3 Tips for TrailblazerDX First-timers
Are you attending TrailblazerDX (TDX) this year? Check out these three tips from our Slalom Salesforce developers and architects attending the conference.
1. Divide and conquer sessions with your teammates (and use Slack for real-time communication)
Wish you could attend every session on your must-see list at TDX? Unless you’re Hermione Granger and have a time turner necklace, you’ll need to get a bit more creative on how to maximize your learning experience.
With over 250 sessions, demos, and workshops, it can seem overwhelming to plan your schedule. First, try to flag the most interesting sessions and include one to two backups in case a session is full, or you can’t get to that session’s location in time. You’ll save yourself the heartache of standing in a busy corridor and scrambling to find something that will be a good use of your time.
Second, divide and conquer! Share your schedule with your teammates and friends to determine which sessions are most popular amongst your group. Consider sending one person to each session so that you can cover more sessions.
Pro tip: Stick around after the session to get some 1:1 time with the presenter(s). Don’t have any follow-up questions for them? We’ve still found it helpful to hear what other attendees are asking the presenters for nuggets of good information and a different perspective.
Third, use Slack to communicate and share knowledge with your team. You’ll be able to chat with each other and ask questions in real-time if you need clarification on a topic while attending a presentation. During the conference (and after), you can then share highlights of the sessions you attended within your Slack channel for everyone’s benefit.
Pro tip: Have a teammate or friend that isn’t attending in person and is watching on Salesforce+ instead? Have them scope out Salesforce social handles and share fun activities that are happening live at the conference using Slack (e.g., random pop-up events).
2. Start preparing for your free certification exam now
TrailblazerDX Bootcamp provides three days of expert-led learning, 10 role-based tracks, one certification exam, and networking. If you’re planning to participate in a bootcamp and take a certification exam at TDX, don’t wait until the week of TDX to start studying! Attending a bootcamp can feel like drinking from a fire hose. Think of these bootcamps as your last springboard into that exam you’ve been preparing for ahead of TDX.
Set aside time to review the partner learning camp materials, take practice exams, join Chatter groups, and attend webinars so that you’ll have more context for the material while at TDX.
Make sure to complete your prework for TrailblazerDX bootcamps. You can navigate to your track here and click on the prework link for your track. Bonus: You’ll earn the exclusive TrailblazerDX Bootcamp community badge when you complete your prework.
Pro tip: There are many mock Salesforce exams out there, here are some that our team at Slalom have leveraged:
Focusonforce.com
Salesforce Ben — Get Salesforce Certified
Free Cram
Even better, find a friend to study with. Join the TrailblazerDX Bootcamp Community Group and connect with Salesforce product experts, engineers, and like-minded Trailblazers.
3. Reserve time for fun activities
When asked what the biggest regret was in attending these types of events, a common answer was not having enough time to enjoy some of the magical moments that make these events special and unique. Previous attendees often experience major FOMO (fear of missing out) once they saw recaps of the day’s fun events on Salesforce’s social media handles. (“Did anyone get a napkin from the ladies wearing napkin dresses or get a massage at the Slalom booth?”)
With TDX being the biggest Salesforce learning event of the year, it’s easy to forget to have a little fun! Schedule time to explore the campgrounds and don’t forget to make time for the TDX after party at The Masonic on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
Pro tip: Join Salesforce chatter groups and Slack communities before the conference and make plans to meet up at TDX. Let people know you’re attending TDX on LinkedIn and Twitter.
TrailblazerDX is now open for registrations! Join trailblazers from Slalom on March 7th and 8th and learn from over 250+ sessions in San Francisco and Salesforce+.
Slalom is a global consulting firm that helps people and organizations dream bigger, move faster, and build better tomorrows for all. Learn more and reach out today.
