Kuldeep Sharma’s Unforgettable 1st Dreamforce Journey – Ohana Welcome

About Kuldeep Sharma

Salesforce MVP, Marketing Champion, Jaipur User Group Leader, Founder of Bharat Dreamin’ & Marketathon.

Kuldeep Sharma is a Salesforce enthusiast and passionate member of the Salesforce community who experienced his first Dreamforce in 2024. What started as curiosity about a tech conference transformed into a life-changing experience that redefined his understanding of community, innovation, and what it means to be part of the Salesforce Ohana.

As a first-time attendee who embraced every moment of Dreamforce 2024, Kuldeep brings a fresh perspective filled with genuine excitement and wonder. His approach to the Salesforce ecosystem reflects the pure joy of discovery and the transformative power of authentic community connection.

His Dreamforce 2024 Highlights:

• 🎯 Amazing Learning Experience from Bootcamp, Sessions & Workshops

• 📸 First person to get a selfie with Marc Benioff on Day 1

• 🏃♂️ Community Fun Run participant

• 🎵 Dreamfest and Equality Fest attendee

• 🚗 Waymo (driverless car) experience

• ☕ Personalized Agentforce coffee recipient

• 🇮🇳 Proud moment with Indian flag selfie

Kuldeep’s story demonstrates how Dreamforce can exceed every expectation and create memories that last a lifetime, turning a single conference experience into a catalyst for deeper community engagement and business inspiration.

The Festival That Changed Everything: Dreamforce 2024

My very first Dreamforce experience was last year, in 2024, and it’s an amazing experience I’ll truly never forget.

From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the sheer scale and energy of it all. What surprised me most was the vibrant, almost festival-like atmosphere—it was far more dynamic and engaging than I had imagined a tech conference could be.

This wasn’t just a conference; it was a celebration, a community gathering, and a learning experience all rolled into one incredible week that would change my perspective on what technology events could be.

Every Moment Was Magic

Every single moment was amazing, from the MVP Unconference and the powerful Dreamforce Keynote to getting my first selfie with Marc Benioff. I loved learning in the Trailblazer Forest, gaining insights from the Marketing Keynote, and experiencing the fun of the Community Fun Run.

And of course, the chance to enjoy and relax at Dreamfest and attend Equality Fest, plus enjoying a ride with Waymo, capped off an absolutely unforgettable week. One particularly proud moment was taking a selfie with the Indian flag—representing my heritage at this global gathering.

It was genuinely one of the best times of my life, filled with unparalleled learning, networking, and celebration.

Beyond a Single “Aha Moment”: A Week of Revelations

Rather than one single “aha moment,” my first Dreamforce was filled with continuous surprises and revelations that kept building throughout the week.

The Dreamforce Keynote itself was a powerful introduction to the Salesforce vision and community spirit. But what made it truly special was becoming the first person to get a selfie with Marc Benioff on Day 1—an incredible experience that set the tone for the entire event.

Other unforgettable moments included:

• Receiving an amazing surprise swag box from Guilda Hilaire

• Participating in meetings with executives at Salesforce Tower

• Enjoying the Marketing Champion Lunch and a champion group selfie

• The sheer joy of the Fun Run and Dreamfest

• Receiving personalized coffee made by Agentforce (what a surprise!)

• Experiencing a ride in Waymo (driverless car)—thanks to Guilda for giving me this incredible opportunity

All Amazing!!! It was more, more, and more beyond expectations.

The Surprises That Made It Unforgettable

There were so many surprising moments that truly made the experience unforgettable. Riding in a Waymo (a driverless car) was an absolute thrill and a futuristic experience that was a surprise plan from Guilda. Coffee made by Agentforce was a total surprise that showcased the practical magic of AI in everyday experiences.

But beyond the technology demonstrations, it was the human connections and community spirit that created the most lasting memories. A lot of fun at the Fun Run, Dreamfest, and every corner of Dreamforce—I lived another life there with my OHANA!

I will keep these memories for my entire life.

The Game-Changing Discovery: Agentforce

Among all the valuable things I learned, Agentforce was the best one! The hands-on experience with AI-powered automation and the practical applications I discovered have been incredibly exciting and have expanded my technical knowledge in ways I never expected.

I have completed a few projects recently using what I learned about Agentforce, and it was totally one of the best experiences. The ability to implement AI-driven solutions for clients has opened up entirely new possibilities for our consulting work and client outcomes.

