From MVP Recognition to Flow Innovation: Yumi Ibrahimzade’s Transformative First Dreamforce Experience

About Yumi Ibrahimzade

Salesforce MVP | Flow Specialist | Founder of Salesforce Time | AllCloud Solution Architect

Yumi Ibrahimzade is a Salesforce MVP and Solution Architect at AllCloud, a Salesforce consulting partner that helps organizations leverage Salesforce as a catalyst for change. As a passionate Flow specialist, Yumi founded Salesforce Time, a dedicated blog and resource hub focused on helping Salesforce professionals master Flow automation and stay current with platform innovations.

With him first Dreamforce experience in 2024, Yumi brings a fresh perspective shaped by authentic community engagement and a deep commitment to knowledge sharing. His approach to the Salesforce ecosystem reflects a fundamental belief in the power of hands-on learning and the transformative impact of genuine community connections.

His Journey Highlights:

• 🏆 Salesforce MVP recognized in 2024

• 💻 Founder of Salesforce Time (Flow-focused resource blog)

• 🤝 AllCloud Salesforce consulting partner

• 🎯 Flow automation specialist and educator

• 📚 Dedicated to helping professionals unlock Salesforce’s full potential

• 🌟 First-time Dreamforce attendee with front-row MVP experience

Yumi’s story demonstrates how authentic community contribution, specialized expertise, and genuine passion for helping others can lead to recognition and transformative professional experiences—even before attending your first Dreamforce.

The Surreal Beginning: Front Row at the Main Keynote

My first (and only) Dreamforce experience was in 2024, and it was truly unforgettable. I had the honor of attending as a newly recognized Salesforce MVP, which gave me the incredible opportunity to sit in the front row at the main keynote.

When they guided us to our reserved seats at the very front, I felt like I had truly achieved something I had been working toward in my career. It was the moment everything clicked—the realization that I was exactly where I was meant to be. That was the real “aha moment” for me.

It was definitely one of the highlights of the event, but more than that, it was a validation of the community work I’d been doing through Salesforce Time and my contributions to the Flow community.

The Scale That Overwhelms and Inspires

What surprised me most was the sheer scale of Dreamforce. It’s not just a conference in one building—it takes over an entire neighborhood. Getting from one session to another sometimes meant walking hundreds of meters or even heading to different buildings, which could feel overwhelming at times.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting Dreamforce to be this massive. I had bookmarked a list of sessions I wanted to attend, but once I arrived, I quickly realized it was impossible to get to them all. The event was spread across multiple venues, and just getting from one session to another could be exhausting.

But what really surprised me was how the entire city seemed to revolve around Dreamforce. The streets were full of people in Trailblazer hoodies, and nearly every nearby venue was hosting a Salesforce-themed party or gathering. It honestly felt like Salesforce had taken over San Francisco—and in the best way possible.

I felt like a kid in Disneyland, surrounded by excitement, learning, and community energy everywhere I turned.

The Recognition That Mattered Most

One of the most meaningful moments at Dreamforce 2024 was meeting the team behind a product I truly love. I had the chance to sit down with them for an inspiring conversation, and what made it even more impactful was discovering that they were already familiar with my community contributions.

That recognition meant a lot and reaffirmed my passion for the work I do in the Salesforce ecosystem through Salesforce Time and my Flow-focused content. It’s one thing to create content and hope it’s helping people; it’s another to have product teams acknowledge the impact of your community efforts.

This moment reinforced why I’m so committed to sharing knowledge and helping others grow in their Salesforce journey.

The Game-Changer: Mastering Agentforce

The most valuable thing I learned at Dreamforce was how to work with Agentforce. Before attending, I had almost no understanding of how to implement it or build AI Agents. But during Dreamforce, I had the chance to attend several hands-on sessions—honestly, I think I went to almost all of them.

These sessions gave me practical, in-depth experience that completely changed my confidence and skill level with the tool. Learning Agentforce has been a game-changer in my work. As AI becomes more central to the Salesforce platform, being able to build and customize AI Agents is quickly becoming a must-have skill for any Salesforce professional.

