This is the page with all the answers

FAQ

See details, get your questions answered, see more about Cactusforce. Contact us if you still have questions!

 
  • Hybrid actually, so Yes! Once again we are returning in 2024 with In-person (Register & get a ticket now!) and will be broadcasting live - everyone will on Whova so in-person and virtual attendees can network. We love to see everyone’s smiling faces, and have kept our community safe as our #1 priority. As always we will work to bring you great content and a great t-shirt.

    All content will be recorded and posted for free access after the event.

  • Cactusforce will have both in-person and virtual components.

    Both days are in-person! Everyone will use Whova so Virtual/remote attendees can engage with in-person attendees around sessions and sponsors.

    Scottsdale, AZ In-person & Live Stream from ASU SkySong Innovation Center

    All times are Mountain Standard Time (Arizona) MST

    Day 0 - Thursday
    VIP Dinner 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    Welcome Celebration 6:00 PM - 8:00

    Day 1 - Friday*
    Vendor Setup 6:30 AM - 7:00 AM Registration 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
    Morning Sessions 9:00 AM - 11:00 Lunch/Expo 11:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    Afternoon sessions 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Closing Reception 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Strike/Teardown 8:00 PM - 8:30 PM

    Cactuforce was planned as a hybrid event, so anyone not able to travel to Phoenix could still enjoy the conference. We are using a Whova event platform, so all attendees can engage with each other.

    All sessions are presented in-person with a live broadcast of the main session rooms from Scottsdale, AZ. All speakers will present in Scottsdale, AZ. Exclusive workshops will be available to in-person attendees only. The live broadcast is being recorded and will be posted online after the event.

    🌵 Register today to join online, come to sunny Arizona, or both! 🏜

    *subject to change

  • Our goal is to provide advanced content to technical professionals working in and around the Salesforce platform. See our Call for Talks page and session Showcase for more details on the content you can expect at Cactusforce.

  • Here are a few modules to give developers a Salesforce primer

  • Yes. We have a Code of Conduct to make the conference a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Conference organizers, volunteer staff, sponsors, and venue personnel will help participants should a violation arise or a concerning situation occurs during the conference. All conference attendees and members of our community are required to follow the Code of Conduct.

  • Cactusforce is a conference for Salesforce technical professionals. A community-led version of TrailheaDX. It was inspired by Forcelandia and Phillyforce which are developer-centric events organized around local Salesforce Developers and Salesforce Architects. We were highly influenced by community events like The Extracurricular. Cactusforce is our way of addressing the gap of technical talent and demand for a highly skilled workforce centered around the Salesforce Platform.

  • Cactusforce is a great place for networking and learning about new opportunities.

    Sponsors who are hiring will have a “We’re hiring” sign at their booth.

    We understand there are always those looking to make a move and those looking to hire new talent. Our goal is to create a mutually beneficial connection. Job seekers are encouraged to attend to learn, network, and help each other out.

    See Trailblazer Community and local chapters for career workshops. Additionally, community group members are encouraged to post about open positions in the local area or remote.

  • Recruiters, sponsorships are available, for organizations that wish to highlight hiring initiatives. Please make sure to read and get familiar with our guidelines for recruiters.

    Companies that are recruiting may participate in networking. Spamming or hard-pressure selling is not allowed.


We’ll post questions as they come in.

 

Logistics

Venue location, parking, and directions

Cactusforce 2024 will be hosted in Scottsdale at the ASU SkySong Innovation Center, 1365 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257. The conference sessions will be in Building 3/1st floor and Building 1/2nd & 3rd floors. SkySong is located a short 15 minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It’s a few short miles from popular entertainment and tourist attractions Old Town Scottsdale and Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe! We’ll be walking distance from a few restaurants. Hotel and plenty of free onsite parking is available.

  • LIVE BROADCAST STREAMING ON:

    The WHOVA event platform. The main registration, all event engagement and session broadcast will take place on Whova.

    Venue:

    ASU SKYSONG INNOVATION CENTER
    Building 3 (Expo/Special Guest Sessions), 1365 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

    Building 1 (Workshops/Sessions), 1475 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

    Welcome Celebration:

    FATE BREWING COMPANY - SCOTTSDALE
    1312 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

  • ASU SkySong Innovation Center, Building 3, 1365

    Check-in begins at 7:30 AM on Friday, January 26th in Building 3

    These are held in Building 3

    • Special Guest sessions

    • Workshops

    • Breakfast & Lunch

    • All-day coffee & beverage service

    • Expo

    • Demo Jam

    • 602 Talks

    • Keynote

    • Closing Reception

    Building 1, 1475 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257.

