Inspire AMA with Chief Evangelist Joshua Burkhow!

Hey Alteryx Community — Joshua Burkhow here, Chief Evangelist at Alteryx.

In case you haven’t heard, Inspire is right around the corner — and I’m hosting an AMA (Ask Me Anything) right here on Community this week (March 31st - April 4th) to get the excitement started!

Have questions about what to expect at Inspire? Curious about must-see sessions, how to make the most of your time, or what’s new this year? Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned Inspire pro, I’m here to answer any and all of your burning Inspire questions.

✅ How to network like a pro
✅ Behind-the-scenes planning
✅ What I’m most excited for
✅ Tips to level up your Inspire experience
… and anything else you want to throw my way!

Ready to join in on the fun? Register for Inspire here!

Drop your questions in the thread below — and let’s get hyped for Inspire!

Questions

General

Feedback

Announcement

Inspire

Training

Networking

Fun

Grand Prix

Keynote

Breakout Sessions

Annual Conference

ACEs

Accepted answers

All comments

phottovy

I'm so sad I am unable to attend Inspire this year, but if anyone knows what they are talking about, it's @JoshuaB!

Gabrie11a

@JoshuaB -- what are you most excited for at this year's Inspire?

JoshuaB

Oh this is always a fun question because every year has something new. From a product perspective I will be paying close attention to how my fellow users take to the work we're doing in the GenAI space! There is some really cool use cases getting unlocked with the use of Copilot and GenAI tools. You won't want to miss them!

I also love and am always excited to meet new people. I have been going for I think 8 years.... and have a bunch of friends to catch up with and hoping to meet many more!

I think what I am most excited about is seeing our new CEO Andy MacMillan and our new CPO Ben Canning get to see what all the hype is about. Our users are notorious for being the most fanatical users on the planet and I really want Andy and Ben to feel that. It's one of the things that keeps me going all these years.

Curious to hear from all of you. What are y'all most excited about?

lwolfie

I'm excited for some of the new breakout sessions. I like the format for the planner. I just wish I could clone myself.

JoshuaB

Yeah that's always tough @lwolfie What new breakout sessions were you liking?

lwolfie

@JoshuaB The server administration and API sessions

JoshuaB

Yes! Those will be great sessions. My recommendation would be to be just a bit familiar with it before you get there as you'll grasp a lot more than just seeing it the first time.

lwolfie

@JoshuaB Thanks for the advice! I'm not new to either concepts but I am hoping to increase my knowledge base!

DataNath

So excited for this, and to catch up with you of course @JoshuaB! Bit of a different one from me...

I love networking and meeting new people, but I always find it quite intimidating to approach others first, particularly if they're in groups. What's your go-to for striking up a conversation and getting more involved?

Carlithian

@JoshuaB what's your "you must not miss this" session (clearly mine yeah?)

But more seriously, what is the best way to network during the event? This is my 6th Inspire, but I often find myself with such a packed schedule it's hard to make time to just meet new people.

TheOC

Hey Josh,
Awesome idea doing an AMA, I have a few questions!

1. What are your personal 'must-see' sessions this year?

2. What goes into planning a keynote/session? Any interesting behind the scenes stories you can share?

3. How many golf balls do you think could fit inside a school bus? (This ones important, if you only answer one, make it this one please).

JoshuaB

@DataNath I think you should wear a big shirt that says "I'm a big deal, talk to me!" ..... 😂

I like hanging out in the Product Showcase areas because then you get around folks who are interested in talking topics around product. Also sit next to people you don't know during breaks. Ask "Any sessions you've liked so far?" or "What did you think about the Keynote?"

JoshuaB

@Carlithian Of course yours! Must see! You know we love a good obscura with @stevea I am really interested in the GenAI talks. One in particular will be with Luke Cornetta.

Carlithian

@TheOC

1. Unlocking the Power of Iterative Macros 😁

2. N/A

3. Depends on the size of the bus ...and golf balls, but I'd say minimum 2

mbarone

Glad to be coming back after missing last year!!

JoshuaB

@TheOC Great questions!

