blads blog

Season's Greetings to all... and to all a prosperous New Year

I apologize for the lack of posts during the past week (or so), but I couldn't seem to find time to write anything live from AU2008 - AU this year was a very busy, but a fantastic time for me. Hosting the AUGI Past Presidents' luncheon, attending the AU Blogger Social, the AUGI booth and a plethora of AUGI meetings, to name but a few of the activities that kept me busy... One of the best parts of AU for me is always getting a chance to talk directly with fellow AUGIlets, Local User Group peeps and this year, AUGI Country Chapter peoples. It was particularly great to finally meet in person, long time online friend, Binu Mathew, President of the Focus Kuwait User Group. Its always great to hear from other Local User Groups & Country Chapters to hear about the variety of challenges that are out there. I'm also thankful I was able to get out and about to get some local Vegas photos and some of the magnificent Venetian Resort Hotel... For those of you who didn't make...

Where does the time go to... arrived Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas after a smooth (ish) 28 hour journey. Got settled in to our "home" for the next week @ the Venetian Resort Hotel. Later that evening meet up with fellow AUGI BoD members and Karen Popp, Extension Media to sample the fine fare at Del Toro, part of the new Palazzzo Hotel and the Lamborghini Las Vegas showrooms. Day 1 of AU2008, saw the Community Leadership Conference event takes place with great talks by Robert Green, Bev Arnoldy, John Morgan & Shaun Hendriks. Afterwards followed the International Reception, where we caught up with English newlyweds, Mr & Mrs Shaun Bryant and long-time online friend Binu Mathew , President of Focus Kuwait Users Group . Day 2 saw the AUGI Board with its "meet n'greet" AUGI Volunteers session, where fellow BoD member Mike Pery welcomed and thanked AUGI's volunteers.

Well the countdown has well and truly begun as AU 2008 draws near... in less than two weeks time, The Saint & I will be in Las Vegas, NV. Some of the highlights we're looking forward too... Community Leadership Conference International Reception AU Keynote Speaker AUGI Past President's Luncheon First_Blogger_Social_at_AU2008 International User Community Meeting / Technology Main Stage AUGI Day (Wednesday 3rd December) AUGI Unplugged Annual AUGI Meeting / AUGI Beer Bust AUGI Top Daug finals Revit & Sustainability classes The invites to attend a host of other events are starting to roll in... namely the AEC BIM Mixer - Monday Dec 1, 7:30 - 9:30pm The First Blogger Social @ AU - Tuesday Dec 2, 4:00 - 5:30pm

Well its all over for over 'til next year... just a small gathering last year of around 50-60 people came to our annual party and help us celebrate our wedding anniversary... Huge thanks to friends Julie, Nino & Ronnie who helped throughout the day and duringthe night... too bad no-one wanted to get into the pool (as it was a little chilly...) OK whilst some of the images are a tad off... I'm sure it had nothing to do with the intoxicanted photographer :)