Surviving TDX as an introvert

Attending TDX in San Francisco on March 5–6 is an exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and immerse yourself in the Salesforce ecosystem. This year, TDX is centered around being “The developer conference for the AI agent era”. The big event will be spotlighting Agentforce: Salesforce’s AI platform empowering Salesforce admins, developers, and architects to deploy AI-driven agents. Boasting over 400 in-depth technical sessions and hand-on workshops, TDX will play host to thousands of Salesforce experts and professionals within the Trailblazer community ready to expand their Salesforce knowledge. But for the more introverted among them, a large Salesforce conference like this can feel overwhelming.

The good news? You don’t have to be an extrovert to thrive at TDX. With a little planning, you can make the most of the event — avoiding any burn out. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into best practices and soft skills that can help you make the most of the TDX experience.

Plan your sessions

With six different types of sessions, deciding how to spend your time at TDX can quickly become very daunting. Planning your agenda in advance will save you having to make any last-minute decisions at the event itself, helping to conserve precious mental energy. Also, by mapping out your schedule you’ll feel more prepared, avoid any stress of overcrowding, and secure your seat at any popular sessions that truly serve your personal goals and learning preferences. Switching up your schedule with a mix of the TDX main keynote, technical sessions, theatre sessions in the Agentforce theatre, hands-on workshops, and quieter breakout sessions is a great way to maintain your energy throughout the event.

You could even get yourself in the mindset of TDX by participating in the TDX Agentforce Hackathon on March 3–4, which will be full of hands-on challenges and unique learning experiences building innovative agents in Salesforce’s generative AI solution — not to mention the chance to compete for the grand prize of $100,000!

Introvert tip: Download the Salesforce events app (on IOS or Android) to learn more about Salesforce events, or use the Agenda Builder by accessing your account via the TDX registration page. This is an easy way to select sessions, keynotes, workshops, and role-based tracks to create a tailored conference schedule — or even just to view the event map when you’re there.

Be strategic about socializing

With a little extra pre-event planning, you can not only plan out your TDX agenda but also arrange to make connections in a way that works for you. Not all networking has to be spontaneous.

• Set small goals and aim for one or two meaningful conversations per day instead of forcing constant interactions

• Use the Salesforce events app to connect with attendees before you arrive to plan low-pressure meetups

• Schedule conversations instead of awkward small talk, book time with specific people you'd like to meet. For example, you could book a slot to chat with Gearset about any of your DevOps challenges, or even about using the DevOps Launchpad platform!

Introvert tip: Remember, attending in-person events can be key to expanding your network and gaining new skills or knowledge, which could help you pass your Salesforce certification exam or even find a new job. Look for structured networking opportunities like “Roundtables” or “Birds of a Feather” sessions, where conversations have a clear purpose.

Build in breaks

A full day of sessions and socializing can be draining. Build in moments to recharge so you can stay energized.

• Find quiet spaces and seek out low-traffic areas near the Moscone Center expo hall or breakout rooms

• Take solo breaks like a short walk outside or a quiet coffee break to reset your energy

Be selective about your sessions and don’t feel pressured to attend everything — as mentioned previously, prioritize what truly interests you

Introvert tip: Hands-on workshops tend to be smaller and more interactive, making them a great alternative to main keynote sessions — as well as being a good opportunity to naturally collaborate with fellow Salesforce professionals.

Use interests as an icebreaker

Instead of forcing small talk, focus on shared interests to start conversations naturally.

• Talk about what you love whether it’s Salesforce products like Agentforce or Data Cloud, Salesforce technology, automation, or your favorite features, let your expertise guide the discussion

• Ask thoughtful questions like “What’s your favorite Salesforce project you’ve worked on?” instead of the usual “What do you do?”

• Try to engage in sessions if you feel comfortable, as asking a great question in a session can spark organic conversations afterwards

Introvert tip: Wearing Salesforce swag or a themed sticker can be a natural conversation starter — without even needing to introduce yourself.

Engage without the exhaustion

You don’t need to be switched “on” all the time to get value from the event.

• Being a great listener can make you memorable without the need to dominate a conversation

• Engage digitally by interacting with fellow TDX attendees Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, or Slack communities before and after sessions

• Instead of chasing conversations, position yourself where discussions happen naturally — like near coffee areas in the Campground, or at Platform Park booths featuring product demos led by experts

Introvert tip: Passive networking is still networking. Simply being in the right rooms and listening can lead to great insights and connections. For example, a hands-on workshop where you learn how to use Salesforce tools in a more practical setting may invite more organic social interaction.

Follow up on your terms

Some of the best connections happen after the event — which is perfect if you prefer one-on-one interactions.

• Sending a thoughtful message such as a simple LinkedIn DM like, “I loved your insights on Salesforce automation at TDX! Would love to stay in touch.” keeps the connection alive

• Sharing your takeaways by writing a LinkedIn post or blog about your favorite sessions can spark low-pressure conversations

• Suggesting virtual catch-ups if large in-person events drain you — like a quick post-event coffee chat — can feel much more natural

Introvert tip: Keep a list of people you’d like to reconnect with. Even if you didn’t chat at TDX, you can always reach out later based on shared interests.

You belong at TDX — on your own terms

TDX isn’t just for outgoing extroverts — it’s for everyone. Whether you prefer deep one-on-one conversations or simply absorbing knowledge, there’s a way to make the event work for you.

With a little preparation and strategic energy management, you can connect, learn, and thrive — without the burnout.

Attending events like TDX is a great way to grow your Salesforce expertise, but learning doesn’t stop there. No matter how you like to learn, whether that’s diving into self-paced resources or connecting with the community in a way that suits you, DevOps Launchpad offers free courses to help you level up your DevOps skills at your own pace.

And if you are heading to TDX, we’d love to meet you — on your terms! The DevOps Launchpad platform is brought to you by the team behind Gearset. So if you’d like to say hi and chat about the DevOps Launchpad platform, or DevOps in general, the Gearset team will be at Booth 15 with expert insights and plenty of space for casual conversations. Stop by to say hello or book a time to chat — we’re here to help you make the most of your TDX experience, introvert-friendly style. See what Gearset is up to at TDX 2025.