What are Tableau User Groups?

Tableau User Groups (TUGs) are inclusive meetup events for Tableau enthusiasts to connect, learn, and discuss all things data and agentic analytics. Find inspiration from peers across geographies, industries, roles, affiliations, and other areas of interest while advancing your analytics skills. TUGs take place virtually or in person and are completely community-led. Participation is entirely self-driven based on how many you choose to join and what role you take—so the skills you learn, the people you meet, and the time commitment you make are all up to you. 

The Lagos TUG meetup celebrating their 1-year anniversary

The first two Tableau User Groups were formed in 2009 and spearheaded by a few passionate customers looking to learn and share in an informal environment. Today there are over 200 groups all over the world that cover a wide range of topics, from Tableau best practices and tips and tricks to up-leveling data skills for your next promotion and how agentic analytics is changing the role of the analyst.

Zyad Wael, Tableau Ambassador & Cairo TUG Leader

Every TUG session I attended taught me something I could apply the next day at work, but the real value was the people, who became mentors, collaborators, and friends across continents. I walked in as a curious attendee, and two years later that same community carried me to becoming a Tableau Ambassador and Co-Leader of Cairo TUG.

Tableau Community members at a London TUG meetup.

Choose Your Forum

With virtual, in-person, and hybrid options, you choose the forum that works best for you. While some TUGs have opportunities for local, in-person gatherings, others stick with an online format often recorded for on-demand viewing to better serve a global user base. Can’t decide? We have hybrid TUGs, too. No matter which you choose, you'll be welcomed into a community that promotes growth, powerful connection, and is in your corner along the way.

A Japan TUG meetup: the annual event where all DataFam members from all Japan Tableau User Groups come together to celebrate the work they’ve done over the year.

Poland TUG in-person meetup.

Types of TUGs

With so many types of TUGs, there is something for everyone. Whether an expert or a newbie, you can join an event to learn more about specific Tableau products and features. Perhaps you want to find other Tableau enthusiasts to connect with on a deeper level because of shared life experiences, values, and allyship—like LGBTQ+ (Data Pride), BLK in Data & Analytics, Accessibility, and Communi[datos]. Or maybe you prefer to keep it local and meet with people within your same geographic region. You can also find group options focusing on how specific industries and roles find success with data—such as Higher Education and Retail & Consumer Goods. We even have a TUG (DataFam Discovery) where you can get the latest scoop from the Tableau product team in our Inside Track calls. Choose one or many—your path is completely up to you.

Luigi Cicciari, Tableau Ambassador & San Diego TUG Leader

People come for the content, but they come back because of the community. I've seen countless conversations before and after a TUG turn into new ideas, lasting friendships, and people helping each other solve problems they couldn't figure out alone. 

Preethi Lodha, Tableau Ambassador, Boston TUG & Tableau Public User Group Leader

As a co-lead of two TUGs and an active attendee at many others, I've experienced user groups from every angle. Each user group has shaped me in a different way, and I've seen firsthand how these communities drive real growth and connection. The value compounds when you're part of the movement across multiple groups.

Annabelle Rincon, Tableau Visionary & Analytics TUG Leader

Four years ago I led a Tableau Team at Credit Suisse. The person in charge of the Tableau Center of Enablement at Vontobel wanted to find his replacement. After multiple discussions during Tableau User Group meetups and outside, I accepted the proposal. Without TUGs I would have never heard about the job or had the opportunity to showcase myself and what I had to offer.

Impact

Tableau User Groups help community members grow in many ways. With meetups, you can broaden your network and potentially take the next step in your data career or just find others who work and are interested in the same things you are. Tableau User Groups have created not only future coworkers but also lifelong data friends. Each user group event allows the DataFam to hone in on their communication and leadership skills. 

Tableau Public User Group virtual meetup.

Ilija Stojić, Tableau Ambassador & Automotive TUG Leader

I'm a TUG-aholic because they're a consistent source of inspiration and learning from amazing people sharing their knowledge. If you're passionate about data visualization or want to grow your own talents or career, there is definitely a TUG (or three) to help you on your way!

Agata Mężyńska, Tableau Ambassador & Poland TUG Leader

Tableau User Groups are a source of energy and inspiration for me. Meeting people who are tackling the same challenges—but often in completely different ways—is invaluable. I owe these gatherings countless moments of discovery, the kind that make you think, "Oh! I didn't know that was even possible!"

Getting Started

Ready to get started? Our Tableau User Group events are powered by the Bevy platform.

1. Sign up for a free account. Setting up a profile on the Bevy platform takes only a few minutes and quickly gives you access to all TUGs.
2. Browse and join TUGs of interest based on product, industry, belonging group or region. Get to know the user groups that can help you reach your professional and personal goals. 
3.  Get notified of upcoming meetings. For the groups you’re interested in staying up-to-date with, you can subscribe to them by clicking “Join.” TUG leaders will send email reminders when new meetings are scheduled.
4. Peruse our upcoming events list, where you can filter for in-person or virtual events by city or region, and filter by tags like networking, job opportunities, Generative AI, and more. There’s also a helpful Calendar View which shows all upcoming events in one place. 
5. If you’d rather find upcoming meetings interactively based on your availability and location, be sure to add our Upcoming TUGs dashboard to your favorites on Tableau Public and check back regularly!

Attend and make connections. Bring a friend, make a friend, grow your data skills, and network together.

The Madison Tableau User Group hosted former Iron Viz winner Bo McCready and his sous-vizzer Clara Wu for a hands-on workshop.

Grow Together

There’s more than one way to participate in a Tableau User Group. You choose what you put in and what you hope to get out. Here are some common roles you can take.

• Attendee: Hoping to build skills, problem solve, or find inspiration? Soak it all in! Check out groups that interest you.
• Speaker: Have mad data skills or a great success story to share? Complete a speaker submission form for TUG leaders to review.
• Leader: Interested in starting your own user group or co-leading one that exists? We open applications for new TUGs on a quarterly basis. To find our next application window, go to our homepage and click “Start a Group” at the top of the page. To co-lead an existing group, please get in contact with the current leadership team.

Tarun Gupta, Tableau Ambassador & Jaipur TUG Leader

As a Tableau User Group Leader, I've seen firsthand how these communities transform careers by creating a space where people can learn, connect, and grow together. The most rewarding part is watching members become speakers, mentors, and community leaders, proving that Tableau User Groups are about empowering people as much as they are about learning Tableau. 

Whether you want to learn tips and tricks, sharpen your skills, amp up your expertise, or propel your career forward, Tableau User Groups are your ticket to strengthening your data superpowers. Meet like-minded people from across the globe as you indulge your curiosity, find new ways to solve problems, and harness your creativity while empowering others to do the same. Join today!

Become a leader

A Tableau User Group leader inspires and connects data people together. If you have data and analytics expertise to share or want to grow your leadership skills, consider starting a Tableau User Group. While TUGs are owned and run by leaders, Team Tableau supports your group with reimbursement, team management, and other resources to make you a better leader.

You’ll also be a part of a worldwide group of Tableau User Group leaders who want to connect and champion your data and leadership skills. “TUG Tips: LIVE!” for example, is a monthly event hosted by TUG Leader Ambassadors for other TUG Leaders—these events covered topics on community engagement, effective collaboration, maximizing your virtual event tools’ potential, crafting compelling content, and leveraging social media to boost event attendance. 

To find our next application window, go to our homepage and click “Start a Group” at the top of the page. To co-lead an existing group, please get in contact with the current leadership team. Take the next step in your data journey and become a Tableau User Group leader.