My path to becoming a Salesforce Administrator was, like many, not a direct one. I am a Project Manager by trade, and for the last couple of decades, have worked with vendors to implement their systems. While performing a Project Manager role for my current company, my division was re-orged out of existence. The CEO of the Americas region brought me into his organization in anticipation of growing his systems business. While waiting for that side of the business to take hold, he decided to implement a CRM system—regionally to start, with plans on taking it globally—and I was assigned the task.

We went through an RFP process and chose Salesforce. We engaged a Salesforce Partner to assist us with the implementation. The Partner was excellent and trained me as we progressed through the project, focusing on our immediate goal of getting live and delivering on the initial requirements.

After a little time actively spent using the platform, the CEO and I attended Dreamforce, and it was here that we realized we could be using Salesforce for so much more than just our CRM. The question was, how could we get there? That was when I first heard about Destination Success, Salesforce University's first dedicated training and certification event. It was as if it had been made to order especially for me, and it was being held in my own backyard, Las Vegas. I just couldn't not go.

So I found myself at the inaugural Destination Success conference. And yes, it delivered on the Administration training that it promised; however, it also delivered on so much more!

1. Certification support.

I found myself in groups with other users who helped me study for (and pass) my Administrator certification. I had been talking about getting certified for months, and I do not think I would have taken it, much less passed it, without attending Destination Success. Because I had registered for the event, I had a goal in front of me: a deadline to get it done, as the certification fees were included in the ticket. I was then surrounded with all the resources and encouragement that I needed to meet that goal.

2. Not only skills but practical tips, too.

I was in a class where I not only learned Advanced Administration skills but in an environment that encouraged us to share ideas on how to better use Salesforce in our day-to-day business routine. For example, when I returned to work, I was able to implement the tracking and approving of our Personal Time Off (Vacation, Sick, etc.) requests through Salesforce. And yes, we were doing this all over email before—crazy, I know!

3. Re-energizes your passion for Salesforce.

This was something else that was not advertised as part of the event, but I found myself surrounded with people who used and loved Salesforce; people who had figured out how to make an impact on their business’ or organization’s daily processes. It made me realize that if they could figure out various workarounds to get Salesforce to do what they needed it to do in the not-always-perfect real world, then I could, too.

4. Backfills the holes in your training.

Instead of just focusing on what was needed for me to meet my organization’s basic requirements, the Administrator learning track took me through all the parts of every process, giving me a more well-rounded view of the features and functions I wasn't fully utilizing.

5. Everyone learns—even the Instructor.

I came away from Destination Success 2016 feeling truly revitalized. I had practical ideas on how to make my Salesforce organization better. And even my trainer—a Salesforce Administrator for over 10 years—said she walked away having learned a few new things as well.

I am definitely going to attend Destination Success 2017. This time, I'm going to jump on the Salesforce Developer track (wish me luck!). And why wouldn't I go again? I have seen visible ROI from attending last year in the decreased number of support hours I am budgeting with my Salesforce Partner.

I can’t wait to be back among people that are as excited about Salesforce as I am, to learn new ways to use Salesforce that I haven’t yet thought of, and hopefully, this time around, to share some of my expertise, too.

I look forward to seeing you there!

We're looking forward to welcoming Mary, and all our attendees, at our award-winning, life-changing, dedicated Salesforce training and certification event of the year! Destination Success. March 6-10, 2017. Mandalay Bay Resort. Las Vegas. Learn More and stay tuned for details on #DST18!