Salesforce’s Dreamforce Convention is coming back to San Francisco’s Moscone Center this week.
In the past, Dreamforce has been the biggest convention in town, attracting roughly 170,000 attendees each year. But because of the delta variant-caused surge in COVID-19 cases, things are a little different this year – the event will be invitation-only and require proof of vaccination, according to reporting by KPIX.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the three-day tech convention which starts Tuesday. It’s only the second convention at Moscone Center since the pandemic began.
Live music will be performed by the Foo Fighters and celebrity speakers include actors Will Smith and Jane Fonda.
Nearby businesses are hoping the convention will provide an extra financial boon.
"Bring it on, we’re ready! We’re open. We’re ready for people to come back," said Forest French, general manager at Tabletop Tap House across from Moscone Center.
The sports bar and restaurant just reopened three months ago, and are normally closed on Tuesdays but are making an exception for the convention.
"It’s a start, it’s going to be a slow start but it is a start," French said.
And the workers are looking forward to the convention paycheck as well.
"Happy to be here — 14-hour days, time and a half in overtime — it’s money!" said LaTonya Hartman, who’s working security at the Dreamforce convention.
If the convention is successful, some hope it will encourage other companies to host theirs in San Francisco, bolstering the struggling tourism industry.
"Salesforce puts a lot of emphasis on this globally, so that’s important. Secondly, it’s important to tell the world that San Francisco is open. It’s open for business, you’re welcome to come here, it’s safe to come and meet here," said Joe D’Alessandro is CEO and president of San Francisco Travel.
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