- Make sure if you use a public wireless connection at AU this year to make sure you have updated antivirus enabled. Using any public WiFi connection can be risky and can easily allow infection of your machine if not protected. You can even use a free antivirus program like AVG from www.grisoft.com.
- Make sure if using the public wireless connection to have a firewall enabled to prevent someone from messing with your machine or gathering data. You can use the built in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 built in firewall or better yet use a 3rd party one like the free one from www.zonealarm.com
- Wear comfortable shoes as the walking distances between rooms and the event can be a real long walk.
- Bring plenty of business cards to hand out to the people you may meet and want to follow up with.
- Make sure that if you plan on attending some events or venturing out to the clubs that you do not wear tennis shoes or a tee-shirt as most enforce a dress code like Studio 54 and do not permit sneakers or tee-shirt wearing guests.
- Did you know in the past you could get into the Studio 54 club located in the MGM Grand for free if you are a guest at the MGM Grand by showing your room key? This may not be true for guests of the New York, New York and Excalibur. Tuesday night after 11PM the Studio 54 is a happening place with its EDEN night and the real partying does not get fully underway until around 2-3AM. Regular admission is $10 for gentlemen and complimentary for ladies.
- Be ready fo some of the best training and discussions anywhere. Be ready for brain overload and bring a pen and paper for notes. Also grab the course handouts to take back to your office and share the knowledge you have gained.
- A great place for meeting others after hours is the former Zuri Lounge. It is centrally located on the MGM Grand gaming floor within a few steps of the elevators. MGM Grand Casino Floor Map Showing the Zuri Lounge
- Cirque du Soleil will be at MGM Grand. Did you know that Cirque du Soleil has in the past used AutoCAD to design their show props, lighting, and stage? You can purchase show tickets at the MGM.
- Keep your eyes open for stars as the 2004 Billboard Music Awards are held at the week following AU and you can see some of the stars walking around the MGM that have arrived early. I have seen quite a few during the past AUs at the clubs in the evening. I even ran into pro skater Tony Hawk last year in the hall and got my photo with him.
- Comedian George Carlin will be performing at the MGM Grand this year until December 1st. You can purchase show tickets at the MGM.
- Don’t gamble if you cannot afford to lose the money.
- If you drink at the bars and clubs keep it under control as I have seen the poor AU attendees in the past at 5AMstumbling like a ping pong ball as they bounce from one fixed item to the next on the way back to their rooms. They end up missing some of the great events in the morning.
- Due to the dry air and constant smoke in the casinos, make sure to bring some eye drops and perhaps a nasal spray.
- If you stay out late make sure to grab a coffee but to avoid the crowds, use the lesser used Starbucks stand on the casino floor instead of the one that is on the walk to the AU conference. Also make sure to pack plenty of aspirin.
MGM Grand Website: http://www.mgmgrand.com/
I hope to meet you at AU and I will be arriving Sunday around 12PM.
Cheers,
-Shaan