Thanks to what I learned at Dreamforce, I’ve already started helping clients at AllCloud explore how Agentforce can fit into their workflows and customer experiences. It’s exciting to be ahead of the curve on such an important technology, and it all started with those hands-on sessions at Dreamforce.

Flow Love: The Session That Sparked Innovation

To be honest, I’m a Flow person. It’s the product I love most in the Salesforce ecosystem, which is why I founded Salesforce Time to focus specifically on Flow education. So naturally, I didn’t miss any Flow-related sessions at Dreamforce.

The one that had the biggest impact on me was a session led by Adam White, a Flow Product Manager. His session focused on a sneak peek of an upcoming feature called Screen Actions, and it immediately caught my attention.

At the time, Screen Actions hadn’t been released yet, and seeing it in action during the session was truly exciting. It opened up so many new possibilities for building more interactive and responsive screen flows. Since then, it’s become a feature I use frequently in my work, and that early exposure gave me a head start in adopting it.

Adam’s session reminded me how powerful and constantly evolving Flow is, and how important it is to stay ahead of what’s coming next—which is exactly the mission behind Salesforce Time.

Transformation Without Title Change

Attending Dreamforce was truly a transformative experience, one that I believe every Salesforce professional should have at least once in their career. While it didn’t directly lead to a role change, promotion, or the start of a new business, it had a profound impact on how I view my career and the platform itself.

Being surrounded by so many passionate, innovative people from around the world gave me a fresh perspective and renewed energy. I walked away with a better understanding of where Salesforce is heading, especially with the advancements in AI like Agentforce, and how I can align my skills and goals with that future.

Dreamforce also inspired me to double down on my contributions to the community. After seeing how much impact community engagement has—and even being recognized by the product teams for my efforts—I felt even more committed to sharing knowledge and helping others grow through Salesforce Time.

It didn’t change my title, but it definitely elevated my mindset and career direction.

From Virtual to Reality: The Power of In-Person Connection

Before Dreamforce, I had connected with many people in the Salesforce ecosystem through LinkedIn. Some of them I chatted with regularly (almost daily), but we had never met in person. Dreamforce 2024 gave me the opportunity to finally meet many of these familiar names and faces in real life, and that experience was incredibly meaningful to me.

What struck me most was the feeling of belonging. I realized I wasn’t just part of an online network—I was part of a global community. Meeting people I had only known virtually made everything feel more real. We laughed, attended sessions together, and shared our experiences, not just about work, but about life.

Some of these connections were already professional collaborators, and meeting in person strengthened our relationships even further. Since Dreamforce, our communication has grown even more meaningful, and we’ve found new ways to collaborate and support each other.

It made me truly appreciate the power of community, and how in-person connections can deepen the relationships we build online.

Community as the Foundation of Growth

The Salesforce community has been a cornerstone of my professional growth. From the beginning of my journey, I’ve relied on Trailblazer community groups, LinkedIn connections, and peer support to learn, grow, and stay inspired. Whether I had a technical challenge, needed a second opinion on a solution, or was simply looking for motivation, someone in the community was always there to help.

I’ve learned so much from shared knowledge—blog posts, webinars, and open discussions—and it encouraged me to start giving back by sharing my own experiences through Salesforce Time. That led to speaking at events, creating content, and building deeper relationships with others in the ecosystem.

What makes the Salesforce community unique is its culture of support and generosity. It’s not just about solving problems; it’s about lifting each other up. Many of the opportunities I’ve received, including being named a Salesforce MVP, have come from the strength and encouragement of this community.

It’s more than a network—it’s a family that grows with you.

Networking Philosophy: Be Present and Open

At Dreamforce, one of the best ways to network is simply being present and open. You’ll often run into people you know from LinkedIn or community groups, and spontaneous conversations can turn into meaningful connections.

Beyond that, I highly recommend attending meetups—both product-specific ones like Flow meetups and more casual, social gatherings. These events are great opportunities to connect with people who share your interests, exchange ideas, and even open doors for future collaborations.

Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself or join a group conversation. Everyone is there to learn and connect. Dreamforce is more than just sessions; it’s about the people you meet along the way.

The AI Revolution Discovery

At Dreamforce, the most transformative discovery for me was learning how to build AI Agents using Agentforce. As a Salesforce consulting partner at AllCloud, staying ahead with new features is critical for both my career and the success of our clients.

