Workday Rising: The ultimate guide for beginners
Workday Rising is the ultimate event for the ecosystem, where you can learn how to make the most of Workday and discover all the amazing things it can do. But if you’re new to the conference and with so much to take in, you might wonder how to plan your agenda and prioritise your time.
To help you make your first Workday Rising experience a blast, I have compiled a list of my top recommendations for you. As someone who has been in the Workday ecosystem for seven years, and been to eight Workday Rising events, I've got you covered.
Before you attend, here are the things you need to know:
1. Sign up for sessions, now
The first thing I do when I know Workday Rising is on the horizon is to read the Content Catalogue to pinpoint the sessions I am most interested in and know I will benefit from. Workday are known for their unmissable, bespoke sessions so the spots for hot topics tend to go very quickly – they’re like gold-dust!
You don’t have to worry about missing a session. You can access all the talks, keynotes, and interviews online later. This is super convenient for when you just need a break during the event.
2. Sync up with your peers beforehand
Before you even leave for the event, start connecting with people who are going within the ecosystem. You can do this on LinkedIn, Twitter, or even by reaching out to people directly. Once you've connected with a few peers, schedule meetings with them for during the event.
Normally, during Workday Rising, everyone’s calendar is booked back-to-back, so setting up meetings beforehand means you can meet with friends and colleagues – both old and new.
3. Attend the keynotes
The keynotes at Workday Rising are always excellent. This year's opening keynote is by Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic, a big name in Business Psychology, so this should be an amazing way to kick-off the event.
Others feature inspiring speakers and announcements about the latest Workday products and innovations. Make sure to attend at least a few of the keynotes during your time at the event.
4. Get to know the venue
On the first day of the event, I like to take a couple of hours to explore the expo hall and see what’s on offer. I have a look around all the booths from both Workday and its partners, see the fun activities (my favourite is the Soccer Challenge) and photobooths, and so much more!
It's really important to get to know the building beforehand so you can navigate it like a pro for your jam-packed schedule. You may meet some interesting people along the way, also.
5. Wear comfortable shoes
This might sound obvious, but trust me, it’s important. You will be doing a lot of walking at this event as the venue boasts 100,000sqm! From your hotel to the venue, from one session to another, from one booth to the next…you get the idea.
Remember to pack plasters and comfy shoes! Your step count will be through the roof every day during the event, so make sure you pack accordingly.
5. Get your dancing shoes on!
There are two parties I couldn’t recommend highly enough. The first is the Kainos Shamrock party. It is hosted by us, Kainos, and if you attend, expect lots of live music, Irish dancing, refreshments and fun! It’s almost a legendary thing nowadays so don’t miss out. Register your interest now!
The second is the Customer Appreciation Party. Workday loves to thank their customers for their loyalty and support by throwing an amazing bash that features live performances by famous artists, delicious food and drinks, and plenty of opportunities to mingle.
Don’t miss these parties, they’re the perfect way to end your day of learning and networking.
7. Extend your stay
If you can, plan to stay over a day or two after the event itself. Barcelona is a beautiful city with a rich culture so make sure to enjoy some time off and explore as much as you can.
Indulge in some delicious tapas or a refreshing glass of sangria at one of the many restaurants and bars in the city or take a hop on/hop off bus tour. I highly recommend seeing La Sagrada Família church and vising La Boqueria market!
I hope your first Workday Rising is a great one and you’ll be able to take full advantage of what’s on offer. Feel free to drop by the Kainos booth to chat to our Workday experts one on one!