INSIDER TIPS FROM DREAMFORCE VETERANSEVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO NAVIGATE DREAMFORCE LIKE A PRO

Dreamforce is an incredible four-day experience that highlights the best cloud computing has to offer.

However, with over 100,000 registered attendees slated to attend, Dreamforce can also be a bit overwhelming for first- or even second-time attendees. To help you navigate the world’s largest software event, we’ve assembled advice from some Dreamforce veterans who have seen and done it all before.

In the following pages, you’ll find advice on everything from getting around the city to finding the best swag. So read on and find out how to navigate Dreamforce like a pro.

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Introduction

WELCOME TO DREAMFORCE!

Table of Contents01

02

03

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What to bring

How to get around

Where to get the best swag

Advice for networking

Advice for the party scene

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Dreamforce may be four full days, but it feels like a whirlwind. Everything goes by in the blink of an eye, and you don’t want to waste a minute on anything but taking it all in.

Being able to operate at peak Dreamforce performance requires a little bit of planning, and it all starts with what you pack. So how do you pack for Dreamforce success? Let’s take a look!

It all starts with the right clothes. Dreamforce attendees overwhelmingly prefer to dress in business casual attire, so leave your Sunday best at home. Pack clothes that you’ll feel presentable in during the day, and comfortable in during the evening. Don’t forget: San Francisco evenings can get quite chilly, so be sure to pack a light jacket.

When it comes to must-haves, the most experienced attendees will tell you it’s all about the shoes. Dreamforce is an incredibly active conference. You are often bustling

Chapter 1

HOW TO PACK FOR DREAMFORCE

“Shoes, shoes, shoes. And external battery! Your smartphone with the Dreamforce app installed. Scarf, hat and gloves for the concert.”

-Elizabeth Davidson

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“I’m not even packing my laptop this year! Comfortable shoes are

a MUST!”

“An external battery pack for your phone/iPad!”

BRENT DOWNEY

ALICE TANNER

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between keynotes, breakout sessions, conferences, and workshops, not to mention spending time on your feet networking. This means one of the most important things you can pack for your trip is a pair of comfortable shoes.

If you’ve got comfortable shoes covered, the most experienced Dreamforce attendees wil also tell you that networking tools are also near the top of their list of must-haves. Whether it’s the traditional stack of business cards or the Dreamforce app, make sure you pack the

right tools to make and maintain new connections. You’ll never have access to so many innovative and influential people!

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FOOTWEAR

When it comes to must-

haves, the most experienced

attendees will tell you it’s all

about the shoes. Dreamforce

attendees spend a lot of

time on their feet, and having

comfortable shoes can mean

the difference between a great

time and a miserable day.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST BRING TO DREAMFORCE?

WARM JACKET

10%

BUSINESS CARDS

10%

COMFORTABLE SHOES

76%

LAPTOP

0%

OTHER

4%

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“If you’re trying to get somewhere close, walking will be your best bet. If your destination is too far to walk, I’d suggest Uber.”

-Ijeoma Ikechi

Dreamforce takes place every year in one of the most beautiful cities in the country: San Francisco. The city has been the home of Salesforce since the company was founded 15 years ago, and we are thrilled to welcome our friends, clients, and partners to our home city each year.

With so much to see and so many transportation options, determining the best way to get around during Dreamforce can seem like a challenge. But don’t fret; it’s much easier than you think.

The Dreamforce campus is confined to Moscone Center and the immediate surrounding area. Even the furthest session locations are never more than a 10-minute walk away.

Many of the Dreamforce attendees we surveyed chose to walk everywhere during the four-day event. Walking gives you the chance to stretch your legs and enjoy the

Chapter 2

HOW TO GET AROUND DURING DREAMFORCE

“Walking can’t be beat... But I love the pedicabs. And I insist on at least one cable car ride while in town. Uber is awesome for stuff that may be a bit longer hike.”

“I love the historic streetcars for getting down Market street! And to the Ferry Building and

Fisherman’s Wharf.”

