The most anticipated Salesforce event for marketers is fast approaching! Connections is Salesforce’s digital marketing and commerce event of the year, and this year promises to be as exciting as ever.
Connections is full of learning opportunities, workshops, exciting announcements, and of course, parties to let your hair down. With the conference on May 22 – 23, 2024, there is plenty happening in Chicago for the full week – and in true Salesforce Ben fashion, here is our list of all the hottest events.
Tuesday 21st
AI & Data Cloud Workshop and Connections Welcome Reception
Connect with experts at Mphasis Silverline’s AI & Data Cloud Workshop. Discover innovative strategies and network with industry peers during the welcome reception before diving into Connections.
Details: 4 pm – 6 pm (Workshop), 6 pm – 9 pm (Welcome Reception), The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
AI Readiness Workshop & Happy Hour
Join Salesforce & ListEngage for best practices, common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for fostering an AI-ready culture. All guests will receive drinks, snacks, unique AI readiness score for their organization, 1:1 time with solution experts, a chance to win a free AI Deep Dive!
Details: 4 pm, Hilton Garden Inn McCormick Place
Life Science Happy Hour
After you’ve picked up your Connections pass, take a quick walk to Pizano’s and join ListEngage for Pizza and Pints! Collaboration amongst other life science experts and enjoy some tasty Italian food.
Details: 4 pm – 6:30 pm, Pizano’s
Friends of ListEngage Happy Hour
Having fun at Pizano’s? Hang about for ListEngage’s Happy Hour and enjoy some cocktails!
Details: 6:30 pm, Pizano’s
Head To Wrigley Field For a Chicago Cubs Game
The Chicago Cubs have called for all those attending Salesforce Connections to get down to Wrigley Field and watch some Baseball! Tickets start at $21.
Details: 6:40 pm, Wrigley Field
EPAM’s VIP Customer and Salesforce Happy Hour
Join EPAM at The Etoile Room for an exclusive VIP Customer and Salesforce Happy Hour! Enjoy panoramic views, refreshing outdoor terrace, and complimentary drinks as you connect with EPAM’s brightest minds.
Details: 6:30 pm – 9 pm, The Etoile Room at London House
Make Connections with a Skyline View
Join Acxiom, RafterOne, MRM (IPG Agencies), and Threedium to make meaningful connections overlooking the Chicago skyline from the top of the Hilton Garden hotel.
Details: 6pm – 10 pm, VU Rooftop Bar
Cocktail Party with WPP
WPP, VML and Oglivy are hosting a cocktail reception on a glamorous rooftop bar at the Godfrey Hotel! Spaces are limited so be sure to sign up soon.
Details: 7 pm, The Godfrey Hotel Rooftop Deck
Wednesday 22nd
Banking on Change Breakfast at Connections
Join Salesforce and Gerent for a breakfast roundtable hosted by bestselling author, James Robert Lay.
Details: 8 am – 9:30 am, McCormick Place West, Room 195
Alyesian’s Theory Bar Happy Hour
Raise a drink and expand your network at an open bar happy hour hosted by Alyesian.
Details: 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Theory
West Monroe’s Fatpour Happy Hour
After your first day at Connections is over, be sure to continue networking at Fatpour Tap Works with West Monroe.
Details: 3 pm – 6 pm, Fatpour Tap Works
Il Culaccino Pre-Concert Party
Looking to get some food and drinks before the Connections concert on Wednesday? Head down to Il Culaccino to enjoy some Italian fine dining and drinks, hosted by Horizontal Digital and the Salesforce CBS team.
Details: 4 pm – 9 pm, Il Culaccino
Food, Drinks, & Socializing
Join Ascend and Salesforce over cocktails and appetizers while networking with your peers and discussing valuable Connections insights.
Details: 4:30 pm – 7 pm, Woven + Bound Restaurant
Pizano’s Spaghetti Social
Saltbox Mgmt and TradeCentric invite you to join your peers, colleagues, and friends for an exclusive happy hour at Chicago’s renowned Italian restaurant, Pizano’s! Located just one block from McCormick Place Convention Center, it’s the perfect first stop for your post-Connections evening.
Details: 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Pizano’s
Royal Cyber and Conscia’s Salesforce B2C Launch Event
Join Royal Cyber and Conscia at the Connections Conference for an exclusive experience. Discover how to effortlessly migrate from SiteGenesis to a cutting-edge, composable architecture, ensuring your business thrives in the digital world.
