We hope you’ll join us on Thursday, November 12 for an open house in honor of World Usability Day 2009: “Designing for a Sustainable World”. The open house will take place in room ECCS 128 in the Engineering Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Following the event, everyone is invited back to the Foraker offices for appetizers, soft drinks, a tour of the space, and additional conversation from 4:30pm – 6:00 pm.

The event will feature local snowsports manufacturers and software professionals discussing ergonomics, usability, and sustainability. We’ll hear from a 25 year snowboard industry veteran, as well as folks at Donek Snowboards, IBM, Fortitude Skis, Rally Software, and Foraker.  We will begin on the CU campus with discussions and demonstrations, and adjourn to Foraker’s offices for appetizers, drinks, and a “snowboard down the stairs” contest (not really).

Phase I – 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: Room ECCS 128 in the Engineering Center at the University of Colorado in Boulder

What: Talks by 6 people in snowsports and software

Who should attend: Anyone! In particular, folks interested in winter sports, consumer product design, software design and development, and web applications

Agenda:

1:15pm – Introductions and Welcome
1:55pm- IBM: John Milanski, Human Factors/Usability Engineer
2:20pm- Fortitude Skis: Nicholas Whittemore, CEO
2:45pm- Rally Software: Katrina Lindholm, Senior User Experience Designer
3:10pm- Donek Snowboards: Sean Martin, CEO and Bryan Balkenbush, Communications Director
3:35pm- Foraker: Derek Olson, Vice President
4:00pm- Head to Foraker for snacks and drinks

Phase II – 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Where: Foraker’s offices at 5277 Manhattan Circle, Suite 210, Boulder, CO 80303

What: Food, drink, office tours, incredibly witty and stimulating conversation

Who should attend: Everyone, please.

Agenda: See “What”, above

World Usability Day was founded to ensure that the services and products important to life are easier to access and simpler to use. Each year, it has a specific focus and is honored around the world on the second Thursday of the month of November.

View the event flier. (PDF, 1.4 MB) For questions or additional information, please contact us or call (303) 449-0202.

Directions:

Engineering Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder

The Computer Science Department is located in the Engineering Center, which is on the southwest corner of Colorado Avenue and Regent Drive. The intersection of Colorado and Regent is one block west (toward the mountains) of the first light on US 36 from Denver (at Colorado Avenue) in Boulder. ECCS 128 is in the southwest wing of the Engineering Center, just west of the South Entrance.

Most of the parking on campus is by permit, although there is visitor parking scattered about. That nearest the Engineering Center is on the east side of Regent, between the Coors Events Center and a large parking structure. To park, turn left from Colorado Avenue onto Regent Drive. Just past the large parking structure on the left, turn left into the lot and look for visitor parking (marked in pink on below map).

Foraker offices

From The University of Colorado at Boulder campus, using public transportation

• Go To: Broadway & 16th St (S Corner of Intersection)
• Get On: #B / BX Denver Express
• Walk EAST from the Park & Ride– exiting to the RIGHT along South Boulder Road
• Walk approximately 1/8 mile, and turn RIGHT at Manhattan Circle
• 5277 Manhattan Circle is the second building on the RIGHT—and is a 3-story, tan, angular building that says “Manhattan West” on the front

From The University of Colorado at Boulder campus, driving

• Head south on Broadway Street/CO-93
• Turn LEFT at Baseline Road
• Merge onto US-36 E via the ramp to Denver
• Take the Table Mesa Drive exit toward South Boulder Road
• At the light at the bottom of the ramp, turn LEFT at Table Mesa Drive / South Boulder Road
• Continue on South Boulder Road for approximately 1/8 mile
• Turn RIGHT at Manhattan Circle
• 5277 Manhattan Circle is the second building on the RIGHT—and is a 3-story, tan, angular building that says “Manhattan West” on the front
• Parking is available underneath the building