Autodesk User Group Presentation?

[malducin]

Apparently Autodesk will not have a user group this year, they only have their booth announced with customer presentations. Not even MasterClasses there, they'll e virtual (online streaming).

Houdini already said a week or 2 ago that they won't have a party. Even the Chapters haven't announced a party. Seems no parties this year except the official reception.

As far as when best to arrive, depends on a lot of factors. If you registered Full Conference, arrive on Sunday, since SIGGRAPH starts Monday morning. Lots of people arrive on Sunday to pick up their materials without pressure. If you got the Basic registration you could probably arrive by Tuesday morning for the Exhibition, unless you're interested in the few events on Monday for this category, like the Papers Fast Forward, the SIGGRAPH Awards and one of the keynotes. If you have only the CAF pass, probably also arrive on Sunday, since screening and talks start Monday.

Personally I'm arriving earlier so as to visit a bit of New Orleans before the conference starts.

[JCork]

Apparently Autodesk will not have a user group this year, they only have their booth announced with customer presentations. Not even MasterClasses there, they'll e virtual (online streaming).

Houdini already said a week or 2 ago that they won't have a party. Even the Chapters haven't announced a party. Seems no parties this year except the official reception.


This is just unlike the companies to do during SIGGRAPH! I still can't get over how everyone is cutting back. Oh well, I guess that means more time to sleep. But who needs sleep? Honestly!

[macmayaguy]

Thanks for the input!

I'm just doing the Basic Conference. Doesn't sound like any parties or events monday night if i'm understanding right. So yeah, i'll probably just do tuesday-thursday.

You guys were a big help! Thanks for the prompt reply and enjoy the conference.

[malducin]

Yeah, apparently no parties this year. There is one event Monday night though, the Fast Forward Papers Review (6-8pm), which is open to everyone.

[JCork]

The latest SIGGRAPH Diary entry has some information about Autodesk and their plans for New Orleans. Nothing in there about a User Group/Party, unfortunately.

http://features.cgsociety.org/siggraph2009/index.php#s5184

[chrisWhite]

They've had to layoff a lot of people this year and while I love their parties I do respect that they aren't getting rid people only to throw a huge expensive party again. With XSI now part of Autodesk and Houdini not throwing anything it does seem like a milder year but it's hard to really network at the parties anyway. I think it will be cool to have more user focused get togethers this year.

I'm surprised Luxology isn't doing anything though.

[beaker]

Autodesk canceled their NAB UG meeting too. Houdini hasn't had a party in many years. Parties cost millions of dollars for a company like ADSK so I can't say I'm surprised with the crap economy that they are the first to go. Especially since these days when you can get most of your info from the web. Apple is pretty smart in this respect.

[MrPositive]

I must say, I'm shocked and saddened at the prospect of no AWGUA party this year. It's probably my favorite event of all of Siggraph. Not trying to crystal ball Autodesk's company, but you'd think they'd have enough dough (even in these times) to throw a once in a year party after acquiring just about every major playing 3D software the past couple years (or maybe that's why they can't afford it), including owning the monster, Autocad. You'd also believe that they'd want to connect and excite their newly minted Softimage user base as well. Lastly, though many of the AWGUA parties were extravagant (especially last year...which in my mind was beyond ludicrous), some comprised of just renting a big room with chairs, and having people show their projects and demos. Shrug.
Does this also mean there will be no Maya Master's announced, no Autodesk shirt, and no Duncan Brinsmead demo? Siggraph is losing some wind to the sails.

P.S. I also won't get to stand up when they get to their 10th year at Siggraph. :( Hello, Bourbon Street. :)

[beaker]

Duncan will still be doing presentations at the Autodesk booth. Remember that the Media and Entertainment division of Autodesk(maya, xsi, 3dsmax, mudbox, flint, flame, inferno, etc...) only makes up a small percentage of their profits. Autocad alone makes more money then all those apps. It's economic downturn, Autodesk laid off a few hundred people recently, do you want a million dollar party or do you want XSI cancelled :)

[MrPositive]

Easy, XSI cancelled. *runs from Forum*

[JCork]

Ahaha! You would, Clint!

Now everyone, get him!

[BOXXlabs]

I must say, I'm shocked and saddened at the prospect of no AWGUA party this year. It's probably my favorite event of all of Siggraph. Not trying to crystal ball Autodesk's company, but you'd think they'd have enough dough (even in these times) to throw a once in a year party after acquiring just about every major playing 3D software the past couple years (or maybe that's why they can't afford it), including owning the monster, Autocad. You'd also believe that they'd want to connect and excite their newly minted Softimage user base as well. Lastly, though many of the AWGUA parties were extravagant (especially last year...which in my mind was beyond ludicrous), some comprised of just renting a big room with chairs, and having people show their projects and demos. Shrug.
Does this also mean there will be no Maya Master's announced, no Autodesk shirt, and no Duncan Brinsmead demo? Siggraph is losing some wind to the sails.

