Every year, the Salesforce ecosystem gathers for Dreamforce, Salesforce’s multi-day annual conference. It’s the premier event where innovation meets inspiration!
For those unacquainted, Dreamforce is Salesforce’s flagship event, bringing together thousands of trailblazers, thought leaders, and tech enthusiasts from around the globe for a transformative experience filled with keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.
Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned veteran, navigating the buzz and brilliance of Dreamforce, spread out across San Francisco, can be a thrilling and potentially overwhelming experience.
The HigherEchelon team has dozens of attendances under our collective belts, and we’re excited to share insider tips and tricks from our team of Dreamforce veterans. With firsthand experience, our team will help you make the most out of every moment, from navigating the sessions to maximizing your networking potential.
If you’d like to learn more first hand, all of the team members providing tips here will be in attendance at Dreamforce 2024. Contact us to schedule time to meet! Get ready to take notes as we dive into actionable advice that will ensure your Dreamforce journey is as impactful and memorable as possible.
Tim Pash, Executive Vice President, is a long time Dreamforce veteran.
He recommends deciding to attend a high-profile event, such as a keynote or a celebrity speaker session, far in advance and planning to get in line at least two hours ahead of time if you hope to be seated in the room. Otherwise, plan to look for alternative viewing locations, including Salesforce+.
Tim also always has a lightweight backpack with him, which he deems an essential Dreamforce accessory. He uses it to carry, among other things, snacks. Food lines can be unpredictable, and you may need to miss a meal; grab an energy bar or snack whenever one is available and bring some items with you.
Sean Book, Lead Salesforce Architect, will attend Dreamforce for the third time this year.
He recommends spending time learning the lay of the land. Sessions are spread between Moscone Center buildings, hotels, and more; understanding where locations are relative to each other can help you plan your days more realistically. Then, once on-site if time allows, walk the campus to get a feel for the event. Early badge pickup can help accomplish this if you can get to the event on Monday; check the FAQ for more information.
Katie Levy, Lead Salesforce Consultant and Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, is a six-time Dreamforce attendee.
Katie’s had the privilege of attending initially as a Salesforce customer and now as a partner, and that means she has tips from both perspectives! Regardless of your goals and the organization you represent, she recommends making sure to build time into your schedule to take a breath and know it’s impossible to do it all at Dreamforce. She recalls her jam packed schedule the first year she attended, including what felt like dozens of miles of extra walking due to the locations of the events she had on her list.
There are so many incredible speakers, learning opportunities, networking events, and chances to connect with colleagues. But, based on her personal experience, try to pack too much into your schedule and you’ll be exhausted after the first day! Set goals based on what you and your organization hope to achieve at Dreamforce and plan your days around that.
Andrew Harclerode, Vice President of Salesforce Delivery, has years of attending conferences like Dreamforce under his belt.
Though it’s his first Dreamforce, his experience in similar arenas makes him an expert in how to manage large scale events. Andrew recommends leaving space in your agenda to coordinate with your network. Plan gatherings to catch up and talk shop but know securing restaurant reservations or finding tables in spots close to venues can be challenging. He also suggests having physical and/or virtual business cards handy, a notebook or tablet for note taking during sessions, and headphones for ad hoc calls.
Rob Gifford, Director of Salesforce Talent, is on his third Dreamforce this year.
He recommends setting your agenda ahead of time and ensuring you have backup sessions in case one you plan to attend is full. Additionally, Rob suggests leaving time to walk between events; if you have two sessions back-to-back but moving from one to the other takes ten minutes of walking, you may want to consider other options. Speaking of walking, one of Rob’s most important tips is to wear comfortable shoes that are broken in; depending on your sessions and hotel location, the steps add up!
For Michele O’Brien, Salesforce Consultant and experienced Dreamforce attendee, it’s all about connections.
She recommends setting a goal to connect with a certain number of new people in the ecosystem every day, whether it’s with partners like HigherEchelon, chatting with Salesforce demo providers and speakers post-session, or simply turning to the person next to you at a session and asking them about themselves.
Landon Hayes, Director of Salesforce Solutions, also values any opportunity to make connections.
He’s found the best connections at demo sessions, community events, and social events such as happy hours. And if you’re in attendance with others from your organization, stay connected by planning central meeting spots to regroup throughout the week. Whether it’s a refreshments area, a landmark, even a specific display or booth, having places to meet in multiple areas of the venue can help your teams stay in touch.
Landon also recommends that before you even arrive in San Francisco, download and familiarize yourself with the Salesforce Events app. It’s a great way to keep track of your schedule and navigate when you’re on site.
All of the HigherEchelon team members sharing tips here will be at Dreamforce this year, and would love to connect with you! Click here to set up time to meet with us, and we’ll see you there!