We’re back for another year, fully hybrid and in-person in Scottsdale, AZ!
Cactusforce 2025 Call for Talks is closed!
Developer
Architect
Configurator
IMPORTANT DATES
September 30, 2024: Call for Talks opens
November 4th, 2024 9:59 PM PT/11:59 PM PT: Submissions close!
November 25th 2024: Speaker selection announcements begin
January 23rd - January 24th, Cactusforce 2025
"More code. Less fluff."
Our motto “More Code.” means more details about the solution, whether it’s code, showing of your Flow or how you solved a problem using Salesforce. Giving details of a declarative solution using flow, or drawing out how to design for a performant solution with large data volumes. Our motto means less slides, less superfluous information. “Less fluff” is more about what is relevant to solving problems in and around the Salesforce platform and products.
We are looking for original presentations focused on designing, building, connecting, integrating, and automating systems to and from Salesforce. Talks on related technologies are encouraged, such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Mobile (iOS/Android). Presentations should include takeaways and 80% live demo on coding, developing, architecting, and advanced declarative features and automation using Flow. Vendor pitches or talks that show a product will not be accepted (see Sponsorships).
Cactusforce is a community conference with a passion for the Salesforce platform. The event is focused on advanced content for experienced Salesforce technology professionals building complex solutions across the platform.
Solve a gnarly problem?
Cactusforce is different because we are focused on learning across the Salesforce platform, suite of products, and related technologies. We seek out difficult use cases that may not always end well but represent real-life. Scenarios technology professionals encounter in the dark corners of the platform.
Sessions are highly interactive, where lively discussions and real conversations take place. Check out our 2020 session recordings, 2021 sessions, and 2022 sessions!
Our purpose is to elevate the skills and broaden the platform knowledge of all attendees by bringing together the best and brightest technical talent Salesforce Ohana has to offer.
Our talk format was first inspired by The Extracurricular, a conference within a conference at TrailheaDX. You can see examples of a great talk in our Cactusforce Session Library.
What makes a good Cactusforce speaker?
A speaker with an original idea who is eager to share their learnings. Senior-level developers, architects, or systems administrators with practical experience building complex solutions and walkthrough code with minimal to no slides. Flownatics and Awesome Admins who can present live demos showcasing a no code solution. The ideal Cactusforce presenter is comfortable with public speaking and skilled in explaining technical topics in a conversational format. For example, presenting a case study of a real-world project to a live audience. Presentations are more than talks, but conversations with the audience about a complex solution you built using multiple technologies, features, or ideas. Cactusforce is their opportunity to go beyond the Trail and receive great content.
See the sample speaker profiles below or check out our 2020 speakers and agenda or previous developer, architect, and configurator talks.
We are looking for original content for our highly engaged attendees. For those seeking a deeper understanding of the Platform, Cactusforce is their opportunity to go beyond the Trail. We want each attendee, including non-Salesforce technical professionals, to increase their knowledge and raise their skill level.
Our goal is to deliver awesome content to attendees, and an awesome t-shirt.
Product-focused presentations or any highlighting specific products, and sales pitches will not be accepted. See Sponsors page if you are interested in telling attendees about your product.
Session Talks
Presentations are showing how a solution was built, live demo of code, architecture design, or declarative automation, not slides. Interactive sessions are encouraged. The audience will expect tangible and actionable learning that they can apply after the conference. The format will be that each speaker is given a significant chunk of time to present their case study, followed by Q&A.
Workshops
Workshops are hands-on training on a specific topic. For example, workshops on architect solution and design.
602 Lightning Talk
Six (6) minutes and two (2) seconds to share something fun you’ve worked on like a clever snippet of code, or a cool app, a demo, or a pesky technical challenge they overcame. No Q&A. Just quick talks with a lightning fast explanation and done. See a fantastic example from Cactusforce__v 2021. The 602 Lightning Talk was inspired by The Extracurricular, you can see a customer Quick Talk example at m2:54 - 15:21. and partner Quick Talk example at m3:33 - 8:41. Speakers have an opportunity to provide an in-depth yet brief solution talk or demo. It's also the namesake of Arizona's original area code "602" covering Phoenix.
Co-presenters encouraged! Please include their details or have them submit their details with the same Talk Title.
NOTE: Submission form is lengthy to help track leaders and organizers better understand and determine if and how your submission will fit into the planned program. Please provide as many details as possible. Thank you!
Awesome talks from prior Cactusforce events
Configurator: Evaluate text strings and Update Multi-Select Picklist field with Flow - Christine Chapa
Developer: LWCs, Change Sets, and cMDTs walk into a bar, and it’s not what UXpected - Chuck Liddell
Architect: Large Scale Community Cloud Implementation with Advanced Sharing and Security - Tahsin Zulkarnine
Speakers
Experienced developers, architects, or systems administrators with practical experience building complex solutions on the Salesforce platform. Presentations include a live demo, coding with minimal to no slides. In addition to technical ability, a speaker is skilled in public speaking and explaining technical topics. For example, presenting a case study of a real-world project to a live audience. Presentations are more than talks, but conversations with the audience about a complex solution you built using multiple technologies, features or ideas.
Speakers receive an all access pass to Cactusforce and Awesome Conference Tee.
If your session is selected, the information you provide will be published on Cactusforce.com in all conference materials. If chosen, by accepting this speaker engagement you agree to abide by the Code of Conduct. Entire conference is subject to recording and capturing for the duration of the conference. Speakers agree to be photographed and have sessions recorded.
If co-presenting, please have co-presenter submit with the same Talk Title all their speaker details.
Attendees
Audience is experienced Salesforce developers, architects, and advanced administrators. Phoenix is the home of Cactusforce and a diverse technical community and draws many non-Salesforce technical professionals. Attendees come seeking to gain a deep and/or broad understanding of the platform. It’s an opportunity to go beyond the trail.
Selected speakers will be required to travel to Arizona, US, and attend in person. Sessions will be live broadcast so international and remote Trailblazers can attend and engage with all Cactusforce attendees.
Sponsors!
Sponsors who have purchased a package that includes a session (602 Talk or Full) may include promotional details in their presentation.
Demo Jam spots available as add-ons!
The Demo Jam rules are, 3 minutes, 0 slides, 1 winner. Demo Jams are geared toward ISVs showcasing products. It's a creative, high-energy, loud and live product demo. You can see a Demo Jam example on the AppExchange. The winner gets a trophy! 🏆 (to be mailed after the event)