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Top Salesforce events to attend: 2024 calendar

As we step into 2024, the world of Salesforce is already buzzing with exciting upcoming Salesforce events. If you've been to any of the Salesforce events before, you know how fun and rewarding they are!

• 11 mins read

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We've had a great run in the previous year, and things are set to get even better. If you're into Salesforce tech, you know how crucial it is to keep up with the latest trends. That's where Salesforce events come in. In this guide, I'll give you my list of top virtual and in-person Salesforce events of 2024.

Forget boring classroom lectures – these events are all about hands-on experiences, cool networking people, and picking up skills that can make a difference in your Salesforce-led career. Ready to jump in? Let's go!

Top Salesforce events of 2024

Salesforce live.

Salesforce Live is a series of virtual events offered throughout the year, catering to customers, partners, employees, and communities globally. The events cover diverse themes, from new and strategic insights to product-specific presentations.

Salesforce Live events were originally initiated as a response to the travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have continued to date. The recordings of these events are also available on demand .

• Dates: Various throughout the year (Specific dates depend on the region)
• Venue: Virtual
• Event link: Salesforce Live .

Why attend Salesforce Live?

You don't need to spend money on traveling and hotels to attend Salesforce Live events. These are pocket-friendly and accessible to your couch! By attending these events, you can:

• Access valuable content and interactions in a safe, virtual format.
• Stay updated on new Salesforce insights and real-world implementations.
• Network with professionals facing similar challenges, gaining insights and potential solutions.
• Get tailored sessions for different regions, roles, and industries, allowing participants to choose sessions aligning with their interests and professional needs.

Dreamforce 2024

Dreamforce needs no introduction. Initiated back in 2003, Dreamforce stands as Salesforce's annual flagship conference, offering a platform for global community connection, idea sharing, and innovation. With up to 170K participants, it is one of the largest tech conferences globally, focusing on customer success stories.

The event showcases Salesforce's technological breakthroughs and new features and fosters community through networking opportunities and an expansive expo. More than business discussions, Dreamforce offers Dreamfest, an epic concert featuring top-tier artists.

• Dates: 17-19 September 2024
• Venue: San Francisco, CA, USA
• Event link: Dreamforce'24
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Dreamforce, being the event it is, tends to be pricy. In 2023, tickets began at $1,499 and increased to $1,899 after the early bird phase. However, you can also attend Dreamforce online through Salesforce+ .

Highlights from the event include:

• 40K in-person attendees and 200K online registrants
• Twenty-five square feet of booth space for partner activities
• Over a thousand sessions, including keynotes and breakouts
• The event spanned three days from September 12-14 2023.

Why attend Dreamforce?

As it is one of the largest tech conferences in the world, you don't need a specific reason to attend. Yet, here are some reasons why:

• Gain insights into the latest Salesforce solutions and technological breakthroughs.
• Network with the most prominent industry leaders, partners, MVPs, and fellow professionals.
• Explore the expo for certified partners specializing in Salesforce integration and development.
• Engage in hands-on learning at the Dreamforce Trailhead area and enjoy networking parties like Dreamfest with renowned artists.

TrailblazerDX 2024

TrailblazerDX is an anticipated Salesforce event focusing on the latest advancements in Salesforce technologies, including CRM, cloud computing, and data science. With over 200 tech sessions and insights from over 400 experts in Salesforce, MuleSoft, Slack, and Tableau, it's a deep dive into CRM, cloud computing, and data science.

The event adopts a dual format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation. Whether you're a pro or just getting started, TrailblazerDX is the go-to for boosting your Salesforce skills and expanding your network.

• Dates: 6-7 March 2024
• Venue: San Francisco, USA and Salesforce+ (In-person and virtual)
• Event link: TrailblazerDX official page .

Why attend TrailblazerDX?

• You get to dive deeper into the Salesforce ecosystem, enhancing organizational efficiencies.
• You can learn from the best, participate in hands-on workshops, and enjoy additional elements like music concerts for a fun experience.

Salesforce Connections

Salesforce Connections is an annual event with a customer-centric approach focusing on marketing and commerce. Recognized for its comprehensive blend of industry knowledge, networking opportunities, and innovative inspiration, Salesforce Connections is an indispensable occasion for individuals and businesses seeking to maintain a competitive edge in the Salesforce ecosystem.

