Help Out UC Newbies and Share Your UC Tips!

[ChrisCatania]

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.

[RebeccaStrauch__GISP]

Also, consider bringing a few Band-Aids. 

Or better yet (or in addition), carry a few Dr Scholl (spelling?) moleskin patches of various sizes for any blisters.  They can stay on for a few days thru pool/shower if needed, and give and extra cushion and protection if you do get a blister.  It's hard to enjoy the day walking around with unprotected blisters (voice of experience). 

My opinion/experience:

• You can purchase them in most stores with the pharmacy section (even grocery stores) either pre-cut or in 3"x5" pads....but again, precut them before you leave home since good scissors can be hard to find when traveling.
• If you round the edges rather than cut them with sharp corners, that reduces the corners from catching and peeling.
• Although the generic/store-brand version are ok, cushion wise (and cheaper), they tend to peel faster and leave a a gooey-er mess on your skin from the glue.  Name brand comes off a bit cleaner when time...guess you get what you pay for so depends on your stickiness tolerance.

[curtvprice]

What a great idea. Eagle Scout here. Moleskin works best if you check your feet often and put it on before a blister forms.

[deleted-user-JzIjmzC7H6Ko]

I'm curious to poll the ESRI UC community on what the opinions are with bringing [or not bringing] devices (tablet/laptop). I am on the fence. Pen and paper can be mighty efficient at times and less distracting, but a laptop can be nice too. Do folks think it's pain to lug a laptop around? I will have a smartphone. My goal is really to document, absorb and be able to recall what I learned. I don't have anything in GIS I'm going to be showing off or bringing a product to be debugged etc. What do ya'll think? What do you bring (or not) and why?

[RebeccaStrauch__GISP]

Unless you are needing to work on a specific problem with tech support, I would suggest keeping what you carry to a minimum. The days are long and lugging around a laptop can get tiring. depending on where you are staying, dropping it off in your room between the day and evening activities is not always possible.

I've done both, but typically just bring my iPad/tablet these days (I don't have a smart phone), and that's mainly for email, the UC app, and texting when trying to find others. Phones are great for a quick snapshot of a slide, but remember, they usually post all the videos Esri Videos | E360 Videos: GIS, Events, ArcGIS Products & Industries  after the conference, and you can get the slides usually from Recent Proceedings 

With that said, if you do bring a laptop, they usually have charging stations in the GIS lounge and sometimes scattered around (but don't count on that).  If you plan to work on an issue, make sure it is setup so you can access it easily to show the tech.  They do have wifi, but connectivity down in the showcase/vendor area is sometimes really slow.  They do have computers set up in every product area, so if it is something that can be seen online, or a generic question, they've got you covered.  If you want to look at your data, think about loading the fgdb on a thumb drive.  Much lighter to carry.

but yes....always good to have pen and paper...and business cards.

[NikAnderson1]

I have heard that there are networking events at night throughout the week that you can find or get invited to. When and where are these or what is the best way to find out? 

[RebeccaStrauch__GISP]

There really isn't just one place to find these, and some of are by word of mouth, but these are a few places to check (in no particular order)

• UC 2017 Industry Fliers    some of these fliers are listing evening activities too
• attend the Dev Meetup (can't find the link right now...weds pm, should sign up ahead of time)   see edit note below
  
• The UC mobile app has social media connections which may list user driven get togethers.  If you don't have the app, you can follow direct with Twitter, FaceBook, etc.
• Talk to others as the map gallery and other official events. 
• Check with you local rep and/or regional user group.  User group sessions are usually Tuesday pm...and don't trust the room number in the agenda as some are offsite)
• Talk to vendors in the product/vendor showcase area.  They sometimes have things going on
• Network with others...find someone to go grab lunch or a beverage with.

Not all activities will provide free snacks and beverages, but if you just want o be social, the Gaslamp area is very active at night with UC attendees, so you can always find something going on.

And (no food, but networking), don't forget to check out https://community.esri.com/community/events/user-conference/blog/2017/05/19/geonet-event   to hear more about geonet and provide feedback

EDIT:  Dev Meetup https://www.meetup.com/DevMeetUpCalifornia/events/239824055    Or, if this doesn't work, check the link in Gavin's reply above

[DavidAllen]

In the expo hall, Esri will set up a LARGE area with specialist booths on every aspect of their software. The Esri employees there are very anxious to meet and talk with you. Even if you don't know what a product is or does, stop and ask. You'll discover new things. And especially if you are having issues back home with a product, this is the place to get answers. The people who wrote the code and developed the product you are asking about are probably standing right there and will be really excited to hear from users how their products are being used! I once had an issue with Data Driven Pages, asked around a bit at the expo, and wound up sitting with the guy that wrote Data Driven Pages getting insider info on how to get it to do all kinds of things. This is truly a hidden gem.

[ReneeAdams]

Question: I am arriving after the research meeting on Sunday. Am interested in paper presentations during the conference; if I miss them, will I have access to the papers for later?

Are any of the conference sessions recorded and available to participants? So tough to choose from so many!

I'm also seeking other participants from Hawai'i 😉

Mahalo! 

[RebeccaStrauch__GISP]

The technical sessions (and maybe the demo theatre) are recorded  and usually available 

Esri Videos | E360 Videos: GIS, Events, ArcGIS Products & Industries 

Or the Esri YouTube channel and the slides and papers for those should eventually be available 

Recent Proceedings where you may find some of the papers, but I do not think they record them.

if you prefer to purchase the recording, there is usually a table setup from Sound .of Knowledge that has all the recordings. That allows (different license levels) you to put the videos on a network drive for to share in your office instead of streaming.  Worth it if you have others that need to watch.

also, they usually stream the ?Monday Plenary live if there are folks that want to watch back at the office.

[MarkBerry2]

Great thread!  A lot of info here.  What's the wifi usually like at the centre during the event?