As we prepare to head to Dreamforce 2022, we look at a few tips and tricks to make your experience seamless and memorable.
I can’t believe Dreamforce is less than a month away. Dreamforce is Salesforce’s annual conference in San Francisco. It never ceases to amaze me how many people attend, how difficult it is to get a hotel room, and of course, the concert (hello, Red Hot Chili Peppers!).
The last two years were unusual for Dreamforce attendees, but it appears that things will return to normal as much as possible this year. Will we see 170,000 fans of Salesforce in attendance and cover 13 city blocks in downtown San Francisco like we did in 2019? Only the future will tell.
Each year Dreamforce has a theme, and this year, I’m guessing it’s Slack. I expect Salesforce to show organizations how they can leverage Slack for all things Salesforce-related.
Given that I’ve been to Dreamforce seven (or maybe eight) times now, clients often ask me how to prepare for the event, especially if they are new to the conference. Below are five of my tips for how you can prepare for the conference.
Five Ways to Prepare for Dreamforce
1. Book four to five sessions per day, and do it quickly!
Don’t wait to book sessions on the plane ride there. Sessions fill up fast, but keep an eye out for these to occur at other times – sometimes, sessions appear on the schedule more than once. I’ve had luck as a walk-in, but in 2019, it was more challenging because of the increased attendance.
2. Skip the keynotes.
You heard me, keynotes are not a great use of your time, and Dreamforce records them all. Unless you are a huge fan of a specific celebrity speaker, watch them later. You won’t miss anything because themes from the keynotes reoccur in the sessions and other smaller settings.
3. Get a certification or two.
The conference offers certifications at a discounted rate, and Salesforce always makes the experience fun (if you pass) by taking your picture, sending tweets and giving great high fives.
4. Use the time to network.
Traveling alone? Ask your Salesforce Account Executive if any of their clients have similar interests to you and could meet for coffee or lunch. Dreamforce is more fun with friends. It sounds like blind dating, but meeting new people is part of the Dreamforce experience. And it’s a great way to build your connections.
5. Come prepared.
A question people frequently asked me is: What should I pack? I always bring a jacket with a hood, an umbrella, Band-Aids, and comfortable walking shoes (or several pairs). It’s not uncommon to log 25,000 steps in a single day! Don’t forget a battery pack or two for cell phones, snacks and maybe some aspirin.
Dreamforce is a fantastic experience, and you will learn more about the various platforms from Salesforce and the community. But most of all, you’ll have fun!
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