Attending Dreamforce Top Tips from Glenda & Rich
Dreamforce 26 (September 15–17, 2026) is just 3 weeks away, can you believe it! Attending Dreamforce is equal parts high-octane networking, massive tech reveal, and a full-blown physical endurance test. Drawing from years of collective wisdom between Glenda & Rich, these 12 tips will keep you thriving in San Francisco for #DF26.
Have a plan but be open to changing it
Our biggest tip is to be flexible, Utilise Agenda Builder to review sessions now and figure out the best return of investment for your time BUT be very open to changing the plan based on each day and how things are going, the conversations you are having, and how you are feeling.
Book your important connects ahead of time
If you really want to connect with a Customer / Partner, Salesforce representative or key individual, schedule these now. Remember they will have their own agenda and be working on that NOW. Hoping to get last minute time could leave you disappointed.
Badge Pickup - Monday
Be organised and get your surroundings sorted and your badge picked up on Monday, this will help you organise the rest of your week and know where you are going. It will also help remove the rush on Tuesday morning.
Don't Trust Map Distances
Related to the last point around knowing your bearings. Moscone North, South, West, and surrounding hotel venues look close by on the app, but thousands of attendees and queues turn a quick walk into a 20-minute trek. Always leave enough buffer between sessions so you don't forfeit any reserved seats and remember there are always big queues for the main sessions.
Understand where value is for you (Micro-Sessions or Big Keynotes)
Keynotes will give you the big announcements and major headlines to help drive the next few days. But remember the keynotes can be streamed on Salesforce+ to give you time for hands-on labs, theater sessions, and intimate roundtables. You'll get direct, face-to-face time with product engineers and MVPs who can actually answer your specific technical questions.
Master the "Hallway Track" and Evening Events + The ANZ Lounge + Partner Lounge
Attendee consensus agrees: the real magic happens in spontaneous conversations. Leave gaps in your agenda to wander the Trailblazer Forest, visit demo booths, and hit up after hour events where the most candid networking occurs. Not forgetting the ANZ lounge and events for networking, relaxing and great food between sessions. As a partner don’t forget there is also the Partner lounge available to book meetings and spaces.
Pack for an ever changing climate and 25,000 Steps
SanFran weather swings wildly from foggy, chilly mornings to warm afternoons, while venue air conditioning blasts cold all day. Wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers, and carry a high-capacity portable power bank to keep your phone running all day.
Leave Suitcase Space for Swag
Between Trailhead quests, vendor games, and giveaways, you will acquire a mountain of t-shirts, plushies, and tech gadgets if you so wish. Pack light on your way in, or pack a foldable duffle bag inside your luggage to carry your haul home.
Stay Safe
While SanFran has come a long, long way in recent years, there are still places to avoid and it's never worth walking around alone at night. Get a good handle on the map of downtown and the key walking routes between the locations you need and want to be at. Above all else, avoid the Tenderloin and surrounding areas.
Check out Dreamfest
The artist / Artists may not be your vibe, but don’t miss out on the incredible atmosphere and the huge event that Dreamfest is, not just a concert. It’s a great place to forget you are at a work conference for a little while and have some fun.
Johnny Foley’s (IYKYK) & the Social events
The hottest ticket in town and one of the best nights at Dreamforce for anyone from the ANZ. Monday night at Foley’s has become one of the greatest institutions of Dreamforce, and is now one of the toughest tickets to get. If you’re fortunate enough to make it in, bring your biggest set of singing lungs and a comfy pair of dancing shoes. SO many opportunities for Social connection, BUT also know you can say No!
Get in over the weekend
Get a good night's sleep before the action starts, relax, shop, have a moment to yourself. This may be a bit of a late note now, but we’ve got it here just in case you are still booking last minute.
Whether it's your first, fifth or fifteenth time on the Moscone floor, surviving Dreamforce comes down to managing your energy (and your phones) as much as your schedule. Focus on real human connections, stay flexible, and give yourself room to wander, the best of Dreamforce can often happen when you're completely off-script.
Rich Wright
Chief Experience Officer
carbonx
Glenda Birch
RVP, Alliances & Channels
Salesforce
