[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As with any conference, the appearance of DreamForce 2014 brings out the party in people. From networking events to happy hours (and even a few costumed-themed ragers that may rival your college years), the off-site scene at DreamForce will be nearly as important as the conference itself, especially when it comes to networking. I mean, be honest with yourself; how many chances will you get to be in a social situation with a SalesForce exec, or networking with some of the best and brightest folks in your field from all around the country? Probably not that often (unless your life is more exciting than ours).

The problem with these events is that 1) you’re really excited to be there, 2) there’re often free drinks, and 3) there’s at least a little bit of each of us that sees DreamForce as, at least a little bit, a vacation. Add those things up and the possibility of saying Heeeeyyy bro… shots? to someone you shouldn’t increases exponentially.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t attend these events; in fact, if you choose not to, I strongly encourage you to throw away your plane ticket and quit your job. These events are where the real deals will be made at DreamForce 2014, where the connections happen. Just follow my advice:

 

DON’T GET TOO DRUNK AT DREAMFORCE 2014

Now that’s out of the way, we can get down to it. You’ll see the offsite events breaking down into the following categories—Coffee, Breakfast, Keynote Viewing, Networking Event, Happy Hour, Party, After Party—and each kind of event will have its own benefits and drawbacks. You might find that, over breakfast, it’s more difficult to get people to talk because they’re tired from the night before, but that they’re alert, remember the connection they made with you, and follow up quickly. Conversely, that hard-to-reach VP may be totally loose and ready to talk at an after party, but that killer conversation the two of you had may be… a little hazy the next morning.

What I’m trying to say is that, while at DreamForce, you’ll be best served by attending a variety of offsite events. Some will be boozier, some more networking-heavy, but they’re all worth your time. Here they are:

 

An (At This Moment) Comprehensive List of All DreamForce 2014 Parties and Off-Site Events

 

DreamForce 2014 Parties and Events – October 13

DreamForce Charity Hour Hosted By: Pacificforce Time: 5-7pm Location: 83 Proof, 1st St Event Type: Happy Hour Acceptable Intoxication Level:XX

LGBTA Networking Outforce Hosted By: Salesforce Time: 7-10pm Location: Audio Discotech Event Type: Networking Acceptable Intoxication Level: X

Opening Night Soiree Hosted By: InsideView Time: 9pm-Midnight Location: Novella, 662 Mission St Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXX

Roaring 20’s Party Hosted By: Demandbase, Lattice Engines, Brightfunnel, Influitive Time: 9pm-Midnight Location: Novella, 662 Mission St Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXXXX

Welcome Reception Hosted By: Salesforce.com Time: 6-8pm Location: Moscone North Event Type: Networking Acceptable Intoxication Level: X


SMB Blast-Off Hosted By: Salesforce.com Time: 8-11pm Location: Jones Bar, 620 Jones St Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXX

Xede Dreamforce Kickoff Hosted By: Xede Time: 6:30 pm Location: Bar Agricole, 355 11th St Event Type: Happy Hour Acceptable Intoxication Level: XX

Elite Experience Hosted By: Domo and Magnet 360 Time: 8-11pm Location: The Marriot View Lounge Event Type: Networking Acceptable Intoxication Level: X

Beats, Brews, & Banter Hosted By: InsideView Time: 6-8pm Location: Booth N1106, Expo Center Event Type: Happy Hour Acceptable Intoxication Level: XX

MaxLive Kickoff Hosted By: ServiceMax Time: 4-6pm Location: The W Hotel, 3rd St Event Type: Kickoff Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: X

DreamForce 2014 Parties and Events – October 14

Customer Appreciation Hosted By: Marketto Time: 10am-5pm Location: Restaurant Lulu Event Type: Keynote Viewing Acceptable Intoxication Level: ☹

