7 Things I Learned at #RTCNA 2014

1. Chicago has some serious thunderstorms.

Many of you may have seen the numerous tweets about cancelled flights, delays, and overall travel annoyances.  I, too, had to deal with some issue getting to the conference on Wednesday night.  Fortunately, thanks to perfect timing and the power of Twitter I hopped on a plane with a fellow RTCNA attendee and made it on time.  To quote Jay Zallan, "these are first world problems.."

2. Schaumburg is NOT Chicago

Similar to RTCNA 2012, RTCNA 2014 was marketed as being in the big city of Chicago but ended up being about 31 miles away.  Ultimately, the conference was a hit regardless of where it was located (the only time I would have had to get outside would have been late at night anyways).  I have always wanted to go to downtown Chicago... Maybe one day I will.

3. Revit is STILL gaining traction...

I have been blogging for over five years about Revit, BIM, and technology as it relates to architecture and construction.  Talking about Revit everyday, working with Revit everyday, and blogging about Revit everyday may have caused me to lose a bit of perspective.  I've assumed that Revit (and BIM in general) had become the new norm and had been accepted as the new norm.

I was wrong.  When I saw all of the new faces at this years RTCNA (apparently there was a very large percentage of first time attendees) they reminded me that BIM is still on the rise!  This was an encouraging thought that will motivate me moving forward with the blog and BIM After Dark. 

Will you be at #RTCNA ?

I will be!  A week from today I will be boarding a flight to Chicago for this years Revit Technology Conference North American (#RTCNA).  I am extremely excited to be a speaker for two sessions this year.

In Session 8, I will be filling in for Tom de Plater.  Tom could not make the trip from the other side of the globe and asked me to fill-in.  His lecture is about the Unity Game Engine, Revit, and Oculus Rift VR goggles....  How could I say no?!

In Session 10, I will be introducing you to the world of 3DS Max/V-Ray.  Anyone who wants to make their Revit models looks like renderings on the cover of Architectural Record will enjoy the class.

If you are going to be at RTCNA and you see me, please say hello!  I go to this conference every year in hope of meeting more of my readers... and I always do!  So, don't be shy!  Also, shoot me and e-mail or Tweet if you want to meet up!  I may be giving out a few little gifts related to BIM After Dark...

Finally, make sure you follow me on twitter (@TheRevitKid) and the hashtag #RTCNA.  I will post on the blog as frequently as possible but Twitter is always the easiest method of reporting from the conference.  You will never see as much Revit talk on Twitter than you will during this conference.

See you all there!!