• Dates: The expected date is June 2024 (based on previous events held in June 2023)
• Venue: Chicago, IL, USA (based on the 2023 event)
• Event link: Salesforce Connections

Why attend Salesforce Connections?

• The event is essential for those interested in customer-first innovation and marketing professionals.
• Salesforce Connections provides a deep dive into the latest trends in digital marketing, offering valuable insights to keep you ahead of the competition.
• Gain inspiration and ideas for customer-first innovation, enabling you to refine and elevate your marketing strategies within the Salesforce ecosystem.

Top Salesforce community events of 2024

London's calling.

London's Calling is Europe's largest community-led Salesforce event, held annually in London, UK. Established in 2016, it gathers Salesforce professionals, Developers, and Trailblazers to share best practices and build a robust community.

This Salesforce Trailblazer Community event offers a unique blend of learning, networking, and fun, creating an enriching experience for attendees. With a focus on community building, London's Calling provides a platform for individuals to enhance their Salesforce knowledge, connect with like-minded professionals, and stay updated on the latest trends within the ecosystem.

• Dates: 19 July 2024
• Venue: London, UK
• Event link: London's Calling .

Why attend London's Calling?

• Connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and Salesforce enthusiasts to expand your professional network.
• Experience the Salesforce community's vibrant and collaborative spirit, fostering camaraderie and enthusiasm in a unique event setting.
• Gain insights from community-led sessions, sharing best practices and real-world experiences.

Midwest Dreamin'

Midwest Dreamin' is a community-led Salesforce event in Minneapolis, MN, USA. Originating as a 'Super User Group' meeting in 2011, it has grown into a notable gathering for Salesforce Administrators, Developers, and community members from across the United States.

This event offers a unique, personal, and community-driven experience, focusing on learning opportunities and networking with other Salesforce enthusiasts. With a history of positive testimonials and a commitment to the cooperative spirit encouraged by Salesforce, Midwest Dreamin' remains a valuable platform for professionals to deepen their Salesforce knowledge.

• Dates: July 17-19 2024
• Venue: Minneapolis, MN, USA
• Event link: Midwest Dreamin' .

Why attend Midwest Dreamin'?

• Midwest Dreamin' provides a unique, community-driven setting for tailored learning experiences catering to Salesforce Administrators and Developers.
• With a diverse audience, including seasoned users and MVPs, you can network with a broad community.

WITness Success

WITness Success is a transformative Salesforce event held in Louisville, KY, USA. Tailored exclusively for Women in Tech (WIT), the two-day event focuses on empowering, supporting, and investing in women within the Salesforce ecosystem.

Beyond being an educational experience, WITness Success catalyzes women to excel in their Salesforce careers, fostering mentorship and community building. With a commitment to inclusivity and success, this event stands as an influential movement within the tech industry, advocating for gender diversity and equality.

• Dates: August 2-3 2024
• Venue: Louisville, KY, USA
• Event link: WITness Success .

Why attend WITness Success?

• Join a diverse community of women in tech, sharing experiences and mentorship and fostering a supportive environment that transcends the event, promoting lasting connections.
• Gain the tools and inspiration needed to excel in your Salesforce career, with a focus on skill development, leadership, and navigating the tech industry.

CzechDreamin'

CzechDreamin' is the first Salesforce conference organized by the Salesforce community in the Czech Republic. This annual full-day event, established in 2019, attracts Administrators, Developers, and Consultants within the Salesforce ecosystem.

CzechDreamin' provides a platform for Salesforce professionals to broaden their technical knowledge and network with others in the growing community. Attendees can expect diverse sessions tailored to their roles, offering a well-rounded learning experience.

• Dates: May 17 2024
• Venue: Prague, Czech Republic
• Event link: CzechDreamin' .

Why attend CzechDreamin'?

• You can connect with Salesforce professionals worldwide, fostering collaborations, sharing experiences, and building relationships.
• The event's diverse session topics cater to various roles, offering valuable takeaways for attendees with different Salesforce-related responsibilities.

Tahoe Dreamin'

Tahoe Dreamin' is an annual Salesforce community-led event held in South Lake Tahoe, bordering California and Nevada. Focused on learning, growth, and community engagement, the event provides a break from traditional conference environments.