Girlforce Coffee Meetup Hosted By: Joni Martin Time: 7:30-10:30am Location: Starbucks, 4th and Mission Event Type: Coffee Acceptable Intoxication Level: ☹

Meet the SFDC MVPs Hosted By: Conga Time: 4-5:30pm Location: Moscone, Admin Zone Event Type: Networking Acceptable Intoxication Level: ☹

Newbie Reunion Breakfast Hosted By: Salesforce Success Time: 6:15-8am Location: Sears Fine Foods, 439 Powell Event Type: Breakfast Acceptable Intoxication Level: ☹


The Standard Hosted By: Docusign Time: 8pm-??? Location: TBA Event Type: After party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXXXX

The Grand After Party Hosted By: Capgemini Time: 10pm-Midnight Location: The Grand Event Type: After Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXXX

DreamForce 2014 Gala Hosted By: Salesforce.com Time: 6:30-10pm Location: San Francisco Civic Center Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXXX

Pre-Gala Happy Hour Hosted By: NewVoiceMedia Time: 5pm til Gala Location: Terrace at the Westin, 3rd St. Event Type: Happy Hour Acceptable Intoxication Level: XX

DreamForce 2014 Parties and Events – October 15

80’s Blowout Hosted By: Qualtrics + Accel Time: 9-11:30pm Location: The Exploratorium Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXX

ForceUnited Night Hosted By: ForceUnited Time: 6-8pm Location: Quote to Cash Greenzone, 3rd & Howard Event Type: Networking Acceptable Intoxication Level: X

Client Appreciation Hosted By: redkite Time: 5:30-9:30pm Location: Monarch, 101 6th St Event Type: Happy Hour Acceptable Intoxication Level: XX

The In Party Hosted By: Xively Time: 8pm-Midnight Location: Bourbon and Branch Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXXX

User Group Meetup Hosted By: Linda King – Salesforce Time: 7-10pm Location: Il Fornaio, 1265 Battery St Event Type: Networking Acceptable Intoxication Level: X

AppBash 2014 Hosted By: Salesforce.com Time: 9pm-1am Location: City View at Metreon Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXX

Appirio Party Hosted By: Appirio Time: TBD Location: 736 Mission St Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXX

Pardot Masquerade Hosted By: Pardot Time: 9pm-Midnight Location: Vessel, 85 Campton Pl Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXXX


South Side Happy Hour Hosted By: Evariant Time: 5:30-8:30pm Location: Southside Spirit House Event Type: Happy Hour Acceptable Intoxication Level: XX

ThirstyBear After Party Hosted By: Accounting Seed Time: 9:30-11:30pm Location: ThirstyBear Brewing Co Event Type: After Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXXX

Cloud Octane Hosted By: Acumen Solutions Time: 7-11:30pm Location: 111 Minna Gallery Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXX ½

Cocktail Reception Hosted By: Zyme Solutions Time: 5-8pm Location: Hotel Vitale Event Type: Happy Hour Acceptable Intoxication Level: XX

Urban Cabana Hosted By: Bluewolf Time: 6:30-10pm Location: 90 Natoma St Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXX

Just Say Yes Party Hosted By: Yesware Time: 7pm-??? Location: The Box, 1069 Howard St Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXX

Cirrus Insight Happy Hour Hosted By: Cirrus Insight Time: 4-8pm Location: ThirstyBear Brewing Co Event Type: Happy Hour Acceptable Intoxication Level: XX

The Engagement Party Hosted By: Idealist Consulting Time: 8pm-??? Location: Supper Club, 657 Harrison St Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XXX

DreamForce 2014 Parties and Events – October 16

Cigar Shindig Hosted By: michaelforce.com & CRM Culture Time: 6-9pm Location: Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery Event Type: Party Acceptable Intoxication Level: XX

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is all she wrote. If you don’t have a blast at DreamForce 2014, make a ton of contacts, and come back with at least a little bit of a headache, you’re doing it all wrong! Have fun and stay safe!

 

 

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