With more than 750 breakout sessions, and keynote speakers including GE CEO Jeff Immelt and Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson, Dreamforce 2012 is poised to be another exciting and inspiring event for the CRM world. Last year’s event drew more than 46,000 attendees and this year promises to be just as big. How do you make the most of the trip without getting too overwhelmed? We put together a list of tips to help you simplify what can be a very busy few days.
Follow AppShark’s Matt Dillon (@Dillonshark) and @AppSharkUSA on Twitter for recommendations, highlights and updates throughout the event.
The AppShark team also will be available to answer questions and help create action plans so you can ensure a meaningful ROI.
Stay Organized.
1. Use the Agenda Builder application available through Dreamforce.com/login to keep track of sessions you are registered for and keynote speaker times.
2. Download helpful applications to store expense report items, business cards, trip information and contacts. The Dreamforce app is a must have!
Prioritize.
3. Go in with a plan based on your company’s roadmap. Select breakout sessions that will help you reach your objectives. At the same time, be open to sessions that don’t necessarily fit with your day-to-day duties. Sessions outside your comfort zone might help your long-term success with Salesforce.
4. With so many sessions to choose from, pick the ones you think are most beneficial to see live. You can watch recordings of other sessions when you return home.
5. Keep a few blocks of time open between sessions so you can visit some of the unscheduled events and vendors you come across.
Plan for Success.
6. Make a list of questions for each session before you leave for San Francisco. You won’t have much spare time to do so during the event.Recap your answers and conversations with your team daily so you can assess if those goals were met.
7. Follow up with new contacts easily at the end of each day by drafting the framework for emails (s) or LinkedIn messages before your trip.
Be Social.
8. Salesforce is a champion of the social enterprise, so why not take part in the revolution? Share ideas and recommendations through the Dreamforce app and follow @salesforce on Twitter for regular event updates.
9. Use Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, LinkedIn and Chatter to find people from your hometown, people who work in the same industry or people who have similar interests to you so you can meet up during the event. Making connections and plans before the event will help foster more networking opportunities.
Be Professional.
10. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket, but keep in mind people you meet may be your next employer, customer or partner.
11. Stock up on business cards and hand them out readily. Proofread your cards carefully before leaving home.
Charge Your Batteries
12. Bring a refillable water bottle so you can avoid small disposable cups provided during the event.
13. Take note of coffee and juice stops nearby, including Coffee Choice (300 3rd Street), Starbucks (201 3rd St), Jamba Juice (74 New Montgomery) and The Grove (690 Mission St).
Enjoy.
14. Don’t miss the keynote speakers, as those can be the most meaningful part of the event.
15. Take in the sights of San Francisco, one of the most unique cities in the U.S.
For more tips, visit the Salesforce blog at http://blogs.salesforce.com/company/2012/08/tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-the-dreamforce-developer-experience.html
