October 25, 2023

AU 2023 Conference Guide

Conference Guide

AU 2023 is right around the corner. It’s going to be the learning event of the year for Design and Make professionals. Let’s get you prepared for Las Vegas.  

• Arrival and check-in
• General Sessions and Industry Forums
• Connect
• Expo
• Learning
• Talk to Autodesk
• Formula 1
• Making a positive impact
• A typical day at AU
• Tips for a great conference
• Health and safety

Arrival and check-in 

On arrival, we encourage sharing a ride from the airport to your hotel to reduce impact. To check-in and pick up your badge, you can go to desks in the hotel lobbies of The Venetian or The Palazzo near registration, or go to the Level 1 lobby of The Venetian Convention & Expo Center—all you’ll need is a picture ID. For more details about badge pick-up times and locations, visit the AU 2023 app—download it now.  

General Sessions and Industry Forums  

Hear from executives, leaders, and customers on the AU mainstage—they will share groundbreaking ideas and inspiring stories. Learn how you can become the change you want to see.  

General Session Day 1: Join Autodesk President and CEO Andrew Anagnost and top Autodesk executives to see work from innovative customers across industries and learn how the Autodesk Design and Make Platform is taking us closer to the cusp of a new era, one where technology will unleash productivity and creativity. Watch live on Monday, November 13 at 10:30 AM PST.  
General Session Day 2: Don’t miss Steve Blum, EVP and COO at Autodesk, sharing inspiring stories of customer change and impact and hosting a conversation with Ryan Reynolds, the actor, producer, and businessman who has become a force of change in an ever-changing world. It all goes down on Tuesday, November 14 at 10:30 AM PST. Be sure to watch it live, since this session will not be available on demand. 
Media & Entertainment Industry Forum: Explore new possibilities for film, TV, games, and design visualization with Autodesk Flow—and see how leading companies are putting the Autodesk Design and Make Platform to work. Tune in on Monday, November 13 at 1:30 PM PST. 
Design & Manufacturing Industry Forum: Discover what’s possible when you connect the entire product lifecycle from design to make with Autodesk Fusion Industry Cloud. Starting on Monday, November 13 at 2 PM PST. 
AEC Design Industry Forum: Explore what’s happening and what’s ahead with building design, engineering, construction, and operations and learn how to turn disruption to opportunity. Watch live on Monday, November 13 at 3:30 PM PST. 
Autodesk Platform Services Forum: Learn how you can leverage the power of Autodesk APIs and services to build innovative solutions for every industry. Tune in on Tuesday, November 14 at 2 PM PST.  
Construction Industry Forum: Construction is getting more connected and more efficient. Learn how the Autodesk Construction Cloud can help you build better—for people and the planet. Starting Tuesday, November 14 at 3:30 PM PST.

Connect  

AU is more than a conference—it’s a learning community. Explore the many ways to connect while at AU 2023 and build your network while finding solutions to today’s tough challenges.  

Community Zone 

Whether you want to take part in hands-on activities, make some dog companions, or simply relax and recharge—this is the place for you. You will also find the Idea Exchange, Fireside Chats, Inclusion Impact Zone, and Voice of the Customer here.  

Meetups 

Connect with like-minded professionals in a casual environment where you can exchange ideas and expand your network—each one has a focus, but no agenda. They can be found in the session catalog, be sure to enroll!  

After-class connection lounges 

This dedicated space is where speakers and attendees can dive deeper and continue the conversation once a session is over. These lounges are located on Levels 3 and 4 at the end of the hallway where classes occur. Stop in anytime.  

Receptions 

Make sure you save time to enjoy yourself and fuel your AU week with these receptions—they’re a great opportunity to build your community and network. Kick off AU with the Welcome Reception on Sunday evening, join the Women at AU Reception, mix and mingle every evening in the Expo, and join us for the AU Party: The Design and Make Celebration to wrap up the week.   

The Expo 

The Expo is a key part of the AU 2023 conference experience—the place to connect with the proven partners and service providers that can help you not only learn, but implement new technologies, hone workflows, and optimize processes.   

Test drive the latest industry tools from Autodesk and get 1-on-1 answers to your technical and workflow questions in the industry areas. Take in 20-minute talks on industry and technical topics that can help you approach your projects in new ways at the Design and Make Stage—the schedule of talks will be in the AU 2023 mobile app.   

See new ideas, new technologies, and new approaches to designing and making in action in the  One Autodesk Experience in the center of the Expo. Get your hands on the latest tools, learn how other industry leaders are using them, and discover what’s possible when we put data-driven processes and connected workflows into practice. 

You’ll pass through the Expo to get lunch each day, and then unwind and network with drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the end of Day 1 and Day 2. 