1. I have said I really want to see the GenAI talks but also there's some amazing customer talks I'm excited to see

2. Planning a keynote talk is a whole different animal/level. There is just much less appetite for failure and or mistakes where a talk/session is much more relaxed. Most of our keynote sessions have been in the works for months already! We plan and practice a lot until showtime! Many times there is a big difference between practicing in your living room and being onstage!

3. Well consider the school bus' in the UK are different that US. The question to you is what type of school bus? Year? Model? Details matter @TheOC

JoshuaB

@mbarone Sure will be great to see you brother!

Tonya_Smith

Not to be missed! 😎 I am following this post!

Samanthaj_hughes

I'm excited to see my colleagues from around the world who all have the same passion for this amazing technology work together to land the most incredible experience for our customers. #alteryxrocks

AdamR

Which Inspire has been your favorite so far and why?

caltang

Excited to see you once again @JoshuaB !

For Inspire - what should a second timer do differently from their first?

I find that the best value of inspire is the networking. I hope there’s a way to network more - I found the opportunities to be in between sessions.

JoshuaB

@AdamR I think I share most people's favorite and that was Nashville (2019)! That was just an unbelievable Inspire all the way around! What about you?

JoshuaB

Love it @caltang

I think with you as an Alteryx ACE you should be sharing as much knowledge as possible. Connect with folks and if you can help them become even better then great!

OllieClarke

Hi @JoshuaB,

long time listener, first time caller.
2 questions from me:

Firstly as one of the best presenters going, if you could give 1 (or more!) bit(s) of advice to people talking at Inspire this year; what would it be?

Secondly: now that we’re in our third year in the Venetian, what is your game of choice?

Yoshiro_Fujimori

Hi @JoshuaB ,

I'm so sad I cannot attend Inspire two years in a row.

So this question is for the lucky people who can attend.

During my last visit to Inspire in 2023,
I remember that there were so many choices of breakout sessions which sound too good to miss.
could you advise any tips to organize your schedule effectively (without too much exhausted)?

alexnajm

@JoshuaB Any sneak peaks to new items for this year? 👀

JoshuaB

You just kill me @OllieClarke ....

My advice would be a 2 for 1 deal. 1) You can't practice enough. Don't listen to people who say you can or "that's not my style" or "I'll be too robotic" it's all nonsense. Practice your talk 100 times so that you could recite it backwards if you wanted to. 2) The audience deserves respect. Don't half-**bleep** it or 'wing it' or just get by. I've done this a number of times and I'm embarrassed each time. If you were chosen to be giving a talk, take it seriously.

Seriously great question.

I had a couple Alteryx folks try to get me into craps and I think I could go for it....

JoshuaB

@Yoshiro_Fujimori I'm bummed as well. Really hoped to see you this year

I think there is a bit of reality that you just can't be in two places at the same time. Its a bummer but many of the sessions do get recorded. If you are also really wanting the information then maybe reach out to the speaker and see if they would send you the presentation/recording if possible. I also go into Inspire knowing that I am going to be exhausted at the end. You can sleep when you get home, go for it and learn as much as possible during that week!

JoshuaB

@alexnajm I got 3 to watch for but of course I'll leave you in suspense on the details........

AI (GenAI Tools, Copilot, etc)

Magic Reports

2025.1 Release..... you have no idea!

mkeiffer

If you are still on the fence about going to Alteryx Inspire 2025, I want to encourage anyone who might be still undecided to attend. This will be my 3rd inspire and my first one as an Alteryx ACE. I attended my first Inspire in 2023 and the sessions were just phenomenal. Last year was even better than 2023! It is a great opportunity to connect with some very talented and amazing Alteryx users and I am really looking forward to the 2025.1 release and hearing more about the upcoming AI tools. The Alteryx Sneaks, 30 Tips in 30 Minutes, Alteryx Obscura, and the Alteryx Grand Prix sessions are always incredible, informative and a lot of fun!

Inspire has some fantastic breakout sessions planned this year and there is also two days of optional training sessions prior to Inspire. if you are still considering going to Inspire and have never attended one before, make 2025 your year to attend Inspire.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in less than two weeks!

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