10 Tips and Tricks to Navigate Dreamforce with Salesforce.org!

Dreamforce tends to FLY by; especially if you are still trying to figure out what building you are in on day three. Let’s navigate this conference together now, to sort through the over 3,200+ sessions that take over the entire city of San Francisco, and give more tips and tricks to make this Dreamforce full of fun, innovation, and community. For those of you who have never been before – to those who have been here for the umpteenth time, there is always a need for tips and tricks before showing up to your hotel/Airbnb/VRBO or some shared space for the week (we know you searched them all!).

1. Find Your/Our Home Base

Experience the Salesforce.org community in our lodge, the gathering place for all nonprofit and education attendees. The lodge is located in the Westin St. Francis Hotel at 335 Powell St, San Francisco, as well as all breakout sessions, theater sessions, volunteer activity, customer meetings, partner booths, and our innovation lounge. We are right on the corner of Powell and Geary in Union Square.

2. Don’t miss the Keynotes

Day one kicks off the entire week with those keynotes. One hour will set the stage for what you will learn about the rest of the week. Both the Education Cloud Keynote and Nonprofit Cloud Keynotes take place in the Hilton Union Square. Make sure to get there early for a great spot and to get your very own Salesforce.org Guidebook for the week! On day two, join us down in Moscone for our Philanthropy Cloud Keynote to learn about the future of philanthropy for corporations.

3. Plan your sessions and your back ups

Use Agenda Builder to filter and comb through all the 3200+ sessions. You can bookmark as many sessions as you want but you cannot enroll in more than one per time slot. Remember that enrolling in a session does not guarantee your spot in that session. Make sure to still get there 15 minutes early to claim your seat. Also know that for those super popular sessions, hanging out in line for 30 minutes is not unheard of. Use these moments as an opportunity to network with others! Bring lots of business cards. We recommend at least 100.

4. Salesforce.org ‘Appy Hour

With NO RSVP needed, swing back by the lodge to network over a glass of wine or maybe take a photo at one of the many selfie opportunities from 3:30 to 5:30pm on Wednesday for your pre-Dreamfest warm up!

5. Idea Forum!

The Idea Forum is back this year with some amazing speakers and thought-provoking topics that will leave you with tangible solutions and ideas to take back to your organizations and schools to drive impact. Issues that will be tackled this year include tech and humanitarian issues, companies hiring based on potential not credential, and how organizations are using tech to advance their missions.

Wednesday, September 26

9am – 10am Idea Forum: What if…your cause sparks a movement?
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Yerba Buena Forum

11am – 11:40am Idea Forum: What if…Companies Hired Based on Potential, Not Credential?
Westin St. Francis, Adventurer’s Auditorium

12pm – 12:40pm Idea Forum: What if…Technology Could Help Solve Humanitarian Issues?
Westin St. Francis, Adventurer’s Auditorium

6. Dreamfest…Where? Who?

Wednesday night, you will find all of the full conference pass holders down at the Civic Center rockin’ out to Metallica! Don’t forget that security is top of mind, so take the time to drop your bag off in your room before heading to the concert. You will need your badge to get in so don’t forget it! Also, make sure to wear comfortable walking/standing shoes.

7. Go On Lionheart’s Adventure… A.K.A. THE SWAG!

Within your guidebook, that I know you got when you came to either the nonprofit or education keynote, you will find your very own Lionheart Adventure Map! Once stepping foot into the Salesforce.org Lodge, you can interact with different spaces to collect your collect stamps. Once your map is completed, turn it in at the Trading Post to collect your Dreamforce Salesforce.org Swag! Don’t forget your bonus stop! Excited yet?

8. Collect ALL THE PINS

More surprises within the Salesforce.org Lodge, Lionheart pins will be around for collection. Be sure to interact with our impact area to gain those extra sparkles! Be thinking about how to answer these questions now:

• What inspires you to speak up?
• What brings us together?
• What lifts you up?
• What connects you to better?

9. VOLUNTEER ALLEY

NEW! This year is the addition of volunteering at the Westin St. Francis.
Help us fill holiday gift bags that will be delivered to children of over 100 local families in need. Mark your calendar for:

Wednesday, September 26th: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Wednesday, September 26th: 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Thursday, September 27th: 10:00 – 11:30 AM

Want more ways to give back at Dreamforce? Catch our Dreamforce Gives blog.

10. Now, the most important…where to eat!

As a full conference pass holder, you will have access to box lunches daily starting at 11 until they are gone! Now, for dinner options, go explore San Francisco with your newly found friends! Recommendations for dinner restaurants from the Salesforce.org higher ed community:

• “House of Prime Rib,” Dave DeMichele, Yale University
• “Belly Good Cafe & Crepes in Japantown,” Corey Snow, Harvard
• “Liholiho Yacht Club,” Jeff Dixon, Queen’s University
• “Kin Khao,” Joanna Iturbe, University of Colorado at Boulder

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