Event FAQ

We do not have a hybrid event this year, so we’re asking all full-time Bricksters to attend CKO sessions in-person in Las Vegas. Please plan to schedule any other meetings outside of CKO and breakout sessions and  talk to your leadership if you have specific questions.

No, you do not need to be vaccinated to attend this event.

Please discuss your concerns about travel with your manager/VP in order to make a decision on CKO attendance.

We will follow local and state guidelines. Sanitizer and masks will be available, and attendees are required to take a self administered test 24-48 hours before departure. If you are positive, we’ll ask that you contact the registration team to cancel your attendance. We will continue to make updates here as we get closer to the event. 

Yes, but please be cautious about what you’re posting to prevent leaking confidential or internal-only content. Here are some suggested CKO events to post about:

  • ERG Happy Hour
  • Databricks Got Talent! Show

We also encourage you to share content from Databricks’ corporate Twitter and LinkedIn pages!

The official hashtags are #DatabricksCKO , and #DatabricksGotTalent.

For any questions or to report any posts, please reach out to Mikaila Garfinkel at mikaila.garfinkel@databricks.com.

Complete the conference survey (coming right after CKO) or send us CLICK HERE to contact registration support. 

The live event is taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada  and therefore all agenda items for in-person attendees will be listed in Pacific Standard Time.

New hires will be invited weekly as they start. On January 16, we will invite all known January through February 6 new Bricksters. If you a hiring manager, please let your new hire(s) know to be on the lookout for an email to register.

We’re asking everyone to attend CKO in person this year. If you have a previously scheduled vacation please talk to your manager.

All content will be posted internally by February 17.

GTM Kickoff will include Sales, Field Engineering and Marketing.  Speak to your manager to receive approval if you are not in one of these groups but feel you should attend.

Beginning Jan. 5, people flying into the US from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau will be required to show proof of a negative COVID test or documentation that they have recovered from the disease before boarding their flight. Travelers can submit their negative results from a PCR test or rapid antigen test — taken no more than two days before departure to the US — that has been administered by a licensed medical provider or monitored by a telehealth service. Air passengers who have tested positive for COVID more than 10 days before their flight can also provide documentation proving their recovery from the disease instead of a negative test result.
 

Look here for any other updates.

There will be shuttles running between hotels from Sunday to Thursday. Please see shuttle schedule below.

Courtesy shuttle:
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday - Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Resorts World shuttle stop
Level 1 at South Porte Cochere

Venetian shuttle stop
Level 1 from the Convention area

Breakfast, lunch and evening receptions will have food starting on Monday through the duration of the program

We wanted to let you know that next week, our travel platform, TripActions, is rebranding with a new name and a fresh look.

Please be prepared to update your TripActions app next week, if it does not already auto-update based on your settings. Your existing profile information, trip plans, will follow you to the new app, so you won’t need to re-enter any information.

No action is required at the moment, but I wanted to get this change on your radar in case you have any upcoming trips. Excited to share more with you soon!

Yes you can expense this cost. Please refer to the Global Expense Policy for any expense related questions.

Injury: Please contact venue security and a member of the events team. If life threatening, please call 911.

Coffee spill: Please contact a member of the events team.

Allergic reaction: If it life threatening, call 911, if not please alert venue security and a member of the events team.

 

Area resources: 
Walgreens: 3025 Las Vegas Blvd South (10 mins walk)
Walgreens: 3397 Las Vegas Blvd South (5 mins walk)

Urgent Care: 
Quick Fix Urgent Care LV: 3200 S Las Vegas Blvd #2000
Concentra Urgent Care: 3900 Paradise Rd Ste. V, Las Vegas

Interns are welcome to join us! Please speak to your manager for approval before inviting any contractors.

Each department is listed on the Agenda At-A-Glance with the breakout sessions they should be attending. If you have specific questions, please ask your manager. There are some sessions that are open to other departments and are listed within the mobile app with a tag listed for “All Bricksters.”

Approximately one week before the scheduled event dates, all attendees will receive an invitation to log into a mobile app. To access the mobile app, please use the Databricks email that you registered with. Please refer to your confirmation email to see the email address used to register or CLICK HERE to contact registration support. 

Yes, join the #ckofy24 channel to ask questions and interact with other attendees!

So many things. We can’t wait to share all of our exciting plans! More information coming soon. 🙂

Databricks is committed to creating a safe and inclusive in-person experience for all Bricksters, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. All communication — including at the event and various associated venues, as well as online — should be appropriate for a professional audience, including people of many different backgrounds and experiences. Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees. Act professionally. Remember that harassment and sexist, racist or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate at any time at any event organized by Databricks. Bricksters will be expected to adhere to all company policies while attending the event.

