In 2017, most companies attending the SaaStr Annual sent 2 or more employees, and teams are already buying up the 2018 team packs in droves! More than 1,100 teams have already signed up for 2018, with the average company bringing 3.1 employees!
If the learnings from past speakers like Josh James, Jyoti Bansal, Aaron Levie, April Underwood, Dharmesh Shah, Lew Cirne, and Byron Deeter weren’t reason enough to send all of your top players to the Annual, we’re also 2Xing the networking opportunities with over 20,000 SaaS founders, execs and investors expected to attend in 2018.
Make it the most productive and memorable offsite ever. Start planning now.
You know that long-term-vision-thingy you don’t really step back from and re-evaluate as often as you wish you did? That time you keep meaning to dedicate to gather the management team, but never quite get around to? Well this is your chance step out of the weeds, to bring your team and make a week of it. Use it as the most productive off-site you’ll ever have… one that’s guaranteed to leave a lasting fingerprint on your business. There’s no better investment you will make this year.
Get your team fired up & inspired.
The energy is electric. The networking is unparallelled. The stories of success, failure, and triumph are guaranteed to motivate and inspire. Every session is led by someone who has already done it, and done it well, candidly sharing their learnings and advice. We’ll have incredible founders & CXOs from some of the biggest names in SaaS.
Bring your VPs.
Founders couldn’t do anything without a strong executive team and this year, we’re adding more stages with tons of content in the functional areas that matter to you most. In addition to our core, founder-centric content, we’ll have actionable deep-dives for just about everyone — Sales, Marketing, Customer Success, Product, and Ops. So bring your Directors and VPs and let them learn tactical and relevant lessons from speakers we’ve hand selected just for them. Speakers who’ve been in their shoes, faced the same challenges, made the big mistakes, and overcame the impossible.
4X (or 14X) your networking capacity.
Even though we’re packing in three days of speakers and no-fluff content, like last year, we’ll be adding in more breaks for networking. We encourage you to spend ample time in the halls, tents, happy hour, and at the evening parties. The real power of SaaStr is the community and everyone who matters in the SaaS ecosystem will be there.
This is the highest ROI networking you will find all year, and you can only make a limited number of genuine connections in a day. So bring your team and let them make some connections for you!
Spend time in the city — as a team.
With more than 70% of SaaStr Annual attendees coming from outside the Bay Area, it makes sense to extend your trip by a couple extra days. If you’ll be in work-mode the entire time, grab a free day pass or week pass and come work out of SaaStr HQ for the week. But we’d also encourage you to spend time with your team outside of the office… and we’ve put together a list of attractions and things to do that will give you some ideas beyond the typical “top 10” tourist lists.
What’s Nearby
The Bill Graham Auditorium is located near Hayes Valley. The neighborhood is a testament to modern urban planning. Having been a freeway exit until it’s demolition in the early 2000’s, the upscale boutiques and tree-lined Octavia Boulevard (the first of its kind built in America in nearly a century) have transformed the area. Many restaurants, shops, bars, and art installations can be safely enjoyed by foot, just 3 blocks from the event site.
Fun Things to Do
photo: City Bike Tours, SF
City Bike Tours – San Franciscans love their bikes, and a bike tour is great way for your team to relax and enjoy the outdoors together after a week of learning.
Golden Gate Park Segways – There are a bunch of fun group segway touring options in the city, some of which will take you through Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden, up and down some of San Francisco’s most massive hills, and even the super-touristy spots like Alcatraz. Take a vote and hit the city together on wheels!
DIY Walking Audio Tour – Grab your headphones and download a tour for whichever part of the city you’re in the mood to explore.
Daily things-to-do Resource: https://sf.funcheap.com/today/
Destination Restaurant Recommendations
photo: Nico, Michael David Rose Photography
Pacific Heights
Nico – Enjoy a pre-planned tasting menu highlighting the freshest local ingredients, celebrating the superior produce of the region. Exquisitely prepared seafood and meats pair brilliantly with California flavors, and a selective beverage program offers rare international wines. A walk around the neighborhood will delight anyone interested in classic Victorian San Francisco. A single-screen theater is located next door- a perfect evening for any visitor.
After Nico, you might want to see what’s playing at the nearby Vogue Theatres.
China Town
photo: Mister Jiu’s
Mister Jiu’s – The neighborhood is a testament to the resilience of the Chinese-American population of San Francisco. The architecture offers characteristically Chinese details and colors that are a stimulating and enchanting experience. Acclaimed chef Brandon Jew has elevated Chinatown food by focusing on the best ingredients available. Make a reservation, this place just earned a Michelin star rating!
