As we reflect on our time at SAP Connect Las Vegas 2026, one theme stands out above all else: meaningful engagement. Beyond presentations and product discussions, the event gave participants the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, collaborate with peers, and explore real-world applications of SAP's latest innovations in Customer Experience, Business AI, and Commerce.
Our team (Fernando Redondo, Deepali Johnson, and Cui Dr. Jian) was fortunate to contribute through two Pre-Conference Trainings (PCTs) and two Hands-On Labs (HOLs), each designed to help attendees move beyond theory and into practical execution.
Pre-Conference Trainings: Deep Learning Through Interaction
This year, our team of three instructors delivered two four-hour Pre-Conference Trainings:
- Building Autonomous CX Workflows with SAP Business AI and Joule
- Autonomous CX Deep Dive: Lead-to-Fulfillment Processes
Each PCT welcomed fewer than ten participants, creating an ideal environment for discussion, collaboration, and personalized coaching. The small group format allowed us to go much deeper into the topics than would be possible in a traditional conference session.
Over four hours, participants worked through numerous demonstrations, guided exercises, and practical examples. Rather than simply observing technology in action, attendees had the opportunity to experiment, ask detailed questions, and explore challenges specific to their own organizations.
The intimate setting also fostered valuable peer-to-peer conversations. Participants not only learned from the instructors but also from one another, sharing experiences, perspectives, and strategies for driving innovation in customer experience processes.
For the instructor team, one of the most rewarding aspects was seeing how quickly the sessions evolved into collaborative workshops where everyone actively contributed to the learning experience.
Hands-On Labs: Learning by Doing
In addition to the PCTs, we delivered two Hands-On Labs:
Enhancing Marketing, Sales, and Service Excellence with Autonomous Agents
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Participants: 20
Accelerating B2B Commerce with SAP Commerce Cloud
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Participants: 16
The Hands-On Labs provided a different type of learning experience. While the PCTs emphasized deep exploration and guided instruction, the HOLs focused on participants completing activities independently while receiving real-time support from the team.
This format allowed attendees to directly interact with the solutions, navigate scenarios at their own pace, and gain confidence through practical application. Our role was less about presenting and more about enabling success, answering questions, troubleshooting challenges, and helping participants get the most out of each exercise.
It was encouraging to see attendees actively engaging with the systems, experimenting with new capabilities, and sharing insights with fellow participants throughout the labs.
Why PCTs and HOLs Matter
Conference agendas are often packed with keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. While these formats provide tremendous value, PCTs and HOLs offer something unique: real experience.
Both training formats give participants dedicated time to:
- Apply concepts in realistic scenarios.
- Gain hands-on experience with SAP CX solutions.
- Ask detailed questions and receive immediate feedback.
- Exchange ideas with peers facing similar business challenges.
- Build and strengthen their professional networks.
For many attendees, these sessions become some of the most memorable and valuable aspects of the event because they transform learning into action.
A Great Experience for Participants and Instructors
Looking back, what made these sessions successful was not just the content but the interaction. The smaller groups in the PCTs created highly engaging conversations, while the larger HOL audiences brought energy and diverse perspectives to every exercise.
Together, we had the opportunity to connect with more than 50 professionals who invested their time to deepen their knowledge of autonomous customer experience processes, SAP Business AI, Joule, and SAP Commerce Cloud.
We would like to thank every participant who joined us, asked challenging questions, shared experiences, and helped create such an engaging learning environment.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As a team, we leave Las Vegas energized by the positive feedback and the enthusiasm we saw throughout the week. Our biggest challenge for next year is clear: offer more sessions and reach a broader audience.
The demand for practical, hands-on learning continues to grow, particularly around autonomous agents, AI-powered business processes, and end-to-end customer experience transformation. We are already exploring ways to expand our portfolio of training sessions and labs to provide even more opportunities for attendees to gain real-world experience.
If SAP Connect 2026 confirmed one thing, it is that participants want more than presentations. They want to build, experiment, learn from peers, and leave with skills they can immediately apply.
We're excited to continue that journey and look forward to seeing even more of you next year. See you at SAP Connect 2027! 🚀
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