From First Glimpse to Global Impact: My 7-Year Dreamforce Journey

About Marilo Meta

From civic tech enthusiast in Albania to Salesforce MVP building bridges across continents

When I first discovered Salesforce in 2017, I was working on civic tech and youth development projects in Albania, searching for ways to scale social impact through technology. Today, as a Salesforce MVP and founder of LDA Digital Solutions, I help organizations across Europe and the U.S. unlock the full potential of Salesforce—but my core mission remains the same: using technology to create meaningful change.

My Journey in Numbers:
– 🏆 Salesforce MVP since 2022
– 🌍 7+ years in the Salesforce ecosystem
– ✈️ 5+ Dreamforce attendances
– 🎯 Founded Albania Dreamin’ (Eastern Europe’s largest Salesforce event)
– 💼 Clients across 3 continents through LDA Digital Solutions
– 🎓 Hundreds of young professionals introduced to Salesforce careers

What Drives Me:  I believe technology should enable people, not replace them. Whether I’m implementing Sales Cloud for a growing startup or building automation solutions for nonprofits, I always start with purpose first, technology second.

When I first walked through the doors of Moscone Center in 2018, I had no idea I was stepping into a moment that would completely reshape my career, my business, and my understanding of what technology could achieve when paired with purpose.

The Electric Beginning: Dreamforce 2018

My first Dreamforce was overwhelming in the best possible way. I’d followed the event online for years, watching keynotes and reading recap blogs, but being there in person felt like stepping into a live version of the Trailblazer Community—only 100 times bigger.

What struck me most wasn’t just the scale or the energy, though both were incredible. It was the human element. I expected a massive tech conference filled with product demos and corporate buzzwords. Instead, I found myself in deeply meaningful conversations about innovation, inclusion, and impact. From product managers to fellow attendees, everyone was surprisingly approachable and genuinely interested in sharing knowledge.

I’ll admit, I got completely lost trying to find a session and ended up in a meditation tent—one of the most unexpectedly grounding moments of my entire week. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re not looking for them.

The “Aha Moment” That Changed Everything

During that first Dreamforce, I attended a session on Salesforce.org’s nonprofit solutions. At the time, I was working on civic tech and youth development back in Albania, and seeing how nonprofits were using Salesforce to scale their impact was a revelation.

It hit me like lightning: this wasn’t just about CRM—this was about transformation. Salesforce could be a catalyst for change, not just a business tool. That single session shifted my entire perspective and directly influenced my decision to found LDA Digital Solutions, with a mission to build solutions that serve both private companies and public sector clients.

The Power of Building with Purpose

One of the most valuable lessons I learned came from multiple touchpoints throughout that first event: the power of building with purpose. Whether it was in keynotes or casual hallway conversations, the message was consistent—technology should enable people, not replace them.

This insight became the foundation of how I approach every project today. Whether I’m working with a private company implementing Sales Cloud or helping a nonprofit optimize their impact through automation, I always start with the same question: “What is the purpose behind this solution?”

On the technical side, Dreamforce 2019 introduced me to the power of Flow automation through real-world demos. Seeing declarative tools reshape processes opened my eyes to how we could reduce technical debt and empower admins in Albania, where I lead Salesforce community efforts. Since then, I’ve built dozens of automation-first architectures that save time, boost adoption, and create long-term value.

A Speaker Who Changed My Path

Leah McGowen-Hare’s session stands out as a career-defining moment. Her message was clear and powerful: “You don’t have to be technical to make a difference with technology.” She spoke directly to Trailblazers transitioning from non-traditional backgrounds, emphasizing how learning, community, and storytelling could open doors.

That wasn’t just inspiring—it was validating. It reinforced my mission to bring Salesforce learning opportunities to underserved youth and aspiring professionals in the Balkans. I left that room with a renewed sense of responsibility to pay it forward.

Building a Global Network, One Conversation at a Time

Some of my most meaningful professional relationships began with simple conversations at Dreamforce. During a community-led networking session, I met Doria Hamelryk in what started as a quick hello but turned into a deep discussion about building community impact through Salesforce.

Today, Doria and I are not just collaborators but close friends. We’ve co-spoken at global Dreamin’ events, shared best practices across our regions, and celebrated each other’s successes as MVPs. The same is true for connections with Neil Buen, Pallavi Agarwal, Hamza Siddiqui, Maham Hassan, and Prag Kamalaveni.

