I Left my Voice in San Francisco: DF23 Recap

What a week!

I’m back on home soil and the dust has barely settled after what was another inspiring and incredible Dreamforce in San Fran.

Perhaps a little optimistically, the original goal was to post daily video updates at the event, but that plan was quickly scuttled after I lost my voice punching out John Farnham classics with the rest of the APAC crew at the infamous Foleys.?

So needless to say, as tricky as it is to settle back into a normal routine after a week of non-stop socialising and stimulation, I’ve enjoyed taking a moment to sit back and reflect on what I took away from the event.

Something for everyone

Of course, the unique thing about Dreamforce is that it’s different for everyone. It’s designed in such a way that you can find your own thing to complement wherever your career or personal interests lie.?

For me, it’s all about the opportunity to network, catch-up with old colleagues, and meet new people. In a highly connected industry such as our own, these conversations are invaluable in getting a new perspective on market trends and forecasts, and which areas are growing or waning in businesses.?

These firsthand insights help me pinpoint which roles and skills will be in most demand in coming months, while giving me the lead time to adjust my approach if needed.

New products, big opportunities?

You’re probably already aware that this year’s Salesforce was built around the themes of AI, data, and trust.

We witnessed the introduction of several new products and platforms, including Einstein 1 and the Co-Pilot studio, which bring all existing products and platforms together into an AI-driven platform. Additionally, there were discussions about the integration of trust into the platform, new features in Slack, the offering of free data cloud licences, and the introduction of new clouds, such as the Life Sciences Cloud . ?

Great minds, epic entertainment

Throughout the three days, we were treated to keynote presentations, as well as engaging fireside chats with the great minds of Jane Goodall, Spike Lee, and Rain Wilson, who shared insights on how we can utilise AI and technology for positive impact.

I’ve been fortunate enough to attend several Dreamforce events now (this marks my sixth!), and while the attendance numbers may not match those of previous years (with 2019 boasting over 150,000 registrations compared to 45,000 this year), the event itself remains a sight to behold. The awe-inspiring installations from Salesforce and its partners continue to impress, even with a smaller crowd.

And perhaps the highlight for many — an epic show put on by rock gods, the Foo Fighters capped off an awesome event.

Well worth it

This year's Dreamforce was another resounding success. For me, what I enjoyed most came in the form of forging valuable new connections, and reconnecting with colleagues and friends I hadn't seen in some time.?

I feel very grateful to have the support of my family to take care of our wonderful little girl during these trips. And with another little one on the way next year, it could be my last Dreamforce for a year or two!

I’m interested to hear your take too! Did you attend online or in person? What were your highlights?

- Garth