For all interactions during CKO/GTMKO FY24, we expect Bricksters to abide by the company’s Code of Conduct to ensure the environment remains productive and respectful. The following guidelines will further help ensure we maintain an inclusive experience throughout our event:
 

  • Be respectful of others.
  • Avoid conflicts and arguments.
  • Use common sense, kindness, and consideration together with the guidelines outlined above.
  • If you intend to participate in any video conference during the event, please make sure to dress appropriately.

 

Q: How will the Code of Conduct be enforced at CKO?

A: If a Brickster engages in behavior that doesn’t comply with these expectations, Databricks may take any action that we deem appropriate — including warning the Brickster, excluding the Brickster from certain activities, expelling the Brickster from the event either in person or virtual, and taking disciplinary action as needed. Bricksters asked to stop any harassing or other unacceptable behavior are expected to comply immediately. Anyone violating these rules may be asked to leave the  event and/or virtual experience and be subject to other disciplinary action up to termination as appropriate. 

Please note, while we take all concerns raised seriously, we will use our discretion to determine when and how to follow up on reported incidents.

 

Q: How do I report an issue?

A: If you are concerned about any individual’s behavior you witness in person or virtually, please speak up so we can help. For in-person attendees, look for your People Partner or email peopleops@databricks.com for the quickest response. All attendees may also use our Speak Up hotline at Go/speakup, which offers anonymous reporting options as well.

If you have any other concerns during the event and need real-time assistance (e.g., accessibility or facilities issues, requests for assistance with the virtual forum), Please CLICK HERE to contact registration support. Make sure to provide your name, phone number, email and a description of the situation. Thank you for helping make Databricks CKO FY24 a welcoming, friendly place for all to share new ideas, learn and connect.

CKO mainstage keynotes will take place at the Venetian
Registration, all department breakouts, GTMKO, Monday and Wednesday night parties will take place at Resorts World

Room & Travel FAQ

The senior leadership team and international travelers can arrive on Sunday. All other Bricksters should arrive on Monday. People managers should be onsite by 1 PM, and all other attendees should be onsite by 5 PM on Monday.

Arrival & Departure Dates

Please feel free to dress casually throughout the event. Bonus points for wearing Databricks gear! 😁

You will not have to share rooms during CKO.

You are only approved for the arrival dates outlined on the Hotel & Travel tab. If you want to come a day early, you will be responsible for the cost of the hotel stay for that extra night. You may reflect that in your registration.

Look here for the latest updates.

If you have the choice between refundable and not, international travelers can pick a refundable more expensive fare but domestic travelers should stay within policy.

If driving your own vehicle you can expense mileage. If car rental you can expense fuel.

You can expense an uber/taxi to and from your house to the airport, we will have shuttle buses in Las Vegas to and from the airport and between the hotels and offsite activities. If you land/depart at a time when the busses aren't running you can expense a taxi or uber.

If you are seeking an exception to your approved arrival and departure dates, please reach out to your manager directly for approval. Extensions that permit extensions are international travel and lack of flight options within your approved arrival and departure dates. If your request for an exception is approved, please edit your hotel check-in and check-out dates within your registration to include your additional approved nights(s). Please note that even with manager approval, you will be billed for the additional approved night(s) and you will be expected to seek reimbursement through your department post event. Databricks will pay for your originally approved nights. 

In addition, for any nights that you are pre or post extending that are not manager approved extensions, you will be expected to pay for those nights and you will be charged the prevailing rate at the hotel.

As a result of previous COVID-related travel restrictions and an increased number of visa applications, the US consulates around the world are working through a backlog of cases, and appointments are difficult to obtain.  We recommend you check on the availability of appointments before you book your travel.  Below are a few sites with additional guidance:

 

 

Additional questions visa-related questions:

(Q) What type of visa should I apply for?  
(A) You should apply for a B-1 business visa.

(Q) What costs does Databricks cover related to the visa? 
(A) Databricks will cover the fees charged by the consulate for your visa

(Q) If I have to travel to the consulate to apply, will Databricks cover these costs?  
(A) Any costs related to traveling to the consulate to apply are your responsibility.

(Q) Will Databricks assist me in requesting an emergency appointment at the consulate so I can get an appointment? 
(A) There are specific reasons why a consulate will grant an emergency appointment. Unfortunately, attending a company event is not one of the reasons. Given this, Databricks will not be able to assist in requesting an emergency appointment.


(Q)  I will need to get a B-1 business visitor visa to come to the US for CKO.  Who can provide me with the required letter?
(A)  Please complete and submit the Business Visa Letter Request Form. The completed form will be routed to the Databricks PeopleOps team who will review and reach out within 5 business days to either provide the letters or request any additional information or details they may need.
 

(Q)  How do I apply for the B-1 business visitor visa?
(A)  The B-1 should be applied for at the US consulate.  Here is a link to information on how to apply -  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

(Q)  If I have questions about whether I need a B-1 or I need assistance with the B-1 application, whom can I contact?
(A)  Please contact Andra Herman (Databricks' Global Immigration Consultant) at andra.herman@databricks.com

(Q)  Can I use a visa service to process my B-1?
(A)  Since you need to complete most of the information, we do not advise that you use a visa service.

