Tableau Conference 2025 Recap: Keynote, Devs on Stage, Iron Viz & Innovation You Missed

Recap by Fiona Gordon & Sarah Burnett | Co-Founders, Dub Dub Data

The Tableau Conference 2025 Experience: Remote, Raw, and Ridiculously Worth It

We may not have been in San Diego, but that didn’t stop us from diving head-first into the Tableau Conference 2025 chaos. From virtual watch parties across the Tasman (Sydney and Auckland style) to 2:30am alarms and group chat overload, we lived and breathed TC25 from the comfort (and exhaustion) of home.

With our watch parties humming and tabs overloaded, we tuned in for all the biggest moments: the Keynote, Devs on Stage, & the buzzworthy Iron Viz.

 👀 Prefer to watch instead?
We’ve dedicated an entire episode of our unDUBBED podcast to Tableau Conference 2025. Skip the scroll and view here. 

Keynote Event Recap - Tableau’s Vision, Reality Check and Agentic Future

This year’s Tableau Conference 2025 keynote had a different vibe. We weren’t in the crowd, but even from our virtual watch party, the tone felt less electric than past years - less standing ovations, more strategy rollout.

“It started off a little slow, didn’t it?” – Fi

“Yep. It felt a little subdued, not like the conferences I remember!  But there were some seriously big messages tucked into it.” – Sarah

Community First (Still)

Ryan Aytay, CEO, kicked things off by acknowledging what makes Tableau, well, Tableau — the datafam community. He celebrated the growth of Tableau Public (now over 5 million profiles), the 11.5 million visualisations shared, and the 50,000+ user groups around the world.

It was a genuine moment, and one that echoed our own experience with the data fam.

“The crowd may have felt quiet, but the message was clear – community still matters. That said, we’re still craving a bit more of the old magic from past conferences. Social used to be on fire.” – Fi

Agentic AI Takes Centre Stage

The shift to AI was everywhere — and not just generative AI. Tableau is doubling down on what they’re calling the Agentic Analytics Era. That means embedded, proactive AI that doesn’t just describe the data but recommends actions based on it.

Ryan shared a live example from a hackathon where a group used Tableau and Agent Force to create an earthquake crisis response dashboard — a poignant, timely use case given the small quake in San Diego the day before.

It set the tone for the rest of the keynote: Tableau is transforming, and they’re bringing users along with them.

The Big Reveal: Tableau Next

This was the headline. Tableau Next is Tableau’s web-first, AI-powered, fully interoperable analytics environment - a bold next chapter that promises to combine the best of Desktop, Cloud, Server, and more.

Here’s what we learned:

• The Current Tableau Isn’t Going Anywhere
  Ryan made this very clear: “We’re not abandoning Tableau. We’re extending it.”
  Desktop, Server, Cloud and Prep are all here to stay.

• Interoperability is In
  Tableau Next doesn’t replace your existing tools - it connects with them. Desktop users can still build locally. Server admins aren’t left behind.

• Open Data Layer and Semantic Models
  Tableau Next introduces a semantic layer that sits above your data, making insights more trustworthy and consistent across roles. A powerful upgrade.

• Modern Visuals and Integrated Actions
  Tableau’s interface is getting a refresh - not just rounded corners, but reusable templates, a cleaner design system, and embedded delivery via Slack and Teams.

• Flexible, Scalable Pricing
  Consumption-based pricing is coming, making Tableau more accessible for small teams and startups.

“Tableau Next finally feels like the platform we’ve been waiting for. A true leap toward integrated, AI-supported analytics.” – Sarah

“And with consumption pricing? This could be huge for freelancers and project-based teams like ours. Not to mention, that copy and paste patternisation of data models will be a time saver, and improvement on governance” – Fi

And the Crowd Goes… Politely Wild?

Despite the impressive demos, the energy didn’t match the magnitude of the announcements.

“Maybe everyone was too aware they were on camera?” – Fi

But let’s be real. Not every keynote is going to bring down the house. What matters is substance. And this one had plenty of it.

Tableau Blueprint Refresh

The Tableau Blueprint received an AI makeover. While the keynote didn’t dive deep, they mentioned new layers of strategy for rolling out analytics in AI-enabled organisations.

New Slack-Based Community

Tableau has launched a Slack community space, an opportunity to reinvigorate connection among users. With ~300 people joining in the first few days, it’s a step toward rebuilding the social glue - but we’re watching to see whether it scales meaningfully.

“While private communities are great, there is friction to log on and engage - unlike the old days with Twitter and the datafam.” – Sarah

Devs on Stage: This Year, They Brought the Data Heat

Devs on Stage was a standout this year - one of the best in recent memory. Gone was the stiff corporate feel. In its place: real developer energy, exciting demos, and yes,  a corgi race to show off new Tableau Prep capabilities.

Top Features That Dropped at Devs on Stage:

Rounded Corners & Custom Colour Palettes

Visual designers screamed with joy. You can now set rounded corners natively - no more hacks or Figma workarounds. And custom colour palettes can be built and saved across Tableau Public and Desktop.