Attendees can develop skills, form lasting connections, and immerse themselves in the Salesforce community against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Tahoe. Tahoe Dreamin' stands out for its emphasis on open discussions, creativity, and fostering a sense of belonging within the expansive Salesforce Ohana.

• Dates: July 25-26 2024
• Venue: South Lake Tahoe, border of California and Nevada, USA
• Event link: Tahoe Dreamin' .

Why attend Tahoe Dreamin'?

• The event provides a platform for professionals to form lasting connections in an intimate setting, promoting meaningful interactions.
• Attendees can enhance their skills in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with a focus on hands-on learning and growth.
• Set against the backdrop of Lake Tahoe, the event's scenic location adds an extra layer of inspiration, encouraging creativity and collaboration.

Other top 2024 Salesforce events

Salesforce world tour.

• About the event: Salesforce World Tour is a global roadshow bringing Dreamforce's value-adding content to various countries. Also known as the "Success Anywhere World Tour," it covers numerous locations in Europe, Asia, and America.
• Hosted by Marc Benioff, these events discuss the future of work, digital transformation, and Salesforce innovations.
• Venue and time: Various cities worldwide with surprise locations for the Success Anywhere World Tour series.

Salesforce Basecamp

• About the event: Salesforce Basecamp events are educational one-day events showcasing innovative approaches and cutting-edge technologies on the Salesforce platform.
• Smaller, content-rich, and free to attend, Basecamps focuses on the intelligent customer success platform.
• Venue and time: Various locations globally – specific dates for 2024 are not yet available.

Salesforce Developer events

• About the event: Salesforce Developer events offer a rich learning and networking platform for Developers engaged with Salesforce technologies. These events cater to a broad spectrum of Developer needs globally throughout the year.
• Venue and time: Multiple locations globally with various dates throughout the year.

Local community events and meetups

• About the event: Local community events and meetups foster a community of learning, sharing, and networking among Salesforce professionals globally.
• These events, hosted by professionals, partner companies, or Salesforce itself, enable like-minded individuals to connect, network, and share knowledge.
• Venue and time: Various locations globally, with events held at different times.

Salesforce Winter and Summer Release webinars

• About the event: Salesforce Winter and Summer Release webinars introduce the latest features and updates to the user community. These online events, led by Salesforce experts, offer insights into leveraging new tools, enhancing business processes, and driving success.
• Venue and time: Online, typically held in January and July.

Tips to plan your travels for Salesforce events

Effective budgeting for travel and accommodation is crucial when preparing for any in-person Salesforce event. Here are a few tips I personally follow to make the most of my resources when traveling:

Tips for finding cost-effective accommodations

As the event date approaches, hotel prices near the venue tend to skyrocket. Hence, consider exploring alternative lodging options, such as Airbnb, backpacker hostels, or dormitories slightly away from the event location. 

These alternatives often offer more budget-friendly choices without compromising comfort. Be sure to factor in transportation costs, but the overall savings can significantly contribute to your travel budget.

Strategies for securing affordable flights

Planning ahead is the key to obtaining affordable flight tickets. Use various online tools and apps to set up price drop alerts. These alerts can notify you when flight prices decrease, enabling you to make a timely and cost-effective booking.

Additionally, consider booking through reputable travel agents rather than direct online platforms. Airlines often contract with agents, providing them access to discounted rates ranging from 10% to 24%. This collaboration can result in substantial savings on your airfare.

Overview of event schedules

Familiarize yourself with the event schedule in advance. Most Salesforce events feature a detailed agenda highlighting keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.

Take note of sessions relevant to your interests or professional development goals. Prioritize critical activities and strategically select sessions that align with your objectives. A clear understanding of the event schedule allows you to make informed decisions and optimize your participation.

Planning downtime for networking and exploration

While attending sessions is essential, remember to allocate time for networking and exploration. Attending events is 50% learning and 50% networking.

Hence, schedule breaks between sessions to engage with fellow attendees, speakers, and exhibitors. Networking is a valuable aspect of these events, providing opportunities to forge professional connections and gain insights.

Additionally, explore the event venue and nearby areas during downtime. Familiarize yourself with the surroundings, discover local attractions, and make the most of your visit beyond the event itself.