P.S. I also won't get to stand up when they get to their 10th year at Siggraph. :( Hello, Bourbon Street. :)

I'd agree. I'm bummed too. From the attendee point of view...the big user groups and parties make the decision to attend SIGGRAPH a little easier.

And I think that most companies do want to interact with show attendees as much as possible. For companies in this business, SIGGRAPH is important from a marketing perspective -and for growing customer loyalty, brand awareness, etc. For a company to throw a cool booth and fun, free events at SIGGRAPH is a great way to do this.

Normally, marketing departments are routinely given sizeable budgets where it's understood by upper management that maybe 50% of the marketing expenses can't necessarily be tied to revenue. IN other words, companies often don't know how much of a return they are getting on every dollar of marketing expense. But sometimes they think they have a pretty good idea...

When "tough times" some along, companies have to make tough decisions about where to cut expenses to keep them in line with decreased revenue.

For companies, at the end of the day, the decision to not "go big" at conventions is purely about business. Shareholders want to see returns on their shares. And this very fact will trump a free party for customers everytime

Some companies in this "Biz" have looked at their customer and sales data analysis' and decided that throwing giant free events with booze and food and entertainment doesn't actually help sell any more product or increase the profits of the company.

Especially in the case of Apple or Autodesk. They each "own" the majority of marketshare in their respective niche markets. And they garner tremendous attention already. These companies have no real challenges getting out the word about their product or reaching customers.

Maybe if more of the shareholders of these companies attended SIGGRAPH, we can get the big user group meetings and parties back... ;)

Happily, there is still PLENTY of crazy cool stuff to do.

[malducin]

I kinda disagree. Parties are nice and sort of the icing of the cake, but not a gamebreaker. I would still go to SIGGRAPH if there were no parties at all. And if not having parties saves companies, no problem. Actually I'm pissed when companies started having UGs during SIGGRAPH hours instead of after 5:30

[BrianD24]

Figures that the first time I attend there are no parties. But then again because its my first time there I might be too nervous for any intense mingling anyway, so oh well.

[MrPositive]

Honestly, until last year, I never really considered AWGUA a party (I think they bankrupted the house on that extravaganza). Personally, I used it to stay connected with the software and other people that utilized their products. I enjoyed listening to the innovative ways the Maya Master's were handling the package. As well, unlike the exhibition floor demos of a product by movie and gaming companies, the AWGUA presentations seemed lengthier, more in depth, and without some jackhole screaming from the top of his lungs two booths down during it. And lastly, the coup de grac of presentations with Brinsmead will never be the same as some tech talk, where I have to remember to find him to see it. I know I'm coming off whining, but I just don't agree with the decision, no matter how much it takes to rent a big room and some chairs (which is how New Orleans AWGUA was done the first time). I mean cut the free shirt, food, dancers, band, after party, etc. but cutting all of AWGUA together seems drastic. Truthfully, I could care less about any other unofficial meetup at Siggraph (except for the cgtalk one :), but AWGUA is similar to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Without it, in my opinion, it's not quite the same. Part of going to Siggraph is the contacts you make, and I made more at AWGUA than all the other events combined (because I immediately shared a common thread). /my loser rant off
In other words, I think Leigh can help them pay for this event.

[Cheesestraws]

This (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=13566979) is a slightly better description of what Autodesk will be doing at Siggraph this year. Duncan's Tech Talk will be online on The Area even after Siggraph, and even though it does not say so on that site I asked Shawn Hendriks about the Masterclasses and they too should be available after Siggraph.

[malducin]

Yeah, and once Mark Sylester left it did loose a little bit of a sense of comunity.

[JCork]

Autodesk and TurboSquid will be hosting a 3ds Max Technology Preview (http://www.the-area.com/blogs/shane/3ds_max_technology_preview_siggraph_2009_in_new_orleans) during SIGGRAPH 2009 in New Orleans. Space is limited, so you have to visit the link above and RSVP. I did. Hopefully they'll let me in! *crosses fingers*

[bboss70]

I figured I'd take a stab at getting into this event also. I doubt they will let me in....but who knows, crazier things have happened.

[RobertoOrtiz]

Yeah, and once Mark Sylester left it did loose a little bit of a sense of comunity.

God yes, I have been thinking that for years...

[JCork]

I was just notified of my acceptance for this event! Sweet! :thumbsup: Good luck to everyone else who applies. I'm sure you can get in if I did. ;)

[bboss70]

I'm with ya Josh. Needless to say I'm ready for this weekend.

[JCork]

I'm with ya Josh. Needless to say I'm ready for this weekend.

Congrats! My good friend and mentor, Zeb will also be joining us. :D

[mitchgates]

MacMayaGuy,

It sounds like you are just going down there to party and cause trouble. Guess you haven't changed a bit....tsk tsk ;)

-m

[dmeyer]

God yes, I have been thinking that for years...


Couldn't agree more.