Matthew McConaughey. Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Jane Goodall. Bono. The Red Hot Chili Peppers. When it comes to keynoters and headliners, Salesforce’s Dreamforce, the biggest software conference in the world, never disappoints.
2022 Dreamforce kicked off Tuesday in the heart of San Francisco and with it ride the hopes of downtown San Francisco’s entire convention complex for pandemic recovery.
Started in 2003, Dreamforce is much more than just a conference. It’s attended by people at every level and from every industry. As recently described by Erin Oles, brand experiences and event marketing in the Salesforce blog, “Dreamforce brings together the global Salesforce community for learning, fun, community building and philanthropy. Trailblazers from all over the world gather to share their insights, successes, and learn the latest in industry innovations.”
This is the first full Dreamforce conference since 2019. In 2020, Salesforce canceled its in-person event, and in 2021 it held a mostly indoors hybrid event due to COVID-19. Though Dreamforce will be using all the space in Moscone Center’s three buildings from September 20 to 22, it’s known as much for what goes on outside the convention center walls.
As part of its National Park theme, organizers have built artificial rock formations made from foam and a 30-foot outdoor waterfall, and decorative hot air balloons. Its well-known charity concert, Dreamfest, will feature Red Hot Chili Peppers, who hail from Los Angeles, along with host of local bands. Previous stadium-level performers at Dreamfest have included U2, Foo Fighters and Lenny Kravitz.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Salesforce expects the event to have $40 million in economic impact. A full 85 percent of the vendors it is using are local businesses. There is an event staff of 2,000 on site.
Unlike other large recent California events, like July’s Comic-Con in San Diego, there are no mandatory COVID vaccination or testing requirements for attendees at Dreamforce. Masks are encouraged.
(Photo from YouTube: “Tippa My Tongue” Official Music Video)