Tips for networking at Salesforce events

As I've mentioned above, attending events is half networking. Here are a few strategic tips for effective networking before and during the event:

Salesforce event apps and online communities

Most events provide dedicated apps and websites facilitating networking, allowing attendees to create profiles, connect with peers, and schedule one-on-one meetings.

Engage in discussions within online communities to introduce yourself, share insights, and establish connections before the event. This proactive approach ensures you enter the venue already connected with like-minded professionals.

Social media platforms for connecting with attendees

Extend your networking efforts to social media platforms like LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. Many Salesforce events have dedicated hashtags that participants use to share updates and connect.

Follow event-related conversations, engage with posts, and reach out to fellow attendees. Establishing an online presence creates a virtual network seamlessly transitioning into face-to-face interactions during the event.

Engaging with speakers and presenters

Actively engage with speakers and presenters during sessions. Feel free to ask thoughtful questions or provide insights related to the discussion. After the session, approach speakers to express your appreciation or seek further clarification.

This personalized interaction not only strengthens your professional network but also demonstrates your active involvement in the Salesforce community.

Participating in Q&A sessions

Q&A sessions are golden networking opportunities. Prepare relevant questions in advance and actively participate in Q&A segments after sessions and workshops.

Engaging with speakers and fellow attendees during these sessions showcases your expertise and opens avenues for meaningful conversations. Take advantage of these moments to exchange business cards or contact information, fostering connections beyond the event.

Attending Salesforce events in 2024?

Gearing up for 2024 Salesforce events demands an intelligent approach. Careful budgeting for travel, coupled with smart accommodation choices, sets the stage for a seamless experience. Next, crafting a detailed itinerary ensures you maximize each event's offerings.

Don't underestimate the power of networking – whether through event apps, online communities, or face-to-face interactions during sessions and workshops. Ideally, your approach to Salesforce events should be networking first.

As we anticipate the top Salesforce gatherings this year, approach each opportunity purposefully. Catch every opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute, making these events not just milestones but transformative moments in your professional journey.

Sushrut is a skilled Salesforce Developer, Technical Writer, and Entrepreneur. His expertise includes front-end dev, Web3, and DevRel. He leverages technology to craft exceptional digital experiences.

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Grow your career and company with Salesforce+, streaming free.

• Watch entertaining business shows starring people in roles and industries just like yours.
• Get exclusive access to all Salesforce virtual events, like Dreamforce. Watch anytime you want.

Questions about Salesforce+? We have answers.

What is salesforce+.

Salesforce+ is the free streaming service for business. It’s a place to watch live events and original series that help you grow your career and company, on your own time. Salesforce+ is produced by Salesforce, so you’ll find our company’s big events like Dreamforce here — as well as new original shows and virtual learning made for your role and industry. Everything is free and unlimited.

What can I watch on Salesforce+?

You can watch all kinds of helpful, entertaining, and inspiring videos on Salesforce+. One thing our members love is our events. Whether you catch them live or on demand, Salesforce+ gives you a free front-row seat to our biggest global events, like Dreamforce, TrailblazerDX, and Connections. Our members are also big fans of our original series. These entertaining business shows star people in roles and industries just like yours, giving you fresh ideas for how to grow your company and do better work. The best part is, it’s all free.

Do I have to pay for Salesforce+?

Salesforce+ is free. Watch any Salesforce+ events or series at no cost. To enjoy unlimited free access to our entire library of videos, become a member by signing up for Salesforce+ with a Trailblazer account. You don’t need a Trailblazer account to watch original series. To join us for virtual events like Dreamforce or Connections, you need to create your own Trailblazer account (it’s free!).

What is a Trailblazer account?

Your Trailblazer account gives you access to a unified profile across the Salesforce ecosystem and allows you to manage your settings and access across multiple Salesforce sites.

How do I sign up to register for live and on-demand events, like Dreamforce?

Sign up or log in to your Trailblazer account and complete a few additional details to watch Salesforce+ events live and on demand. We recommend preregistering for all events on Salesforce+ to get your own personalized journey, reminders, recommendations, and more.

Do I need to be a Salesforce customer to watch Salesforce+?

You don’t need to be a Salesforce customer to watch Salesforce+. Our virtual learning is open to everyone.

