Meeting recap and Dreamforce preview
We had our meeting today at Tableau Software here in Fremont.
Serge Paxton gave a great presentation on community supplemented by JP Lie with information on the developer community. If you haven't checked it out, go do it!
Nurud Mohamed then gave a presentation on Winter '10 release. Lots of cool stuff including, Knowledge, Content Delivery and Analytics enhancements.
Finally, I wrapped things up with a lively (and short) presentation on Dreamforce. I hope you're all going to come join us there. Since I have MY content, I'll go ahead and put it up here for anyone who missed it. Also, if you haven't signed up and are still interested in going, User Group Members get a discount. Please contact me if you need the code.
Go check out the Dreamforce site here: http://www.salesforce.com/dreamforce/DF09/site
Some Highlights:
- Keynote speeches by Marc Benioff and Colin Powell
- Tons of valuable breakout sessions for all types of users and developers
- A huge expo with partners to add value to your Salesforce.com org
- Direct access to Salesforce.com employees
- The annual Global Gala - this year's musical guest: The Black Crowes
You can see breakout sessions now and put them on a calendar to resolve conflicts and figure out how to squeeze as much as you can into the 3 days. Loren suggested putting everything that you're interested in on the calendar at first and then just do conflict resolution to decide what you can actually attend.
There is an orientation session for first time Dreamforce attendees on the 17th at 5pm. This is the first year that it's being held, so I am going to go check it out. Tom Wong, author of Salesforce.com for Dummies and VP of Dreamforce is hosting that session.
You can also see all the vendors in the expo. There may be ones you want to hit first or last. I suggest going to all of them at least once during the course of Dreamforce. There are small companies that could provide the exact solution you are looking for. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and do the "badge dance." The "badge dance" is where the vendor tries to scan your badge, but it doesn't work at first so there is a lot of leaning in and out... it's quite humorous.
There are lots of swag to be collected as well. I generally use the bag you get at registration to schlep all my swag home in.
Tips and Tricks:
- Plan ahead - use the Attendee portal to it's fullest potential. If you can, arrive early for the reception on the 17th and check out the conference guide. It has invaluable information on layout and events.
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Go to the keynote speeches. They are long, but worth it most of the time.
- Go to as many "hands on" labs as possible. You actually get to play with tools that way.
- Be sure to visit the Salesforce.com Campground and Force.com Zone. Make arrangements to meet your Account Exec, Success Manager and/or Premier Support Contact.
- Have FUN!
We always try to meet up and never quite succeed. This year I'm trying something different. If you're interested, meet me prior to all the big events - Keynotes, Gala, etc under the pedestrian bridge outside the Moscone South Lobby. This is right next to the Zeum with the carousel. I will try to be there 30 to 15 minutes before all of the events for anyone that wants to sit together.
Also, once I have the layout of the dining area. I will post on here where I will be staking out tables during breakfast. I always try to have a good breakfast to stay awake for those early sessions and keynotes. Even after the vendor parties ;-)
Hope to see you all there! Feel free to contact me directly or leave a comment if you have any questions or suggestions for anyone.
Comments
Hi Barry,
New to the group - just registered for DreamForce '09 and am very excited. I'd love to meet other PNWers who use SF. Hope to see you there!
Posted by: Courtney | Oct 28, 2009 1:55:21 PM
hi Barry, I missed last year but have been to Dreamforce before and will be back as media (I blog for D&B at AllBusiness as well as other sales focused sites.) Would love to see others from Seattle so will plan to look for you at you and others where you mentioned. Thanks.
Posted by: Lori Richardson | Nov 2, 2009 10:17:40 AM