Details: 5 pm – 7 pm, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
Connections Celebration
This year, the party at Connections will be held at the Connections Campground! With DJ Jem setting the mood, everyone can capture the celebration magic with three unique photo opportunities.
Details: 5 pm – 6.30 pm, Campground & Concourse
Network In The ’90s
Join Sprout Social for drinks, delicious food, and a vibrant 90’s themed atmosphere at Bassline!
Details: 5 pm, Bassline
A Unique Networking Experience at Al Capone’s Lair
Indulge in drinks and bites at the Mae District with Slalom. A historical venue, it’s the same storied space Al Capone and his cronies used for target practice and alcohol transportation during Prohibition.
Details: 5 pm – 7 pm, Mae District
Hunley Group Connections Happy Hour
Visit The Loft at Jefferson Tap to meet with some Henley Group experts and network over some drinks.
Details: 5 pm – 7 pm, The Loft at Jefferson Tap
Beer and Bites with Salsify
Continue the fun at Fatpour with Salesify and Pimly; treat yourself to some more food and drinks!
Details: 5 pm – 8 pm, Fatpour Tap Works
VU Rooftop Happy Hour
Join Publicis Sapient at the stunning VU Rooftop Bar for a day of programming and networking while making the most of the happy hour on offer.
Details: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm, VU Rooftop Bar
Gerent’s “Engage with AI” Panel
Attend this unique panel discussion and networking event where experts will discuss current AI revelations while you enjoy some drinks and good eats!
Details: 5:30 pm – 8 pm, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, 3rd Floor
MovableInk’s Tiki Hour
Escape to a tropical paradise at Three Dots and a Dash! Join Movable Ink, Inbox Monster, Airship, and Stensul for Tiki Hour, an unforgettable happy hour featuring island cuisine, refreshing tropical drinks, and enchanting hula performances.
Details: 6 pm, Three Dots and a Dash
Networking in Chi-Town’s Tao
Join Thunder and Own for an invite-only soiree at Tao Chicago. Enjoy drinks, apps, and a special announcement from Thunder CEO, Carter Wigell.
There will also be a chance to enter yourself into a draw for a free trip to Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii!
Details: 6 pm – 8 pm, Tao Chicago
Connections Welcome Celebration
Celebrate Connections in style with OSF Digital. Connect, network, and relax in a historic venue – it’s bound to be an unforgettable evening.
Details: 6 pm – 8 pm, ROW 24
The AllCloud Happy Hour
Head down to Fatpour Tap Works, just a few steps from McCormick Place, to join AllCloud and special guest, Kwik Trip. Continue the conversation and get key insights while enjoying some cocktails and bites.
Details: 6 pm – 9 pm, Fatpour Tap Works
Roof Rhythms and Refreshments
After an exciting first day at Connections, join Sercante, SalesWings and Stensul for an evening of engaging conversation, relaxed ambiance, and live music.
Details: 7 pm – 10 pm, ROOF on theWit
Building Relationships With Forter Above the City at VU
Be part of the kickoff for Salesforce Connections, the AI learning event of the year, right at VU Rooftop, conveniently located across from McCormick Place.
Details: 7 pm – 10 pm, V Rooftop Bar
Connections Opening Party
Continue your networking journey with Uptima and Deloitte at the world’s only 2 Michelin-star brewery, right in the heart of Chicago!
Details: 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm, Moody Tongue
Celebrate After Hours with Merkle & Contentful
Looking for an after-hours activity? Merkle & Contentful will be continuing the first-day festivities to celebrate their 20-year partnership with Salesforce.
Details: 8 pm – 11 pm, VU Rooftop Bar
The Official Unofficial Connections After Party
Join RunDTC, Loop, Elva, and Yotpo for the Official Unofficial Connections After Party at the amazing Hubbard Inn! There will be awesome music and great company, with food and drinks flowing for everyone to enjoy.
Details: 8:30 pm – 12:30 am, Hubbard Inn
Thursday 23rd
Marketing Community Fun Run
Want a bit of exercise before day two begins? Join your fellow Salesforce Marketers and share in your love for running (or jogging or walking), great conversations, and digital marketing.
Details: 7 am – 8 am, McCormick Place Bird Sanctuary