The 2009 SolidWorks User Group Network (SWUGN) Technical Summits are about to get underway!  The first one finds SolidWorks returning to sunny Orlando, FL, the site of the recent SolidWorks World 2009 conference, on April 28.

If you didn’t get to attend SolidWorks World this year, the Technical Summits are the next best thing!  I liken it to a massive user group meeting.

The structure is similar to one day at SolidWorks World, but on a smaller scale; and they are bringing it to you!  There will be representatives of local user groups, VAR’s, and SolidWorks in attendance and presenting at all of these events, as well as user presentations.

What’s In It For You?

There is typically a continental-style breakfast served, followed by a short orientation session.  There are usually two training tracts running simultaneously through two breakout sessions in the morning and three in the afternoon.  Lunch is provided (in my experience, usually a 3- or 4-course meal) during the break between morning and afternoon sessions, and Richard Doyle gives a Tips & Tricks session along with relevant news and information and some nice door prizes.

And the cost for this entire day’s worth of training?  A mere $40.  Now I know in this current economic climate, funds are scarce…  But I think that $40 is a real deal, considering the amount of training and networking to be had.

As of this writing, the 2009 schedule is as follows (please visit the SWUGN Technical Summit page for full details, session schedules, and any changes/updates):

Orlando, FL – 04/28
Atlanta, GA – 05/19
Happy Valley, PA – 06/16
Columbus, OH – 07/21
Vancouver, BC – 08/11
Minneapolis, MN – 08/18
Denver, CO – 09/15
San Antonio, TX – 11/10
San Jose, CA – 12/08

The North Alabama SolidWorks User Group (NASWUG) (my local user group) should be well-represented at the Atlanta, GA Technical Summit.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend this year due to a new baby arriving on the scene around that date.  But I hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn something new and meet some new friends!

Here are a couple of pics of the boatload of sushi that Matt Lombard and Richard Doyle ordered the evening before (May 21, 2007) the Nashville, TN SWUGN Technical Summit.  I believe that everyone at the table sampled a thing or two off of it.

In the second picture, from left to right:  Ricky Jordan, Matt Lombard, Brian McElyea (yours truly), and Richard Doyle.  Not pictured is Josh West, who was taking the pics with his phone cam.

This is what is so cool about the Technical Summits, as well as the SolidWorks World conferences – not only do you get some top-notch training, but you get to meet and hang out with other SolidWorks users and employees and make some great friends and contacts!

I’m back home from the SWUGN Summit in Nashville, TN, and I had a blast!  And we broke the record – this Summit now holds the record for the most attendees ever at over 100 people, so it looks like it will be back in the Nashville area next year.  I heard that over 50 people made the drive up from Huntsville, AL, alone.  It’s good to see that many people interested in your local user group experience!  And it’s very nice to see all the resellers come together to help promote and sponsor events for the users like this.

It was great meeting some new users and catching up with friends.  And I actually learned a thing or two to boot.

There were 5 dual sessions in all, breakfast with SolidWorks World 2007 highlights, and Richard Doyle gave everyone a "How Well Do You Know SolidWorks" quiz during lunch.  NASWUG’s own Ricky Jordan and Gary Hall presented along with Richard, Matt Lombard, and Brad Williamson.

I do admit that I was a little disappointed that Matt didn’t bring his banjo so he and Ricky could serenade us at lunch…he did bring a nice PhotoWorks rendering of it, however!

Speaking of Ricky and Matt, they both have write-ups on their blogs.  Ricky has a VERY detailed description of the entire day, including the winners of the quiz prizes…it’s almost as if he was taking minutes all day long.  I am going to have to start taking better notes!

Matt has a good message for SolidWorks and their resellers.  It’s all about understanding and providing for your users’ needs and opening the lines of communication.

I’m sure Richard will have some thoughts on the Nashville Summit on his blog soon.

There are still 6 more SWUGN Summits to be held this year, so check out the schedule.  I HIGHLY recommend that you attend one near you.  It’s very similar to the experience of one day at SolidWorks World.  Not only will you get to meet other interesting users, but I guarantee that you will learn at least one or two things that can make using SolidWorks more efficient and fun!