One of the stars that kept popping up all over the place at SWW8 was the famous/infamous Matt Lombard. As mentioned, I attended his Hybrid Modeling breakout session. Before showing up, I didn’t know what to expect. First of all, his breakout session was in one of the large rooms, that could seat possibly 500 people. I don’t really know. I know it was pretty full in comparison to other sessions this year. I’m not going to go into too much detail about the session’s agenda since I covered that already. Instead, there are other items of note.Â
In a moment of surreal quality, right in the middle of an audience member asking him a question, Matt recognizes him and declares something along the line, “I’ve been looking all over for you! I have it right here.” He then proceeds to find a copy of his SolidWorks book and brings it down to his faithful attendee. At the same time, I see a hand reach out from the front row or so grasping some amount of dollar bills. Matt makes the exchange, declaring some self-derogatory statement and continues the presentation.Â
This photo here is of Matt lording over the model he is about to render subservient to his will.
Two other moments came up where he recognized others in the audience (if I remember right, SolidWorks perennials of some sort)  and declared his complete amazement that they where there listening to little ol’ him. Just because you write a highly regarded book about SolidWorks doesn’t preclude you from being in awe of others.
The session was informative and entertaining in the shear unexpected natural phenomenon known as Matt Lombard.Â
I was the fellow in the front row that paid ($40) for Matt’s book. I had talked with him on his blog before and told him since he was looking for beer money that I’d buy a book from him when we saw each other. Obviously, we have meet before because he recognized me. I didn’t mean for him to stop his presentation but that was very funny in the end. I have recieved several messages and comments about that one interjection. Everybody loved it. It was not planned. That’s why I like Matt, he is down to earth and easily appraochable and fuuny, too.
Beer money? No wonder we was so eager to make the sale! I’d stop my presenation for beer money too!
I’m so glad I was there just for this. no one should judge Matt (or his opinion) till they get to know him.
My bald spot turns beet red when I read stuff like this. It was a lot of fun getting to meet everybody this year. The two folks in the audience were Mike Wilson and Keith Pedersen, two guys I have a lot of respect for. They have shared great information with many many people. Richard Doyle asked a few of us if there was anyone we wanted to see speak at SWWorld this year, and I named both of these guys. It was kind of a shock to see them both in the first couple of rows. I wish they had been on stage showing things and I was sitting down learning some brilliant idea from them.
Anyway, thanks for the nice comments!
Matt