But beware: inconsistent usage could break accessibility and brand guidelines.

Tableau Prep In-Database Flows

No more extracts required - run your Prep workflows directly in the database, improving performance and simplifying architecture.

Google Workspace Integration

Push Tableau views straight into Google Sheets and Slides - finally enabling dynamic dashboards inside the tools many execs actually use every day.

New DBT Connector

A long-awaited feature - this opens up smooth integration between Tableau and DBT, a critical step forward for modern data stacks.

Tableau Server 30-Day Recycle Bin

Accidentally deleted a workbook? Project gone missing? Now you can recover content from the recycle bin for up to 30 days.

“Show Me” Gets Smarter

A reimagined version of “Show Me” that uses AI to suggest chart types based on your objective - not just your data structure.

In the Labs - Not Yet Approved

Authoring Extensions API: This Changes Everything

The Authoring Extensions API would be a true leap forward. Tableau devs and data viz champions can now access over 2,000 Tableau Desktop actions — allowing you to:

• Build entire layouts via API

• Automate content creation

• Localise dashboards at the click of a button

• Create in-app walk-throughs to guide users

Use cases from Timothy, Tristan, Klaus, and Craig blew us away. It's just a pipe dream right now, but by the crowd reaction, hopefully it will be a reality soon. 

Tableau Pulse Research Agent

Goes beyond anomaly detection - it investigates root cause, surfaces relationships (e.g., “training led to faster issue resolution”), and even suggests actions. Perfect for operational analytics.

Sketch Tool

Draw a line with your mouse. Tableau finds matching trend patterns across your dataset. Super cool - but a little dangerous if it leads to confirmation bias.

“I can just see the Head of Sales is going to sketch their theory and prove it ‘works’ , but this may ignore every other trend- so tread carefully.” - Fi.

Iron Viz 2025: FAA Wildlife Strikes Visualised

Iron Viz 2025 - Data, Design and Drama on the Big Stage

There’s something electric about Iron Viz. Whether you’re in the room or watching the competition remotely in the dark with your team or datafam buddies, it always delivers that mix of pressure, passion, and pixel-perfect storytelling.

This year’s theme? FAA Wildlife Strikes - a nod to a classic viz from years gone by, but reimagined with new data and a fresh challenge: tell a story with impact using Tableau, live on stage, in just 20 minutes.

“We always say data needs heart to hit - and Iron Viz is where heart, head and hands collide.” – Sarah

Here’s how the three finalists brought it to life:

Ryan Soares - The Calculated Storyteller

Ryan kicked off quietly. For most of the 20-minute build, his canvas looked empty - but behind the scenes, he was deep in calculated fields, data prep, and layering.

In the final moments, the visual came together:

• A beautifully rendered Figma-designed map and dashboard,
• Gantt chart storytelling to show the migratory journey of bird species,
• And clear recommendations on when birds should travel to avoid aircraft collisions.

What we loved:

• Smooth integration of spatial storytelling
• Clean visual balance, strong hierarchy
• A narrative that moved, both figuratively and literally

What didn’t land as strongly:

• Heavy reliance on Figma and floating elements gave it more “infographic” than “Tableau-native” vibes
• Less wow factor in terms of advanced Tableau techniques

“It was polished. But for me, it leaned on Figma more than Tableau muscle. I wanted to see more of what Tableau could do.” – Fi

“His storytelling was slick though. That migration angle had real clarity.” – Sarah

Kathryn McKindle – Our Dub Dub Breakout Star

Kathryn’s viz stole the show for us. Her approach was technically sophisticated and full of personality - she showed the evolution of bird strike data from nose cone hits to jet engine hazards, using animation and a cross-section of a plane to guide the viewer.

Here’s what stood out:

• Radar-style mapping that echoed sonar visuals
• Animated build of bar charts that tracked changes over time
• Beautiful use of Tableau’s new theming features
• And - of course - the Top Gun sunglasses moment that brought a little humour and humanity to the stage

She didn’t just build a viz. She built a moment.

“I learnt something new from her. That radar viz style? That’s a technique I’d actually bring into a client context. She didn’t just dazzle - she taught.” – Fi

“Yep. She showed off advanced Tableau features in a way that didn’t feel showy. Just clever, clear, and confident.” – Sarah

“She was our pick!” – Fi and Sarah, in agreement

Bo McCready - The Persistant Competitor

Bo’s was the emotional anchor. This was his seventh time attempting to get into Iron Viz - and you could feel his experience in his build.

