Sometimes being an Autodesk Gallery Ambassador has its perks. By the way, we chose the name ambassador instead of docent, because the correct way to address an ambassador is "Your excellency." That never happens but sometimes our tour guests are so appreciative that we receive little thank yous. I recently conducted a tour for the Chief Technical Officer of Coca-Cola.

Gifts like these are certainly appreciated but not required. All of us gallery ambassadors conduct tours for one main reason. We want to tell the Autodesk story through the work of our customers. Designs don't just fall from the sky. People have to decide what things look like, what they are made out of, and how they work. Our software and services help make that happen.

While on the tour, I asked if the shape of the classic Coca-Cola bottle was inspired by actress Mae West's curvaceous figure. The answer was no. The bottle's design was inspired by the soda's two ingredients — the coca leaf and the kola nut. When we give tours, not only do ambassadors impart information, but we also get information. It's a two-way street.

Thankfulness is alive in the lab.