How to hack Dreamforce 2017 - Part I 

The question on everybody’s mind: How can we stand out at a billion-dollar event, with the Tesla’s or other giant companies with millions in their budget to create the best experiences with customers?

How can we be noticed in the middle of hundreds?

You want to get more traction, more user testing, new customers, and build meaningful partnerships.
Dreamforce is the right place to do it.
“Four days of transforming your career, innovating, giving back, having a ball, and connecting with your community of fellow Trailblazers — all at the largest software conference in the world. Sound amazing?
It is.
“With 2,700+ sessions to help every role in every industry succeed, the opportunity to get a hands-on experience with the latest product innovations, and 170,000 Trailblazers to learn from, Dreamforce is the must-attend event of the year. And it’s going to sell out, so register now to blaze your trail to new skills, new perspectives, and new connections.”
In this article, we will give you actual solutions to be outstanding and attract dozens or even hundreds of leads to your brand.

#1 Guerrilla Marketing

This is the easiest and most fun way to make a difference at big conferences.
Imagine that you have 170,000 people walking the streets of San Francisco, and you have a single shot to catch their eye and show them your brand.

Marc Benioff himself did that in the early days of SalesForce, at the Seibel conferences.
Take a look at the 80 best guerrilla marketing campaigns of all time.
With a few bucks, you can create original campaigns that are also social-media friendly.
One of the examples is the KitKat bench in the street,

Another one was used at a similar large conference for all of the attendees,

Or you might want something smaller that doesn’t require so many logistics like,

If done correctly you can even get some PR exposure, by creating such an original campaign.
You should always incentivize some people to take some pictures and share on their social media, and you can even take some pictures yourself and boost them on Facebook by writing a catchy blog article saying something like: “The Best Thing Happening at Dreamforce” or “Oh My God This Really Happened at Dreamforce17?!”.

#2 Smaller satellite events

This is a must have.
During this huge four-day event, organizing a smaller event is the cheapest and most effective way to engage with potential customers at Dreamforce.
With a simple setup like this:
Venue
Catering
Photographer

You can create an amazing experience. Plus, you can always do it in partnership with another company to reduce the costs and increase the range of attendees/potential customers.
Here are the suggestions that we make for venues (price-wise suggestions)

a) Trumaker

b) Yelp HQ

c) Palace Hotel

This meeting spot is elegant. With 53,000 square feet of meeting space, it can accommodate any size party. This is a top-rated hotel, with hospitality that lives up to its reputation.

d) Terra Gallery

Terra Gallery has held events from tradeshows to fundraisers and is just minutes away from top hotels and restaurants in the Bay Area.

e) Bently Reserve

From halls, to lounges, to getaway rooms, this can acclimate all ranges of event festivities. This venue is a sleek and sophisticated getaway for all your attendees.

f) The Village

The Village, a 17,408 square foot special San Francisco venue in the burgeoning Mid-Market neighborhood in downtown San Francisco, specializes in high profile, influential events for the Corporate and Private sector. Their sophisticated range of built in high-technical capabilities — including interactive technologies for architectural projection mapping makes them the ideal choice for your next event.

g) Broadway Studios

This historical hot spot is a versatile San Francisco venue that can create the perfect atmosphere for all kinds of events. They have balconies, grand ballrooms, and the like to fulfill all your venue design needs.

h) Mission Bay Conference Center

An exciting new meeting and events destination is right in SF! They promise to make your planning easy, convenient, and of course, fun!

i) 111 Minna Gallery

This venue can be described as rustic, chic- complete with exposed piping and floor to ceiling windows. Often labeled an urban industrial warehouse, Minna Gallery will add a distinct mood to any event.

j) Cityview at Metreon

This amazing event venue is in the heart of San Francisco, looking over it all. Complete with a beautiful interior and large outdoor roof space, it is an excellent choice for your next event.

l) GSVLabs

This event space has small to large conference areas to suit any size event you might host, not to mention a great atmosphere and a sand volleyball court!

m) RocketSpace

As far as co-working spaces go, Rocketspace is a prime spot for your next event with 6,000 square feet of potential event space and a killer vibe. It’s a no brainer to have an event here.

n) Runway

This is a perfect space for a startup (just like us!) to host an event. There is plenty of communal space (30,000 square feet of it!) and attention to detail to inspire creativity and networking.

o) The Garage Sfo: Luxury Live/work Warehouse

This 3000 sq. ft. modern warehouse offers two-stories of open concept space, a roof terrace, and an indoor home theatre. A unique location, perfect for your corporate gatherings, workshops, and creative productions.

p) Urban Fabulous Dramatic Event Space

Large warehouse loft located in a prominent corner near the Dogpatch/Potrero border. Ample storage space with high soaring ceilings in main living area. Featuring a pond/pool in the middle of the room complete with in-ground lighting, and a large built-in seating area, flooded with natural light that can be shielded via the roll-up door (perfect for photo shoots). Ideal for those who value a flexible space, a very dramatic space with endless.

q) Beautiful Converted Warehouse

4,000 square foot multi-use space in the Mission great for holiday parties, art happenings, weddings, shows, classes, and more. Amazing commercial kitchen Fully Stocked: 2 Wolf stoves, 80 linear feet of counter, 3 door fridge, freezer, all the implements, pots/pans, flatware, plates, glassware ect… 3 bathrooms. Full PA system and lights.

r) Design District Gallery In Historic Takahashi Building

This is the perfect venue for an upscale gathering in which guests may enjoy a meticulously designed space and surround themselves with California-themed artwork. Our guests typically choose this venue because they are seeking an inspiring and stimulating atmosphere for their event. Situated in the heart of Potrero Hill’s Design District, our space mixes old San Francisco charm with the clean minimalism of a contemporary gallery. The historic industrial venue offers up to 1800 sqft of event space, hardwood floors throughout and most of all, a one-of-a-kind art and architecture experience.

This is where we can be of great help to you.

Youcanevent is an online marketplace where brands, businesses or individuals can book vendors and event planners when organizing an event.
Our secret sauce is that you just have to send the event request saying “I need a Venue, catering and photographer for an event that I’m hosting on November 6th, expecting 50 to 70 attendees” and our community of vendors (like the venues above) and event planners start biding on your request.
You should take a look at the video bellow, which illustrates the platform experience.

Feel free to reach out to us at (628) 227-4334 or shoot us an email to [email protected] and we can definitely help you organize your kick ass event for Dreamforce 2017.

Part II of this Dreamforce Hack will be launched soon.