He took a storyboarding approach rather than a traditional dashboard layout. Think:

• Slide-by-slide narrative progression
• Radial bar charts and custom transitions
• Playful layout with “pie charts on strings” (we’re still not sure what those were representing)

What worked:

• Strong sequencing and clear structure
• Good balance of insight and emotion
• Great on-stage delivery

What left us questioning:

• The design choices felt experimental but inconsistent
• Pie charts on strings didn’t add clarity
• Less hands-on Tableau innovation, more layout trickery

“He tugged at the heartstrings. But I wanted one more layer of ‘Tableau wizardry’ to make it pop. Massive kudos for finally making it - after 7 attempts on the feeder comp - to the stage and owning it. That perseverance deserves a shoutout.” – Sarah

The Verdict

Ryan delivered on a creative narrative. Kathryn stole our hearts at Dub Dub. Bo took the official win.

“Honestly, this was one of the most balanced Iron Viz comps we’ve seen. Each had their own strengths. Congrats to Bo for taking the title” – Fi

And for those wondering - Ryan won crowd favourite, showing how clean narrative and elegant design still capture attention.

Community Vibes: Fragmented but Hanging On

As longtime Tableau fans, we felt the shift. Community energy at TC25 felt disconnected. Twitter/X? Quiet. LinkedIn? Scattered. Even WhatsApp groups lacked the usual fire.

“Tableau’s strongest differentiator has always been its community. They need to bring back the magic - the hashtags, the live tweets, the screens filled with selfies. It matters,” – Fi

Final Thoughts - From Sleepless Nights to Strategic Insight

After 2:30am wake-ups, watch party storms, and a whirlwind of feature drops, demos, and debates, we’re walking away from Tableau Conference 2025 more optimistic, and more focused than ever.

Yes, the energy in the room may have been impacted by us being thousands of miles away. But under the hood? Tableau’s moving. And fast.

The launch of Tableau Next, deeper integration with Slack, agentic AI workflows, semantic layers, and (let’s hoping) new extensibility through APIs - this wasn’t a conference filled with hot air. It was a roadmap, and one that’s finally aligning to how people actually work.

“What’s clear is this: the analyst role isn’t disappearing. It’s evolving. Our value isn’t in making dashboards - it’s in making better decisions happen.” – Sarah

“This is the moment to get intentional. These features aren’t just shiny. They’re strategic. But only if you help people adopt them with clarity, care and context.” – Fi

At Dub Dub Data, we’re already building these shifts into our advisory work, training sessions, and platform strategy. And we’re ready to help teams move with confidence into this agentic analytics era - not just react to it.

The bottom line?

TC25 reminded us that while the tech is changing fast, the real differentiator is still human. And that’s where we love to work - at the intersection of insight, impact, and uplift.

If you want help translating all of this into something practical, tactical and culture-ready - reach out. We’ll roll up our sleeves with you.

See you in Slack. Or San Diego, 5th May 2026.

- Fi & Sarah
Co-Founders, Dub Dub Data

Watch the Tableau Conference unDUBBED Recap Podcast 

In this episode of unDUBBED, Fi and Sarah unpack their highlights from Tableau Conference 2025.
Broadcasting from opposite sides of the Tasman, they dive into everything from the keynote announcements and Devs on Stage innovations to the emotion-charged Iron Viz showdown. Along the way, they reflect on the state of the Tableau community, the shift toward agentic AI, and what the future holds for data storytelling, design, and development.

Key Takeaways

• Tableau Conference 2025 was hosted virtually, showcasing cutting-edge innovations in analytics.
• The keynote centred around advancements in AI and introduced Tableau Next.
• Energy in the keynote felt more subdued than in previous years, possibly due to the room setup and livestream format.
• Tableau Next promises feature parity with Tableau Desktop, designed with a web-first approach.
• Devs on Stage delivered big-time with in-database Tableau Prep flows, smarter “Show Me” suggestions, and a revamped visual interface.
• Iron Viz highlighted the power of storytelling in data, with tributes and talent on display.
• Community engagement felt fragmented this year, with less traction across social platforms.
• Consumption-based pricing models were teased for Tableau Next – potentially a game-changer for smaller teams and freelancers.
• Accessibility and inclusive design in data visualisation came up repeatedly as key themes.
• Fi and Sarah shared their excitement for what’s ahead – especially new Tableau APIs and how the community might rally in this next chapter.

Links

Tableau Conference Keynote - Watch Here

Devs on Stage - Watch Here

Iron Viz - Watch Here

Tableau Blueprint - Learn More

Slack Community - Join Here

Ken & Kevin - How to do cool stuff in Tableau

Tore & Nyung - Speed Tipping

Tristan - Beyond the Boundaries of Tableau

Pablo - Colour Mastery

Episode Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Tableau Conference 2025 Recap
01:12 Keynote Highlights and Observations
06:32 Exciting Developments in Tableau Next
10:48 Devs on Stage: A Showcase of Innovation
10:59 Diving into the Labs: Future Features
23:15 Exploring Authoring Extensions API
29:39 Exploring New APIs and Community Excitement
30:14 Tableau Pulse Research Agent: Insights and Concerns
32:31 The Sketch Tool: Innovation or Confirmation Bias?
34:46 Iron Viz: A Celebration of Data Storytelling
43:25 Diving into Iron Viz: Contestants and Their Stories