These aren’t just LinkedIn connections—they’re my global support system. Dreamforce made that possible by providing the shared space to build real friendships.

From Catalyst to Career Transformation

Dreamforce didn’t just change my job; it gave me the blueprint for building a career rooted in impact, community, and lifelong learning. After my first attendance, I returned to Albania with a vision to build an entire Salesforce ecosystem in my region.

Within a year, I launched LDA Digital Solutions, focusing on nonprofits and small businesses. I also founded Albania Dreamin’, inspired by the community energy I experienced in San Francisco. The event now brings together hundreds of Trailblazers across Eastern Europe and has become a launching pad for young professionals getting their first exposure to Salesforce.

Real Business Impact, Measurable Results

Each year I attend Dreamforce, I return with tangible tools and advanced knowledge that directly improve how we serve clients at LDA Digital Solutions. After Dreamforce 2023, we completely revamped our approach to multi-touch attribution and campaign influence, leading to a 30% improvement in campaign reporting accuracy for our clients.

One standout discovery was Salesforce Data Cloud during Dreamforce 2022. While initially designed for large enterprises, seeing it in action sparked an idea for creating a “360-view” solution for our small business clients using Sales Cloud, Custom Metadata, and Automation. We paired this with GA4 data enrichment to give clients real-time attribution insights on leaner budgets.

But perhaps the most impactful discovery came from a 2019 session on nonprofit impact tracking using Experience Cloud. That presentation led to the creation of our Knowledge Sharing Impact Center—a Salesforce-based platform that tracks how young people apply their training to empower others, complete with tiers, dashboards, and automation to visualize their ripple effect.

My Networking Philosophy: Give First, Follow Up Always

My Dreamforce networking strategy is simple: be present, be curious, and follow up. I prioritize community-led sessions and smaller meetups where authentic conversations happen. I always prepare thoughtful questions for speakers or attendees I admire, focusing on learning rather than pitching.

After each event, I follow up with personalized notes or LinkedIn invites, referencing our specific conversations. Most importantly, I try to give before I ask—sharing resources, amplifying others’ work, or making strategic introductions.

Relationships grow through generosity and consistency. Dreamforce just provides the spark.

Looking Ahead: Dreamforce 2025 and Beyond

This year’s Dreamforce feels like a milestone, especially with the acceleration of AI, Agentforce, and the growing emphasis on ethical technology. I’m most excited to connect with fellow MVPs and Trailblazers who are building the next wave of use cases that bridge CRM and real-world impact.

My main goal for Dreamforce 2025 is to sharpen my expertise in Salesforce AI and automation across clouds, so I can translate those insights into scalable solutions for both private clients and nonprofit impact projects. I’m particularly focused on leveraging Agentforce and Slack integration to help clients make faster, smarter decisions with less manual effort.

My Advice for First-Time Attendees

Don’t try to do everything. Dreamforce is massive—focus on a few key sessions or goals that align with your role and interests. Be intentional about who you want to meet and what you want to learn.

Make time for at least one keynote (the energy is unmatched), one hands-on workshop (to apply what you learn), and the Dreamforce Campground (where innovation comes alive). Download the app early, build your agenda ahead of time, pack comfortable shoes, and prepare a short personal introduction.

Most importantly, leave room for serendipity. Some of the most valuable moments happen in hallway conversations, surprise invites, or even when you get lost looking for a session.

The Bigger Picture

Seven years after my first Dreamforce, I’m not the same person who walked into Moscone Center feeling excited but uncertain. I’m now a Salesforce MVP, running a successful consulting firm that serves clients across Europe and the U.S., and leading community initiatives that have introduced hundreds of young professionals to the Salesforce ecosystem.

But the core lesson remains the same: Dreamforce isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people who use that technology to create positive change. Whether you’re implementing your first Salesforce org or architecting complex multi-cloud solutions, the community you build and the purpose you serve will always matter more than the features you deploy.

That’s the real magic of Dreamforce. It doesn’t just teach you about CRM; it shows you how to build a career and a community around making the world a little bit better, one solution at a time.

See you at Dreamforce 2025—I’ll be the one asking thoughtful questions and probably getting delightfully lost between sessions.

Marilo Meta is a Salesforce MVP and the founder of LDA Digital Solutions, where he leads digital transformation for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. He also founded Albania Dreamin’ and mentors young professionals across the Balkans. Connect with him on LinkedIn.