If you attended Connections and are planning your first Dreamforce trip, our very own Janine Hollick, Director of Business Growth breaks down the differences and similarities between the two events to help you maximize your investment. This is Part 2 of the blog post. To read Part 1, click here.
Not a Salesforce customer?
If your organization isn’t using any Salesforce product in any way today but are considering it, then Dreamforce is as much for you as it is for existing customers.
Scorecard: Dreamforce: 1 | Connections: 0
Entertainment
Work hard, play harder right? Both Connections and Dreamforce are sure to keep you entertained while you learn. Included with the purchase of a full conference pass is a ticket to a live concert, the likes of which have included U2, Foo Fighters, Metallica, Bruno Mars and Janet Jackson in the past. This year’s band has yet to be announced but whoever it is, we’ll all be there to unwind after a jam-packed conference.
Scorecard: Dreamforce: 1 | Connections: 1
Giving Back
Philanthropy is part of Salesforce’s DNA. From its inception, Salesforce has pledged to donate 1% of their product, 1% of its profits and 1% of its employees time to improve communities around the world. To date, Salesforce has given more than $240 million in grants, 3.5 million hours of community service, and provided product donations for more than 39,000 nonprofits and education institutions.1 Both Dreamforce and Connections are big opportunities for customers, partners and employees to collectively participate in Salesforce’s charitable efforts.
Scorecard: Dreamforce: 1 | Connections: 1
Bonus Speakers and Sessions
By now, the gravatos and phenomenon that is Dreamforce should be setting in. If that’s not enough, then maybe the opportunity to hear from celebrity speakers who are at the top of their game will do it for you. Past guests have included best selling author, life coach and business strategist Tony Robbins, Actress and Founder of the Honest company Jessica Alba, former first-lady Michelle Obama, and civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis. I mean, c’mon! When will you get an opportunity to be in the same room to hear any one of these incredible people speak?! No word yet on who the special guests will be this year, but if past guests are any indication of the caliber, Salesforce is sure not to disappoint.
Scorecard: Dreamforce: 1 | Connections: 1
Conclusion
While I’ve been to more Connections than Dreamforces, I’m a big supporter of everyone who is a part of, or on the periphery of the Salesforce ecosystem going to Dreamforce, even if you’ve attended Connections. Going to one but not the other is like using an iPhone without ever downloading any apps. You’ll get on perfectly fine with your iPhone but you’ll never truly see the bigger picture or understand the kind of experience you can have by extending what your phone is designed to do. The same is true for Salesforce.
Dreamforce is where Salesforce comes to life. You have to see, feel it and experience it to really understand that it’s so much more than just a tech conference. Blaze your trail and go!
References
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Salesforce.org. 2019. https://www.salesforce.org/pledge-1/
