How to best prepare for Salesforce Events
Salesforce events such as Dreamforce, World Tours, and community meetups offer valuable opportunities for networking, lead generation, brand visibility, and staying ahead of the rapidly evolving Salesforce ecosystem. Whether you’re attending as a sponsor, partner, customer, or prospect, proper preparation and strategic engagement can significantly enhance the return on your investment.
Set Clear Goals Before the Event
Clarify your objectives. Are you attending to generate leads, build brand awareness, strengthen partnerships, or learn about emerging trends? Define who you want to meet, from key customers to product teams or thought leaders. Research attendees, speakers, and sponsors beforehand. Use LinkedIn and the event app to identify high-value targets.
Plan Your Schedule Carefully
Review the event agenda and identify keynote sessions, breakout tracks, and workshops most relevant to your role or business goals. Build your personal schedule and register early for sessions that require RSVP. Most events offer a companion mobile app to streamline scheduling and networking, so download it and familiarize yourself with its features before arrival.
Prepare Your Pitch and Materials
Refine a concise and compelling elevator pitch tailored to your key personas. Ensure you have all necessary marketing collateral ready, including product one-pagers, business cards (both printed and digital), demo videos, and Calendly links. If you are hosting a booth, coordinate with your team to have signage, swag, and lead capture tools ready to go. Bring any necessary adapters, chargers, or tech needed to run live demos smoothly.
What to Pack for Salesforce Events
Packing effectively can make a major difference in your comfort, preparedness, and professionalism at large-scale events like Dreamforce or regional meetups. Here’s a checklist to guide your packing:
Essentials:
Comfortable business casual attire and a backup outfit
Branded clothing (if you’re representing your company)
A light jacket or sweater for overly air-conditioned venues
Comfortable walking shoes
Reusable water bottle
Tote bag or backpack to carry daily gear
Tech and Materials:
Laptop or tablet, plus charger
Portable power bank and charging cables
Lead scanning device or mobile app
Business cards (physical and digital alternatives like QR codes)
Any printed materials, signage, or giveaways
Noise-cancelling headphones for focus or calls
Health and Hygiene:
Hand sanitizer and face masks if needed
Snacks (granola bars, trail mix)
Breath mints or gum
Lip balm and hand lotion (convention halls are dry)
Optional but Helpful:
Notepad and pens
Umbrella, depending on weather forecast
A small first aid kit (band-aids, pain relievers, etc.)
Engage Strategically During the Event
Be present and visible in key areas like the expo floor, keynote halls, and networking lounges. Attend relevant sessions and participate in Q&As. Introduce yourself to speakers, fellow attendees, and booth staff. Look for casual networking opportunities during coffee breaks or happy hours. Be friendly and genuine, not just transactional.
Use your lead capture system to track every interaction. Immediately after a conversation, jot down relevant context such as the person’s interests, company challenges, and suggested next steps. This will make post-event follow-up far more effective.
Follow Up Promptly After the Event
Within 24 to 48 hours of the event, begin following up with contacts while the interaction is still fresh in their minds. Personalize each message and remind them of your conversation. Include value, such as a link to a demo, resource, or proposal. Add leads into your CRM system and track engagement.
Schedule a debrief meeting with your team to review what worked and what didn’t. Gather metrics around booth traffic, meetings held, and follow-ups completed. Use this feedback to optimize your approach for future events.
Share Takeaways and Build Visibility
Publishing a post-event blog, LinkedIn recap, or short video summarizing your key takeaways is a great way to share insights, build credibility, and engage those who couldn’t attend. Tag relevant connections and thank those who contributed to your experience.
Tailor Your Approach to Each Event Type
Dreamforce is a massive, multi-day experience requiring more advanced planning and stamina. Focus on major announcements, big meetings, and team visibility.
World Tours are fast-paced, one-day events best suited for focused meetings and regional outreach.
Community Meetups and user groups are ideal for deeper conversations, learning from peers, and grassroots feedback.
