Going to the User Conference- here's some tips and tricks

[TomSmedley]

It's almost July and that means its almost time for the Esri User Conference in San Diego, CA. 

If you have attended before or you are a digital access registrant, I'll include some info right up front for your review. For those attending in person- read through all of this.

Quick agenda shout outs include:

• On Monday morning during the plenary, check out the San Francisco Airport on the big stage with Jack Dangermond.  We are excited to hear them deliver their portion called Where Integrated Real-Time GIS Delivers an Extraordinary Airport Experience
• Be sure to hear from your community teammates as they provide on two great stories on Wednesday.  
  • 3D & BIM Lead Airports to Indoor GIS at 8:30 AM  Minneapolis Metropolitan Airport Commission
  • The Era of Digital Twins Has Landed at 2:30 PM  San Francisco and Dallas-Fort Worth Airports
• The Airport Special Interest Group (SIG) is on Wednesday at 11:30 AM incl. topics from Massport
• The airport focused agenda is posted over in the Documents portion of this site and I've linked it here.
• Thought not an Agenda item, and for those with Digital Access as well, check out this year's UC Q&A.  Info on the UC in there, but also great insights into the ArcGIS ecosystem and what our users ask us about.  Link here.

If you are a UC Rookie, here's some tips that I wanted to share with you:

• Download the events app and build your schedule.  You can download your schedule if you like, or you can print out the flier provided here or emailed to you and use that as your guidebook.
• Get your badge early if you can.  You can find Esri at the airport (easiest), or you can go to the convention center Sunday afternoon.  If you pick up on Monday before the plenary begins, go a bit early, but don't panic as the team has this process down to a science.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.  It can get cold in the convention center, so a light jacket is not unheard of.  Foot stomp- comfortable shoes.
• There is coffee in the outer lobby on Day One!  Water stations also exist so bring your water bottle.
• Understand the convention center layout.  Spend a bit of time doing a map recon so you have a general direction of where you are going- what floor, what part of the Expo Hall, or even knowing things happen in the adjacent hotels.
• There are food options in and around the convention center.  Be mindful of the receptions in the evening- heavy apps are tasty!  
• Coming with a friend or colleague- that's great!  But if you split up you can cover more agenda ground.  Divide and conquer.  Think about industry topics, ArcGIS products, and Esri partners/exhibitors you want to discover.
• Please add the SIG to your schedule as it will secure your entry and lunch for the event.  (note: lunch included!)
• Our airport agenda can't cover it all- if you have competing agenda items, be sure to look for the same topic at  a different time.
• Definitely come say Hi! to the Airport Team at the kiosk/booth in the Transportation neighborhood.
  • Our practice lead, Brandy; Tom, Airport Advisor; Jessica, Airport PM; and Danny, Airport Configuration Engineer will be around all week. The product team is with us in that area, so say hello and ask questions or ask to see their tools.
  • If you want to set up some dedicated time with us (30 min) please reach out or stop by early to see how we can connect within your schedule.

Reply here if you have questions and we'll do our best to answer them.