Inbound 2025: hot wings, braindates and the self-driving cars

I’ve been debating whether to go to Inbound this year, which was in San Francisco (not Boston!) this year, and with our new product in hand, it felt like the perfect time to go.

I booked my ticket just two weeks before, partly for the event, partly because I’ve always wanted to see San Francisco and Silicon Valley. You can guess what this place means for me via "dinner of choice with any person, dead or alive", it's Steve Jobs.

And yes, I did try Waymo (self-driving cars), which was as surreal as it sounds.

Hot wings

The event? Incredible.

However, my absolute highlight was watching HubSpot’s former CEO Brian Halligan eat hot wings on stage with Sean Evans while talking about HubSpot history.

It’s not every day you get SaaS wisdom and a Hot Ones episode rolled into one.

Braindates

While the sessions were top-tier, the Braindates were the real magic.

I had conversations that spanned everything from software development and personalization to B2B websites and account-based marketing.

The most memorable part was speaking with a developer and hearing his story how he started his career in the 90s.

But not every Braindate went as planned.

I had one that no one showed up for. But here's the twist, it accidentally turned into a great chat with Kate from 42D, she was a participant of the next braindate that no one showed up as well. I learned so much from her about what's going in the world of marketing, go to market strategies and ABM. Thanks Kate, you were a highlight!

We also ran a few demos, met a ton of interested people, and had conversations that will shape how we grow next year.

Self-driving cars

I couldn't be in San Francisco and not try Waymo. It felt like stepping into the future of transportation.

After 4 trips, one thing became clear: it’s only a matter of time before self-driving cars become common in major cities around the world.

But I also had a feeling that this novelty wears off too quick, and what feels futuristic today will soon be everyday life for our children, much like cars once replaced horses for our great-great grandparents.

Inbound 2026

Inbound 2025 gave us fresh ideas, connections, inspiration and left us hungry for more.

Next year? We’ll see you in Boston for Inbound 2026.

Key takeaway

Sometimes the best moments at big events aren’t just the keynotes or the big stages, it’s the unexpected connections, the quiet conversations, and saying yes to new experiences.