As we prepare for Dreamforce this year (our 7th and 8th, respectively), we wanted to share with you another set of tips and suggestions for the best ways to make it through the week. As we were brainstorming this list, we had a particular Broadway cast recording playing in the background… and it may have influenced our writing just a bit.
pardon me, are you aaron burr, sir?
“What’s Your Name, Man?”
There are something like 100,000 people coming to Dreamforce this year, and a huge chunk of that group are fellow Admins like you probably are! Take that opportunity to make new friends -- introduce yourself to people in person, while you're waiting for a session to start or while you're watching a live demo, or on Twitter, by following the #DF16 hashtag, or in the Success Community, within the Salesforce Events app.
“Satisfied”
There's a ton to see and do at Dreamforce, and your priorities will probably vary based on your role -- you don't want to get to the end of the week and realize that you missed out on learning something important by getting caught up in the excitement. Demand satisfaction: Before you even get on the plane, while you're still finalizing your agenda, take a moment to step back and write some goals for the week so you can keep your focus while you're there.
“The Room Where it Happens” ...OR… “Take a Break”
The biggest event of the whole week (well, maybe aside from the U2 concert) is the main keynote on Wednesday afternoon at 1pm. You have options! If you want to be part of the action, catching every bit of the show (lasers! surprise musical guests! coke cans being delivered by drone!), line up early so you can get a seat in the room itself. But if you're okay stepping back and watching from a distance, there are plenty of options for that, too -- find a beanbag chair out on the lawn, grab a soda with your own two hands, and catch the livestream of the keynote from a more relaxing vantage point.
i just called...to say...i am not throwing away my shot!
“Right Hand Man”
Marc Benioff is obviously the star of the show during the keynote, but that afternoon, it's time for our personal favorite session of the whole conference: True to the Core, with Parker Harris (and friends). If you're a long-time Salesforce user, you've surely got your own wishlist of features (or maybe also a list of pet peeves) -- this is your chance to hear about what's in store for the platform itself, the "core" features that we all live with everyday.
can i be real a second? for just a millisecond?
“Helpless”
Even after attending as many times as we have, the Dreamforce campus can still feel overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to race from one location to another before the start of a very popular session. Don’t feel embarrassed if you can’t find your way and need to ask for help navigating. You’re not helpless! There are tons of friendly people around with schedules, maps and iPads who will help guide you to your next destination.
“Stay Alive”
Lunch is free! And everywhere! Don't miss out. If you're on your way across campus between sessions and you pass a place where lunch is happening, take a brief detour and grab a box, even if you're not super hungry right then -- it might be your only chance, and you'll definitely be hungry later. (If you do miss out, maybe take a pass through the Expo -- you'll probably at least find a candy bar or two.)
how lucky we are to be alive right now
“That Would Be Enough”
Pace yourself! You'll need to make strategic choices about which sessions to attend and which ones to skip. Remember that you (probably?) can't teleport -- if you're looking at your agenda and it currently calls for you to get from the Hilton to the Palace Hotel in the span of 5 minutes… you might want to reevaluate. Keep some time unscheduled. You'll need it to take a spin through the Admin Zone or Dev Zone, or even just to collapse for a while and check your email.
“A Winter’s Ball”
This year, Dreamforce is happening during what is arguably the best month for weather in San Francisco, but don’t let that keep you from being prepared for anything. Bring clothing that you can layer -- plan on it being pretty chilly as you head out for early morning sessions but warmer later on. Stash a small umbrella and a hoodie in your Dreamforce backpack and you won’t be sorry.
"Non-Stop”
Bring your phone charger. Bring TWO phone chargers. Bring an extra battery pack. Either you'll need it, or you'll be someone's best friend by being able to share. Power is a hot commodity during the long Dreamforce days. (And you probably don't need to drag your laptop around with you all day, so your phone will likely be doing double-duty.)
“What Comes Next?”
As usual, this year's big Salesforce announcement was already leaked: An artificial intelligence engine named "Einstein" will offer predictive analytics and who knows what else. Expect that to be the big announcement at various keynotes (much like Wave and Lightning in previous years), and keep some extra time open in your schedule for learning more about it.
raise a glass to the four of us
“Meet Me Inside”
Whether you’re attending Dreamforce with a squad or reuniting with friends you made at last year’s conference, the Welcome Reception that happens on the first night of Dreamforce at the Cloud Expo provides a good opportunity to plan a meet up before everyone heads back to their hotels or to dinner. The reception offers good food and beer and tons of swag, and it’s the perfect chance to visit with vendors when everyone is in top form.
“What’d I Miss?”
If you’ve started to plan your agenda, you already know you can’t possibly attend every session that interests you. If you’re going to Dreamforce with your colleagues, then the best way around this is to divide and conquer. Have everyone take notes in Google Docs and share. Also don’t forget that many sessions are recorded, and slides are often posted in the community. You’ll be able to catch up on anything that you’ve missed.
“Best of Wives and Best of Women”
Did you see that Salesforce just hired a Chief Equality Officer? The company has shown a deep commitment to diversity and equity for a long time now, and this year's Dreamforce is no exception. Check out the Women's Leadership and Equality Keynote on Thursday afternoon, or any of the many leadership sessions throughout the conference. We might also be dropping by the "Women In Tech" kickoff event on Monday evening at the Hilton.
“You’ll Be Back”
If you love going to Dreamforce and want to start planning ahead for #DF17, it’s a good idea to think about to the goals you’ve set for yourself and how they’re going to help your career and your company. If you start implementing the great ideas you’ve learned at Dreamforce, you can make a good business case for coming back. It’s also never too early to start thinking about topics you might want to present on yourself at next year’s conference.
who tells your story?