I get invited to attend a lot of conferences. Of course, I am expected to pay the registration fee, the travel expenses and the hotel just like anyone else. Even when the hosts want me to speak, they almost always expect me to pay for the privilege. Those kinds of invitations I usually turn down.

I work for a living...like most of you...I spend my days in front of a computer designing and working with CAD products. I live in the trenches. I don't sell CAD software although I do work with many resellers to help them out.

So, I can't afford to take time off every month to attend a conference. I limit myself to one conference a year. That's all the time I can take and all the money I can afford. And...let's face it, many conferences are really junkets, where you are going as much for the location as you are for the conference itself.

So, when an invite lands in my in-box for a CAD conference in Monaco...well, I perk up.

I can't go this year...I already booked SolidWorks World and the times overlap...but maybe you can...

If you are attending AU (lucky you!), here are some tips from someone who has been there more than five times.

Wear comfortable shoes...you are going to be doing a lot of walking...miles and miles...from the hotel, to the classes to the meals...dress as if you are going on a long hike...comfortable shoes, loose clothing, and carry water.

Make a back-up list...there will be more than one class in the same time period that you will want to take (classes repeat so look for that); make a second and third choice for each class...then if you are not happy with a class leave after the first 15 minutes and catch your 2nd choice. There may be a "guard" at the door, but if there are seats available they should let you in.

Fill out the class surveys...they are important. Lynn Allen reads every single survey (she carries them around with her after AU and reads them any time she has a break). Write a love note to Lynn on the survey if you like...she'll get a kick out of that (as long as you don't get too creepy).

Schedule in time to see the sights...figure by Wednesday your brain will be in "overload"...take Wednesday afternoon to see the sights or spend time kicking back...then re-immerse yourself in classes on Thursday.

The classes on Friday morning are almost always half- empty...take advantage of those classes to ask the instructors questions and get some serious one-on- one time for any issues you are having with your software or at work.

Carry business cards and hand them out to anyone you want to stay in touch with. I can't tell you how many people have approached me at AU to ask me about one of my books or about a lisp routine, but didn't have a business card to give me so I could get back to them.

Have a wonderful time...feel free to share your experience with me and tell me if any of this advice helped.