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Salesforce Dc World Tour 2024: Ignite Your Success

• February 19, 2024
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Salesforce DC World Tour 2024 is a highly valuable event for businesses that want to stay on top of the latest Salesforce products, processes, and opportunities. Attendees, regardless of whether they are current Salesforce users or not, can benefit from the event for free.

It provides an excellent opportunity to learn and network without any cost involved. With the future of business being driven by AI, data, and CRM, attending Salesforce DC World Tour 2024 can help businesses discover new insights and innovations that can drive their success.

Join now on Salesforce+ to experience the future of business firsthand.

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Introduction To Salesforce World Tour

Attending the Salesforce World Tour is a great opportunity for businesses of all sizes. The event is completely free for all attendees, regardless of whether they are current Salesforce users or not. By attending, you can learn about the latest products, processes, and opportunities that Salesforce offers without having to pay for the event itself.

When comparing the Salesforce World Tour to Dreamforce, there are a few key differences to note. While Dreamforce is a larger and more comprehensive event, the World Tour offers a more localized and focused experience. The World Tour allows attendees to connect with local Salesforce community members and gain insights specific to their region.

Overall, the Salesforce World Tour provides a valuable opportunity to learn and network within the Salesforce community, and it may be particularly beneficial if you have budget constraints or are looking for a more localized experience.

Upcoming Salesforce World Tour Events

Join us at the upcoming Salesforce World Tour event in Washington D. C. in 2024. Discover the future of business with AI, data, and CRM, and gain valuable insights into the latest Salesforce products and processes. Attendance is free for all, regardless of Salesforce user status.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and network with industry experts.

Overview Of Salesforce World Tour 2024

The Salesforce World Tour is a must-attend event for both current Salesforce users and those interested in learning more about the platform. It provides an opportunity to discover the latest Salesforce products, processes, and opportunities. What makes it even better is that the event is completely free of charge, making it accessible to all attendees. Whether you are looking to expand your knowledge of Salesforce or explore new business possibilities, this event has something to offer for everyone.

Developer Events At Salesforce World Tour

For developers, the Salesforce World Tour offers a range of dedicated events that focus on the technical aspects of the platform. These events provide the opportunity to dive deep into Salesforce development, learn best practices, and connect with fellow developers. It’s a great chance for developers to enhance their skills and stay up to date with the latest industry trends.

Salesforce+ Events

In addition to the Salesforce World Tour, there are also Salesforce+ events that offer a unique and interactive experience. These events provide insights into the future of business with a focus on AI, data, and CRM. Attendees can stream customer interviews, witness incredible product innovation, and gain valuable insights into how Salesforce is shaping the industry.

Specifics Of Salesforce World Tour Dc 2024

The Salesforce World Tour DC 2024 is a must-attend event for businesses. It offers the opportunity to learn about the latest Salesforce products, processes, and opportunities without having to pay to attend. Whether you’re a current Salesforce user or not, this event is free for all attendees, making it perfect for those with tight budgets.

Attending the Salesforce World Tour DC 2024 provides valuable insights, customer interviews, and product innovation. It allows you to discover the future of business with AI, data, and CRM. The event promises to be a platform for networking and exchanging ideas with industry experts.

If you’re looking for more information about the event or resources related to Salesforce World Tour DC 2024, there are various online platforms like Salesforce+ and GovEvents where you can find detailed schedules, event overviews, and other essential details.

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Frequently Asked Questions For Salesforce Dc World Tour 2024

Where is the salesforce dreamforce conference in 2024.

The Salesforce Dreamforce Conference in 2024 will be held in Austin, Texas, United States.

Is Salesforce World Tour Worth It?

Yes, Salesforce World Tour is worth it. It’s a free event that offers valuable insights into the latest Salesforce products and opportunities. Attendees, both Salesforce users and non-users, can benefit from attending without having to pay.

What Is The Difference Between Salesforce World Tour And Dreamforce?

Salesforce World Tour is a free event for all attendees, showcasing the latest Salesforce products and opportunities. Dreamforce, on the other hand, is a larger and more comprehensive event with paid tickets, offering a broader range of sessions, keynotes, and networking opportunities.

How Much Are The Tickets For Dreamforce 2023?

