Dreamforce: Simultaneously exhilarating and exhausting. As you and thousands of your peers gather for this year’s conference, there are several things to keep in mind for your whirlwind experience in the heart of San Francisco. For both first timers and seasoned veterans of the show, here are seven tips to make your Dreamforce adventure the best possible.
You’ll want to be carrying a backpack or tote bag with you as you make your way from session to session and between booths. In your bag’s limited space, here are some vital items to pack:
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Hand sanitizer. See above.
2. Pack Snacks
Other things that you should carry that warrant their own section here are snacks. It should go without much persuading that snacks are what keep you going throughout the day. You never know when you’re going to have a chance to fuel up with food, so be smart and pack your choice of snack to take on the go. At the very least, carry gum or mints that will give you quick pick-me-up when needed.
3. Leave Your Laptop
While you love your laptop, believe me: It won’t miss you when it’s safely stored in your hotel room. And it won’t be offended that it’s too heavy to lug around all day. Take an
iPad or tablet instead. They’re much more accessible in the event you actually have to use it. Or, bring an old fashioned pen and notebook with you to jot notes on the fly and in sessions.
4. Time Management
You go to Dreamforce for the sessions and you come away with amazing new connections. Don’t cheat yourself of making these connections by jam-packing your agenda with back-to-back sessions. You don’t want to feel rushed with a strictly preplanned schedule – flexibility is a luxury to capitalize on. Plan out about 50 percent of your day, then leave the other half free to explore.
5. Prepare Your App Arsenal
Mobile device: Check. Important applications: To be downloaded. Here are some favorites that you’ll get great use of at Dreamforce:
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Dreamforce Mobile App. (The most obvious one, and a no-brainer before this four day super show.)
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Evernote. (For all your note taking needs, be your note in text form, webpage, image, voice memo or handwritten “ink” note.)
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TripIt. (A great all-in-one app travel organizer.)
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GroupMe. (Free group text messaging so you can communicate with your Dreamforce pals. Pro tip: disable the vibrate on notifications; it will eat up your battery.)
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OpenTable. (Manage reservations is real time online and get points toward free meals.)
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Venmo. (For after your dinner at your OpenTable-reserved restaurant with your group of new Dreamforce pals.)
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Yelp. (Will help guide your trip in San Francisco.)
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Uber or Lyft. (For when you’re returning safely to your hotel after the Dreamfest featuring U2.)
6. Walk It Out
Don’t use the shuttles. If you could use a lift, jump in a pedicab – these are free at the show, but they do accept cash tips so have a few extra dollars handy. Dreamforce is the perfect event to track your steps, with your pedometer or whatever fitness app your use – you’re going to walk more miles than you realize. Speaking of walking…
7. Don’t Knock Compression Socks
Compression socks are the godsend of Dreamforce. To reiterate: You’ll be walking. A lot. Compression socks – not just for your grandma! – help the circulation in your legs, preventing uncomfortable side effects from activity-filled days, like swelling. Couple your socks with very comfortable shoes, because it’s typical to have multiple 18-hour days at the conference.
With these seven tips in mind, embark with excitement to Dreamforce! I wish you the best as you traverse from booth demos and the more than 2,000 sessions presented by industry pioneers and CRM thought leaders. Whatever your industry or the size of your company, you’re bound to take away valuable new insight and lessons on the world’s largest cloud ecosystem.