Before the event, I had little to no hands-on experience with Agentforce, but through several hands-on sessions and demos, I gained the knowledge and confidence to start implementing it. This discovery has already begun transforming how we approach client solutions and has positioned me as an early adopter of this crucial technology.

Looking Ahead: Maybe Dreamforce 2025

While I’m still deciding whether to attend Dreamforce 2025, the experience from 2024 has left a lasting impact that continues to influence my work at AllCloud and my content creation for Salesforce Time.

Essential Advice for First-Time Attendees

My #1 Tip: Prioritize and Stay Flexible

Prioritize hands-on sessions, but be realistic with your schedule. Dreamforce is massive, and while it’s tempting to bookmark dozens of sessions, it’s nearly impossible to attend them all. Focus on the ones that matter most to your goals and leave room for spontaneous opportunities and networking. Flexibility is key to getting the most out of the experience.

Don’t Miss These Essentials

• The main keynote for Salesforce’s overall vision and announcements

• Hands-on sessions that provide practical skills you can apply immediately

• Product-specific meetups related to your areas of expertise

Preparation is Key

• Download the Dreamforce app and prepare your agenda in advance

• Wear comfortable shoes—you will walk a lot (seriously!)

• Remember you’re human—make sure you eat and drink regularly

• Be realistic about your schedule—don’t try to pack too much in

The Biggest Mistake to Avoid

Trying to attend too many sessions. You should be realistic about what’s actually possible given the scale and logistics of the event. Quality over quantity always wins.

Sharing Knowledge Through Salesforce Time

Besides my work at AllCloud, I founded Salesforce Time, a website and blog dedicated to Salesforce Flow education. Salesforce Time is focused on helping professionals improve their skills and stay up to date with Flow innovations.

Whether you’re a seasoned Salesforce professional or just starting out, Salesforce Time provides valuable insights, tips, and tricks to help you succeed. The platform is dedicated to helping people discover new ways to streamline workflows, automate processes, and unlock the full potential of Salesforce Flow.

This passion project, combined with my consulting work at AllCloud, reflects my commitment to the Salesforce community and my belief in the power of shared knowledge.

The Continuing Journey

My first Dreamforce experience in 2024 was more than just attending a conference—it was a validation of the community work I’d been doing, a catalyst for new learning, and a reminder of why I’m so passionate about the Salesforce ecosystem.

From sitting in the front row as a newly minted MVP to discovering the power of Agentforce, from meeting virtual connections in person to being recognized by product teams for my contributions—every moment reinforced that authentic community engagement and genuine knowledge sharing create opportunities you never expect.

The experience didn’t change my job title, but it transformed my perspective, deepened my relationships, and reinforced my commitment to helping others through Salesforce Time and my work at AllCloud.

The Real Magic of First Experiences

As someone who experienced Dreamforce for the first time in 2024, I can say with certainty that the magic isn’t just in the technology demonstrations or keynote announcements. It’s in the moment when you realize you’re part of something bigger than yourself.

It’s in the recognition from product teams who know your work. It’s in the handshake with someone you’ve only known through LinkedIn messages. It’s in the hands-on session that teaches you skills you’ll use for years to come.

It’s in the feeling that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be, doing exactly what you’re meant to do, surrounded by people who share your passion for making technology work better for everyone.

That’s the real transformation Dreamforce offers—not just professional development, but professional belonging. And that sense of belonging is what drives you to keep contributing, keep learning, and keep sharing long after you return home.

Whether you’re preparing for your first Dreamforce or your tenth, remember that the most valuable experiences often happen in the spaces between sessions, in the conversations that weren’t on your agenda, and in the connections that turn virtual relationships into lifelong partnerships.

Yumi Ibrahimzade is a Salesforce MVP and Solution Architect at AllCloud, specializing in helping organizations leverage Salesforce as a catalyst for change. he is also the founder of Salesforce Time, a blog dedicated to Flow automation and Salesforce best practices. Connect with him on LinkedIn and follow Salesforce Time for valuable insights, tips, and tricks to unlock the full potential of Salesforce.