Whether you’ve weathered many a Dreamforce or it’s your first time attending Salesforce’s biggest event of the year, it can be difficult to know exactly what to pack. On the plus side, it’ll be in the low 60s most days — a welcome temperature for most — and you’ll likely stay near Moscone all week so as not to miss any keynotes, sessions, meetings, or opportunities to scour booth after booth for braggable swag. But what if you get hungry before lunch? Can your laptop survive an entire day unplugged? How will you wrangle all those business cards from networking events?
Here are the 8(ish) things to pack to ensure a great #DF19.
1. “Comfortable” shoes
I get it. Everyone says it. It’s a conference; wear comfortable shoes. But what does that mean? It means anything from Allbirds. I’m not kidding. These are the tech-friendly flats, sneakers, and slip-ons we’ve all been waiting for. I have four pairs, at least two of which are perfect for early breakfast meetings, long days, and multiple happy hours à la Dreamforce.
2. Layers
I lived in San Francisco for six years, and a cardigan was the hardest-working wardrobe staple I owned. The same applies during Dreamforce: breathable blazers, light cardigans, button-downs that can be worn with or without a jacket, a jacket… There’s no such thing as over packing when you pack for San Francisco, regardless of the season. Bonus points if everything matches, so you can repurpose layers without looking like you slept in yesterday’s outfit.
3. Headphones/AirPods and earplugs
If you need a break from human interaction, it’s always good to have headphones with you. (It’s the visual cue that keeps on giving.) And if you need to take a call at a moment’s notice in a room full of people, AirPods are a smart, portable choice. But earplugs are the unsung hero of Dreamforce—particularly if you’re sharing a room with a coworker or the sounds of the city are proving a bit too much for you.
4. Granola bars… or your emergency snack of choice
I don’t travel without packing snacks, period. Dreamforce is no exception. Whether you wake up hungry (I do) or you need a pick-me-up between catered meals, it’s good to have at least a couple of individually wrapped snacks on hand at all times. That way, you’re not coasting by on coffee alone.
5. An external charger for your laptop
Don’t be that person on the floor, with your brick of a MacBook charger plugged into the only outlet just outside of the bathroom. I have been that person. Not only do you miss out on more important things, but you’re on the floor. So pack an external charger (and of course, be sure to keep it charged in advance).
6. A DIY health and wellness kit
Don’t skimp on healthcare essentials at #DF19. Get together a small kit of the following (or your version of the following):
- Hand sanitizer
- Hand lotion
- Chapstick
- Advil
- Tums
- Small bandages (for blisters)
- Tide to Go pens (for spills)
- A travel pack of tissues (they double as napkins!)
- A headache-helping essential oil for dabbing right on your wrists and temples (peppermint would be my suggestion)
7. Many, many business cards
Bring more than you think you need. You’ll need them for networking, urgent note taking, and potentially entering raffles for swag. Plus, there’s always at least one coworker who forgets to bring theirs or couldn’t order them in time and needs to doctor up one of yours in a pinch.
8. Your Fleetwood Mac t-shirt
You wouldn’t want to show up to Dreamfest ‘19 without showing your love of Fleetwood Mac.
9. BONUS TIP: Leave room for swag in your suitcase
Last but not least: save some space for the most compelling swag—plush things for the kids, a VR headset for yourself, and pens you can safely use and lose on the flight home. You don’t want to pack a lot of excess stuff into your backpack or leave it behind, so plan accordingly.
Be sure to follow Silverline on social media at @silverlinecrm to keep up with #DF19 in real time.
