriUC on Twitter to help meet other ans hold onto tidbits gleaned from the plenary and other discussions. Don't have a Twitter? get one, then create a list of organizations and people you'd like to meet at the UC. Alao, respond to presentation you like via twitter if they give a handle.

*Have business cards - if you're a student, go Vistaprint, its cheapest.

*The bus ride to and from ESRI is a great place for conversations. If not, find events after hours on Twitter and so on to meet new people.

*Introduce yourself. Often. Go for it. Even if they look distracted. GIS people are the nicest, I swear.

Go outside at least once a day - Get your vitamin D!

*Plan downtime if you can't handle large groups of people. The Lounge is good.

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

Anonymous User — Thu, 18 May 2017 13:26:07 GMT

Enjoy the rest of San Diego too! The main entertainment is centered on the Gaslamp District which is right by the Convention Center and includes highlights like the San Diego Padres Petco Field, rooftop bars at the Marriott Gaslamp and Hotel Solamar, and a diversity of restaurants for every taste and budget. A nice evening diversion also is to take the trolley down to Old Town for its original architecture and many Mexican restaurants. Esri’s local staff in San Diego compile a great set of resources where you can find everything to do in town via a set of online maps linked from the conference website or available in the Esri Story Maps Gallery (http://story.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Shortlist/index.html?appid=0584dbad6ebf433a96f1111f4cc7e3bd)…it is full of great tips for eating or other distractions!

And if you get offered a cruise around the bay by an Esri partner or other group do take it for a unique and different view of the town. Bring sunscreen for day time event and a wind breaker/layering if its evening and there is a cool breeze on the water.

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

BIA__Office_of_Trust_ServicesD — Thu, 18 May 2017 18:21:16 GMT

How does anyone afford a hotel? The cheapest I could find within walking distance is running over $200 a night and our per diem rate is about $150.

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

curtvprice — Thu, 18 May 2017 18:40:21 GMT

You can almost always get federal per diem ($162) at conference hotels. If it's a long shag down the conv center you can usually get a shuttle from these hotels. I suggest contacting Esri Housing Bureau: (909) 793-2853, ext. 1363 UChotelres@esri.com - and ask them if they can get you a per diem room. They may have one for you if you call today -- people do cancel (in fact many feds have had to cancel -- USGS was restricted to 8 attendees). If that doens't work, there are other options: this year I am attending as a non-USGS person (wearing my professor hat) and I found hotels near Old Town under $100 -- there is a trolley stop right there and drops you off right at the conv center. A weekly pass is cheap.

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

Robert_LeClair — Fri, 19 May 2017 20:51:04 GMT

Adding to the list of things that make an enjoyable UC experience:

If you're looking to save some money on food, pick up groceries from Ralphs on the SE corner of G Street and 1st Ave. Be sure your hotel room has a refrigerator in the room as some hotels have refrigerators on a request only basis.
If you're a walker/runner, walk/run first thing in the morning! The paths by the marina, embarcadero's all the way to the Midway/airport make for a great way to start your day. You'll see fellow conference attendees and Esri employees getting a head start on their day. Besides after a day of conferencing, there are many events to attend!
Dinner in the Gas Lamp District is great but crowded. Walk or take the train to Little Italy. This area has an eclectic mix of cuisines.
Don't worry about a rental car! Take a taxi, SuperShuttle, Uber, etc. from the airport to your hotel.
Sadly the San Diego Padres are out of town conference week but catching a game is a fun post conference day thing to do to unwind.
Tour the Midway!

Re: Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Tue, 23 May 2017 18:23:17 GMT

(in fact many feds have had to cancel -- USGS was restricted to 8 attendees)

Just curious - is USGS the only federal agency with reduced attendance at the Conference this year or did other federal agencies suffer attendance restrictions also?

Chris Donohue, GISP