The Three-Day Ohana Festival Strategy

My advice for maximizing the Dreamforce experience: Think of it as a 3-day Ohana festival, so you need to block your calendar for each single thing in order to make sure you’re not missing anything and can enjoy every bit of the DF experience.

The key is preparation and intentionality—when you approach Dreamforce as a comprehensive experience rather than just a series of sessions, you open yourself up to the magic that happens in between the scheduled events.

Networking Philosophy: Connect, Attend, Give Back

My approach to networking at Dreamforce was simple but effective: Connect with Ohana, attend meetups there, build connections, and give back to others!

The beauty of the Salesforce community is that networking doesn’t feel transactional—it feels like family reunions, chance encounters, and shared experiences that naturally lead to lasting professional relationships.

Looking Ahead: Dreamforce 2025 Excitement

Yes, I’m definitely attending Dreamforce 2025!

I’m excited for many things—meeting with Trailblazers, the keynote experience, speakers, and champions selfies. But this time, there are exciting new additions like Dreampitch (like Shark Tank) and Dreamforce Comedy Hours. A lot of new things are coming, so I am super excited!

The anticipation of building on last year’s incredible experience while discovering what’s new and innovative keeps me counting down the days.

Essential Advice for First-Time Attendees

The Most Important Step: Agenda Builder

Go to Agenda Builder and build your agenda. This is very important so you can utilize every essence of DF as much as possible. Without proper planning, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and opportunities.

Don’t Miss These Essentials

• Dreamforce Keynote—the heart of the entire experience

• Amazing sessions and bootcamps—there are so many learning activities

• Community events—where the real magic of connection happens

• Hands-on experiences—like Trailblazer Forest learning opportunities

Preparation is Everything

Download the Salesforce app and block your calendar with the help of Agenda Builder. This simple step makes the difference between a chaotic experience and a transformative one.

Come prepared to be amazed, but more importantly, come prepared to connect with the most generous and innovative community in technology.

The Continuing Impact

My first Dreamforce experience in 2024 didn’t just give me new technical skills or business insights—it gave me a new understanding of what community can be. The Salesforce Ohana isn’t just a marketing term; it’s a lived reality that you experience from the moment you walk through the doors.

The lessons learned from Agentforce, the connections made with fellow Trailblazers, and the inspiration drawn from seeing technology used for positive change—all of these continue to influence how I participate in and contribute to the Salesforce community.

The Ohana Effect

What strikes me most about my Dreamforce experience is how it redefined my understanding of professional conferences and community events. This wasn’t just about learning new features or making business connections—it was about finding your place in a global family that shares your passion for innovation and positive impact.

The selfie with Marc Benioff, the surprise Waymo ride, the Agentforce coffee, the Fun Run camaraderie—these weren’t just fun activities. They were expressions of a community culture that values celebration, innovation, and genuine human connection alongside professional development.

A Life-Changing Week

I lived another life there with my OHANA—and that’s perhaps the most accurate way to describe the Dreamforce experience. For one incredible week, you’re immersed in a world where technology serves humanity, where innovation drives positive change, and where every conversation has the potential to spark new ideas, partnerships, or friendships.

The memories from those three days continue to energize my work, inspire my client interactions, and remind me why I chose to be part of the Salesforce ecosystem. From festival wonder to Ohana family—that’s the journey every first-time Dreamforce attendee can expect.

The Promise of Return

As I prepare for Dreamforce 2025, I carry with me not just the technical knowledge and business insights from 2024, but the deep sense of belonging and purpose that comes from being part of something larger than yourself.

The Indian flag selfie represents more than personal pride—it represents the global nature of this community and the way Dreamforce brings together passionate people from every corner of the world, united by a shared commitment to making technology work better for everyone.

Whether you’re attending your first Dreamforce or your tenth, remember that the most transformative moments often happen in the spaces between sessions, in the spontaneous conversations, and in the celebrations that remind us why we love what we do.

That’s the real magic of Dreamforce—it doesn’t just show you what’s possible with technology; it shows you what’s possible when technology serves community, innovation serves purpose, and individual success serves collective impact.

Welcome to the Ohana. Prepare to be amazed. Prepare to belong.

 Kuldeep Sharma is a Founder of Bharat Dreamin’ & Marketathon Program. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter for authentic conversations about community, innovation, and the transformational power of the Salesforce Ohana experience.