The momentum is building! ITX is in full growth mode; we’re designing our snazzy new digs in downtown Rochester’s Innovation Zone; and soon we’ll be celebrating all the excitement and more during our 2nd annual ITX UX 2019: Beyond the Pixels design conference, Oct. 3-5. We’re psyched for you to join us and our amazing guest speakers for three awesome days of intimate workshops, dynamic keynotes, and plenty of networking with your colleagues and newfound friends.
Are you ready to pull the trigger and reserve your seat? Or are you still wondering whether ITX UX 2019 is right for you? Fair question. But once you check out our line-up of guest speakers and their many accomplishments, you’ll realize we designed this UX conference with specifically you in mind.
Still not convinced and looking for more? Well look no further than this post. Cuz we’ve asked the experts – our fellow ITXers – what they love to do when they’re not creating great software. As you’ll see, just like UX design the options are limitless!
START THE DAY RIGHT!
Infuse a little java to get your creative juices flowing! Rochester and its suburbs offer plenty of your favorite national chains to help jump start your day – Starbucks and Dunkin’, for example – as well as some local/regional shops, including Tim Hortons, Bruegger’s Bagels, and Village Bakery & Cafe. We love the small, private establishments also, and think you will too:
UNPLUG & UNWIND
Take in some of Upstate New York’s crisp autumn air after an exhilarating day of information gathering and networking. Bring along your hiking boots and mountain bike to savor the more than 12,000 acres of parkland in the City and surrounding areas!
Highland Park. Home to the world-famous Lilac Festival in the month of May, but October’s fall foliage is equally stunning. Highland Park offers miles of paved walkways winding through the oaks and maples, plus a natural path through the park’s arboretum.
Powder Mills Park. Literally just around the corner from ITX headquarters, be sure to check out the active fish hatchery and the “mushroom house” in the center of the park, along with ample hiking trails and picnic areas.
The Genesee Riverway Trail. We call it urban hiking. Just a few blocks from downtown Rochester, enjoy extraordinary vistas from paved and wooded paths along the Genesee River as it winds its way past the University of Rochester, over a series of impressive waterfalls, through the City to the south shore of Lake Ontario.
The Erie Canal. With access less than a mile from ITX headquarters, the Erie Canal meanders through charming towns and villages, each dotted with an eclectic array of restaurants and a dynamic craft beer and spirits scene. Bring your bike or favorite walking shoes and enjoy a serene stroll along the historic Erie Canal.
Letchworth Park. About an hour south of the city and carved by the same Genesee River that shaped Rochester’s landscape and history is Letchworth State Park – aka, “The Grand Canyon of the East.” Nearly 1,000 feet deep, the gorge will be ablaze in hues of red, yellow, and orange. Letchworth Park is home to miles of walking trails, picnic areas, and panoramic views.
RENEW, REFRESH, REFUEL…REPEAT
ITXers love to relax after a long day creating new technology solutions for their clients. The Genesee River and Erie Canal crisscross the region offering numerous choices that match every palate and passion.
REDD. Rochester native and Michelin-starred chef Richard Reddington has returned to his roots to open REDD Rochester. Reddington was the owner and chef of Redd (Napa Valley) for more than 13 years. Make reservations soon, as demand is high to sample Reddington’s culinary excellence.
Dinosaur BBQ. Overlooking the falls in the heart of the City, lovers of hickory- and mesquite-smoked brisket, pork, and chicken will have their barbecue dreams come true. The ever-changing beer menu is sure to find a fit with every guest.
Richardson’s Canal House. Enjoy a drink and appetizers with friends on the patio and lawn as you watch the paddlers and tour boats glide past on the Erie Canal. Fine dining awaits you inside, less than a mile from ITX headquarters in the hamlet of Bushnell Basin.
Craft beer. Again, the options are limitless. Seven Story, Lock 32, Three Heads Brewing, and Rohrbach Brewing Company are just a handful of the many outstanding craft beer destinations in the Rochester Region’s dynamic and fast-growing industry. Perhaps most famous of all is Genesee Brewing Co., perched high above the upper falls of the iconic Genesee River. Grab the traditional Genny or try something new, with conference friends and colleagues and enjoy dinner overlooking the falls.
The East End Experience. Just a few blocks from downtown lies Rochester’s “East End” district, home to a vibrant entertainment scene for everyone from boomers to millennials. Dozens of casual dining options, live music, and a metropolitan vibe will provide a relaxing end to an information-filled day of learning.
Nick Tahou Hots has been serving after-hours diners for more than 100 years! You can’t come to Rochester without a visit to the home of the world-famous Garbage Plate!
SAVOR THE CREATIVE
Rochester, NY is world-renown for its arts and entertainment scene, featuring –
Strong National Museum of Play
Rochester Museum & Science Center
One thing all these exciting venues have in common is their shared location in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts.
DESIGN! MORE DESIGN!
Can’t get enough UX Design? Check out daily tours at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Art & Design. Many ITXers proudly boast their RIT sheepskin; your next design professional may too!
“It’s time to design your ROC’n UX conference experience! Register Today!”