SOMA
Bar Agricole – Opened as the first LEED certified restaurant with stunning craftsmanship and artistry, Bar Agricole exemplifies modern sustainable luxury. The bar has perhaps the most intentional and agriculturally focused beverage menu in town, and the food is as brilliant as the hand-blown glass installations hanging from the skylights. A perfect place for networking- the grotto is available for large party reservations. An outdoor patio is perfect for the rare warm night.
Sutro Historic Landscape District
Cliff House – Whether you’re in the mood for a casual fun afternoon or an elegant evening out, there is always something to enjoy at the Cliff House. Dine in the casual Bistro Restaurant on the main level with a classic San Francisco menu for breakfast, lunch or dinner with amazing views of Ocean Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a seasonal California coastal menu for lunch or dinner in the elegant Sutro’s at the Cliff House, where two-story windows offer panoramic views of Seal Rocks and the Marin headlands.
Take a Hike
photo: Battery to Bluffs Hike, via TripAdvisor
Battery to Bluffs Hike – Take in the raw majesty of San Francisco’s Pacific coast adjacent to the Golden Gate bridge and the urban skyline. The sights, sounds, and smells of the bluffs are a unique and unforgettable experience. This hike is perfect for the social media seeker looking to get a lot of ‘likes’, as the vistas are epic.
Central Urban Hike – Scale the slopes of San Francisco’s central range of peaks, providing a top-down view of some of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the world. Visitors will get a sense of how close nature is to many of the residents of the city. The walk/hike takes people through enchanting Victorian mansions, Edwardian townhouses, and mid-century ranches perched precariously on the hillsides.
Street Art Guided Tour – The Mission District has been at the forefront of economic change and gentrification. As a historically diverse area, the artwork represents the multitude of voices and expressions of its inhabitants. A guided tour provides information on the artists and the murals. San Francisco has a rich history of muralists such as Diego Rivera, whose populist depictions can be found in Coit Tower. This is a must-do for anyone interested in the the frontiers of fine art and the current political landscape of the city.
Cheap Eats
photo: Papalote naked burrito, courtesy of Yelp
Papalote – Ask most people living in San Francisco what they eat most often; a burrito is a staple part of the diet here. This cheap yet amazing find is a must-have. The salsa is in such high demand, production has increased to provide take-home containers available at any truly local grocer.
Wiseson’s Deli – Located by the Jewish Museum near the MOMA, this delicatessen is a welcome treat for Eastcoast transplants looking for a good pastrami on rye. Whether it is a bagel and coffee, or a fulfilling sandwich, Wiseson’s Deli is an easy place to stop for lunch.
In ‘n Out – If California is not your home but you’ve heard of this fast-food phenomenon, this location is the only joint in town. Situated among the tourist attractions of the Wharf, this greasy spoon establishment is a guilty pleasure for many in the state.
San Francisco Coffee Roasters
Sight Glass Coffee – Whether the beans come from Columbia or Brazil, infused with blueberries or caramel, you’ll always find a unique blend at these brick & mortar coffee bars.
Blue Bottle Coffee – Ever wonder whether the flavor of a roast peaks after a few hours or a few days? Blue bottle has it down to a science, and they deliver the absolute best flavor at the exact right freshness for every blend, espresso and single origin roast they offer. But don’t take their word for it, taste one for yourself!
Ritual Roasters – You might remember their coffee from previous SaaStr Annuals! Their precision-roasting has made them a local favorite, and definitely worth a try.
Streets for Shopping
Haight Street Shopping
Vintage stores, local producers, artisans, and cheap eats can all be found on this legendary strip.
photo: Ferry Market Building, via TripAdvisor
Valencia Street Shopping
A unique corridor of commerce recently developed, Valencia Street is where current trends and West Coast crafts can be found. Amazing food and stylish stores saturate the area with options for fun.
Ferry Building Market
A quick dose of San Francisco merchants are available at the Ferry Building. Within the building many area businesses hawk their wares in a lively thoroughfare. Ferries across the bay dock in the rear of the market and are a delightful way to see the city from the water.
Divisadero Street, from Castro to Marina
The sister-street to Valencia, Divisadero is where many street fashions and local styles are available for purchase. Incredible options are available for a food fanatic looking to explore. The best places are located between Market Street and Turk Street. The route takes no shortcut; at its peak lies one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in town. Grand estates jammed onto hillsides overlook the Marina District, which offers a distinct flavor of San Francisco some may enjoy.
What are you waiting for? Start planning your off-site! The first step is to get your SaaStr Annual Team Pack today, before we sell out!
