After attending VMworld/VMware Explore in person for the first time in 2013 in Barcelona, I was hooked, and since then, I could never bear the thought of not attending it. I broadened my circle of friends, which we affectionately call the vCommunity, by attending that event. Since then, VMworld/VMware Explore in Barcelona was where everyone from the EMEA VMware community congregated and caught up with each other. I consider those people as my friends and those friendships are so important to me that I always attended this event, even when work didn’t send me, i.e., on my own expense.
When it was announced that Explore would only be in Las Vegas from this year, there was initial sadness about not having that pilgrimage to Barcelona anymore, mainly because of the familiar journeys, night events, tapas, architecture, etc. However, it also opens the opportunity to experience something different.
Here are some of the reasons you should consider:
Forming new relationships
I attended VMworld in Las Vegas in 2018. The one thing I appreciated was the ability to meet so many people I knew from following them on X (formerly Twitter), but had never met in person, as they never attended the Barcelona event. It expanded my view of the community, which wouldn’t have been possible without attending the Las Vegas event. Who knows (as there’s only this one large event now), you might still see some familiar attendees. Let’s say I’ll be shocked if you don’t see Marc Huppert there!
It’s still Explore!
All the great things we enjoy about Explore are still true for Las Vegas —take Networking, for example. Some of my most cherished memories from attending this event are the people I’ve met in those years. I know many occasions where those people helped me with a problem, and vice versa. I was given an attendee pass by a generous friend – again, the same community. There are countless examples of someone helping another community friend progress in their career. Given the challenging job situation we find ourselves in these days, the relationships you develop by meeting in person are even more critical than ever.
Certification
Over the years, if I’ve been preparing for some certifications or even to gauge my readiness, I’ve taken the opportunity to sit in VCAP or VCP certifications at VMworld/VMware Explore events. They’re typically half the price; many people use that chance to test their knowledge instantly. Thankfully, on all occasions bar one, I’ve been able to clear them. Just make sure to have your jacket handy, though, as it gets really cold in that room, especially given the duration of a VCAP exam!
(Re)Discover Las Vegas
If you’re already well-travelled, you may have seen Las Vegas many times, and this point doesn’t apply. But I added a few days after the event and discovered Las Vegas properly. It still wasn’t enough, and I had to leave some exploration for my next visit, which is still waiting. There have been some developments since my last visit that I would like to see, e.g. the Sphere and the F1 track route, etc. If you’ve been waiting for a good reason to visit Las Vegas, this is probably it!
Product Announcements and Early Access
All the new product announcements have always been at the US event, and being there gives you the chance to query the experts first-hand. Given all the advancements and talk of AI, I am sure there will be Private AI announcements too. Access to that many architects and engineers at the event’s various booths is invaluable and allows you to pick their brains as those announcements or roadmap items are revealed. On top of that, new Hands-On Labs are typically first built and introduced at this event, and it takes some time for them to become available widely to the world. Sometimes, they showcase the new products and services too; if so, you get your hands on them first.
These are some of the reasons I would still attend VMware Explore in Las Vegas if I could, and I am sure others have plenty more good reasons, too. If some of them make sense to you, get your event pass as soon as there’s early bird pricing until June 16th, 2025. Depending on what’s important to you, some great pricing options are available this year. It goes without saying that while you’re at it, book travel and accommodation quickly before they become more expensive.
If you’re looking to level up your skills, discover what’s new in the world of VMware, or want to meet the vCommunity people you’ve always wanted to meet, VMware Explore is still the conference for you!
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