ELIZABETH DAVIDSON

STEPHANIE FOERST

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San Francisco weather. It’s also a great time to have walking meetings, check back with the office, or scope out a place to grab a quick bite or your next cup of coffee.

Running a little late to a session across campus and walking might not cut it? Try taking one of the pedicabs roving around the Moscone campus. They are free to all Dreamforce attendees and can be a quick and fun way to get around quickly.

What if you need to cover a little more

ground back to your hotel or to your dinner reservation across town? Dreamforce veterans overwhelmingly prefer apps like Uber and Lyft to get around the city with ease. They are quick, easy, and safe, but beware of surge pricing during peak times!

With so much to do and see during Dreamforce, knowing the best ways to get around can both save you time and unneccesary stress, allowing you to enjoy everything Dreamforce and San Francisco have to offer!

WALKING IS THE WAY TO GO

Dreamforce veterans

overwhelmingly prefer walking

to wherever they are going

on the Dreamforce campus.

With sessions, food, and

events all accessible in the the

general vacinity of Moscone

center, there’s no need for any

transportation other than your

own two feet!

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GET AROUND DURING DREAMFORCE?

TAXI

0%

UBER

12%

MUNI

0%

WALKING

80%

OTHER

4%

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No matter what the industry, profession, or company, conferences always have one thing in common: free swag.

Sure, you’re excited to see the big keynotes, make new connections, and learn new skills. But we also know that a small part of every attendee is itching to go see what free swag is on on offer. If you’re a conference-goer with such an inclination, Dreamforce will not disappoint.

With more than 300 cloud computing vendors showcasing their wares, Dreamforce is like no other place in the world when it comes to scoring free swag. That’s why an overwhelming 75% of Dreamforce veterans listed the Cloud Expo as the best place at Dreamforce to score some swag.

Located in Moscone North, the Dreamforce Cloud Expo is a staggering space that could house several football fields. But instead of football fields, the Cloud Expo is packed

Chapter 3

WHERE TO FIND THE BESTSWAG

“The Cloud Expo is hands down the best place to score some swag

and see demos of some of the newest products.”

“Sponsored parties are usually a good place to find some fun,

unique swag.”

DUSTIN FINKLE

SARAH BUSTA

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full of the leading cloud computing companies, all eager to meet you and showcase their wares.

Here, you can demo some of the latest and greatest solutions in the cloud computing space and get a feel for just how expansive and dynamic the Salesforce ecosystem of partners truly is.

And while you’re visiting the Cloud Expo, be sure to stop by the Salesforce Campground, also located in Moscone North, to see the latest Salesforce

products in action and pick up some exclusive Salesforce swag.

The Product Showcase is the place to experience the latest Salesforce products, features, and services. See live demos from Salesforce experts, and learn about the products that will help your company succeed.

YOU’LL FIND IT AT THE EXPO

With hundreds of cloud

computing’s leading

companies exhibiting their

latest technology and

products, the Cloud Expo

located in Moscone North is

hands-down the best place to

score the best swag.

WHERE DO YOU FIND THE BEST SWAG AT DREAMFORCE?

OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE

4%

CLOUD EXPO

75%

SESSIONS

11%

PARTIES

7%

OTHER

4%

Are you ready to meet the new Service Cloud? Don’t miss the Service Cloud Keynote on Wednesday,October 15.

Watch a free demo

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“Visit all the different areas and talk to people. Chat up the person next to you during a session, or while waiting in line. Great way to meet new people!”

-Carol Enevoldsen

While Dreamforce is an incredible chance to explore the newest Salesforce products and learn the latest strategies and techniques from the experts, the greatest opportunity is less tangible: the ability to network with the key players in your industry.

Dreamforce has been called the mecca of technology and cloud computing, and rightfully so. Every year, Dreamforce draws more than 100,000 of the technology industry’s best and brightest to San Francisco for four days of networking and sharing ideas.

