One of the highlights of any TC is the pre-game meetups. This year, we kicked things off with Data + Tacos (hosted by this year’s Vizzies winner of the Michael W. Cristiani Community Leadership Award, Luigi Ciccari) and the Data + Women meetup (hosted by Annabelle Rincon, Jared Flores, and Serena Roberts).

On Day One — or rather, the day before the conference officially started — there was also a Hackathon with a focus on Agentforce.

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💪 Hackathon: Building the Future with Agentic Analytics

One of the most exciting ways to kick off the TC25 experience was the Tableau + Agentforce Hackathon. Participants explored the frontier of agentic analytics, collaborating with peers and Tableau experts to prototype bold new solutions.

Whether you were building something from scratch or leveling up with guidance from mentors, the experience was a whirlwind of creativity and learning. And yes — the swag was top-tier! 😄

Oh, and we really got the local California experience when an earthquake happened during the Hackathon!

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🌮 Pre-Game Fun: Data + Tacos

Before the official kickoff, we warmed up at the Data + Tacos event, hosted by the San Diego Tableau User Group. What’s better than community conversations with a taco in hand?

This meetup was the perfect reminder of what makes the Tableau community so vibrant: openness, generosity, and a shared love for all things data.

📎 More here: Data + Tacos Event Info

 

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💬 Data + Women Meetup: Starting with Impact

Later the same day, I ran from Data + Tacos to the Partner Summit, and ended the evening with heart and inspiration at the Data + Women Meetup.

This event continues to be one of my favorites — a space that celebrates inclusion, mentorship, and friendship in data. Talking with old and new friends from across the globe, I left energized and deeply motivated.

And because Data + Women is truly inclusive, even #baldiesindata were allowed in. 😄

 

Me, with Emily Anne and Elisa D

Thanks to the incredible hosts (mentioned above), and to all the sponsors who make this event a success year after year.

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😵‍💫 The Problem of Choice (and FOMO)

Every year, one “problem” stands out: there are too many great events happening at the same time! The selection process is hard, and the FOMO is real when you can’t be everywhere at once.

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🥂 Appreciation Party

For those of us who are TC Community Session speakers (me: 3 years running), 2025 Iron Viz finalists, Tableau User Group leaders (me: Norway and Data + Maps), Tableau Ambassadors (me: 4 years running), or Visionaries (me: 2025 cohort) — Tableau throws an Appreciation Party to celebrate what we do for the #DataFam community.

 

This is where we talk, drink, eat, swap stories from the data world, reconnect with friends, meet new ones, and, of course, share swag. I brought stickers and badges this year that turned out to be pretty popular! Not to forget the 150 Kvikk Lunsj (Norwegian Chocolate) I handed out! Those were a sure success!

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🧷 Badges, Stickers & Swag

So, the badges? Well, they started after Andy Cotgreave introduced me in a webinar as Peter Jönsson (a Tableau employee from Sweden and sous vizzer at last year’s Iron Viz final). Naturally, I had to make an “I’m not Peter Jönsson” badge — and yes, Andy got one too!

There are so many #baldiesindata that last year Ilija Stojic was mistaken for me at TC24. Hence, the creation of “I’m not Tore Levinsen” badges — which also became quite popular this year!

And it doesn’t stop there. In the Salesforce+ session Nhung and I did (40 Tableau Tips in 40 Minutes), I was introduced as Heidi Kalbe 😅 (They’ve been notified — hoping for a fix next time). So… maybe I need a new badge next year?

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🚶‍♂️ Walking, Talking, and Serendipity

When we talk about TC meetups, we can’t forget the informal chats — on the way to sessions, during lunch, or while out at the bars. If you try to walk from A to B with a group of 2–5 people, you’ll stop every few meters to talk to someone new. That 4-minute walk quickly becomes a 25-minute conversation trail. Ahh — the beauty of conference!

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🎁 Swag Central

I’m a stickler for swag. Just ask anyone!

After TC25, my Tableau/data-related swag collection grew again. I now have a wardrobe dedicated to it (the family is not impressed).

Fun fact:
I now own:

• 115+ Tableau t-shirts/sweaters

• 20+ caps

• 11 types of socks

• 30+ flasks/cups/mugs

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📅 Until Next Year

See you in San Diego again, May 5–7th, 2026! 💙

— Tore