Filled with insightful sessions, inspiring conversations, and a plethora of opportunities to learn and grow, Salesforce Connections 2024 was an exhilarating experience for GSPANN and all the global brands that convened at the event. Over the course of two days, the teams immersed themselves in the latest trends, tools, and technologies shaping the future of customer engagement.
Day 1: Immersing in Innovation
The first day kicked off with a keynote address that set the tone for the event. The keynote speakers shared invaluable insights into the future of digital marketing and customer relationship management. It was fascinating to hear about the innovative ways companies are leveraging Salesforce to enhance their customer experiences.
Throughout the day, we attended various breakout sessions that covered a wide range of topics, including:
AI in Marketing: Exploring how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing customer interactions and marketing strategies.
Personalization at Scale: Learning about techniques to deliver personalized experiences to customers across different channels.
Data-Driven Decisions: Understanding the importance of data analytics in making informed marketing decisions.
One of the highlights of the day was the session on AI-driven marketing strategies. The speakers demonstrated how AI tools could be used to predict customer behavior, personalize marketing campaigns, and ultimately drive better results. This session resonated deeply with our team, as we are actively exploring AI integrations in our marketing efforts.
Day 2: Deep Dives and Networking
The second day was equally dynamic, with more in-depth sessions and numerous networking opportunities. Our team had the chance to connect with industry leaders, peers, and potential clients, exchanging ideas and best practices.
Key sessions on Day 2 included:
Customer Journey Mapping: Techniques to map out and optimize the entire customer journey.
Future of E-commerce: Insights into emerging trends and technologies in the e-commerce space.
Salesforce Innovations: A closer look at the latest features and updates in the Salesforce ecosystem.
Our Session: Quick Expansion in Global Markets Decoded
A highlight of our participation was conducting a session, "Marketplaces + SFCC = Quickly Expand in Global Markets." This session was designed to help brands tap into the international marketplace in the fastest and most cost-effective manner. We discussed how leveraging Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC) can streamline the expansion process, reduce costs, and maximize reach. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing keen interest in implementing these strategies to scale their businesses globally.
Salesforce Announces New AI-Enabled Copilots
Another exciting development at the conference was Salesforce's announcement of new AI-enabled copilots. During the main keynote, President and Chief Marketing Officer Ariel Kelman introduced Salesforce's latest features, including generative AI-powered copilots. These new capabilities aim to address the common challenge of "islands of trapped data" across enterprises by integrating data more effectively. Kelman highlighted the importance of having all customer data in one place to leverage AI processes efficiently.
All New AI-Powered Einstein 1
Salesforce's Einstein 1 platform was introduced as a solution to connect data across various sources, both within and outside of Salesforce. New AI and Data Cloud features such as Einstein Copilot for Merchants, Einstein Copilot for Marketers, and Einstein Personalization were unveiled, promising enhanced capabilities for data-driven decision-making and personalized customer experiences. Additionally, updates to Commerce Cloud, including Salesforce Checkout and composable commerce enhancements, were announced, further empowering businesses to optimize their digital engagement strategies.
Commerce Should Not Be an Island
Salesforce Connections 2024 emphasized that "commerce should not be an island." With the Commerce Cloud Copilot heading for general availability (GA) in June 2024 and Marketing Cloud's Copilot GA in July 2024, the conference was abuzz with discussions on how these copilots will revolutionize day-to-day operations.
Other Key announcements included:
Einstein 1 Marketing and Commerce Innovations: To power the complete customer journey with unified data and trusted AI.
Commerce Cloud Features: To help merchants deliver richer online shopping experiences from site development to customer checkout.
During a session with Alex Bucher, VP of Product Management, we delved into the specifics of these new features:
Salesforce Checkout: A unified, one-click checkout platform connected to customer data, built on the Einstein 1 Platform.
Headless Commerce Capabilities for B2B: Allowing developers to create engaging B2B sites with out-of-the-box APIs.
Composable Commerce Enhancements for B2C: Enabling developers to use templated, customizable headless approaches for B2C e-commerce site development.
Bucher emphasized the importance of integrating commerce with marketing, data, and service to create an end-to-end customer journey. He noted that moving away from siloed systems can significantly enhance business outcomes, as demonstrated by Siemens Customer 360's success in increasing win rates and case resolution times.
A notable demo during the Commerce Cloud keynote showcased Einstein Copilot for Shoppers in action. It highlighted how AI can personalize shopping experiences even without first-party data, using a scenario involving personalized WhatsApp interactions and augmented reality (AR) features.
GSPANN Booth Experience
Our booth was a hub of activity throughout the event. We had the pleasure of meeting numerous attendees who stopped by to discuss their business challenges and future plans. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase our expertise and the innovative solutions we offer.
We also handed out some cool jute bags, which were a hit among the visitors. These bags, being spacious, sturdy, and eco-friendly, symbolize our commitment to sustainability while providing a practical gift for our attendees.
Looking Ahead
Salesforce Connections 2024 has left us inspired and equipped with new ideas to take our marketing strategies to the next level. As we integrate these learnings into our work at GSPANN, we look forward to delivering even more value to our clients and staying at the forefront of the industry.
We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a transformative event and are already looking forward to next year’s conference. Until then, we will continue to innovate, connect, and grow, building on the fantastic experiences and insights gained over these two unforgettable days.
Shivani Singh
Senior Manager - Marketing
Published May 29 2024