So how do you make the most of this incredible opportunity to connect with all the right people? We asked Dreamforce veterans for their best networking advice to make the conference a real success and got a number of helpful tips.

A majority of Dreamforce veterans suggest leaving time between your events and sessions specifically for networking. With

Chapter 4

HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL NETWORKER

“Networking can happen anywhere, anytime. My best advice on that is

simply to talk to everyone you can...introduce yourself, ask where they are from, and if this is the first Dreamforce

experience for them.”

“Less screen time, more eye contact.”

ERIC DRESHFIELD

MATT BERTUZZI

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so much to do, see, and learn, it can be tempting to jam your agenda with back-to-back events, but it’s hard to learn more about new acquaintances or even exchange information when you’re rushing back and forth. Give yourself time between sessions to build relationships.

Veterans also suggest spending time in different zones throughout the Dreamforce campus. With dedicated zones for developers, admins, salespeople, marketers, and more, you have an incredible opportunity to not

only meet like-minded people, but also expand your network into other areas of expertise.

Be sure to download the Dreamforce app to help support your networking efforts. With access to the Dreamforce Chatter group, the conversation never has to stop. You can continue building relationships and starting new ones long after Dreamforce.

MAKE THE TIME TO MAKECONNECTIONS

Dreamforce is a frantic four-

day experience that will pass

in a blur no matter what you

do. To create meaningful

networking connections, take

the time between events to get

to know new acquaintances.

WHAT’S YOUR ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR NETWORKING AT DREAMFORCE?

VISIT AND SPEND TIME IN DIFFERENT ZONES

26%

UTLIZE THE DREAMFORCE CHATTER GROUP

26%

ATTEND PARTIES AND NETWORKING

12%

LEAVE TIME BETWEEN SESSIONS

35%

VOLUNTEER

0%

Don’t miss the new Sales Cloud, announced at the Sales Cloud Keynote onTuesday, October 15.

Watch a free demo

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Dreamforce embodies the “work hard, play hard” mentality that permeates the technology industry. While the four days of Dreamforce are loaded with workshops, breakout sessions, and networking events, the nights are equally packed with concerts and parties to attend.

Each year, Salesforce and its partners throw dozens of parties throughout the city during Dreamforce. Each party has its own unique location and theme, and some even have an exclusive criteria for their attendees. So how do you master this diverse party scene?

Over 61% of Dreamforce veterans suggest you RSVP to the parties you most want to attend. While some parties have flexible admission, other parties fill up fast and may only admit attendees who RSVP in advance.

This way, you don’t have to worry about getting turned away at the door and having to change your plans.

Chapter 5

MASTERING THE DREAMFORCE PARTY SCENE

“Dreamforce throws amazing parties, which are a great way to meet new partners.”

-Dustin Finkle

“Definitely RSVP for parties and make sure you get a confirmation. Most of the parties have the scan-ners to scan your badge in, and if your name doesn’t come up, they

won’t let you in.”

“Drink water, not just beer :). And don’t forget to eat!”

CHERYL FELDMAN

STEPHANIE FOERST

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Curious what’s going on? Follow the crowds of badge-holders to one of San Francisco’s many local watering holes, or search for #df14 on Twitter — there are sure to be plenty of people talking about how much fun they’re having!

Veterans also encourage attendees to arrive early. With nearly 100,000 attendees descending onto San Francisco during Dreamforce, the event spaces for Dreamforce parties can get crowded as the night progresses.

Arriving early not only assures you’ll get into the party of your choice, but also means you’ll have an easier time getting to the bar, finding a place to sit, and scoping out the area.

MAKE SURE YOU RSVP!

Over 61% of Dreamforce

veterans suggest you RSVP

to the parties you most want

to attend. While some parties

have flexible admission, other

parties fill up fast and may

only admit those that RSVP in

advance.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THE PARTY SCENE AT DREAMFORCE?

ARRIVE EARLY

9%

RSVP

61%

LEAVE EARLY

0%

ALL OF THE ABOVE

27%

OTHER

2%