Why The Box SF is Always a Top Venue for Dreamforce Week Events
Dreamforce week turns San Francisco into one big tech party. Keynotes fill up Moscone Center, then networking events spill out into the surrounding city late into the night.
With so much activity in the area, finding a setting that stands out and keeps attendees engaged can be tricky, and with every venue fully booked by the time Dreamforce opens, having awesome space near the convention floor is critical.
Enter The Box SF, a three‑story 1920s printing plant on Howard Street that offers a Bay Area event space unlike any other. Just two short blocks from Moscone, we give Dreamforce event hosts the rare blend of easy access, flexible space, and an atmosphere you won’t get from yet another hotel or events venue in town. .
Go Where Your Guests Are
Traffic during Dreamforce moves at an absolute crawl, so picking a nearby spot will save you and your Clients time and patience.
The Box SF is found at 1069 Howard Street, just a five‑minute walk from the main Dreamforce event. That short distance means no shuttle wrangling, no rideshare surge pricing, and no frustrated texts from clients stuck in traffic. Your attendees can pop over between sessions for breakfast or sneak back for an afternoon workshop, and still reach evening events before the lines at Moscone wrap around the block. With our full custom building branding, Clients and Guests won’t miss you as they arrive.
A Building That Tells a Story
People in tech are tired of spending day after day in sleek glass boxes that are meant to be “modern.” Give them a break with antique decor, warm lighting, and floors that once held massive presses connecting the past and present of tech.
To that last point, we’ve found that tech-industry attendees love the history of our space, because it connects modern technology to its retro roots. You can trace a path directly from turn-of-the-century print machines to today’s modern devices and innovations. And yet, our building never feels like a museum. It’s alive with the scent of old wood and fresh coffee, and 100‑year‑old type trays line the halls.
For example, the Gate Room on the top floor centers on a 340‑year‑old, 32‑foot table built from Chinese village gates. It’s the oldest, longest table of its kind in the country. Teams love to gather here for events thanks to the tall arched windows and amazing atmosphere.
Six Spaces, Endless Setups
Dreamforce plans come in many shapes. Demo rooms, panel talks, happy hours, and early‑bird yoga classes are just a few of the variations we’ve seen. At The Box SF, we have a room for every one of them.
Right next to the Gate Room, the Main Room can flip from lounge seating to theater rows and holds up to 150 standing guests. One level down, three breakout suites serve as private offices, green rooms, or podcast studios. They all have their own unique vibe, from custom furniture options, to mid‑century couches.
If you want something really out of the ordinary, hidden behind two moving fireplaces you’ll find The Sipping Room, an eight‑seat speakeasy. It’s a callback to the Prohibition days, perfect for closing deals over rare whiskey or treating staff who have earned special recognition.
Tech Ready for a Demo‑Heavy Crowd
All this talk of “vintage” and “retro” and “340-year-old tables” might have you worried about tech. Don’t stress. We’ve outfitted the entire building with absolutely everything you need when it comes to A/V, Gig speed internet, and presentation needs.
Our pull‑down projection screen is paired with extra wall‑mounted monitors, and a digital sound board feeds pro‑grade speakers. And of course lightning-fast internet reaches every corner of the space.
If you need hybrid capacity, we also have you covered. Plug‑and‑play gear supports seamless Zoom casts so remote teammates catch all the action. Staff can swap inputs, change volume, and adjust mics throughout the event.
Entertain & Inform: The Pressroom & Mercantile
Downstairs, our building’s working letterpress shop holds more than 15 million pieces of vintage print material. The Mercantile sells vintage books, maps, and ephemera, and we’ve seen how this treasure-hunting experience can serve as an incredible networking opportunity between strangers. You can even put on a small cocktail hour or reception in the space to take the connections to the next level.
Dreamforce‑Tested, Client‑Approved
Year after year, clients reserve dates at The Box SF for Dreamforce extras, from live‑stream watch parties to VIP happy hours. We’ve been sold out each year for well over 15 years.
In 2024, a well known software integrator booked three full days of sessions, demos, and catered meals here, praising our amazing staff for a flawless experience. Other past hosts include cybersecurity panels, AI start‑ups, the who’s who of tech, and Fortune 500 deal teams that loved our balance of polish and personality.
The Right Staff & The Right Location
Booking at The Box SF comes with an on‑site venue manager who guides you through every step of the process. They’ve seen all the conference chaos before, and keep calm when schedules adjust or unexpected needs arise.
Plus, travel between Moscone, The Box SF, and anywhere else in the city is easy. Civic Center BART is a short walk away, serving riders from both East Bay and Peninsula. Two garages also sit within one block for those driving in to your event.
Booking Tips for 2025 and Beyond
Prime slots at The Box SF fill months ahead. If you’re planning an event, lock your time as soon as your team picks its Dreamforce footprint. The venue’s freight elevator and varied rooms allow multiple events in one day, so don’t worry about flexibility or whether we’ll be able to manage your event.
Bring Your Dreamforce Plans to Life at The Box SF
With our walk‑friendly address, historic space, flexible rooms, and staff who make the hard parts feel easy, The Box SF stands out among Dreamforce week event spaces. Reach out to chat about rates, layouts, or your wildest theme concept.
Our team loves turning fresh ideas into smooth events, so you can wow your guests and still get some sleep before the next keynote.