Learning 

It is important to register for classes ahead of time, they are first-come, first-served, and do fill up quickly. If there’s a class you want to take that’s already full, you can bookmark it and show up at the classroom—empty seats will be given away five minutes before the class starts. If you’ve registered for a class and can’t attend, please un-enroll to make your seat available.  

See all the ways to learn and filter by session format, topic, industry, or business outcome: build your schedule.  

Talk with Autodesk  

Get your questions answered and share your input—we love hearing from you.   

Idea Exchange is where you can connect directly with Autodesk designers, product managers, and engineers to give feedback and influence the future direction of our products and services. You can find it in the Community Zone. 
Product Demos are where Autodesk experts answer questions and share updates, roadmaps, and product developments.  
Feedback Workshops give you the chance to share your thoughts on the future of your industry and Autodesk technologies that can transform how you design and make.  
Voice of the Customer is where you can learn how Autodesk takes action based on customer feedback. 
Inclusion Impact Zone connects you with Autodesk Employee Resource Group (ERG) members to help promote global belonging in your own company’s culture.

Formula 1 

Las Vegas is expecting an increase in tourism for the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX taking place November 16-18, immediately following AU 2023.  

Here are some travel tips to set you up for success at the conference:  

Book your travel and hotel soon. When booking your flights, an earlier flight might be the best option due to road closures on Thursday afternoon.  
Due to the race, roads around the Las Vegas strip will close late on Thursday afternoon, starting at 4 PM. Transportation in and out of the conference location will still be possible, but it will take more time and more patience—build in extra time. Ride-sharing is always a good option.

Making a positive impact  

Autodesk works hard to make AU sustainable. We partner with a venue that is walkable and transit-friendly, sources 100% renewable energy including onsite solar energy, and is LEED Gold Certified. We also consider sustainable choices in food and beverage offerings, public transit and ridesharing options, expanded recycling locations, marketing collateral, swag, and so much more. 

Help Autodesk support our sustainability efforts by taking additional steps to offset your carbon footprint—every little bit helps: 

• Bring your own water bottle to refill during the conference  
• Donate to one of these vetted organizations to offset your carbon footprint  
• Arborday  
• One Tree Planted 
• Carpool to and from the airport 
• Recycle your badge at the end of the conference  
• Don’t forget to add sustainability sessions to your schedule:   
• Theater talks 
• Design Thinking Workshop 
• Learning sessions

A typical day at AU 2022

If it’s your first time at AU, how you schedule your week is up to you. Keep in mind that breakfast bites are served from 6:30-8:15 AM each morning in Hall 2 on Level 2, and classes start at 8:15 AM. General Session starts at 10:30 AM on Monday and Tuesday, and the Industry Forums take place in the afternoons on Monday and Tuesday. Lunch is served in the Expo each day from 12:00-2:00 PM, and at the end of the first two days, you can unwind with food and drinks in the Expo, starting at 5:30 PM. The AU Party: The Design and Make Celebration is the final night of the conference and runs from 6:00-9:00 PM. It will include food and drinks as well as live music, activities, and entertainment.

Tips for a great conference week

There will be a lot happening at AU 2022, and you’ll be covering a lot of ground over the course of the week. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, don’t skip meals, get plenty of sleep, and take time to decompress each day (we all will need it). 

Health and safety   

While at AU 2023, if you have any questions about Security or Health and Safety, you can find their desk in the Level 1 Lobby of The Venetian Convention & Expo Center near the AU check-in desks. Below are more ways to stay safe and contact security while in Las Vegas.   

Safety and Security: 

In the event of any life-threatening emergency, please contact the local onsite security personnel (Hotel, Casino, AU Event Security). If no onsite help is available, contact 911.  
Report any safety or security incidents or concerns to the Autodesk Global Security Operations Center at AU Incident Report. 
Secure your mobile devices, personal items, and/or valuables in the hotel room safe when your hotel room is unoccupied.   
Be sure to bring and wear your AU 2023 Badge at all sponsored events, on or offsite, including the AU Party at the Palms. (Note: There are NO EXCEPTIONS at the AU Party.)  
When outside of the event spaces, do not display your badge. 
Do not leave computers, mobile devices, personal items, or valuables unattended while in the event space. 
After hours when outside of the event spaces, be mindful of your surroundings.  
The use of taxis, Uber, or Lyft is recommended during evening hours.

COVID-19: 

Vaccination is not required.    
Masks are not required. The Safety and Security desk will provide masks upon request. They are subject to limited quantities available. 
If you feel ill, please do not travel to AU. Contact au.info@autodeskuniversity.com to handle necessary changes to your registration.  
If you experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or other communicable illnesses while at AU, contact your healthcare provider for guidance. We highly encourage you to get a COVID-19 test at the nearest CVS or Walgreens pharmacy and wear a mask.  
If you test positive for COVID-19 while at AU, please stay in your room, contact your healthcare provider, and follow CDC guidance.   
International travelers can check specific re-entry requirements and restrictions here.