Orlando or Bust…The Interview

As most of you know by now I have been doing a series of posts on how to get your management to send you to SolidWorks WORLD 2009 in Orlando, Florida. I had the chance to pick a couple of SolidWorks employees brains lately and put together an interview with them that I could share with you. I believe it is pretty straight forward with the questions and answers so I hope you enjoy.

Q.)  Tell us who you are and what your position is at SolidWorks Corporation?

Darren Henry, Director of Product Marketing.

Jeremy Regnerus, Product Marketing Manager

• We create both the online content such as videos and demonstrations, as well as keep our global technical sales force up to date on industry trends and innovations.  We also equip the same sales force with compelling presentations to deliver both to new prospects, as well as existing customers with new content with each release of SolidWorks (knows as What’s New Presentations).

Q.)  How many SolidWorks WORLD events have you attended?

Darren – I have attended them all.  I have been with SolidWorks a long time, and have been fortunate enough to witness SolidWorks World grow from a few hundred people to the thousands we now meet with every year.

Jeremy – In all 6 times.

• I have actually attended SolidWorks World in several capacities
  • San Diego 2008 I attended World as a SolidWorks Employee
  • New Orleans 2007 & Orlando 2003 as a Customer
  • Vegas 2006, Orlando 2005 & Boston 2004 as a SolidWorks Reseller

Q.)  What role do you play before and at SolidWorks WORLD? (i.e. planning, presenting, hands on sessions, etc.)

Darren – I am part of the team that builds the corporate demonstrations, and video content around the SolidWorks product offerings.  Many people would recognize our team as the ones that show the preview the next release of SolidWorks on stage at SolidWorks World.  Around this time of year, we begin thinking of fun ways in which to showcase our next release.  It’s a very exciting time for us, because we are some of the first people who get to use the new software.

Q.)  What is your favorite part about SolidWorks WORLD every year?

Jeremy – As a customer and a SolidWorks reseller, I think the networking with other SolidWorks users and learning from their personal experiences is both interesting, but also rewarding in terms of being able to take back home a new found knowledge.  This is usually in the Partner Pavilion, and that is also one of my favorite parts.  Getting to see and try all of the new technology, and possibly finding a new way to do something that was challenging before.

Q.)  How would you convince the management at your company to send YOU to SolidWorks WORLD 2009? (in a non SolidWorks Corp. employee perspective)

Darren – The number one thing a designer should do to convince management to send him/her to SolidWorks World is simply ask.  Good managers and executives are concerned about both increasing productivity and developing the skills of their employees.  SolidWorks world is really a unique event in that it does both.   The 150 technical breakout sessions are actually in-depth training.  There is no better way to increase your proficiency on the software than to attend these sessions.  There are also multiple opportunities to have one-on-one discussions with product specialists.  By simply describing your process, there is a great chance that we can show you alternative methods of design that will result in higher efficiency and productivity.  There are so many reasons to go.  But first, you need to ask.

Q.)  What in your personal opinion is the single greatest benefit of attending SolidWorks WORLD?

Jeremy – The new found pieces of knowledge that I walk away with every year.  In an environment such as this, it is nearly impossible not to walk away without having learned something new that will benefit you.  Even as a SolidWorks Employee I still find new things each year.

Q.)  What is your best memory from a previous SolidWorks WORLD that you attended?

Darren – My favorite memory of SolidWorks World reoccurs every year.  On day three, when they open the general auditorium doors, it gives me goose bumps to see the attendees literally run to their chairs.  It really is rewarding for all of us at SolidWorks.  I would have never fathomed a software company could generate that much enthusiastic energy.

Jeremy -

• I would have to say it is a tough match between two memories.  In New Orleans I went to SolidWorks as a customer.  General Purpose Vehicles.  In that year we took one of our Homeland Security Vehicles that had been used in the rescue efforts of Hurricane Katrina.  Actually being there with a vehicle that I had worked on was very rewarding, and to see the reaction from people by its sheer size and technology that had been incorporated into the vehicle.  Some people were a bit intimidated by it having military connotation, but in the end it was easily to explain that the goals of the company were protection, and rescue.
• The other, this same year would have to be winning the Model Mania Design Contest for a second time.  This challenging event is one that I think strikes home with a lot of the people who attend this event.  A challenge that both test knowledge of the software, but also design challenges.  I think it’s inside of every engineer to challenge themselves everyday; this type of event feeds that desire.

Q.)  What advice would you give a 1st time attendee?

Darren – Register for your breakout sessions early and introduce yourself to everyone you see. Do not be shy, we are a community that is there to help you.   Bring your work on a pen drive, and ask people how they would approach your design challenges.

Q.)  What advice would you give a seasoned SolidWorks WORLD veteran?

Jeremy – I would take a look at what you’ve spent time with in years past, and try to diversify your plan of action this year.  In this way, you’ll most likely be walking away from the event with a whole new set of knowledge that you never got a chance to see last year.  Some would be concerned about missing that session, that’s a lot like last year’s.  However, chances are, you will learn a great deal more from attending a much different set of session than the previous year.  At most there might be 25% new content over a session you attended last year.  In this way alternating sessions year to year adds 50% more value to twice as many sessions!

Q.)  Are there any “special” details that you can leak to RockSolid Perspective exclusively about SolidWorks WORLD 2009?

Jeremy – Certified SolidWorks Professionals usually know there’s a pretty good time in store for their achievements at SolidWorks World with an offsite event.  However, this year’s Off Site event will prove to be wildly different than anything they’ve done in the past.

I hope this gives you some additional insight about what SolidWorks WORLD is all about. Also, if you see either Jeremy or Darren this year at SolidWorks WORLD please introduce yourself to them and let them know that you read this. They are a complete pleasure to talk to and I am sure that they would love to meet you, the users.

If you are still having some trouble convincing your management there is a post on the SolidWorks Discussion Forums about “SolidWorks WORLD 2009 Justification” that would be a great resource for all people trying to get to WORLD this year despite the economic down turn.