This week, the Usability Professionals Association is having their annual conference up in Portland, OR. This year’s theme is “Bringing Usability to Life.” It looks like there’ll be lots of great sessions and terrific networking opportunities, and I’m disappointed that I can’t make it. They’re expecting something like 600 people!

Luckily for Arizona UPA folks, those who ARE attending will be talking about the conference at the next meeting of the local chapter (AZUPA). Here’s the scoop from their recent email:

Please join us for the Arizona Usability Professionals Association (AZUPA) Chapter meeting on Thursday, June 18. AZUPA President Miguel Almarez will present a summary of this year’s International UPA conference. Miguel’s presentation will include industry updates, best-practices, and other insights from his experience this week in Portland, OR (http://www.usabilityprofessionals.org/conference/2009/). The conference theme this year is Bringing Usability to Life: Making everyday things better.

Other chapter meeting attendees will also be welcome to informally share their experiences from the UPA conference. In addition, you’ll learn about the UPA and meet local colleagues who share a passion for all things related to creating compelling user experiences.

Speaker Bio
Miguel Almarez is currently the User Experience Project Manager for Choice Hotels International and President of the Arizona UPA. He holds a B.S. from Arizona State University and a MBA from Western International University.

Meeting Location
The Art Institute of Phoenix
2233 West Dunlap Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
Note: The meeting will be in room 456

Map: www.artinstitutes.edu/phoenix/AboutUs/Map_Directions.aspx

Agenda
6:00 pm Arrival, networking and light snacks
6:30 pm Brief business meeting
7:00 pm Presentation – Invited Speaker
8:00 pm Adjourn

This is a free event, but space is limited. Walk-in attendees are certainly welcome, but please RSVP to this address so that we can ensure we provide the appropriate accommodations.

You do not need to be a member to attend. Feel free to come and check us out!!! Also, please feel free to forward this message to any interested colleagues.

This looks like a GREAT event – lots of opportunity to learn about the conference and connect with other local usability folk. As is often the case, however, this meeting happens to be on the same night as the next TDAC meeting here in Tucson (with ITT Tech students and Sony Online talking about video game design). It never rains but it pours, huh?

Here’s the post I did on the previous AZ UPA meeting!