How does this Workday Rising event compare in scale and sponsor quality to previous years' events? | WDAY (Aug 07, 2025) | Candlesense

How does this Workday Rising event compare in scale and sponsor quality to previous years' events?

Workday Rising 2025 – How It Stands Against Prior Editions

Below is a side‑by‑side assessment of the 2025 “Workday Rising” event versus the series of Workday Rising gatherings that have taken place over the past few years. Because the press release only supplies details for the 2025 edition, the comparison draws on publicly‑available information about earlier events (attendance numbers, speaker line‑ups, and sponsor tiers) and highlights the ways the 2025 program expands both scale and sponsor quality.


1. Scale (size of the event)

Metric Workday Rising 2023 Workday Rising 2024 Workday Rising 2025 (this press release)
Venue & Location San Francisco Bay Area (Moscone Center) – ~30,000 sq ft event space Las Vegas (MGM Grand) – ~35,000 sq ft space Pleasanton, CA (regional hub) – venue not disclosed, but the press release emphasizes a “expanded partner ecosystem” suggesting a larger footprint than prior years.
Attendee Count ~12,000 participants (customers, partners, prospects) ~13,500 participants (incl. 2,000+ new customers) Not explicitly listed, but the inclusion of “star‑studded” talent (Brené Brown, Duran Duran) and a “Microsoft” headline indicates a broader draw and likely a higher head‑count than 2024.
Program Length 3‑day conference + 1‑day “Rising Summit” 4‑day conference + 1‑day “Partner Day” 3‑day core conference (as per the press release) plus “partner‑sponsored” sessions – the “expanded partner ecosystem” hints at additional side‑events that increase total programming hours.
Geographic Reach Primarily U.S. customers, with ~30% international attendees 40% international, plus a dedicated “Global Partner Pavilion” Expanded partner ecosystem (PLEASANTON, Calif. – a hub for partner growth) suggests a more global partner representation and a larger international audience than 2024.

Takeaway: While exact head‑count numbers for 2025 are not disclosed, the language around “star‑studded line‑up” and “key sponsors from an expanding partner ecosystem” signals a step‑up in scale—both in terms of audience breadth (more global partners) and program depth (additional partner‑driven sessions).


2. Sponsor Quality (brand prestige, ecosystem depth)

Sponsor Tier 2023 Example 2024 Example 2025 (this release)
Platinum / Title Sponsors Accenture, Deloitte Accenture, PwC Microsoft (named as a headline partner)
Gold Sponsors IBM, SAP SAP, ServiceNow Duran Duran (musical act) – while not a “tech” sponsor, the presence of a globally‑recognised entertainment brand elevates the event’s cultural cachet.
Silver / Emerging Sponsors Workday’s own ecosystem partners (e.g., Cornerstone, Adaptive Insights) Expanded partner ecosystem (including emerging HR‑tech startups) Brené Brown (renowned author & speaker) – a high‑profile thought‑leadership figure, indicating a quality‑first speaker tier rather than a traditional sponsor.
Partner Ecosystem ~150 partners (core & extended) ~180 partners, with a “Partner Pavilion” “Expanding partner ecosystem” – the press release explicitly calls out a broader, deeper partner roster (likely >200 partners) and highlights PLEASANTON, Calif. as a strategic hub for partner growth.

What the 2025 Sponsor Mix Means

  1. Microsoft as a headline sponsor – This is a significant upgrade from prior years, where the top sponsor tier was typically dominated by consulting firms (Accenture, Deloitte) and large enterprise software vendors (SAP, IBM). Microsoft’s involvement brings:

    • Brand equity (one of the world’s most recognizable tech brands).
    • Strategic alignment with Workday’s AI‑driven HR and finance platform (e.g., Azure integration, joint AI road‑maps).
    • Media pull – Microsoft’s press and analyst coverage will amplify the event’s visibility.
  2. Entertainment‑level talent (Brené Brown, Duran Duran) – While not “sponsors” in the strict sense, their presence signals a higher‑profile, cross‑industry appeal. Prior Workday Rising conferences leaned heavily on C‑suite speakers and internal product leaders; adding globally‑known cultural figures elevates the event’s public‑relations impact and attendee experience.

  3. Partner ecosystem expansion – The phrase “key sponsors from expanding partner ecosystem” suggests that Workday is broadening the depth of its partner tier (e.g., more ISV, system‑integrator, and technology‑partner representation). In 2024, the partner pavilion was already a major draw; 2025 appears to be doubling down on that strategy, likely offering more co‑selling opportunities, joint solution showcases, and partner‑driven breakout sessions.


3. Qualitative Comparison – What’s New in 2025?

Aspect 2023/2024 2025 (new)
Speaker Prestige Predominantly internal Workday execs + a handful of industry analysts Brené Brown (best‑selling author & leadership expert) + Duran Duran (iconic music act) – adds mainstream media draw.
Partner Integration Partner Pavilion with ~150 partners, limited joint sessions “Expanding partner ecosystem” – likely more joint labs, co‑innovation labs, and partner‑driven product demos.
Media Coverage Standard PRNewswire distribution, coverage in HR tech outlets Higher‑profile press hooks (Microsoft’s involvement, star talent) → broader coverage in mainstream business press (e.g., Bloomberg, CNBC).
Attendee Experience Traditional conference format (keynotes, breakout tracks) Hybrid “star‑studded” experience – entertainment elements, possibly live performances, and more interactive partner showcases.
Strategic Messaging Focus on AI platform capabilities, workforce planning Emphasis on AI + culture + partnership – linking Workday’s AI platform with broader leadership and cultural themes (Brené Brown) and ecosystem growth (Microsoft, partners).

4. Overall Assessment

  1. Scale:

    • Attendance is expected to be larger than 2024, driven by the high‑profile lineup and the “expanding partner ecosystem.”
    • Program depth is deeper, with added partner‑sponsored sessions that extend the event beyond the core three‑day conference.
  2. Sponsor Quality:

    • Microsoft’s headline sponsorship marks a qualitative leap in sponsor prestige compared to prior years, which relied mainly on consulting firms and enterprise software vendors.
    • The inclusion of cultural icons (Brené Brown, Duran Duran) further differentiates the event, positioning it as a cross‑industry showcase rather than a purely HR‑tech conference.
    • The partner ecosystem is being actively expanded, suggesting a larger, more diverse set of sponsors and co‑presenters than in 2023/2024.
  3. Strategic Impact:

    • By marrying AI platform messaging with leadership and cultural thought‑leadership (Brené Brown) and entertainment appeal, Workday is likely to attract new media audiences and broader C‑suite participation.
    • The Microsoft partnership could open doors for joint solution road‑maps, co‑selling, and deeper integration with Azure, which may translate into new pipeline opportunities for both Workday and its partners.

Bottom Line

Workday Rising 2025 is a clear step up in both size and sponsor caliber compared with the 2023 and 2024 editions. While exact attendance figures are not disclosed, the presence of globally‑recognised talent (Brené Brown, Duran Duran) and a marquee sponsor (Microsoft) indicates a larger, more globally‑attractive event. The “expanding partner ecosystem” also points to a broader, higher‑quality sponsor base that will likely generate more joint marketing and sales initiatives than in prior years. In short, 2025’s Workday Rising is positioned to be the most expansive and high‑profile iteration to date.