Due to the operational impacts caused by the surge of COVID-19 infections across China, U.S. Embassy Beijing and U.S. Consulate General Shanghai are providing passport and emergency citizen services only. U.S. Consulates General Wuhan, Shenyang, and Guangzhou will only be providing emergency consular services until further notice. Please go to https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/services/ for more information on emergency consular services. All routine Visa Services, with the exception of some previously scheduled for Consulate General Shanghai — are temporarily suspended; all regularly scheduled appointments at Embassy Beijing and the other Consulates General have been canceled.

Please use the TripActions link that was provided in your CKOFY24 invitation email. You can also find this link via the registration platform. You will not be able to expense your flights for this event, and this guest pass will allow flights to be billed directly to Databricks. For PEO employees only, please pay for your flights directly and expense the cost.

Please do NOT book a hotel directly. Event staff will book your hotel room on your behalf for your approved travel dates. If you plan to stay in Las Vegas beyond your approved travel dates, you will need to manage and pay for those nights. Please note that additional nights will be charged to a personal credit card upon check-in. If you arrive early or stay late you can book yourself at a different property, you don’t need to stay at the CKO hotel. If you have any questions, Please CLICK HERE to contact registration support. 

HOTELS
There are two CKO hotels for this year, The Venetian and Resorts World. You have been assigned to a specific hotel based on several factors including your check-in/out dates, department, location, and special program invites. We can not accommodate any changes in hotel properties. 

HOTEL CHECK-IN
All attendees will provide a credit card at time of check-in. Room + tax for nights within your approved dates will be paid on our master account and will not be charged to your credit card. Incidentals at the hotel will be charged to your credit card and will only be expensible if charges are allowable without our global expense policy.

Standard wifi is included in your room rate. 

HOTEL CHECK-OUT
Upon check-out you will receive a bill summary that will include both the quantity of nights that Databricks will cover and the quantity of nights that you will cover [number outlined above]. 

BILLING
If you chose to check-in and/or check-out outside of your approved dates, you will pay for those extra night(s) with a personal credit card. 

If you received pre-approval from your Manager to stay outside of your approved dates, you will still be responsible for paying for those additional night(s) and will need to submit the expense through Expensify. If you were not approved for the extra night(s) or are coming in/staying later for personal reasons, those charges will not be reimbursable.

The price of pre and post nights will range from $290 - $360. At this time, any additional nights added to your reservation will be guaranteed at the hotel’s published rate and are subject to availability.

AIRPORT SHUTTLES - ARRIVALS

Sunday, Feb 5, 9:00 am- 11:00 pm
Monday, Feb 6, 7:00 am - 9pm
Wednesday, Feb 8, 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thursday, Feb 9, 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friday, Feb 10, 6:00 am - 3:00 pm

FREQUENCY:
Buses will depart each terminal every 30 minutes

MEET & GREET SERVICES:
Staff wearing red polo shirts and holding a databricks sign will meet you in baggage claim. 

INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS:
Staff wearing red polo shirts will greet you as you exit customs and have retrieved your luggage.

LUGGAGE:
Your luggage will be stowed under the bus en route to the airport. transportation staff will ask you for your airline name in preparation for your drop-off at the appropriate terminal. 

TEXT 619-302-9910 IF YOU CANNOT LOCATE STAFF IN THE BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA


 

Yes! Please see the transportation window

DAILY COURTESY SHUTTLE
The Venetian ↔  Resorts World (5-10 Mins)
Sunday, Feb 5, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Monday, Feb 6,  7:00 am – 7:00 pm  
Tuesday, Feb 7, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wednesday, Feb 8,  7:00 am – 7:00 pm  
Thursday, Feb 9, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm


SPECIAL EVENTS SHUTTLE
Cheers To 10 Years Party
The Venetian ↔  Resorts World
Monday, Feb 6, 6:00 PM – 10:45 PM

CKO General Session
Resorts World ↔  The Venetian
Tuesday, Feb 7, 6:30 AM – 2:45 PM

Outer Limits Party
Area15 ↔  Resorts World & The Venetian
Tuesday, Feb 7, 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM
 

Wednesday, Feb 8:
Resorts World will have a luggage storage room on Wednesday, February 8th from 7am - 7pm in Lotus Meeting Room 9 & 10 for Venetian guests that are departing post-breakouts. Please note, the Venetian will not offer luggage storage on check out day.

Thursday, Feb 9:

Please store your luggage at the belldesk at Resorts World.

Yes, there are several pharmacies in the area. Please see the list below for options.

NEAR RESORTS WORLD

Walgreens
3025 S Las Vegas Blvd
702-836-0820

Pharmabox
3200 S Las Vegas Boulevard
702-262-9284

NEAR THE VENETIAN
CVS (Inside Treasure Island)
3300 S Las Vegas Blvd
702-866-2350