A First-Timer’s Guide to Navigating Dreamforce 2024

Attending Dreamforce for the first time felt a bit like visiting Disney World—there’s so much to see, do, and experience that it’s impossible to fit everything into one visit. Dreamforce 2024 was a whirlwind of learning and exploration, and I came away with valuable lessons and a plan for what to prioritize next time. Here are my key takeaways.

Packing Essentials

Business casual and beyond are the norm at Dreamforce. For days when I knew I was going to be networking, I did dress up more than I normally would. But for the days when I was just going to be in sessions, I dressed more casually. To each their own.

Layering is key for staying comfortable throughout the day. Bring a light jacket and be prepared for pop-up showers, as you’ll be walking between venues often. I used a packable rain jacket that fit easily in my backpack. Some of the rooms are cold so you might use it indoors as well.

Buy a new comfortable pair of shoes just for this occasion. Bring a small backpack that will fit your laptop, snacks, and room for swag. Make sure to check for size restrictions on bags, though I didn’t see anyone get turned away.

A portable charger is a must-have for long days at the event. I also recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Noise cancelling headphones were helpful for several reasons, the main one being the app has a feature to listen to sessions live.

Business cards do make an impression. I didn’t have any, but for those that handed them out, I now physically have a card in hand for that interaction.

Navigating the Dreamforce Map

Before arriving at Dreamforce, it helps to get familiar with the key locations you’ll encounter. Salesforce uses their own forest themed terminology for common conference concepts which can be confusing to first timers. Each area has a unique vibe and purpose:

Trailblazer Forest

A public exhibit hall that includes short sessions (often 20 minutes or less) and hands-on experiences. It can get noisy, so I used noise-cancelling headphones to concentrate during hands-on activities. This area had some of the best sessions I attended—don’t miss it if you’re interested in developer or admin tracks. You can also listen to sessions in the mobile app if it’s too loud.

This was on Level 2 of Moscone West this year.

Lodge Village

A prime spot for Salesforce product demonstrations. Many of the quests required visiting this area to get demos or learn more about Salesforce features. These areas are in the lobbies between session rooms, so they’re easy to visit between sessions.

This was located on Level 1 of Moscone West in 2024.

Dreamforest

An outdoor walkway that connects the main keynote area to the exhibit hall. It’s lined with activities, vendors, music, food, and drinks at different times of the day, making it a fun place to recharge between venues. It’s also highly trafficked.

This was located along Howard Street, but with all the greenery and booths, it felt like walking through a lush forest path!

Campground

The main exhibit hall where vendors display their products and Salesforce demos take place. You’ll find food and drinks here at various times, and several quests will take you through this area. Some vendors also run their own quests with limited prizes, so find out about them early.

Take the Dreamforest path to reach the Campground, which is located down the escalators in Moscone North.

Navigating Session Types

Dreamforce offers a wide variety of session formats, each with its own value depending on what you’re looking to get out of the event:

Hands-on Workshops

If you’re looking for technical deep dives, these are a must. They offer practical, real-world training with Salesforce features. Some workshops provide computers, but be prepared to bring your own laptop for others. Hands-on workshops are ideal for admins and developers wanting to gain hands-on experience while tackling complex problems in real-time.

Roundtables & Circles of Success

These small-group discussions are invaluable for learning how others in the Salesforce ecosystem are solving real challenges. Beyond learning, they offer great networking opportunities. If you prefer structured networking to happy hours, these sessions are an ideal way to meet peers and exchange ideas.

Keynotes

Keynotes are exciting but time-consuming. You’ll need to arrive at least 45 minutes early to secure a seat, which means losing about 2-3 hours per keynote when factoring in the waiting time. The good news is that all keynotes are available on demand, so you don’t have to stress about missing them live.

Do the Quests and Collect the Swag

Feeling overwhelmed by all the activities? The quests give you direction and guide you through various areas while teaching you about Salesforce products. Plus, completing quests earns you rewards like pins, hoodies, and more.

Pro tip: Some quests start even before the event begins, so watch for notifications and emails. During the event, you can track your progress using the mobile app. Tackle popular quests early, as supplies for some prizes tend to run out quickly.

Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask other attendees about their swag—sometimes they’ve discovered quests that aren’t as widely known.

Food and Drink Availability

Dreamforce did an excellent job of providing free meals throughout the day. You can easily get by with free breakfast, snacks, and lunch, which allows you to save your meal stipend for a nice dinner. Various locations like the Trailblazer Forest, Dreamforest, and Campground offer snacks and drinks, and networking breakfasts are a great opportunity to fuel up and make connections.

If the main lunch areas feel too crowded, head to one of the nearby hotels. These areas are often quieter but still provide plenty of food options.

Virtual Hands-On: Continue Learning After Dreamforce

Even after Dreamforce ends, you can continue learning through Salesforce+. This year, virtual hands-on sessions will run from September 24-26, offering three in-depth workshops presented twice a day. Each session lasts two hours and covers specific topics:

• Day 1: Data Cloud
• Day 2: Prompt Builder
• Day 3: AgentForce

These sessions aren’t on-demand; they’re live, giving you a chance to interact and get real-time feedback as you work through exercises. If you’re looking to continue building your technical skills after the event, this is a great opportunity to dive deeper.

Finding Quiet Moments

Dreamforce can get overwhelming with the crowds and noise, but there are ways to find moments of peace. I used noise-cancelling headphones to block out the background chatter in busier areas. You can also find low-traffic areas or designated quiet rooms if you need to take a break and rest your ears. The event app is helpful for locating these quieter spots, so you can recharge before diving back into the action.

What I’ll Prioritize Next Time

Next time, I’ll make more time for networking and Braindates. Although I attended a few sessions, I feel I could’ve connected with more people if I had prioritized these opportunities. I also plan to take advantage of Salesforce certifications, which are offered at no extra cost during Dreamforce. Preparing for a certification might take time, but it’s worth considering for a second or third visit.

Additionally, there are community get togethers that I completely missed out on, as I am not currently active in any of the trailblazer communities. I plan to change that for next time. Example - the Non-Profit community had lots of activities, and even a website to help you find the right sessions and events! I didn’t know about it until the event was starting and had already planned my schedule.

Closing Thoughts

Dreamforce is massive, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The key is to plan ahead but stay flexible. Prioritize the hands-on sessions and roundtables for meaningful learning and networking, and don’t stress about missing keynotes—they’re available on-demand. Much like Disney World, you won’t see everything on your first visit, but that just leaves you with more to look forward to next time.

Would I do it again? The answer is yes, if I stay involved in the Salesforce community and continue to build my skills it would be worth it. I heard from many attendees that it gets better each year as you build your network and know what to expect, and can start branching out into hyper focused areas of interest.

Useful Resources

• Dreamforce Ready 2024: Salesforce’s official prep guide for getting the most out of the event.
• Salesforce+: Watch on-demand Dreamforce sessions and continue learning after the event.
• Salesforce Ben - Parties and Events Guide: A guide to Dreamforce parties and events.
• 2024 Dreamforce Quests: Salesforce’s guide to the Dreamforce quests for earning swag and completing challenges.