SaaStr Annual Know Before You Go!

This guide provides essential information for attendees of the SASTR event, covering everything from badge pickup and event hours to networking opportunities, session planning, and on-site logistics. **Pre-Event Essentials & On-Site Support:** For pre-event assistance, attendees can email `[email protected]`. During show days, the fastest way to get help is by visiting the registration and help desk on-site. The attendee Wi-Fi password will be available on campus and is also provided in the "Know Before You Go" portal for easy access. **Event Hours:** The event officially kicks off on Tuesday at 12:30 PM, with doors opening at that time. The first session with Jason is scheduled shortly after 1:00 PM. Tuesday is designated "Deploy Day," featuring numerous sessions on deploying an agent and a happy hour, making it a busy and exciting start. For those whose first day is Wednesday or Thursday, gates open at 8:00 AM. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as there are always activities, coffee, and Wi-Fi available. Bag and coat check services are provided for travelers, though packing light is recommended if not using these services. **Badge Pickup & Check-in:** To streamline check-in, attendees should download the "SASTR Who Do You Want to Meet" app. This app provides a check-in QR code that can be scanned for quick entry, eliminating the need to be looked up in the system. Early badge pickup is available on Monday for those arriving in town, both at the event center and a satellite location at the Hampton Inn. Picking up badges early allows attendees to use the Express line on subsequent days. **What to Bring (and Not to Bring):** A valid photo ID is required each day for daily ID checks. Digital copies of valid IDs are acceptable if a physical ID is not preferred. Comfortable walking shoes and layers are highly recommended due to the indoor/outdoor nature of the San Mateo County Event Center campus and the variable Bay Area weather. Attendees should also bring backup phone chargers and battery packs. Empty water bottles are permitted, with refill stations available on-site. Business cards are still used, or attendees can create a digital SASTR attendee card through the app. **Food and Beverages:** Lunch, snacks, and coffee are provided daily across the campus. Happy hours will also feature drinks. Major dietary restrictions are accommodated; attendees with specific needs should ask staff members at the kitchen stations. **Security and Prohibited Items:** Mandatory security screenings, including metal detectors and bag checks, are in place, similar to airport procedures. Attendees are asked to be patient with security lines, as safety is the top priority. Prohibited items include anything not allowed in an airport (e.g., sharp objects, drones, balloons). Packing light, especially with smaller bags or tote bags for laptops, is advised to expedite security checks, as all bags will be thoroughly inspected. The event reserves the right to confiscate items at their discretion. **Code of Conduct:** Attendees are expected to be respectful of others, given the thousands of people traveling to the event. 24/7 security is present throughout the campus. For any assistance, including lost and found or first aid, the help desk at registration is the primary point of contact. **Travel and Parking:** The San Mateo County Event Center is approximately 20 minutes from SFO airport. The main entrance address is 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo. While Uber/Lyft can drop off at either of the two entrances, using the main address is recommended for potentially quicker entry. Parking is free but requires a parking pass, which can be requested through the attendee portal. For those staying at the Hampton Inn (a sold-out room block), a shuttle service will run to and from campus at specified times. Attendees are advised that shuttles may be full during peak hours, necessitating an early shuttle or an Uber if a quick arrival is desired. **Campus Map and Stages:** A campus map will be provided in print and digitally in the app. The event's core is within two hangars, but many activities also occur outdoors. Key stage names to note include Hangar West (for big AI sessions), the Summit Stage (for CRO, CCO, FDE summits), and the Deploy Stage (for Deploy Day and workshops). Vibe coding classes are held in the Replens Vibe Coding Lounge outside, and the Beer Garden is also outdoors with Gamma. Session stages will be assigned and updated in the agenda and app over the weekend, with signage also present outside each stage. **Sponsor Expo:** A detailed expo booth and floor plan map is available for locating specific sponsors. **Badge Swapping & Ticket Transfers:** Badge swapping is strictly prohibited due to daily ID checks. Ticket transfers must be completed before the ticket is used; the help desk can assist with this. **Costumes:** Costumes are permitted for sponsors but may be flagged for non-sponsors. **Sessions and Agenda:** The live agenda is available on the website and within the app, which is the recommended way to access it on-site. While most sessions do not require registration, saving a seat is recommended for capacity-constrained sessions like Vibe coding classes and some summits (which are capped by title/ticket). All sessions are live-streamed and recorded for later viewing. **Key Sessions by Day:** * **Tuesday (Deploy Day):** Features the Deploy Summit, CRO Summit, and CRO and CEO Poker Night. Content includes deploying agents, Jason's kickoff on agent deployment, building an AI VP of marketing live, Anthropic, and tactical sessions. Rory from the 20VC podcast will also be present. * **Wednesday:** A packed day starting with a product panel. Speakers from Salesforce, Databricks, Snowflake, Stripe, Higgsfield, Cloudflare, and Rippling are scheduled. * **Thursday:** A shorter but highly productive day. The Agents podcast will be recorded live. Speakers include Adam from Owner (accelerating to $1 billion), Andrew Bialecki from Klaviyo, Sarah Kennedy from Google Cloud, Coreweave, and Gam. This day is often noted for higher quality meetings and closed deals due to less chaos. **Networking:** The "Who Do You Want to Meet" app is the primary networking tool. Attendees should fully complete their profiles to generate optimal matches. The app only displays top matches, which refresh daily as more people join. There is a meeting limit (typically five 30-minute meetings) to prevent spamming and ensure quality interactions. The app also contains the check-in QR code. **Other Networking Opportunities:** * **Meet a VC:** Founders seeking investment or investors looking for founders can still apply for this popular program. * **Pitch Comp:** Submissions close at midnight tonight (the day of the video). Anyone representing their company is eligible. Finalists will pitch live to attendees on Thursday, with prizes including a booth at next year's SASTR event. Judges include Google Gemini. **Summits:** Functional summits are held daily: * **Tuesday:** CRO and CEO Summit (includes Poker Night, open to all at the summit stage after content). Application is required for CRO Summit, even for non-VIP passes, with standby availability based on capacity. * **Wednesday:** CCO/FBE Summit. * **Thursday:** CMO Summit. **Parties:** A comprehensive "Party Guide" lists numerous official, semi-official, and unofficial third-party events. Attendees can email the list to themselves, and party hosts can submit their events for inclusion. These parties are popular for networking and collecting swag. **Additional Information:** * **Dress Code:** Business casual, with comfortable shoes and layers recommended. * **Hotels:** The DoubleTree still has availability, while other blocks are sold out. * **Attendee Portal:** The `saster.com/attendeeportal` link will remain active throughout the event. **Key Takeaways:** 1. Download the "SASTR Who Do You Want to Meet" app for easy check-in and networking. 2. Bring a valid photo ID daily. 3. Pack comfortable shoes and layers. 4. Save the main entrance address (1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo) for Uber/Lyft drop-offs. 5. Book networking meetings in advance. 6. Consider reserving seats for preferred sessions to plan your agenda. 7. Coffee, food trucks, and cold brews will be available. The event anticipates record attendance, offering extensive opportunities for learning and connecting with industry professionals.