Connect and hear from past ENGAGE attendees 👋

Arsineh · 11/29/23

Hello Community,

It was back in September at ENGAGE in Seattle that we announced ENGAGE will be coming to London May 14-15, 2024!

If you’ve been to ENGAGE previously, help our first-timers prepare for the upcoming ENGAGE in London by sharing your experience. [Earlier this year, many of you shared what you were looking forward to most at ENGAGE and we loved reading your responses.]

What would you say to someone who's considering attending ENGAGE for the first time?

Screenshot 2023-11-29 at 12.35.41 PM.png

If you’re going to be experiencing ENGAGE for the first time – connect with other attendees in the comments below, learn about the experience peers have had in the past, and get helpful advice.

ENGAGE in London will be an immersive experience packed with actionable sessions (presented entirely in English), real-time solutioning, thought-provoking speakers, and the tools to help you realise new potential.

Different from ENGAGE in Seattle, our London event will be much more intimate and ideal for connecting with like-minded people.

Be sure to check back regularly for updates. Event registration opens in February.

Hope to see you there.

MCorbin · 11/30/23

What would you say to someone who's considering attending ENGAGE for the first time?

GO! Don't think about it, just Go!
You will judge all other conferences against the Engage Conference from now on.
Bring Comfortable Shoes - you'll be standing and talking to EVERYONE.... a LOT
Bring a bigger suitcase than you think you need.... You'll be bringing home swag
Bring your laptop, notebook, etc. You will LEARN a TON of new tips and tricks.
Plan to be so energized that you spend the evenings updating your sheets with all the new tips and tricks that you learned.... but....
don't miss the parties - they're awesome :-)

cbredehoeft · 11/30/23

@Arsineh Curious if the content in London will be different than in Seattle this past September??

Arsineh · 12/01/23

@cbredehoeft We’re starting with the most popular sessions from the Seattle ENGAGE, and updating and reworking the content to provide as much new material as possible.

Darla Brown · 12/04/23

What would I say? GO! Don't even consider not attending because it's the very best conference you will ever attend!

Seriously - I've attended my fair share of conferences, and ENGAGE is by far the biggest bang for your buck. You not only have very informative keynote sessions but also individual breakouts that are full of interactive learning without the talking heads you normally find. Add the Hub, where you can engage (see what I did there?) with the Smartsheet team to ask questions, learn how to find solutions for your projects and see what is in the works for enhancements. Oh, and the best part? SWAG!!

No, that's not the best part. You will make friends for life! Who doesn't want to be in a room full of Smartnerds like yourself?! It is truly the best!

Deanna Vandermeer · 12/04/23

What would you say to someone who's considering attending ENGAGE for the first time?

Don't even hesitate, just GO! You won't regret it (except perhaps if you think back on previous ENGAGE years when you did not or were unable to attend).
Bring your laptop as you will learn sooooo many new tips and tricks that you will want to nerd out back in your hotel room each night implementing everything you learned and updating your existing solutions.
Drink lots of water as your mouth may go dry from talking and engaging with everyone. The networking is truly one of the most powerful and valuable reasons to attend ENGAGE!
Explore all of the booths and be sure you have brought with you a bigger suitcase to store all of the goodies you will pick up along the way.
Prepare to be energized by everyone around you, being with like-minded thinkers and fellow Smartsheet lovers will get you hooked and then you will never want to miss out on another ENGAGE, ever!
Plan on attending the gatherings and parties - they are amazing!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy --- ENGAGE is one of the best experiences!!!!

Lucas Rayala · 12/04/23

What would you say to someone who's considering attending ENGAGE for the first time?

Engage is the Beyoncé concert of my calendar – a highlight that leaves me wondering, "Can life get any better than this?" Whether you're Smartsheet's new best friend or a seasoned user like me, this conference is like a buffet of brain food.

For the rookies, brace yourself. There are more educational sessions than you can shake a spreadsheet at. It's like trying to choose your favorite ice cream flavor – impossible. As for us veterans, we're like kids in a candy store on the exhibition floor. Picture me sidling up to Smartsheet wizards, asking them the most arcane questions just to test their magical lore.

