Heading to Dreamforce 2024 in September? You’re in for lots of learning, networking, and fun. But with so much going on, you’re probably looking for some help planning your trip. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s our handy field guide to help you plan your Dreamforce experience and make the most of your trip.
⭐ Pro-tip: Don’t miss the free LeanData OpsStars Conference on September 18th, 2024 – the only Dreamforce event exclusively for operations professionals!
Traveling to San Francisco during conference season
If you’re traveling from out of town, you’ve got a lot to think about. Here’s a quick cheat sheet of everything you need to know before heading to Dreamforce.
How do I get to Dreamforce 2024?
If you’re flying in, choose between three convenient airports:
🛬 San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the closest major airport. Take the BART directly from the airport into downtown, or grab a taxi or rideshare for a 25-minute drive.
🛬 Oakland International Airport (OAK) is the second closest major airport. Jump on a BART train (usually departing every 6 minutes) or head downtown in a 35-minute drive over the world-famous Bay Bridge.
🛬 If you don’t mind more of a drive, you may opt to fly into the San Jose International Airport (SJC) and take the one-hour journey into downtown SF.
Where should I stay in San Francisco?
Salesforce has made it easy for attendees to find lodging by reserving hotel blocks in and around San Francisco. You can book your room when you register for Dreamforce on a first-come, first-booked basis. Book by Friday, August 23rd to get discounted hotel rates.
If you opt not to book a hotel through your Dreamforce registration, we recommend looking for accommodations in downtown San Francisco near Moscone Center. This will give you access to public transit, plenty of food options, and put you in close vicinity to other Dreamforce attendees.
Is there a shuttle service to Moscone Center?
Complimentary shuttle service is provided between Moscone Center and the official Dreamforce hotels. Look for the Dreamforce Shuttle sign in your hotel lobby for additional info, frequency of service, and specific departure times for your route.
Sightseeing in the Bay Area
Remember, the early bird gets the worm (a.k.a. cost savings)! 🤑
You can use those savings to eat more yummy foods and do more sightseeing. Here are some favorite attractions to add to your list:
📍Get up close and personal with sea lions at Pier 39.
📍Explore the tranquility of the Japanese Tea Garden.
📍Visit the infamous Alcatraz Island
📍Walk through the galleries at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
There are so many things to do in the area, so consider adding a day or two to your trip if you want to play tourist.
The first rule of Dreamforce: Always be prepared
Dreamforce brings together thousands of attendees from all over the world for three full days in the heart of San Francisco. Participants can access over 1,200 keynotes, workshops, learning sessions, and exclusive events.
With so much going on, you should plan ahead to get the most out of your experience.
- Book your hotel and flights as soon as possible
- Review the Dreamforce session lineup and select your must-attend sessions
- Use Agenda Builder, which launches in August, to plan your agenda closer to the event
- Block off time in your calendar for dedicated networking
If this is your first time trailblazing at Dreamforce, get excited! There’s so much to look forward to in September.
Do I need tickets to attend Dreamforce 2024?
Yes, you need tickets to attend in person. The earlier you can get them, the better – standard full conference passes are going for $1,999 while supplies last. Last-chance tickets are $500 more, at $2,499 each.
Your conference pass is valid from September 17-19th, 2024. It includes all keynotes, sessions, workshops, certification exams, and Dreamfest (where you can see the one-and-only Elton John!) at the Giants Ballpark.
What should I pack for Dreamforce?
You should come prepared for two things: a busy schedule, and unpredictable weather.
☁️ The average September temperatures in San Francisco range between 55-70 degrees Fahrenheit, so layers will be your best friend while you’re there. The Bay Area can get pretty windy, so consider adding a windbreaker to your packing list.
👟 You will probably have to walk a lot – at the conference, to and from your hotel, and around town if you plan to do some sightseeing. Pack comfortable shoes to save your feet and a water bottle to keep hydrated. Finally, don’t forget to bring your backpack to hold all the awesome swag you’ll collect throughout the event!
What are the best Ops-related wrap-round events for Dreamforce?
The Oscars has the Vanity Fair Party, the Golden Globes has Chateau Marmont, and Dreamforce has some great party-like-a-celebrity events you’ll want to check out:
- 6sense Club6 at Tropisueño: grab coffee, cocktails and great conversations
- Gong’s RevOps Roundtable: Tuesday, September 17th, 3:30 – 7 PM at The Battery
- Atrium’s Starry Night Soiree: Temple Nightclub, September 17th at 8pm
- Outreachella Happy Hour: September 18th, Joyride Pizza, 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
For a comprehensive list of Dreamforce parties and events, check out Whatfix.
