From January 27 through 29, the Venetian Hotel felt electric as Dynatrace Performa 2026 gathered some of the brightest minds in tech under one roof. Keynotes were packed, breakout rooms buzzed, and conversations about innovation spilled into every corner of the expo floor. And right in the middle of all that high-level performance talk, a very different kind of performance was quietly stealing the spotlight.
Tucked between the arcade, where attendees chased high scores, and the snowy interactive photo booths, Puppy Love’s puppy lounge became the unofficial recharge station of the conference. People wandered in for a quick look and stayed for five minutes of cuddles, soft fur, and what we like to call puppy breath kisses. It turned into the place you went when your brain needed a reset and your heart needed a little lift.
This year’s Performa theme leaned fully into cozy ski lodge energy, complete with winter accents and North Pole flair. That atmosphere made the warmth of rescue puppy snuggles feel even more magical. To complete the scene, the pups received a surprise visit from Santa himself, who stopped by to make sure every rescue was firmly on the Nice List. Let’s just say there were plenty of photos and more than a few grown adults grinning like kids.
Puppy Love Party brought seven irresistible Chihuahua mixes from our partner, Wagging Tails Rescue. Each pup came with their own personality and fan club.
The “Eras” Crew, our Taylor Swift-inspired duo James and Steven, quickly enchanted the crowd with their charm. Ruth and Sonia captured hearts all weekend, with Ruth very possibly meeting her forever family right there at the conference. Then there was Benny, the high-energy MVP, who made it his personal mission to greet every single visitor. He bounced from lap to lap with the kind of enthusiasm that made even the most serious tech executive melt.
While the puppies were easily described as the hit of the show, the impact reached far beyond a few adorable photo ops. By spotlighting these rescues at Performa, we gave them invaluable socialization experience that prepares them for life in loving homes. Conference attendees, in turn, walked away with more than selfies. They left with lighter shoulders, clearer minds, and a renewed sense of connection.
The feedback from the Dynatrace community spoke for itself.
“Who needs antidepressants when you have this?” one attendee laughed after spending time with Benny.
“This is something everyone will remember. It’s such a positive experience,” another shared, still smiling.
“This is the hit of the show. You are going to be busy all day,” predicted a third.
She was absolutely right. The booth became a nonstop hub of joy, with a steady stream of attendees lining up for their turn in the puppy lounge.
Some people stopped by after a round of Pac-Man in the arcade. Others wandered over after posing in front of faux snowbanks and winter backdrops. No matter how they arrived, they left calmer, happier, and a little more connected. In the middle of a fast-paced tech conference, our Puppy Love space offered something rare: a chance to slow down, breathe, and remember the simple joy of a wagging tail.