Tickets for Dreamforce 2023 are not currently available. Please check the official Dreamforce website for updates on ticket prices and sales.

Attending the Salesforce DC World Tour 2024 is definitely worth it for your business. This event offers valuable insights into the latest products, processes, and opportunities without any registration fee. Whether you’re a current Salesforce user or not, you’ll walk away with knowledge that can benefit your organization.

Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this incredible event and discover the future of business with AI, data, and CRM. Join us now on Salesforce+ and immerse yourself in customer interviews, product innovation, and insights.

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About 20 mins

Learning Objectives

Choose the right event for you, select a topic, write an abstract, define your audience, define your learning objectives, define your prerequisites, write your abstract.

• Challenge +100 points

Choose the Right Event and Topic

After completing this unit, you’ll be able to:

• Identify the right Salesforce-related event for your presentation.
• Create a compelling session title and abstract.
• Write learning objectives for your presentation.

“A successful talk is a little miracle—people see the world differently afterward.” —Chris Anderson (TED Curator)

There are many paths to becoming a speaker at a Salesforce-related event. Some come to their first Salesforce event and dream of being on stage presenting their pearls of wisdom. Others find a topic they love so much, they can’t help but share it with everyone. Whatever your path, this module is for you!

Throughout this module, we’ll follow Nyah Jackson, a force.com guru and Lightning Components developer, as she prepares to speak at a Salesforce event. She’ll create a stunning presentation and ultimately get a standing ovation, but only after careful preparation. Let’s join Nyah as she sets out to become a Salesforce speaker!

Good news for Nyah (and for all of you who want to present): there are many opportunities to speak at Salesforce-related events.

“What worked for me was starting small and then building from there to gain confidence and practice. Start with something as small as team meetings and company meetings. Then branch out to presenting at user groups, those you attend and user groups you don't normally attend. From there try to present or speak at regional conferences, and build up to submitting and speaking at Dreamforce. It doesn't happen overnight. Having a path of stepping stones not only helps you as a speaker but gives you visibility in the community.”— Phillip Southern (clicks 2 code, Salesforce MVP)

To start with, there are a slew of Salesforce community-sponsored events, like user groups and developer groups , and a growing number of community-run conferences, like Forcelandia , London’s Calling , Midwest Dreamin’ , Southeast Dreamin’ , and Tahoe Dreamin’ .

There are also a number of official Salesforce events , like World Tours, and special audience and product-specific events like Connections (for digital marketers) and TrailheaDX (for Salesforce developers). And of course, there’s the big kahuna: Dreamforce.

Some of these events are so large that they have multiple speaking tracks. Dreamforce, for example, has dedicated spaces for admins and developers, plus other areas focused on specific audiences like nonprofits, healthcare, and higher education. Each of these have different types of sessions, session lengths, and processes and deadlines for submission.

When you look for the right venue for your presentation, we recommend that you:

• Go local —If you're just getting started with public speaking, start attending your local user, developer, nonprofit, or Women in Tech group. You'll see Salesforce presentations regularly and learn about what topics resonate with an audience. Plus you'll learn a lot of new stuff.
• Start small —After you've become an active member of your local group, decide on a topic (more on that in a bit) and ask the organizer if you can present at an upcoming meeting.
• Take it on the road —Once you've presented at your local group, work your way up to a community-run conference, Salesforce World Tour stop, or Dreamforce.

After researching her options, Nyah decides to go for broke and sets her sights on a developer breakout session at Dreamforce.

Nyah is super excited and can’t wait to dive in. She’s checked out the Dreamforce developer track call for submissions, read their tips for success (like many conferences, there is a list of topics they are hoping people submit), and looked at the requirements and deadlines.

If you speak about what you are passionate about, you both will walk away from your talk better for it, and that should always be the goal :-)” —Stephanie Herrera (NFP, Salesforce MVP)

Nyah sees that the organizers are specifically looking for content related to core platform technologies, including Lightning Components, so she feels good about her chances. She does some brainstorming and comes up with a list of four takes on this general topic.