Join OpsStars Conference for free Ops skill-building
📣 Calling all Ops professionals!
You’re invited to attend LeanData’s free OpsStars 2024 event on September 18th, 2024, the only dedicated Ops event at Dreamforce!
While we love Dreamforce, the sessions don’t cover all of the topics, skills, and questions top-of-mind for many Operations practitioners. Plus it’s so crowded and chaotic, it can be hard to network with your peers. 🫤
OpsStars 2024 is the perfect opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Dreamforce and attend career-boosting sessions tailored specifically for Ops professionals. This event is an easy 10-minute walk from Moscone Center, completely free, and includes breakfast and lunch.
Come join our OpStars community! See who won OpsStars awards this year.
FAQs about OpsStars 2024
Q: Do I have to attend Dreamforce to attend the OpsStars Conference?
A: No, it’s open to all Operations professionals whether or not you’re attending Dreamforce!
Q: What kinds of sessions should I expect at OpStars 2024?
A: All sessions on the OpsStars agenda are Ops-focused. This year the sessions are divided into three main tracks: Buying Groups, AI, and general Ops.
Q: Who is speaking at OpStars?
A: We have a great lineup of speakers, including Jacki Leahy, Founder and Fractional RevOps Advisor at Activate the Magic, Matthew Volm, CEO & Founder at RevOps Co-op, and Mallory Lee, SVP, RevOps Strategy at Union Square Consulting.
Q: Where will OpsStars 2024 be held?
A: The event will take place at the San Francisco Mint, located at 88 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Q: How do I apply or nominate a coworker for an OpsStars Award?
A: OpsStars Award applications will be open until August 11, 2024. Submit an application here.
7 Can’t-Miss Sessions at OpsStars and Dreamforce 2024
With over 1,000 Dreamforce sessions and 20+ OpsStars sessions, we wouldn’t blame you for feeling overwhelmed. We combed through options to handpick a few sessions we think you’ll like.
Add these breakouts to your Dreamforce agenda
- AI-Powered Operations and Code Optimizations with Pooja Reddivari, Senior Manager of Product Management at Salesforce, and Doyen Sahoo, Director of Research at Salesforce.
- Revenue Lifecycle Management for High Tech with Jordy Brazier, SVP of Global Business Growth & Automation at Salesforce.
- Turn Your Data Mess into Data Success with Olivia Hinkle, Director of Product Marketing at Validity, Inc.
Check out these OpsStars 2024 learning opportunities
⭐ Navigating the Maze: Choosing the Right Tech Stack for Revenue Operations
Join Jordan Henderson, VP of Revenue Operations at Evisort as he shares key considerations and best practices for evaluating, selecting, and implementing new tech in your RevOps stack.
11:30 AM – 11:55 AM, Stage 2
⭐ Measure What (Really) Matters: The Metrics of Buying Groups
John Steinert, TechTarget’s Chief Marketing Officer, and Jon Miller, MarTech entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Marketo, will discuss and debate the data you need to launch a Buying Groups go-to-market motion.
2:00 PM – 2:25 PM, Stage 1
⭐ Customer-Centric Scaling: Accelerate Growth & Retention with Marketing Ops
OpsStars Award-winning Marketing Operations leaders, Alex Wolff of Rocket Software and Rachel Godfrey of BambooHR dive deep into the strategies and tactics for operationalizing a growth engine using your existing customers.
3:15 PM – 3:40 PM, Stage 1
⭐ Growing your RevOps Career
This panel is perfect for anyone looking to get into or grow their career in RevOps. Learn from folks like Trent Allen, Sr. RevOps Consultant at Go Nimbly, who have been in your shoes. Ask questions and leave inspired.
3:45 PM – 4:10 PM, Stage 2
While all Ops professionals are invited, space is limited so we encourage you to register now to save your spot!
Will we see you in San Francisco?
If you’re an Ops practitioner looking for ways to level up in your career, add Dreamforce and OpsStars 2024 to your professional development wish list.
As the only conference purpose-built for ops professionals attending Dreamforce, OpsStars is a must-attend event for folks in Ops roles who want to boost their knowledge (and careers).
Want to join your peers for this free learning opportunity? Register now!
Amber Rhodes
Amber Rhodes is a fractional content and social media marketer for top B2B SaaS companies. When she's not working, she is probably reading or playing with her two cats and two dogs. Connect with Amber on LinkedIn.
