Finding My Voice and Community: Rebecca Aichholzer’s True Dreamforce Transformation

About Rebecca Aichholzer

Salesforce MVP, Adoption & Enablement Advocate, VISEO

Rebecca Aichholzer is a Salesforce MVP, passionate advocate for technology enablement and inclusion, and a Customer Success Consultant at VISEO. With more than five Dreamforces under her belt, she has traveled the globe—often representing Australia and her company as one of only a handful of attendees from her region. What started as an overwhelming introduction to the Salesforce ecosystem has become a journey of empowering others, conquering impostor syndrome, and building connections that span continents.

Entering Dreamforce: From “Deer in Headlights” to Community Belonging

I’ll never forget my first Dreamforce. I was one of just two people from my company who flew in from Australia, invited by a partner we worked with at the time. As soon as I arrived, I felt like a deer in headlights—the conference spanned city blocks, hotels overflowed with attendees, and it seemed like every second person wore a Trailblazer hoodie.

I was blown away not just by the scale, but the sense that the entire city had been transformed into a living, breathing Salesforce celebration. It was something I’d never experienced before.

The “Aha” Moment: The Welcome Feeling of the Trailblazer Community

Despite how alone I could have felt so far from home, my biggest “aha” moment came from the warmth of the community.I arrived not knowing anybody, but found myself constantly chatting with fellow session attendees, striking up conversations while waiting in line, and suddenly feeling welcomed by a network I’d only known online.

That collective spirit and genuine friendliness solidified my love for the Salesforce ecosystem. In a matter of days, strangers became friends and my sense of belonging grew immensely.

Surpassing All Expectations (Even If I Missed U2!)

I honestly didn’t know what to expect heading in—but Dreamforce delivered on every front. It was so much more than I imagined. My biggest surprise might sound funny: I got a free ticket to see U2 live at Dreamfest, but I was so worn out from the event’s excitement, I traded the concert for a good night’s sleep! That’s how intense—and overwhelming—in the best way—Dreamforce truly is.

Wisdom That Lasts: “Speak, Even If Your Voice Shakes”

A session I attended before COVID, featuring Tracee Ellis Ross at the Equality keynote, has stayed with me ever since. Listening to her share about finding her voice, standing up for injustices, and the courage to “Speak, even if your voice shakes” changed the way I saw myself as both a woman and a leader in technology.

Her presence and words encouraged me to move through self-doubt and speak up for what matters, both for myself and for others throughout my career.

Conquering Impostor Syndrome: Owning My Space

Dreamforce didn’t just teach me new features or business strategy—it helped me conquer impostor syndrome. Being welcomed so warmly and gaining confidence through community has helped me take my rightful place as a woman in tech. My career has grown immensely thanks to this ecosystem, and I now step forward with belief in my abilities, eager to help others do the same.

Connections That Last: The Power of a Good Conversation

During Dreamforce 2024, I met Sanjeet Mahajan from Kizzy Consulting, who has become a key professional connection. Our discussions about agentic AI and Agentforce have challenged my thinking and opened up new ways to see how AI will drive organizational change. It’s these organic, thoughtful connections—chatting in line or at a coffee break—that have the most profound impact.

As a mentor and an MVP, I’ve grown even more by helping others navigate their journeys, and I find with every conversation, I also learn more about myself.

Community Growth: Giving and Receiving

The Salesforce community isn’t just global—it’s deeply personal. While I’ve offered my advice and mentorship to people in different countries, each conversation with a mentee sharpens my own journey and expands my perspective. Community isn’t a one-way street; it’s an endless circle of giving, learning, and growing together.

Networking Hack: Embrace the Queue

Here’s my best tip for Dreamforce networking: Introduce yourself to people waiting in line with you! You’ll spend a lot of time in queues, so turn those moments into new friendships and business relationships—they often become the most memorable part of the conference.

The Dreamforce Ripple: Immediate Returns, Ongoing Value

Every time I return from Dreamforce, I’m equipped with fresh ideas, new connections, and an understanding of the latest products, solutions, or apps that can solve real-world challenges in my work. That impact is immediate and lasts all year.

In 2024, Agentforce was my big discovery, and I’ve now helped several customers radically change how they work because of what I learned at Dreamforce.

Success Born Through Community Learning

Back in 2019, I dove deep into sessions on adoption and change management before leading a two-year Salesforce implementation for my organization. The practices and insights I picked up ensured exceptional enablement for 500+ new users, even as we navigated COVID. It was a massive project—and a huge success—rooted in the best of what Dreamforce had to offer.

Why I’ll Return: Friends, Learning, and Giving My Best

Yes, I’ll definitely be at Dreamforce 2025! I can’t wait to catch up with my global friends. I look forward to sessions on enablement, diversity, adoption, and especially the Agentforce roadmap, all to help my customers succeed. For me, it’s all about deepening my network, keeping learning alive, and paying it forward.

Top Tips for Future Dreamforce Attendees

• Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll walk (and walk!) between venues and sessions.

• Give yourself time between sessions for networking, decompression, and hands-on workshops.

• Don’t skip True to the Core—for a real peek at where Salesforce is heading.

• Use the event app to plan, scope out companies and contacts, and build your agenda with breathing room.

• Avoid the trap of booking back-to-back sessions (you’ll miss most anyway, and spend too long in line-ups!).

• And don’t forget: Head to Dreamfest—it’s an absolute blast!

About VISEO

VISEO is a global technology implementation partner specializing in Salesforce and SAP. We help organizations harness technology to stay agile and competitive in a fast-evolving digital world, delivering expert guidance and innovative solutions to help clients stay ahead and meet the demands of tomorrow’s market.

Dreamforce was where I stopped feeling like an outsider, found my confidence, and embraced my space as a woman, a leader, and a mentor in tech. It’s more than a conference—it’s a catalyst for growth, connection, and transformation. If you’re ready to discover your voice—and your community—Dreamforce is waiting.

Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn to share stories, mentorship, and community inspiration.