How to Make the Most out of Dreamforce 2024

Attending Dreamforce can be an exciting, transformative experience. Every year Salesforce gives us the opportunity to delve deeper into their platform and vision. We have an opportunity to learn, network, and dream about the future possibilities within our own organizations. 

To address the elephant in the ecosystem: yes, Dreamforce can come across as a big sales pitch for the platform. Many would say Dreamforce is geared towards platform owners and executives. But, whatever your role – admin, developer, architect – and whether it’s your first time or fifteenth time, there are plenty of ways to get value from Dreamforce. Here’s how!

Preparation Before the Event

September 17 is the first day of content and sessions at Dreamforce, but past attendees know that plenty goes on the day before (more on that later). This means long before you make it to San Francisco, you can set yourself up for success.

1. Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve. If that’s deepening your knowledge in Apex, DevOps, or CPQ, make time to visit that solution area at the expo. If your goal is to connect with others in your industry, or people that inspire you, reach out to them on LinkedIn before and arrange a coffee or lunch ahead of time.
   
2. Plan Your Schedule: Dreamforce has a packed agenda with keynotes, sessions, and workshops. Use the Dreamforce app and agenda builder to create a personalized schedule and prioritize sessions that align with your goals. You’ll then be able to figure out where you have time for the aforementioned lunches or coffees!
   
3. Learn the Layout: Dreamforce is spread across downtown San Francisco. Everywhere from Moscone North, South, and West expo spaces, as well as nearby hotels and the Salesforce Tower are bustling with activity. Knowing the layout and where you’re going will save you time and stress when making sure you’re in the right place for that all-important session.

This also applies to travel! Plan your routes and journeys if you’re not staying in the downtown area. San Francisco’s Travel hub has a ton of great information.

Learning Opportunities

The main reason 70% of us attend Dreamforce is the opportunity to learn and be inspired. The platform is evolving at a rapid rate that we haven’t seen before. Make the most of your time in San Francisco by picking up the knowledge you need to succeed. 

1. Attend Keynotes: The keynotes are the highlight of Dreamforce. They feature major product announcements, thought leadership from industry titans, or inspiring stories from icons of pop culture.
   
   Jack’s pick: Slack Keynote: Where Humans and AI Promote Work Success
   
2. Breakout Sessions: There really is something for everyone. Hundreds of carefully curated sessions tailored to different roles, industries, and skill levels. Choose sessions that suit your interests or that challenge you to learn something new.
   
   Jack’s pick: Optimize & Maintain: Salesforce Org Health Checks
   
3. Hands-on Workshops: These interactive sessions give you the chance to get your hands dirty supported by experts. I’ve heard many times of folks walking away from workshops with solutions that they can implement when they get back to work that move the needle for their org.
   
   Jack’s pick:  Put Your Data & AI Into Action

Networking

Networking is the main reason for the other 30%. Networking at Dreamforce provides so much value. You never know who you’re going to meet or bump into and how your career can change through choice or unexpected encounters. Make the most of it!

1. Networking Events: Dreamforce offers a plethora of networking opportunities. From breakfast meetings to evening mixers into the wee hours. There really is something for everyone, from Dreamforce first-timers to seasoned CIOs. Head along to these events to meet peers, industry leaders, and potential partners.
   
   Jack’s pick: Newbie Reunion “Bacon” Breakfast
   
2. Community Engagement: Engage with the Salesforce community! Dreamforce creates a Trailblazer Community Cove each year where various user groups meet, such as the Mental Health & Illness User Group and Lantinx In Salesforce groups. There’s always a friendly face at the Community Cove, so head on by!
   
   Make use of LinkedIn or X throughout the conference too. Share little nuggets or insights and make sure to use the hashtag #DF24 to find your people! Share your experiences, ask questions, and connect with others.
   
   Jack’s pick: 5 Tips to Network Like A Pro

Socializing and Fun!

Many fabled tales of Dreamforce start after the Moscone doors close. There are legendary afterparties, social activities, and chill-outs to cater to every taste. 

1. Dreamfest: Dreamfest is a spectacle every year. This year it’s at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team. It’s a must-attend. P!nk and Imagine Dragons will be taking to the stage to wow us all, and it’s a great opportunity to unwind and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere – and, of course, have a sing-along.
   