    Sessions and workshops are held in Building 1

    ASU SkySong is ADA-compliant.

  • Event parking is free located in the North lot behind Buildings 1 and 5.

  • ASU SkySong is located at 1365 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

    Please consider the environment when planning transportation. Carpool with a friend. Rideshare services are available throughout the entire Phoenix metro, including Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Mesa-Gateway Airport.

    Cactusforce is being held in Scottsdale, Arizona at the ASU SkySong Innovation Center. They feature spacious state-of-the-art conference and meeting space!

    Public transportation is available, but not recommended due to the lengthy travel time (approx 1 hr 15 min).

    Light Rail: From the 44th St. Station, take the Gilbert Rd/Main St train to the Rural Rd & Terrace Rd stop.

    Then take Bus #72 Thompson Pk+Scotsdle to Scottsdale Rd & Skysong Blvd.

  • The onnsite hotel is

    Element Scottsdale at SkySong

    1345 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
    Phone: (480) 361-0000

    This property is across the street,

    SpringHill Suites by Marriott Phoenix Scottsdale

    1500 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
    (480) 716-1600

    There are many hotels within a 3 mile radius around Downtown Tempe and Old Town Scottsdale.

    January is the high season in Phoenix. Area lodging starts at $220

  • The dress is casual, similar to Friday at the office. There isn’t really a dress code, but keep in mind your fellow attendees are developers and other technology professionals so choose your attire accordingly. Dress comfortably, it’s a full schedule. Phoenix weather is quite nice in January but check before temperatures before traveling so you know if it’s short sleeves or long sleeves.

  • We are providing breakfast, lunch, and all-day coffee service that includes snacks, iced tea, soft drinks, and water.

    A Welcome Celebration and Closing reception is being hosted by local Trailblazer Community Groups and organizers with the support of our sponsors.

    Thursday:

    • VIP Dinner (paid)

    • Welcome Celebration

    Friday:

    • Breakfast

    • Lunch

    • All day beverage service

    • Appetizers for Closing Reception

  • Water fountains are located throughout the facility.

  • I didn’t purchase a ticket with my registration, where can I get one?

    Buy VIP Dinner Ticket $70

 

Sponsoring

The Cactus Crew is very grateful for the support of our sponsors! Cactusforce would not be possible without your generosity. We’re also grateful for the support of the Trailblazer Community team for providing virtual conference platform support which so we can you a hybrid event.

It takes lots of contributions to continue to the tradition: awesome content and an awesome tee! We’re proud to that Cactusforce can bring some of our desert southwest sunshine to the world. 

  • See our Sponsorship page for details

  • LIVE BROADCAST STREAMING ON:

    The WHOVA event platform. The main registration, all event engagement and session broadcast will take place on Whova.

    ASU SKYSONG INNOVATION CENTER:

    SkySong, 1365 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

    FATE BREWING COMPANY - SCOTTSDALE

    1312 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

  • NOTIFY organizers of package shipments to ensure safe receipt!

    Delivery prior to 1/25/2024, let us know if your package will weigh over 50 lbs or requires special handling,

    Cactusforce
    c/o Marisa Hambleton
    634 E Alameda Dr
    Tempe, AZ 85282
    (480) 427-0317

    🌵📬 STUFF WE SHIP 📬 🌵

    Cactusforce also ships shirt orders (USPS) to attendees! If you have small export-friendly items you would like included with t-shirt orders (<16 oz) or first-class mail (i.e., stickers, camera covers, postcard size brochures) contact organizers to arrange for your small swag items to be included.

  • 3 minutes, 0 slides, 1 winner

    Head to the bottom of this page for links and examples. https://www.cactusforce.com/call-for-talks

EXPO

Dedicated Expo & Networking during lunch, from 11:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Your virtual expo will be available throughout the day and you are welcome to staff however you like.

  • Booth sizes are approximate! Table sizes are subject to change based on venue or physical space or table availability.

    - Saguaro - Two 6' tables, approx. footprint 12’x6’

    - Agave - One 6' table, approx. footprint 8’x6’

    - Prickly Pear - One small table (e.g., 30” round hightop, 32” low round), approx. footprint 6’x6’

  • VIRTUAL:

    Whova networking features will be open to all attendees. Each person will have the opportunity to be live on camera and audio for connecting with other attendees, speakers, and sponsors.

