Going to the Tableau Conference for the first time was such an incredible experience. As someone who works in Tableau every day, I heard stories about how exciting TC is, but nothing compares to being there in person. One of the things I loved most was how customizable the conference was. You could tailor it depending on what you wanted to get out of it. Whether you were there to meet new people, learn about the latest product updates, or dive deep into training sessions and workshops, there was something for everyone. I personally tried to do a little bit of everything, and it made the experience so much richer.
Key Highlights
Some of the most memorable moments included attending Iron Viz, Devs on Stage, and participating in community events.
Iron Viz was by far the most exciting part. I had watched previous Iron Viz competitions online, but seeing it live brought a whole new level of appreciation. Watching three talented contestants create incredible visualizations under the pressure of a ticking clock, in front of a cheering crowd, was electrifying. It was amazing to see how differently each person visualized the same dataset, offering unique perspectives in such a short amount of time.
Another major highlight was Devs on Stage, where the Tableau team showed off some of the newest features and upcoming innovations. It was so exciting to see what’s coming next, with new tools, updates, and capabilities that are going to make our work even more dynamic and impactful. A few features that really stood out to me were the Custom Color Palettes, which now let users create their own palettes directly in Tableau without having to jump through a bunch of extra steps like before; Dynamic Color Ranges, where colors automatically adjust based on user selections, making dashboards even more interactive; and Rounded Corners, a feature the community has been asking for forever, which will let us add a cleaner, more polished look to our designs.
The community events were another major highlight. It was surprising and refreshing to meet people from so many different industries and backgrounds, all using Tableau in unique ways. One session that really stuck with me was Community Challenge: Back 2 Viz Basics Live. We discussed everyday challenges we face as developers and analysts, and it was fascinating to realize that no matter the industry, many of the challenges are the same. Hearing how others approach and overcome those challenges gave me new perspectives and ideas to apply to my own work.
Meaningful Conversations and Connections
Beyond the official sessions, I had the chance to attend appreciation parties, happy hours, and smaller community events. These gatherings allowed me to connect with amazing people, including Tableau Visionaries, Ambassadors, and TUG (Tableau User Group) leaders. From casual conversations to attending their sessions, I learned so much about how they think through problems, approach challenges, and pick up valuable tips and tricks.
Why I Recommend Attending
I would absolutely recommend attending the Tableau Conference to anyone who has the chance. In just three days, I walked away with new knowledge, new connections, new skills, and an even deeper appreciation for the Tableau community. Being there in person, witnessing the energy of Iron Viz, meeting the faces behind the names, and engaging in real conversations is something that virtual experiences just can’t fully replicate.
Tips for First-Time Attendees
Since 2025 was my first Tableau Conference, here are a few tips I’d recommend for future first-timers:
- Sign up for Express Check-In if available. It made the process smooth and fast. I didn’t have to wait in long lines.
- Pick up your conference pass the day before the conference officially starts. It’s less crowded and more relaxed.
- Double-check your LinkedIn URL when registering, so your conference badge displays the correct QR code for networking.
- Stay hydrated. You’ll be walking and talking a lot!
- Bring comfortable shoes. There’s a lot of ground to cover between sessions and events.
- Plan your sessions ahead of time, but leave room for flexibility. Some of the best conversations and experiences happen spontaneously.
All in all, going to my first Tableau Conference was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had in my career so far. I left feeling so energized, inspired, and even more excited about what’s possible with Tableau. It wasn’t just about learning new tips and tricks (although there were plenty!) — it was about being surrounded by people who are just as passionate about data as I am. Getting to meet new friends, swap stories, and dive deep into all things data made it even better. I’m already counting down the days until the next one, and I seriously can’t recommend it enough if you ever get the chance to go. Hope to see you there next time!