Snafu Conference

A one-day summit for reluctant salespeople. March 5, 2026 in Oakland, California.

what is snafu?

A more human approach to sales and persuasion

Snafu Conference is an immersive experience where we learn how to be persuasive without feeling gross, how to step up without burning out, and how to be successful on your own terms.

Amidst all the change going on in the world today, “durable” skills are often the most resilient. Learn how to speak up, navigate uncertainty, and sell without selling out.

What we teach

The art of authentic sales

Snafu Conference is less for successful sales professionals and more for executives and entrepreneurs who want to practice this skill. We bring together some of the best practitioners on persuasion, habits, and human behavior to teach successful – and deeply human – selling.

Expect candid talks and workshops about what it means to connect, create value, and stay human in a rapidly changing world. We’ll dive into stories of service-driven selling, ethical persuasion, and how to navigate increasing chaos with grit and good humor.

A speaker on stage presenting to a large seated audience in an auditorium with wooden walls, a large screen displaying visuals related to human connection, and a photographer taking pictures.
A woman stands in front of a colorful illustrated board with handwritten notes about Zappos' history, values, and business strategy. The board includes sketches, arrows, and text discussing service, culture, innovation, and customer focus.
Two women sitting on stage, one with a microphone and wearing glasses and a black hat, speaking during an event at the Conference on Feminism, with a red background banner.
Group of people seated and engaging in conversation at a conference or seminar, with some holding brochures.
Two people sitting on a sofa outdoors speaking into microphones; a woman in a blue dress and a man in a suit.

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Why Snafu Conference?

Because you have something to say, but you’re not yet sure how to say it or sell it.

The Snafu Conference teaches entrepreneurs how to sell without selling out. You’ll leave with tools to connect, tell your story, and ask for what you want. Build a career based on service, not scripts.

People engaging in conversation outdoors with lush green foliage in the background.

A Few Of Our Speakers

  • A smiling man wearing a blue jacket and backpack taking a selfie on a hiking trail surrounded by trees.

    David Shackelford

    Head of Product, Enterprise & Platform
    Asana

    About
  • A woman with wavy, shoulder-length blonde hair, smiling, wearing a bright pink blazer with large dark buttons, against a plain white background.

    Mandy Mooney

    Vice President, Internal Communications, Prologis
    Author, Corporating

    About
  • A man with glasses and a beard smiling outdoors in front of greenery.

    John Kennelly

    Founder,
    I Hate Sales

    About

Skills You’ll Learn

  • Reframe Selling

    I hate selling.Learn why your resistance to sales isn’t a flaw—it’s a reaction to bad practices, and there's a better way.

    Selling feels manipulative.Reframe sales as service, not pressure.

    I’m waiting to be discovered.Take agency. No one’s coming. Learn to advocate for yourself.

  • Frameworks

    I don’t know how to connect with people.Learn how to build trust without being fake or scipted.

    I can’t explain what I do.Use storytelling to create emotional resonance and make people care.

    I’m afraid to ask.Practice making clear, confident asks that don’t feel pushy.

    I struggle to set boundaries.Discover how boundaries actually build trust—and help close the right deals.

  • Craft

    I take rejection personally.Learn tools to handle “no” without shutting down.

    I don’t know when to follow up or let go.Practice persistence with nuance and care.

    I don’t know if I’m improving.Turn selling into a craft through iteration and reflection.

  • Selling as Service

    Sales feels self-serving.Redefine selling as helping—real sales is about serving others.

    I don’t see myself as a leader.Learn how asking clearly and speaking up is leadership.

People walking past the California Memorial Stadium entrance in Berkeley, with large orange 'OM CA.' signs on concrete walls and a blue sky overhead.

Oakland Museum of California

OMCA is a leading cultural institution of the Bay Area and a resource for the research and understanding of California’s dynamic cultural and environmental heritage.

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A speaker on stage in front of an audience in a dimly lit auditorium.
A large group of people gathered on a grassy lawn in a park, sitting and relaxing on the grass, with a stage and shade structure in the background on a sunny day.
A woman in a blue dress and white boots speaking into a microphone, seated on a black outdoor sofa. A man in a gray suit and white shirt is sitting next to her, listening attentively, holding a microphone. They're outdoors with a patterned wall, pott

The numbers

At A Glance

adaptive_audio_mic 15+ Speakers
crowdsource 7,500 readers
globe_asia 15,000 Global Community
location_city 50+ World-Class Startups
flag 5 Countries