Last year, I wrote the blog post, Tips for Dreamforce First-Timers. I’d argue that all of the information in that post is still relevant, except for the fact that this year you might be jamming to a little less Californication, and a little more Welcome to Paradise. If you didn’t make it out to Dreamforce last year, let’s leave that as water Under the Bridge, read up on the first-timers blog post, then proceed. I promise the information will help you have the Time of Your Life. If you haven’t figured it out yet, last year the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed at Dreamforce, and this year Green Day will take the stage. 

Dreamforce is huge and it’s only growing. Which means it can be overwhelming and a bit bonkers. Don’t show up without a plan. Much like taking the SFDC Admin exam, you need to come prepared. Here are five tips and recommendations that will make your Dreamforce experience a little bit more dreamy:

1. Hotels & Transportation
   
   Get a hotel room early. In fact, if you do not have a reservation yet, do this NOW. Because salesforce.com continues to thrive, Dreamforce keeps getting bigger and better. This means there is more competition for hotel space. While looking for a room, consider the following: 
   1. Most of the events take place in and around the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. Some of the sessions actually take place in neighboring hotels adjacent to the Moscone Center
   2. Keep in mind that San Francisco is very hilly. What might look like a leisurely 20 minute stroll from from your hotel can turn into quite the workout. Proximity is key
   3. If you aren’t able to get a hotel room in time, try getting creative and look at alternative hotel options like Airbnb or apartment swapping
   4. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), provides public transportation to the region. If you cannot find a room in San Francisco, hotels in the East Bay and Peninsula are a good backup options—and probably cheaper. If you choose this option, it’s best to get a Clipper card, which works for BART and other local and regional transportation
   5. Make sure you have alternate options to get around the city. When tens of thousands of SFDC-loving crazies descend on San Francisco, it's very difficult to catch a cab—especially when you are all exiting the same place, like a Green Day concert. Uber is a good cab service option, get the app set up in advance. In addition to Uber, Sidecar and Lyft are apps that offer similar services. Saving a couple of private cab numbers in your phone is also a good idea. Utilize the pedi-cabs that salesforce.com provides, they are generally free and can bring you short distances (remember to tip!). Wear comfortable shoes OR install that zip line you were always dreaming of from your hotel straight to Moscone (one can dream)
2. Mingle with Salesforce MVPs
   
   Last year, I mentioned to take advantage of free advice from partners, Salesforce employees or anyone who is willing to listen to you. Here’s another great option—talk to a friendly Salesforce.com MVP. What is a Salesforce MVP? A MVP is a non-salesforce.com-employed Salesforce junky that is so engrossed in Salesforce that they ooze ideas and information and love to help others. They might have blogs, or podcasts, or maybe you have seen them in the Success Community on the Answers boards, or on Twitter. You can find MVPs in the Community Zone where you can ask us questions at our own version of a ‘genius bar.’ This is also a great place to charge your devices. 
3. Download the Dreamforce app
   
   This year the Dreamforce app is super-charged with wonderful features such as maps of the area, sessions that are happening now, personalized agendas, amongst other cool features. It will help you manage the craziness. If you were thinking about upgrading your three year old phone, now would be a great time to do it. The extra battery life and speed will make being connected that much easier. 
4. Booth Etiquette
   
   This one is for all you partners, product companies, ISVs and other what-have-yous out there. First off, thank you. You help make salesforce.com and the ecosystem the amazing space it is today. That being said, it is easy to get wrapped up in the Dreamforce frenzy and forget proper booth conduct. It’s important to ask cordially to scan a badge after engaging in meaningful conversation with someone—nabbing scans is a no-no. Take it easy with the ‘booth babes,’ everyone is vying for attention on the expo floor, but let’s keep it classy San Francisco. Bluewolf has been customer-obsessed for a while now, and Salesforce’s whole message is about the customer—you should care customer experience as well.
5. Be open
   
   This one is a repeat from last year, but is worth being repeated: be open. Every single person at Dreamforce is there for some salesforce.com-related reason. You can strike up a conversation anywhere and walk away with great ideas, great inspiration, or even new friends. Get out of your comfort zone and start getting chatty, or even Sassy. 

Dreamforce will be an amazing experience for you. Unbelievable new features will be announced, your mind will be blown, you will probably lose your voice, wake up hurting (feet or liver are both realistic possibilities) and come away reinvigorated and with a new sense of purpose on the Force.com platform.

I hope you found some of these tips helpful. If you have any questions or would like to reach out, you can find me at the Bluewolf booth or in the MVP area of the community zone, or connect with me on Twitter at @MrNeatHawk.

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