The early bird registration date has already passed for the upcoming Solidworks World in San Antonio, but there is still time to get there. Just as they did last year the good folks at Solidworks are running a number of competitions where the winner gets a free Solidworks 2011 conference pass. The competitions are easy to enter, but with registration fees at $895, things can get serious. Simple blog post comments can earn a prize worth way more than your average morning radio station gives away.
With 4 days of products showcases, break out sessions, networking events (read: free food and beer) the event is the conference is an all around great event. Last year I was lucky enough to participate in and win one of these contests. The award was a flip mini camera, a conference pass, and nifty “Press” badge that allowed me to meet a number of great people while learning about new segments of the software I never knew existed.
Even if a conference entry is not free, the experience is worth shelling out a few dollars (or writing out an expense proposal). Certified users even get a deal, if you are not a CSWP yet check out some of the CSWP preparation posts and save $100 on registration, or use the posts to help pass the test that is proctored on site.