Comments on: Ramping Up for SolidWorks World 2009. What Do You Want to See?

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:20:58 +0000

I may go in 2010 but in this age of WebEx and other teleconferencing services they should offer all of the technical sessions live for a reduced fee so the travel expenses are not an issue. Other than the good time of travel, food and drink what more do you get than you can with say $900.00 for a SolidProf CD course?

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:20:58 +0000

By: Josh M

Josh M — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:16:27 +0000

Right on Rod, that's what it takes sometimes. Find out what they want to know. sometimes it's more than ROI or maybe they just want you to bring them back a pen or heck, even go with you!

By: Rod_Uding

Rod_Uding — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:41:28 +0000

I will not be attending this year. However, I have made the commitment to go next year. I have a goal now and will start the planning for it. I just have to repeat “I know I can” over and over (and apply myself and toss in the ROI charts)

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:34:08 +0000

Dude, sorry to hear that your company can't see the benefits. Unfortunately, a lot of companies are very short-sighted in this manner...

I was in the same boat as you at my previous company until I finally got the chief engineer to attend a local user group meeting where a SolidWorks employee was presenting a previous-year SWW presentation that he had done. The next day at work, the offer to attend was laid in my lap!

Needless to say, everything you hear and see about the benefits of attending is absolutely true!

Tip for anyone looking for a SolidWorks job (or looking to change positions): Make attendance to SWW one of your job acceptance criterions in your offer letter. I did that in my job change last year, so now I am able to go, full salary, regardless if I get an invite or not.

By: Josh M

Josh M — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:28:48 +0000

great points Matthew. Also, something to consider… User Group Leaders also have their entry fee waived. Really not the best reason to start a users group, but definitely a perk and if one is passionate about helping others learn and be amongst other users, it a great fit.

By: MatthewWest

MatthewWest — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:59:29 +0000

No one gets a completely free pass except for those of us who work for the company. That said, there are ways of minimizing your costs. People who conduct presentations get the entry fee waived, for example. If you were to do that in 2010, that knocks $1000 off the total cost right off the bat, and also covers all of your meals at the event. All your company would have to pay for is airfare and accommodations, which can usually be found locally for less than what you'd pay at the hotel where the event takes place. I heard someone mention yesterday that he'd found a hotel in/near Orlando for $65 a night.

Matthew West – SolidWorks

By: Josh M

Josh M — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:45:13 +0000

dude, don't worry. believe it or not, you've got the power to make it happen. NEVER depend on others. Set a goal to go in 2010. There's lots of creative way to make a trip like this happen. The very best thing you can do is say. 'I'm going to this next year!' and then make it happen. email me and we can brainstorm some ideas!

By: Sonicson

Sonicson — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:59:47 +0000

I am one of those “FEW” who will not be attending. The company I work for does not see the ROI no matter how many pie charts and graphs I lay in front of them. I do not have the money to pay for the trip myself nor do I have inside connections to get a “Free Pass”.

Another Solidworks WorId have rolled around whicj means the I will have to read about what the fortunate Solidworks users got to experience. I think that is why I hate this time of the month every year.

Well, back to the Land of Rejects!