    IN-PERSON:

    Most attendees are advanced in their respective areas and looking to engage with peers. It’s great to connect on your product expertise. Dedicated Expo time is great for networking. Times are,

    7:00a - 8:00a during registration and breakfast

    11:00p - 1:00p during lunch

    5:00p - 7:00p during closing reception

    Make sure to attend the Welcome Celebration Thursday evening!

    6:00p - 8:00p

  • Monitors are not provided, but can be rented. You may reach out to either of these two companies

    Tom Cavanaugh – tom@avmgphx.com Tom provides AV for smaller events all around Phoenix and is reasonably priced and reliable.d

    Contact our event planner if you have questions about contacting either of these, MaryLynne Christman, marylynne@collaborativeem.comescription

  • The venue has wifi and internet access.


    The expo area and session rooms will have electricity.

 

Speaking

We’re excited to see you at the tech event of the Southwest!  The Cactus Crew thanks you and appreciates your patience, your participation, and your contribution to the success of this event! Our first-ever hybrid event during Covid has brought interesting challenges as we work on a safe and fun conference.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

Spread the word by publicizing your session. Make a copy of the 2024 Speaker Announcement Template, add your photo, name, session title, and then download it to share with your network. Include the link to your session page and the link to register for the event at https://www.cactusforce.com/.

🎉 Thank you for speaking at 🌵 Cactusforce!

  • Tell your friends! Spread the word by publicizing your session. Make a copy of the template slides linked below and add your photo, name, session title, and then download it to share with your network. Include the link to your session page and the link to register for the event at https://www.cactusforce.com/.

    ******** 2024 Info ********

    2024 Speaker Announcement Template

    Cactusforce is more code, less fluff which means less slides, live demos, and real conversations with the audience.

    If you must, PLEASE USE SLIDES SPARINGLY! If you do, the Cactusforce template is required. Slide templates are provided as resources to make a point or idea.

    602 Lightning Talks, at 6 minutes, 2 seconds have very little time to show slides. A diagram to explain your topic. Show something you’ve built or an example of what you are talking about.

    2024 Google Slides Template

    2024 Powerpoint Template

    Show sponsors lots of love! This event is not possible without their financial support. Seriously. The templates have a sponsor thanks page. Please thank sponsors early and often.

    2024 Sponsors Only Page - .png Image [UPDATED OFTEN]

    This deck is provided for main points or to provide resources. Present live demos, but if you must use slides this template and format is required.

    AUDIENCE

    Cactusforce is a community-led conference for Salesforce developers, architects, and configurators. Our primary audience are experienced Salesforce professionals who have worked in and around the platform for many years designing, developing, coding, configuring, and the like. Most attendees are advanced in their respective areas and looking to engage with peers. See the Call for Talks page for more details and examples

    For more details on the idea talk, review the

    • DO present live in an org

    • DO Keep slides simple

    • DO show IDE with how and why you designed and built it that way

    • DO be genuine

    • DO authentically engage with audience

    • DO Show and share

    • DON’T just tell

    • DON’T waste a slide page with your accomplishments. You’re here, and that speaks volumes!

    • DON’T Sales Pitch

    • DON’T Spam with marketing jargon

    Talks were selected based on their educational value to attendees. Sponsors and their sponsored talks are the only ones allowed to include any type of sales information or product details and highlight additional speaker details.

    MORE CODE, LESS FLUFF less slides, less pitch, more substances, more audience engagement.

    SPONSORED TALKS ONLY may include Company and services info!

    Only Saguaro, Agave & Prickly Pear who purchased 602 Talk add-on may include product or app details. We want our sponsors to enjoy the full attention for their support and generosity by helping to make Cactusforce a reality. When partners who did not sponsor use their session to highlight their products and services it degrades the quality of the conference for everyone and robs the value for those who paid for the opportunity to show off their wares!

    Only sponsored talks may add a page to highlight their products and services, and details beyond Name, Title, and social link.

    If your company name or product is NOT listed with the sponsors below, please remove any company reference or product branding.

    If you are a partner or ISV who did not purchase a sponsorship, you may contact us about sponsoring at hello@cactusforce.com

  • Speakers were added to Whova using the email from talk submissions.

    Download the Whova App to access the Speaker Hub

 

Thank you for helping us continue our tradition: awesome content and an awesome tee! We miss seeing everyone in person and are grateful for those who are able to join us in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our hope is Cactusforce can bring some of our desert southwest sunshine to the world. 

Follow us and share on social media!

Twitter @Cactusforce48

#Cactusforce2024

 

Still have questions?

Contact us or drop us line hello@cactusforce.com