It’s never too early to prepare for Dreamforce!

Dreamforce is coming! As you’ve seen from the Road to Dreamforce ’14 folks, there’s a lot going into the event. So, how do you get ready for Dreamforce? Whether this is your first or 9th Dreamforce, you must prepare for the awesomeness. Here are some pointers.

Mental Preparation

It is said that attending your first Dreamforce is like drinking from a fire-hose. Yep, that’s about right. That’s not to say that your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th are any different! Every year there are new announcements from Salesforce, new partners, new events, new people. The best outcomes of Dreamforce are the connections you make and the lessons you take back home. Be ready to take it all in, but don’t expect to be able to take it all in the week of. It won’t happen…it can’t happen! There’s simply too much awesome.

Pointers:

• Make a list of people, partners, and Salesforce employees you’d like to connect with.
• Settle on a note taking strategy that works for you. Some folks haul around laptops and use Evernote live. Some absorb in the moment and re-watch sessions on YouTube after the fact. There’s no right way, but pick a way and stick to it.
• Because you can’t see it all, get comfortable with the fact that you’ll miss some cool stuff. It sucks, but that’s just the way it is. Sorry!

Physical preparation

This year, like in years past, the Dreamforce campus is HUGE! This is a blessing and a curse. Blessing in that you’ll walk off all the fabulous San Francisco food you’ll be eating. Curse in that if you don’t have comfortable shoes, your feet will hate you.

Be very cognizant of what you decide to carry around (a laptop, tablet, chargers, etc.). Even the slimmest of ultra-books are unbearable after 10 hours of walking around. Never mind that places to charge devices are at a premium.

Pointers:

• If your budget will allow, invest in a good portable battery. I own this one and it has served me very well.
• Wear comfortable shoes. I can’t stress this enough. Don’t worry about being stylist, cute, or professional. Anyone judging you for your comfortable shoes is a jerk.
• Plan your day-bag. What is a necessity? If you had to lug that bag to an after party would that be horrible? Be very strategic in how much you lug around.

Logistical preparation

For most of us, San Francisco is far from home. Getting to Dreamforce and home again can be half the fun if you do it right! This can be as simple as coordinating flights with fun co-workers or user group friends, or, it can be as complex as taking an RV across half the country. Either way, expect and plan for delays, and know that you’ll have to roll with the punches. Getting that many folks into and out of a city ain’t easy!

Pointers:

• As soon as you know you’re going, connect with others from your city and coordinate travel.
• Be willing to share a cab/Uber/Lyft once you get to San Fran. You never know who you’ll meet!
• Have patience with everyone you interact with. It’ll help minimize your stress and the stress of those around you.

This year, as in years past, Dreamforce will be amazing! I hope these pointers help you have an even better time! See you there!

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