• Tips for People New to Lightning Components
• Debugging Lightning Components
• Use Cases for Lightning Components
• Using Application Events with Lightning Components

These are awesome topics, but she only wants to submit a single idea—the one that will be the most fun to present and draw the biggest audience. She reaches out to her network on social media and on the success and developer communities, where she posts a poll to see what others think of these ideas. Turns out that not only is “Tips for People New to Lightning Components” the most popular idea, but her buddy Lek Bunyasarn is keen to present with her. Bonus!

During this process, Nyah gets some feedback that the topic title is a little dull. Over a web conference, she and Lek brainstorm and come up with a new title, “Tips to Build Your First Lightning Component (for Smart People).”—Nyah and Lek are stoked about this title because:

• It’s catchy —everyone loves tips (and being called smart).
• It’s clear —the key phrases “Lightning Components” and “Build” are there so that people know immediately what the presentation is about (and can search for it).
• It’s concise —people will be able to remember the title and they’ll be able to use it in social media to promote the session (it’s only 63 characters long).

That’s truly a #winning combination.

“Think about the titles on Buzzfeed. They get you just enough info to get you interested, then get you to click for more. Your title should do the same. Also, list sessions/titles (‘Top 10 things…’) get folks every time!”— Amber Boaz (CodeScience, Salesforce MVP)

Now that Nyah and Lek have their topic, it’s time to write an abstract. An abstract is a short description of what the session will be about. In a great abstract, the details shine and you tell your audience just what they’ll get out of the session. Because this is a technical session, Nyah and Lek will also let participants know if they should have a certain level of experience to get the most out of the session.

Follow this general process for writing a winning abstract.

• Define your audience.
• Define two or three learning objectives.
• Define your prerequisites.
• Write your abstract (and make it interesting).

“Give'm just enough to get'm excited. Why should they come see your session? What will they learn?”— Amber Boaz (CodeScience, Salesforce MVP)

Whether you’re writing your abstract, building your slides, or coming up with your demo, it’s vital to keep your audience front and center. Ask yourself the following questions.

• Who is your primary audience?
• What is their skill level?
• What prior knowledge do they have?
• What matters to them?
• How do they best absorb information?

You may be tempted to have more than one primary audience. This is natural (we all want everyone to come to our presentations), but resist the urge. If you dilute your focus, then you dilute your impact. A single focus leads to a happy audience.

Pondering these questions, Nyah and Lek define their audience.

Our Audience:

Our primary audience is intermediate force.com developers. They likely know about Lightning Components, but haven’t done much (or any) development of them. They are familiar with Apex and with Visualforce. They’re looking to get a jump start and learn from people who have done a decent amount of Lightning Components development. They learn best by seeing live code demos and by having resources to refer back to when they get back to their office.

“If you get to choose your audience, think about what makes you excited and how much time you have. Twenty minutes is not a lot of time to provide an overview and then an in-depth topic. Either you need to skip the overview or keep things light.”— Brian Kwong (Better Partners, Salesforce MVP)

Having defined your audience, the first thing to do is nail down two to three learning objectives. Keeping it to just a few objectives ensures that your main message won’t be lost.

Begin by answering the question, “By the end of this presentation, what will attendees leave knowing?” Learning objectives start with a verb, and you generally want to stay away from generic verbs like “understand” and “learn.” See the resources section for more tips on writing learning objectives.

Over web conference, Nyah and Lek come up with the following learning objectives.

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to

• Explain the Lightning Components Framework.
• Describe some Lightning Component use cases.
• Apply tips for planning, developing, testing, and deploying Lightning Components.

After defining your audience and learning objectives, deciding on prerequisites is the next important step. These will define what you need to cover in your presentation and what you can assume that your audience already knows.

The shorter your presentation duration, the more vital this step is, because you’ll have less time to get to the guts of your content. Your core audience wants to learn something new, not go over introductory information they may already know. As a general guideline, only spend 5–10% of your presentation time introducing your topic.

Use your abstract to clearly define your prerequisites. You don’t want anyone wishing they’d picked a different topic because the content was either too simple for them or over their head.

Nyah and Lek decide that their audience of intermediate developers should be familiar with what Lightning Components are. That way they can spend most of their time on their important tips.

Once you have your audience, learning objectives, and prerequisites, your abstract will almost write itself. The trick is to put all that information into a small amount of space, and make it as compelling as possible to attract the right audience.

Nyah creates the following abstract.

