5 Ways to Maximize Your Dreamforce Experience

By Molly Boone, Premier Events Director, Salesforce.org

If this is your first Dreamforce, or if it’s been a few years since you last attended, listen up!  We tracked down a few Dreamforce veterans in the Power of Us Hub and asked them to share their tips for how to get the most out of our biggest event of the year.

1. Networking: is #1! Thousands of like-minded, forward-thinking people are coming from around the world to learn, grow, and connect. Get the most out of your experience by meeting as many people as you can. 



   For Kelly Hamilton (University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business), the relationships make it all worth it: “The networking alone is worth the cost (and this is coming from an introvert). I made lasting connections at my first event and can’t wait to build on them this year.”




2. Hands-on training: Whether you’re a beginner or a super user, these sessions, also known as HOTs, are a great way to take a deeper dive on the platform with a certified user. 



   Deepa Patel at Sierra-Cedar shared: “Signing up for the HOTs helped tremendously as I was learning the platform. Going back to my desk and working with what I learned helped me implement the product.”




3. Plan your schedule before you arrive: While it’s awesome that there’s no shortage of sessions to attend (2,700 actually), it can be a little overwhelming. Use the Agenda Builder – available a few weeks before the event – to plan out your schedule before you arrive, but don’t be afraid to enjoy the experience where you find yourself. Look at it as a map rather than as set in stone. 



   Joseph McVey from West Virginia University advises: “You should definitely have your schedule/sessions set up in the mobile app, but don’t stress out if you deviate from it. Since a lot of the sessions are posted online afterward, take the chance to do something that you might not be able to do or see if you weren’t there in person.”




4. Explore: Explore everything the event has to offer. A great deal of thought goes into even the smallest details, so you’re sure to find something awesome at every turn. 



   Michael Kolodner at Spark Program said, “Personally, I’ve found two centers of value: the Salesforce.org Lodge is best for networking with the Hub folks, of course…I also like to spend a lot of time in the Admin Zone because there are so many sessions to learn from and also so much to see and do—it’s just fun to be down in Moscone West.“




5. Don’t try to do it all: If all the above sounds a little tiring, that’s because it will be. There’s a lot to pack into four days, and while you’ll want to get the most out of every minute, it’s important to take a step back every now and then for some self care.

   As 

Sandy Hunter at the Mental Health Commission of Canada said: “An impromptu rejuvenation ended up being a game changer. Don’t overbook yourself. There are so many great sessions and the temptation is to try and do it all. I know I tried my first year. Know that it’s okay to take 15 minutes here and there for yourself. I once spilled a full cup of coffee on myself and had to head back to my Airbnb to get changed. That 40 minutes was the best recharge ever!”


So there you have it — a few words of wisdom from some event pros on how to get the most of your first Dreamforce. We’re excited you’re joining us this year and we can’t wait to see you there! Watch the “How to Dreamforce” video here and follow the #DF19 hashtag on Twitter for more.