But let's get real, this isn't just a conference – it's a love affair with a product. Engage is my once-a-year chance to truly geek out about Smartsheet, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts who understand the joy of a perfectly executed formula. It's the Woodstock of project management, minus the mud and with a lot more Wi-Fi.

So, whether you're a spreadsheet novice or a cell-reference whisperer, Engage is the place to be. Come for the knowledge, stay for the community, and leave with a brain buzzing like it just attended a rock concert – because, in the world of project management, Smartsheet Engage is the headliner.

Arsineh · 12/04/23

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/407842#Comment_407842

Enjoyed reading this and appreciate your enthusiasm, @Lucas Rayala . My favorite "Engage is my once-a-year chance to truly geek out about Smartsheet, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts who understand the joy of a perfectly executed formula. It's the Woodstock of project management, minus the mud and with a lot more Wi-Fi." 😆

Alison Clancy · 12/04/23

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/407842#Comment_407842

I feel like you were speaking directly to me with that Beyoncé comment! 🤩 Aside from when she tours, ENGAGE is also the Queen Bey of my calendar.

manley85am · 12/04/23

What would you say to someone who's considering attending ENGAGE for the first time?

I look forward to attending ENGAGE every year because it is the best opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by other like-minded users of Smartsheet, so here's what I would say to first time attenders.

Get out of your shell and talk to and connect with as many other attenders and employees as you can. Coming from a fellow introvert, it can be uncomfortable, but networking and sharing ideas with others is one of the main highlights of ENGAGE for me every year. I still have many connections that I got from my first ENGAGE experience.

Following up on that, don't feel like you have to fill up your calendar all day long with breakout sessions. While I do highly recommend going to breakout sessions that interest you, prioritize going to all the booths on the main floor talk to as many booths as possible, ask questions, complain (they actually really love honest feedback), and just learn and take in as much as you can.

Last but certainly not least, wear good shoes! If you're not from the area, you'll likely want to do a little sight seeing as well. But even if you don't you'll be on your feet a lot going to and from sessions, keynotes, meetups, etc. I get more steps in the few days that I'm there than most days throughout the year, so being comfortable is really important, so don't neglect it.

If you're on the fence, just do it. Honestly, it's the best conference I've been to and there are so many great people there eager to assist and guide you in discovering ways to problem solve that you may have never even thought of.

Sarah Val Valente · 12/04/23

The ENGAGE conference is a center for energy, creativity, and curiosity like no other. Be prepared to learn and be inspired by problem solvers from all over the world and across industries. Attending ENGAGE and connecting with users and product specialists gave me the confidence, tools, and community to tackle what seemed like insurmountable process challenges.

After attending 2 ENGAGE conferences, here's my advice. Make sure to:

Start a 'Smartsheet Optimization Projects' grid for yourself BEFORE the conference.

Fill the grid out throughout the conference, note any presenters or contacts that inspired this optimization. This way, when you get back you can jump right to prioritize and apply all that you've learned.

Bring your favorite Smartsheet outfit, grid patterns encouraged. Sneakers a must.

Throwback to my first ENGAGE grid-fit:

Bring your whole self.

The Smartsheet community is a strong and supportive one. I've found the community to be super welcoming and inclusive. Make sure to setup your Smartsheet Community profile ahead of time to help stay connected afterwards. Along the same lines, screenshot your Linkedin profile QR code connecting on the fly. Folks are so excited to meet you and hear how Smartsheet gives your team more time to do meaningful work. I love checking in with my fellow Smartsheet fans. ENGAGE will be a great place to meet.

Alison Clancy · 12/04/23

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/407867#Comment_407867

🚨 ICONIC OUTFIT ALERT 🚨

David Tutwiler · 12/04/23

Such great advice that I'm not sure that I have a lot to add. Good shoes, connect, schedule yourself are all good things to look out for. But I'll take a different approach and share some things I've started doing now that I've been to 3 different Engage (Engages? Engagites? Engage-athons?).

