World Tour DC 2023 recap

World Tour DC 2023 was held on April 19th in the Walter E. Reed Convention Center in DC. Super easy to get to via Metro to Gallery Place stop. It was my first large in-person event gathering since 2019 re: pre-pandemic days. It was also the first Salesforce in-person event that I've attended since switching my career focus to Salesforce. Here's a quick recap:

• Event was easy to find. Great signage directed attendees to registration & main hall. It was follow the masses versus read signage at times.
• There was a LOT of people there. I'm not sure what the final attendee count was, but it had to be several thousand. The aisles were packed full of attendees.
• The sessions in the Campfire areas were very crowded & hard to hear what the speaker was saying. I attempted to attend the 11:30 AM session, but couldn't hear what they were saying & people were shoulder-to-shoulder at least 6 deep to speaker.
• The sessions in the bigger rooms were better, but still packed. Chairs were very close together, so shoulder-to-shoulder again. Speaker was easier to hear in those sessions since speakers better. Make sure to get to these sessions the second the doors open as they fill quickly.
• The demo booths were very crowded as well, but easier to handle the crowds as they moved faster. The demostrator was easier to hear in that format too. Salesforce had a contest to get a plushie that I particated in, so got to visit all the demo booths to learn that way instead.
• The Salesforce characters (Astro, Genie & Codie) were there taking photo opps with attendees. Long lines of people getting a photo. I didn't get a chance to get a photo with Codie, but saw him multiple times roaming the convention space.
• Lunch was mini turkey sandwiches, mini tomato soup cups, cookies, chips & a variety of drinks. I felt bad for the food workers as it was super crowded. The second they came out of kitchen area, they were swarmed with people. There was a concession area outside main hall entrance too.
• Networking was a challenge. I got to meet several nice attendees during demos, sessions or even standing in line, but it was a lot of people. If you were trying to find someone to specifically network with, it was close to impossible unless you contacted them in advance for a meeting time/area.

I'm glad I took the day off work to attend, but I need to be better prepared next time. Here's a list of essentials to have on hand next event:

• Water bottle is a must-have as beverages went quick. Water coolers were available thru out area for use, but cups were limited. 
• Medium sized tote bag would have been helpful to carry plushie & various brochures acquired in.
• Light weight jacket. It was warm in the convention areas with all the people there.
• Good walking shoes. The space was huge & very spread out due to the large amount of attendees.

All in all, I thought the Salesforce event was good & looking forward to the next one!