This year marks our fourth visit to Seattle for the Smartsheet ENGAGE conference as a Platinum Partner. This event is crucial for us, allowing us to network with customers, understand their needs, and learn about the latest trends in project portfolio management and other key drivers.
One of the main themes at ENGAGE was the integration of various premium add-on modules into the core Smartsheet experience. The future is very much about a single user interface where you can access all of your premium apps and resource management tools within one seamless experience, rather than switching between different apps.
Day 1: Partner Summit and Awards Ceremony
The conference began with the Partner Summit, which gathered Smartsheet partners from around the globe. Attendees heard from dynamic speakers like Joe Worthey, Jenny Gruening, Steve Stewart, and Jennifer Stockton, each sharing their unique perspectives on customer success and how Smartsheet is transforming industries. Their presentations covered the latest updates, integrations, and best practices, providing partners with new tools to drive customer success.
The day ended with the Partner Awards Ceremony hosted at the Seattle Art Museum, recognising standout partners who’ve made exceptional contributions through creativity, impact, and commitment. The ceremony was a celebration of collaboration, and it set an inspiring tone for the days to follow.
Day 2: Keynote by Mark Mader and Ben Canning – Unlocking New Possibilities with Smartsheet and AI
The excitement peaked with Ben Canning’s keynote, where he highlighted Smartsheet's latest features and the game-changing partnership with AWS. This collaboration has produced a new connector that synchronizes Smartsheet data with Amazon Q, empowering AI-driven decision-making. The audience could feel the energy as they glimpsed how AI tools are transforming workflows, streamlining data insights, and helping teams tackle challenges faster and more efficiently.
Canning's keynote centred on Smartsheet’s commitment to a unified platform that drives outcomes across industries. Smartsheet's reimagined experience now enables larger-scale collaboration with enhanced features, like:
Collections: Organise key items like sheets, reports, dashboards, and third-party files within a single, customisable workspace.
File Library: Consolidate project files and enable direct annotation, speeding up approvals and reducing the need for extra meetings.
Resource Management: Assign, track, and manage tasks within Smartsheet, offering deeper integration for resource allocation and workload balance.
Enhanced Views for Working at Scale: Building on the timeline and board views, Smartsheet has introduced a table view to handle massive datasets, faster formula calculations, and large-scale project support.
The forthcoming introduction of program reporting and improved global update management in Smartsheet Control Center was also exciting news. These developments aim to simplify the user experience and reduce backend administrative tasks. While many of these features are still under development, it’s great to see the direction Smartsheet is heading.
These new tools reinforce Smartsheet’s goal of creating a seamless work experience, accelerating productivity, and ensuring teams can collaborate effectively at any scale.
Day 3: Keynote by Heather E. McGowan and the Women & Gender Minorities in Tech Luncheon
Heather E. McGowan’s keynote on Day 3 was a powerful exploration of the human side of technology. Her message resonated deeply with the audience, emphasising that while technology is a valuable tool, success ultimately depends on the people who use it. One of her most impactful quotes, “The tool is only as good as the human who uses it,” underscored the importance of adaptability, skill, and intentionality.
Later, the Women and Gender Minorities in Tech Luncheon brought together influential speakers, including Melody Biringer, Jo Deal, Amelia Ransom, and Alpa Parikh. Their discussions touched on navigating the challenges and opportunities for women and gender minorities in the tech world, and it was a refreshing reminder of the importance of community, mentorship, and visibility in creating a more inclusive industry.
Michelle Basson, Senior Solutions Consultant at PPS and Smartsheet Overachiever shares, "I was especially honoured to meet Alpa Parikh later that day in the Exhibit Hall. Our conversation centred around a topic that resonated deeply with me: the complex perceptions that women in leadership face, especially when it comes to kindness. Alpa shared her insights on how, too often, kindness can be mistaken for weakness, particularly in competitive environments where traditional notions of strength are valued over empathy. We spoke about the challenges women encounter in balancing authenticity with the expectations of assertiveness. Alpa’s words were a reminder of the strength found in compassion and the courage it takes to lead with kindness, especially when kindness is sometimes misunderstood or undervalued."
Day 4: Final Sessions and Farewell
The conference concluded with more specialised sessions that addressed the practical applications of Smartsheet in diverse industries. These sessions were packed with tips, strategies, and case studies that demonstrated how other organisations are using Smartsheet to drive growth, enhance efficiency, and solve real-world challenges. As the final sessions came to a close, there was a collective sense of accomplishment and camaraderie among attendees as we said goodbye to this exceptional community.
The Seattle ENGAGE Conference was an unforgettable event. Beyond the powerful tools and strategies shared, it left a lasting impression through the connections made, the insights shared, and the reminder that technology is most impactful when guided by human intention. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned and staying connected with this inspiring community until we meet again at the next ENGAGE!
The opportunity to network with customers was invaluable, allowing us to gauge their needs and understand the trends from their perspective. This insight is crucial for improving project portfolio management and other key usage drivers.
Overall, it was an excellent conference. The future of Smartsheet looks bright, especially with the ongoing acquisition providing confidence that Smartsheet, its partners, and customers will continue to thrive.
Reflecting on ENGAGE 2024 The Seattle ENGAGE Conference was more than an event, it was a powerful reminder that while technology drives progress, human connection and shared purpose are what make that progress meaningful. Smartsheet’s ongoing dedication to evolving its platform, coupled with this dynamic community, sets the stage for continued innovation.
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