SolidWorks World speakers

I mentioned that this year's conference speakers were generally all outside of the SolidWorks community. There were a couple of people that I would describe as generalist engineers, but none of them were computer jockeys who could or would talk about 3D CAD. So, very little of the general sessions was about designing products with SolidWorks, and very much of it was centered around a philosophical message that was wonderfully presented and inspiring.

The program was basically about rolling out a very diverse sampling from the world of extreme techie careers, and having them talk about the importance of education and engaging children in technology and science. There was an undersea explorer, a television show host, an inventor or two, all with one thing in common - a passion for science and as close as we come to "rock star status" in the world of technology.

I commend the folks at SolidWorks for putting this program together. There were over 4700 attendees this year in San Diego, and if the message got through to some small percentage that actually goes out to some schools and talks about what they do, maybe there will be a handful more of these role models develop. We can only hope so, because even a handful can touch the lives of hundreds of kids and get them thinking about something other than sports stars and movie actors. This was a conference that potentially goes far beyond selling software and helping users work better. My hope is that it planted seeds for something much bigger.