Are you an intermediate developer wanting to create amazing Lightning Components? We can’t wait to help! We’ll give a very brief intro to Lightning Components and then get straight into showing actual use cases. We’ll share invaluable tips for all stages of development (planning, development, testing, and deployment). If you have a basic understanding of what Lightning Components are, but haven’t built any yet, this session is for you. Bring your burning questions and see if you can stump our experienced Lightning Components developers!

Nyah checks all the other session submission requirements and submits her application. Stay tuned for the next unit to see if their submission is accepted. #fingersCrossed

• Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to Write Effective Learning Objectives
• Why People Check Email When You’re Presenting
• Developing Your Tech Talk Idea
• Get personalized recommendations for your career goals
• Practice your skills with hands-on challenges and quizzes
• Track and share your progress with employers
• Connect to mentorship and career opportunities

Flying in to NYC for Salesforce World Tour on December 8 was definitely worth it for me. I got to reunite with relatives in New York that I  had not seen since before the pandemic, catch up with friends and coworkers in person, and, of course, learn about some game-changing developments in Salesforce.

 Priceless experience

Salesforce events bring people together to honor achievements and explain the features and benefits of new offerings. That’s why Salesforce doesn’t limit itself to hosting  one single, large, annual event. 

In addition to Dreamforce, Salesforce also holds several, smaller events throughout the year in cities around the globe, including Tokyo, London, Amsterdam, Melbourne, as well as major cities in the U.S. like New York and Chicago, for its World Tour. Aside from location, another draw for attendees is the affordable cost with no charge for admission.

“It’s really about bringing the magic to areas where we have a high concentration of customers,”  Rob Garf , VP and GM, Retail at Salesforce noted in an interview with  Martech . 

Bringing the magic means carrying over  similar speakers and topics that were presented in this year’s Dreamforce. While some of those presentations can be  viewed in a recorded version , delivering them to new locations on the World Tour allows more people to experience the excitement of the live experience.

It also allows the attendees in different cities to participate in the  Golden Hoodie  award, which recognizes Trailblazers for having inspired others and giving back to the community. The attendees at World Tour NYC got to witness Micheal Drzewiecki don his during the keynote address.

The keynote address and other sessions at the NYC brought home the customer-centric direction that Salesforce is mapping out for the company. That came across in three highlights of the event: identifying the definitive habits, the explanation of the  Genie Customer Data Cloud , and a major improvement for  DevOps Center  becoming GA .

All about the customer

Taking their cue from Stephen Covey’s famous book, during the NYC keynote, Marc Benioff and Sarah Franklin presented the concept of 7 habits as applied to a customer company: 

The 7 Habits of a Customer Company 

• Build a customer 360.
• Create a single source of truth.
• See and understand your customers.
• Maximize time to value.
• Do impact things as a team.
• Save time. Save money. Grow revenue.
• Be a trailblazer.

Salesforce is really serious about being customer focused. This is something the company is promoting for itself, as well as all those who use its platform.

The genie is out

To really be customer-centric you need a perfect view of your customer, which calls for a customer data platform (CDP).  What Salesforce has developed is a boosted CDP that makes it easier for businesses to gain actionable insight from their customer data.  

The newest addition to the Salesforce lineup of products is  the Genie Customer Data Cloud. It makes it possible to  pull in data from multiple sources and house it in one location where it is accessible and enables visualization through Tableau for real-time, actionable insights at scale.

Though it had been featured  at Dreamforce, I gained a much better  understanding of what it was about at this more intimate event that allowed me to be in direct contact with the speakers.

Change without Change Sets 

Salesforce has just released its own devops tool, which puts it in direct competition with a number of established platforms. The development  had been in beta for a while and just became Generally Available  on December 9 .

Now it’s possible to manage and release Salesforce changes without having to go through Change Sets. I sat in a session with a principal  technical architect involved who explained how it works. It’s a great tool, and I look forward to using it. 

As I noted, the Salesforce World Tour is definitely worth the trip. But if you either couldn’t make it over in person or had to miss sessions while networking at the event, you can still catch some of the  content on Salesforce+ . 

Learn more about Sibusiso “Siso” by reading  Siso Ntuli: Salesforce Legend and Community Leader To keep with development in Salesforce as they happen, subscribe to the Delegate  blog .

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