2. Afterparties: San Francisco has a lot to offer in the way of nightlife – be it restaurants, bars, or karaoke venues. And, one of the great ways to experience it is through the afterparties organized by partners and ISVs. It’s a fantastic way to continue networking in a relaxed, joyous atmosphere.
   
   Jack’s pick: Gearset’s DevHops After Party
   
3. Give Back: Participate in one of the many charitable activities or initiatives hosted during Dreamforce. It’s a great way to contribute to a good cause while meeting like-minded individuals. Information on how you can do so is released shortly before the event.

Interacting with the Salesforce Ecosystem

Dreamforce is a unique opportunity to interact with every type of professional in the Salesforce ecosystem. Whether you’re looking for highly technical advice, guidance on showing ROI, or understanding how to become a better marketer, Dreamforce has it all.

1. Expo Hall: The Expo Hall is where you’ll find Salesforce partners and ISVs showcasing their latest innovations. It’s a fantastic place to discover new tools, products, and services that could change how your organization operates and grows.
   
2. Meet with Salesforce Experts: Use the opportunity to interact with Salesforce product experts. Ask questions and get insights into best practices or upcoming features. There are dedicated booths for every facet of the platform. Whether you’re interested in Heroku, Slack, or Flows, be sure to stop by and talk to the Salesforce solution engineers on hand to help.
   
3. Product Demos: Attend live product demos to see the latest Salesforce features in action. This can be invaluable if you’re looking to optimize or expand your use of different clouds or capabilities.

Post-Event Actions

Dreamforce doesn’t end once you board your plane, train, or automobile home. The value extends long after the event if you do a few simple things. 

1. Follow Up: After Dreamforce, follow up with the contacts you’ve made. A personalized (and I can’t stress that enough) connection request on LinkedIn, or sending a quick email to build on the foundations of your connections, allows relationships to blossom. This will be beneficial long after the conference and will set you up for success. You never know when you might be able to help one another in the future.
   
2. Share Knowledge: Share your learnings with your team or community. Be it an internal presentation, series of posts on social media, or long-form blog content, spreading the knowledge can amplify the impact of your experience and help you retain what you’ve learned.
   
3. Reflect and Apply: Remember that clear goal you set before Dreamforce? Review your notes and key takeaways. Do they match your pre-event goals? Consider how you can apply what you’ve learned to your work – you might have discovered something unexpected. Set actionable goals based on your insights from the event and watch the magic happen!

Don’t Forget!

As you’ve read, there’s plenty to be occupied with. It’s easy to get lost in it all. Here are the things I see most overlooked at Dreamforce that, if you remember, you’ll be able to get more from your experience!

• Stay Energized and Healthy: Dreamforce is intense, no question. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Stay hydrated throughout the day and wear comfortable shoes. This isn’t the time for breaking out your fanciest brogues or high heels. There are plenty of coffee shops around Moscone for caffeine lovers. I highly recommend immunity juice shots every morning. Ginger, turmeric & honey if you can find it. There are also a lot of handshakes and close contact with other people, so carry hand sanitizer too. And, while I’ve talked about all the fun, make sure to get plenty of rest and eat well. There’s plenty of opportunity to indulge, but having a healthy and nutritious meal as one of your squares will pay dividends.
  
• Be Flexible: Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you didn’t plan for. Be open to changing your schedule if something interesting comes up. It’s not unusual to be invited to an event or networking opportunity by one of your many new connections!
  
• Capture the Moments: Take photos! I always encourage being in the moment, but taking a few photos will allow you to revisit happy memories long after the event. Type down quick notes on your phone too. Interactions are frequent and fast. Capturing that email address and a short conversation summary will help with your follow-up. As I’m terrible with names, I like to snap a pic of people with their attendee badge held up in a selfie (another great thing to send in your follow-ups)!

Summary

Strategically planning your Dreamforce experience and being open to new opportunities will maximize the value you get. I thoroughly hope you all have a great experience, whether you’re returning or heading over for the first time. 

Reach out to me on LinkedIn if you’d like to connect with me in San Francisco or catch me at one of Gearset’s events – I’d love to chat!