From its sprawling sea of attendees to celebrity guest appearances and holograms in the conference center, Dreamforce is about as far from your average corporate get-together as Disney World is from a carousel. It’s the pinnacle event of the season for the global Salesforce community, a can’t-miss, three-day assortment of opportunities. 

But if you’re new to Dreamforce you may also be wondering: What is Dreamforce, and what’s all the buzz about? Below, you’ll find all of the information you need to make your first trip a success.

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What is Dreamforce and why is it such a big deal?

Dreamforce is an annual technology conference that brings the global Salesforce community together for three days of incredible events, learning opportunities, networking, and fun. Attendees can join fellow Trailblazers in attending an expansive array of keynote speeches, product announcements, breakout sessions, and networking events. 

With over 1,500 expert-led sessions, workshops, and demos, you can expect to walk out with a wealth of new knowledge and fresh inspiration to drive results for your customers, team, or business as a whole! According to survey data, 92% of Dreamforce attendees affirmed that Dreamforce was worth the investment and time; come ready to learn all of the inspiring new happenings in the Salesforce community, including:

• Breaking Salesforce news, updates, and future-state plans
• Informative & entertaining keynotes
• Speaker sessions and roundtables
• Opportunities for networking and knowledge-sharing
• Entertainment and spectacle

(Can’t make the in-person event? No problem! Dreamforce+ will have a 72-hour live broadcast to keep you in the know all weekend long. To catch groundbreaking keynotes and sessions, register here.)

Of course, opportunities for social connectivity aren’t limited to the main venue, either. Countless ecosystem partners (including Gerent!) hold off-site parties, dinners, happy hours, and other events within a stone’s throw of the main Dreamforce venue. If you want a break from the central hustle and bustle — or want to find low-key gatherings more specifically attuned to your industry or interests — you may find it worthwhile to check out gatherings hosted off the beaten path!

What should I bring?

It’s important to be prepared for your time at Dreamforce! Consider packing these items before you arrive:

• Backpack. Laptops, chargers, business cards — make sure you have a backpack to store all the essentials!
• Comfortable Shoes. You’ll be walking a lot, so pack some flats or comfortable sneakers for treks to and from events.
• Layers. Make sure to pack a cardigan, sweatshirt, or coat for when it gets cold. It may be sunny in San Francisco, but those air-conditioned conference rooms can get chilly!
• Umbrella. Don’t get caught in the rain! Pack an umbrella to keep you dry during your stay, and don’t forget to always check the weather forecast before going out.
• Chargers. Bring any chargers you need for laptops, cell phones, etc. An external battery pack can be extra useful on the go!
• Salesforce Events App. Installing the Salesforce Events app will save you time and hassle during the conference. Stay organized with a ready-to-go agenda and use the app to help you navigate the city.

What attractions or experiences should I prioritize?

Dreamforce has no shortage of experiences and surprises around every corner. 91% of Dreamforce attendees reported meeting someone who had a positive impact on their business — so don't miss out; grab your shoes and hit the streets! Stop by some of these Dreamforce locations for fun and finesse:

• Dreamforest. Sustainability meets innovation at the entrance to Dreamforce National Park — come for the hands-on giving experiences and stay for the immersive surprises at Dreamforest! It’s the perfect place to share moments on social media and partake in the give-back of Dreamforce.
• Campground. The focal point for demos, sponsors, and customer stories, the Dreamforce Campground serves as the heart of Dreamforce and is a place to enjoy CRM + AI + Data + Trust brought to life. 
• Lodge Village. Perfect for a meeting of the minds, the Lodge Village is where tete-a-tetes between like-minded individuals happen. Stop by the Lodge Village for deep discussions and joining others in solving common business challenges.
• Trailblazer Forest. Calling the most technical minds among us: The Trailblazer Forest is your one-stop-shop to mingle with developers, admins, architects, and IT leaders showcasing the newest products and launches.
• Launch Zone. Everyone is an Einstein at the Launch Zone; come test and master the latest products and new skills by attending demos and learning sessions.
• Dreamfest. With P!nk and Imagine Dragons performing onstage, Dreamfest is the event you won’t want to miss! Better yet, the concert is for a good cause: Help Salesforce reach $120 million in donations for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals — all while enjoying a legendary performance!

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What should I be doing to prepare?

Given the sheer number of options available, it’s important to plan ahead. Keep an organized calendar of events you want to attend so you make the most out of your Dreamforce 2024 experience! Finding those events is easy:

• Session Catalog. Dreamforce provides a robust session catalog of over 1,000 events to choose from. You can use filters to narrow down the topics that speak to your business, topic, or industry.
• Off-Site Happy Hours. Dreamforce is great, but it doesn’t stop in the San Francisco towers! Get ready to share ideas and constructively collaborate with professionals in your industry through happy hours hosted around the area. (Hint: We’re serving up an A+ happy hour on 9/17 at 5pm at Buena Vida Cantina — just a few minutes walk from the main Campground!)
• A-List Keynotes. Learn more about the newest innovations and biggest announcements by attending keynotes that align with your industry or interests! 

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Lastly, don’t forget to register! Dreamforce is taking place September 17-19 in San Francisco at the Moscone Center, but you can also access it virtually upon registration.

Connect with Gerent at Dreamforce 2024

This year, Gerent will be taking over a restaurant on Folsom Street to provide a hub for Salesforce innovators, customers, and AEs alike to meet! 

We’ll be posting up at Buena Vida Cantina, a delicious local restaurant, on September 17th and 18th. Here, you can step out of Dreamforce’s hustle and bustle and enjoy food, fun, and conversation with our industry leaders. We’ll be hosting breakfast and lunch as a place to rest and recharge from the hubbub and excitement. We’ll also be holding a happy hour for all industries on September 17th from 5pm-7pm!

As a bonus, we’ll be providing thought leadership sessions for customers in the manufacturing, financial services, insurance, education, and nonprofit sectors. We can’t wait to connect with you!

Capacity is limited; book your conversations today to reserve your place!

Connect with Gerent at DF ’24!

dreamforce.gerent.com | https://www.salesforce.com/dreamforce/