If you're going to the Esri, or any other Conference don't forget to make it a more sociable and fun business networking experience with Sociocean. Get recognized as a member here.  

 

I may run my own business, but it’s actually my dad who is the real business expert in the family. He works for a well-known mining company in Phoenix and was part of the team that built their Geographic Information System (GIS). Every year, he presents at the annual Esri conference on GIS in San Diego. If you’re one of the 16,000 business people who plan to attend the conference this July, you should be aware of the many activities you can enjoy between sessions. In fact, there’s so much to do that you might consider bringing your family along! For us, it’s definitely a family adventure.

 

 

Morning Yoga. If your morning routine starts with yoga, you’ll be happy to know that strengthening and stretching is a community exercise at the Esri User Conference. The yoga session outside on the Hilton Bayfront lawn meets at 6:30 on Tuesday and Thursday. You’ll be ready for a day of learning and networking after starting your day right!

 

Kids Fair. Kids are welcome at the Esri User Conference! Bring your 5 to 15 year old kids to the Kids Fair for some educational, hands-on fun with GIS and maps. This is a free event that is open at 9:00 am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You have to admit—this is way cooler than “bring your kids to work” day.

 

Esri User Conference 5K Fun Run/Walk. For my family, the annual Esri 5K is the highlight of the entire conference. I’m going to brag a little and let you know that my sister actually won the female division last year. But you don’t have to be a top-level college athlete to enjoy this race—lucky for me! In fact, it’s a great way to just get out, socialize, and see San Diego. You can walk or run at any pace you like while enjoying the awesome seaside climate.

 

Padres Game. Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres, is within walking distance of the Esri User Conference. If you love baseball, this is the perfect way to unwind after a long day of seminars. Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, you’ll enjoy hanging out in this beautiful stadium. Although the seats don’t have ocean views, the park is close to the ocean and has an open top that allows sea breezes to keep the air fresh and cool.

 

 

Go to a Museum. Within a short distance of the San Diego Convention Center, there are several interesting museums. The New Children’s Museum is a perfect activity for families with young kids, while the USS Midway Museum is a fun place to learn about the Navy. If you enjoy ship museums, you can also check out the Maritime Museum of San Diego, the HMS Surprise, and the historic Star of India ship. The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum and the Villa Montezuma Museum are good places to learn about local subcultures.

 

The USS Midway is in the picture below.

 

 

See a Show. The San Diego Civic Theater, the San Diego Symphony, the Balboa Theater, and the Speckles Theater are all within walking distance of one another and just a short drive from the Convention Center. Check out their online calendars for these theaters to find out what’s playing while you’re in town.

 

Go Shopping. Not far from the Convention Center, you’ll find the shopping complex of Seaport Village. This place has endless stores of all types. One of the most fun shops is the Magic Shop, where you can find funny gag gifts and magic trick accessories. You can also do more serious shopping here, or quickly replace a coffee-stained tie in an emergency.