Mental Preparation

Prepare yourself mentally before you go. That is not to say that your packing lists and scheduling breakout sessions you want to attend aren't good things, but you have to be ready to take it all in if you want to get the most out of Engage. For me, a natural introvert (which some of you might not believe), that means preparing a week or two out to have my social battery absolutely drained. I take extra time with family, make sure I'm well rested, and schedule enough time to get into town and unpack/relax before the conference starts. Once it gets going, you really get the best value by talking to people and sharing experiences.

That also means, scheduling in enough time to rest between sessions. It might sound like a good idea to get into as many breakout sessions as humanly possible, but it could also lead to conference fatigue in a hurry! Skip a session if it has a repeat later in the week and take some time to explore the floor. Go decompress and take a call or just sit by a window and recharge before hitting it again. Yes, you want to maximize your time, but you also need to watch out for overload

Plan to Network

You don't necessarily have to have business cards at the ready, but make real connections at this conference. Everyone is there for the same reason, so if they are close enough to you for you to talk to them, they are fair game for you to ask how they use the platform.

Also, SMARTSHEET PERSONNEL ARE FAIR GAME! You are going to interact with the literal program managers for some of the features you care about most. Engage with them, ask them questions, grill them about why your favorite widget doesn't do the x/y thing you need it to. And get their name and email so you can continue the conversation after the conference.

Don't Sleep on the Labs

The design and idea labs are your chance to weigh in on the direction Smartsheet is taking with their product. Prioritize getting in and commenting on upcoming features or new ideas that Smartsheet has about their platform. Not only will that give you ideas about how you can use those features in the future, but you have the ability to shape their rollout with your opinions. This is also a hotbed for Smartsheet product owners to hang out/poll people about the part of Smartsheet they own. Don't miss your chance to tell the people building the product you use how you feel about their features.

Closing

Engage is great, but it is a lot. Take time to yourself, connect with everyone you can, make sure your voice is heard on the product. Just do it all in a way that leaves you energized and motivated, not a zombie the week after.

Chris Mondeau · 12/04/23

What to say that all the others haven't? Firstly, it's a blast. There's definitely something in the air that's electric.

Related to engage, definitely make sure you bring some tech to show and tell. There are so many subject matter experts, whether it's in the Smartsheet platform, or a specialty skill or experience within your industry. I've always loved sharing what I've built with others, and love to see what others have built themselves.

With that in mind, definitely look for a channel to connect. Whether it's at the lunch tables, any of the booths setup, your neighbors in the keynote; just strike up the conversation and ask "what's something cool you've built?"

It's true there's a million things to do. I think that Engage starts before the actual event, and can't recommend enough that you review the agenda and breakout sessions and see which ones pique your interest most. I've often found that the sessions I know little about, or ones that seem too advanced are some of the most informative and valuable sessions around. Don't be afraid to check them out, things like advanced security or API integrations are always solid!

But my all-time favorite its the Labs breakout in the back. I could spend the entire day talking with the team to see what they're brewing up next around the corner, and equally so getting some hands on time with the Early adopters group.

And if you're not tired from the trip, try to take some time for yourself and explore Seattle! There's so much to do and see. A personal favorite is the Museum of Flight. But there are other great places around to sight-see and food to eat!

A.J. · 12/04/23

Rest before, plan to be on-the-go the whole time.
Make your coworkers aware that you are going to be out of office so you can dive into the conference and not have to constantly answer/check/do for your day-to-day.
Fly out/go home late enough so you don't miss any content.
Drink lots of water.
Block a day during your first week back to organize your notes and to send follow-ups.

Colleen Patterson · 12/04/23

I had to pitch going to Engage and had been turned down in the past. After going once, I don't feel like this can be missed. It was SUCH an amazing experience. As someone who felt strongly about my skill level in core product, I was BLOWN AWAY at the quality of the Engage program.

Key notes are amazing, dynamic and valuable.

The sessions are valuable and really do unlock new potential.

The diversity and inclusion - there truly is a place for everyone. Even meeting new people at meals and learning about their skills.

The "hall" - I was able to get expert access to solve an ongoing issue I was experience.

The meeting for me was an opportunity to dream in color, and I was able to bring back actionable insights to bring us to the next level. Out of every professional conference that I have attended, this was by far the best!

Connect and hear from past ENGAGE attendees 👋

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