The Unofficial Guide to Doing Knowledge Right

Written By Jillian Howell

Whether it’s your first or fifth time at ServiceNow Knowledge Conference 2026, one thing is always true…it’s a lot.

A lot of sessions. A lot of walking. A lot of trying to be everywhere at once.

Over the years, I’ve experienced Knowledge in a few different ways, attending with a full team of co-workers, as a speaker, and being part of the community. This year will be a little different. I am going as an MVP and with just my director…so basically, on my own.

And through all of that, one thing became clear…doing Knowledge “right” isn’t about packing your schedule. It’s about knowing what actually matters.

So here’s the real-world guide. The stuff you won’t find in the official agenda.

Before You Even Get there: Build Your Game Plan

Start with the agenda. If you haven’t filled it up yet…start now.

  • Register for sessions, panels and labs as soon as you can

  • If something is full, heart it anyway

  • Show up and wait in the standby line, people will no-show

Here’s the trick most people don’t know:
They usually let people in about 5 minutes before the session starts.

Which means:

  • If you’re registered → be early or you risk losing your spot

  • if you’re waitlisted → show up anyway, you still have a shot

Vegas Will Humble You (Pack Accordingly)

Let’s talk survival.

Shoes:
Bring comfortable shoes. Not “kind of comfortable.” Not “I just bought these yesterday.” Your future self will thank you.

Blister patches are a lifesaver. Throw them in your bag now and don’t think twice.

Your Backpack essentials:
Your backpack becomes your home base for the day, so make sure it’s actually comfortable to carry. You’ll be wearing it a lot more than you think.

Inside it, you’ll want:

  • Water bottle (there are refill stations everywhere)

  • Electrolyte packets (Vegas is dry)

  • Protein snacks (bars, nuts, applesauce packs, etc.)

  • Pain relievers

  • Hand sanitizer + wipes

  • Face mist (sounds extra, feels amazing at 3pm)

  • Chapstick (Again Vegas is dry)

  • Hand lotion (Did I mention Vegas is dry?)

  • Lidocaine patches for sore muscles

  • Motion sickness meds like Dramamine (if flying leaves you nauseous)

  • Tums (because conference food + running around = chaos)

  • Laptop charger (especially if you’re in labs)

  • Portable phone charger (you will use it, guaranteed)

You can get supplies at Walgreens (down the block) or the CVS vending machine in the Venetian Food Court area…but when your feet hurt and your session starts in 10 minutes, that walk feels like a hike.

Dress in Layers (Trust Me on This)

Conference rooms can swing from freezing to “why is it this warm?” real fast.

  • Bring a light jacket

  • Wear breathable layers

  • If you overheat easily, a small hand fan is actually clutch

Also, make sure you pack extra clothes for a second outfit change if you’re going to dinners or after parties. You’ll want the reset.

Everything is Farther Than it Looks

This is the biggest lie Vegas tells.

“That hotel is right there” = 30 minutes later you’re still walking.

Give yourself buffer time between:

  • Sessions

  • Meetups

  • Dinner plans

You’ll enjoy it way more when you’re not speed-walking across a casino trying not to miss something.

Also…if you do venture out for food, do yourself a favor and try Tacos El Gordo. Hands down some of the best tacos you’ll find. Totally work the trip.

And if you’re in the mood for something a little different, check out Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge. It’s one of those places where you walk in and immediately think, “What is happening right now?” in the best way. Great food, and the bar/lounge area is an experience all on its own.

Do NOT Overschedule Yourself

Yes, the sessions are great. But the real value? The people.

Leave space to:

  • Walk the Expo floor

  • Talk to people

  • Run into someone you follow on LinkedIn

  • Join spontaneous conversations

Check places like:

  • LinkedIn

  • SNDevs slack workspace (channels: knowledge26 & _k26-womennow)

People are constantly posting where they’re meeting up. Also, start signing up for company after parties ahead of time. They’re some of the best places to network in a more relaxed setting. It’s a lot easier to have real conversations there than trying to catch someone between sessions. And, some of the best connections happen:

  • At random tables

  • At after parties

  • At “we just met 10 minutes ago” group dinners

Go to the Community Events

These are the moments you’ll remember.

  • Walk the Expo

  • Check out CreatorCon and the Hackathon

  • Join meetups

And if you’re around:

👉Come to the WomenNow Meetup Breakfast

May 7th | 7:00 - 8:30 AM

It’s one of the easiest ways to meet people right away without the awkward “who do I talk to?” feelin, especially if you are attending Knowledge alone.

Safety + Buddy System

Especially for the women attending:

  • Find your people early

  • Walk together when you can

  • Don’t wander too far solo late at night

Vegas is fun, but it’s still a big, busy place.

Final Thought (That’s Not Actually Final)

You’re not going to do everything. And that’s okay. The goals isn’t to check every box.

It’s to walk away with:

  • A few great ideas

  • A few meaningful connections

  • And at least one “I can’t believe that just happened” moment

That’s when you know you did Knowledge right.

Jillian Howell
Next

Building Your Knowledge 2026 Agenda: What to Expect (and Why AI Is Everywhere)