Missing Tableau Conference This Year… But Here’s What I’d Tell You If I Were There
- Jennifer Dawes
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
I’m a little sad not to be attending Tableau Conference this year.
There’s something special about being surrounded by people who all get excited about the same things—data, design, dashboards, and the tiny details most people overlook. It’s energizing in a way that’s hard to explain unless you’ve been there.
Since I won’t be there in person, I figured I’d pass along a few of my favorite tips—everything I’ve learned from past conferences that might help you make the most of yours.
1. Plan Your “Can’t Miss” Sessions
Before you even arrive, take time to map out the sessions you really don’t want to miss.
The big ones are always worth it:
Iron Viz
The Tableau Tip Battle
How to do Cool Stuff in Tableau
These are the sessions that inspire you, stretch your thinking, and remind you what’s possible.
But here’s the key: don’t try to do everything.
Pick your priorities. Give yourself permission to miss a few things.
2. Don’t Overbook Yourself
I think we can all agree—it’s tempting to fill every single time slot.
But some of the most valuable moments at conference don’t happen in sessions.
They happen in the in-between.
Leave space in your schedule to:
Say hi to someone new
Continue a conversation after a session
Grab coffee with someone you just met
Last year, we jokingly called it “girl talk”—but those deeper, unplanned conversations? That’s what stuck with me the most.
3. Go to Community Events… But Find Your People
Community nights are fun. They’re high-energy, full of people, and a great way to feel the scale of the Tableau community.
Go to them. Experience them.
But also recognize—connection doesn’t always happen best in a crowd.
Some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had came from:
Smaller group meetups
Walking off campus for a meal
Sitting down for coffee with just a few people
There’s something about stepping away from the noise that creates space for real connection.
4. Step Off Campus
This might be my most underrated tip.
Leave the conference space.
Go grab a meal somewhere nearby. Take a short walk. Sit down somewhere quiet.
Those moments give you time to:
Process what you’ve learned
Have deeper conversations
Actually get to know the people you’re meeting
It turns a conference interaction into a real relationship.
5. Remember Why You’re There
Yes, you’re there to learn.
Yes, you’re there to see amazing work and level up your skills.
But you’re also there because of the community.
Say hi. Introduce yourself. Talk about what you’re working on. Ask questions. Share ideas.
You already have something in common—you all love Tableau.
That’s more than enough to start a conversation.
I may not be there this year, but I’ll be cheering all of you on from afar.
Take it all in. Learn a lot. Meet great people.
And if you find yourself debating between one more session or grabbing coffee with someone interesting…
I know what I’d choose.
6. Start Your Day with Intention
One of my favorite parts of the conference the last few years had nothing to do with dashboards or sessions.
It was starting the morning with a devotional led by Nelson Davis and a small group of people.
Before the energy of the day kicked in, before the sessions and conversations and constant movement—it was a moment to pause. To reflect. To connect on a different level.
There was something really meaningful about beginning the day in a smaller, quieter space with people who quickly didn’t feel like strangers.
It grounded me.
And honestly, it shaped the way I showed up for the rest of the day.
If you can find something like that—a morning walk, a small meetup, a quiet coffee with a few people—I’d highly recommend it.
Conference can be a lot. Giving yourself a moment to slow down at the start of the day makes a difference.
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