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Highlights from Dude University 2019
“I have a different way of running reports.”
“I learned more about streamlining our data for reports and KPIs.”
“I taught my first class.”
“I have more confidence in what I do.”
These were just a few of the sentiments from this year’s Dude University attendees. Our annual maintenance and operations conference, held May 5-8, 2019 at the Raleigh Convention Center, was the biggest event yet with:
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1,000 attendees
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280 sessions
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13 classrooms
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99 computers in the Learning Lab
Go inside Dude University by listening to our podcast from the event.
Celebrating a big birthday
This year’s conference was special for many reasons. Not only was it the largest Dude University on record, but it was also a celebration of Dude Solutions’ 20th birthday! #yearofthedude
We celebrated by saying and singing “Happy Birthday” to The Dude a few times, as well as sharing a big cake and dropping balloons at Tuesday night’s client appreciation dinner.
While Dude Solutions started in 1999, the first Dude University (SchoolDude University then) was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2001 with 80 attendees. It’s amazing to see how this event has grown!
New to 2019
There were a few additions to Dude University 2019 that really amped up the learning atmosphere.
One of those was Dude Labs’ Innovation Station. This was an area for attendees to stop by to sign up for the Facility Innovator Program, check out recent projects and even get to try a virtual reality headset related to roof maintenance (called Dude Vision).
See more of Dude Vision at the Innovation Station.
Our Learning Lab was the largest it’s ever been with 99 computers, lots of product demos and dozens of Dude employees ready to help clients better use their Dude software and get introduced to new offerings.
We also added some new sessions to the agenda that were quite a hit, including:
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Authentic Leadership for Women
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Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
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Leading From Where You Are
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How to Get a Seat at the Table & What to do Once You’re There
On Sunday night, attendees enjoyed hearing from Brett Culp, filmmaker and keynote speaker, about the incredibly inspiring stories he has been able to tell through film.
What makes Dude University unique?
It wasn’t just 2019 that was a success for our annual conference – it followed in a long line of 18 years of conferences that are welcoming, inspiring and special for several reasons.
Just hear from one of our long-time attendees, TJ Imberger of Spalding County, GA Parks, Public Grounds and Public Works.
“It's not like going to a conference. It's going to where basically you're meeting family that you met talking to them on the phone and developing your product. The customer service with Dude Solutions is something that you don't experience anywhere else, and you can meet those folks in person.”
Dude University is for everyone, and you can really see that in the diversity of attendees. Some of the people I met at the conference were:
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Development Services Director for local government
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Housekeeping Administrator for a senior living community
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Facility Director for a children’s museum
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Facilities Coordinator for an educational organization
Hear more from past attendees about the value of Dude University.
It sure was a great conference, and we’re already planning amazing things for 2020!
Sign up for next year’s Dude University to make sure you don’t miss out.
A Recap from Our Operations Conference
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