The annual ESRI International User Conference is next week in San Diego, and the excitement around here is reaching a fever pitch. You've probably heard about the many technical sessions, demos, and other activities that are going on, but did you know this conference is also your best opportunity to get free training on ESRI software and GIS topics?
ESRI instructors will be out in force presenting many of the technical sessions. Topics they're covering this year include Working with ArcMap—Tips and Tricks, Basic Principles of Cartographic Design, Developing Spatial Literacy—Applying ArcGIS in the Real World, Relational Database Management and Geodatabase Concepts, and many others.
Hands-On Learning Lab
Located in the ESRI Showcase, the Hands-On Learning Lab offers free 45-minute training lessons on a variety of topics. Each lesson consists of a short recorded lecture and a hands-on exercise that lets you practice with the latest ArcGIS software. Instructors are available in the lab to answer questions.
Training and Education Island
Adjacent to the Hands-On Learning Lab you'll find the Training and Education island, where ESRI Educational Services staff will be on hand to discuss any training-related questions you may have. Whether you're looking for training on a specific topic, want to discuss options for training multiple staff on various topics, or you have suggestions for some new training ideas we should consider, the staff at the island is there to help and listen.
Additionally, there will be three PCs at the island with direct access to all of our Web-based training. You can sit down and listen to a podcast, watch a training seminar, or work through a Web course (and enjoy a guilt-free reprieve from walking around the huge convention center).
Opportunities to Win More Free Training
The Training and Education island PCs are also the place to access this year's GIS Training and Education survey. Everyone who completes this brief survey will be sent an access code for a free one-module Web course. If you don't have time to take the survey at the conference (or if you're not attending the conference), you will be able to access the survey from the ESRI Training home page through July 22nd. We'd love to get your feedback.
Finally, when you visit the island be sure to enter the two drawings we're holding. We're giving away an iPod shuffle and three seats in the new Authoring and Serving ArcGIS Mobile Projects instructor-led course. We'll draw the winners on Thursday afternoon, and you don't need to be present to win (good news for those of you taking a pool-side reprieve on Thursday—you know who you are).
Not going to the User Conference? You still have access to a host of free ESRI training, and more is continually being developed. If you're going to the conference for the first time this year, before you leave check out the free seminar Getting the Most Out of the 2009 ESRI User Conference. You'll learn lots of tips to make your trip worthwhile.