It is about the community, not the sessions.
I had an opportunity to participate in VMware Explore 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. It was formerly known as VMworld.
NB! The Explore reminds me so much of Internet Explorer, which everyone uses only for downloading another browser. I hope VMware understands the big mistake and changes it to the original name.
VMware Explore is held yearly in US and Europe, and extra conferences occurred in Brazil, Singapore, Japan, and China.
In previous years it was online because of COVID travel restrictions, but in US and EU, we had around 10,000 participants. Barcelona could have had even more people, but we exceeded our building safety restrictions. If there were more people, VMware should have rented extra space.
What is VMware Explore?
VMware Explore is known as a global, multi-cloud conference hosted by VMware. It is the largest multi-cloud-specific event. It usually lasts between three and five days and consists of many presentations, breakout sessions, panels, an exhibit hall, hands-on labs, and much more.
But what is VMware Explore, actually?
VMware Explore is the current name of the Multi-Cloud IT Specialist/Enthusiasts Community User Group Gathering (a computer hobbyist group from the 1970s to the 1990s). The brightest minds and cloud enthusiasts come together, share knowledge, and socialize. This event is about the community, not about presentations and sessions. VMware does everything that IT pros enjoy during the event. In Barcelona VMware Explore, every corridor had a table full of food and snacks and a fridge full of various drinks. IT people can enjoy and maximize their time. It was ideal that the main session, where all presentations happened, was far from the Expo area. The Expo area was in another building, and a long, second-floor corridor connected those buildings. In other words, technical sales guys were far, far away from IT people, so IT people could enjoy a fun time and not get bothered by sales guys. Actually, the sales guys in the Expo area were not aggressive car sales guys; they were there only to demonstrate their products and answer participants’ questions. They understood the community thing and what this event was all about. It was not a sales event.
What are Computer Hobbyist Groups, known as User Groups?
Throughout the 70s and into the 90s, electronic enthusiasts and technically-minded hobbyists gathered to trade parts, circuits, and information about the DIY construction of personal computing devices. Multiple groups from around the world helped hapless users figure out their computer systems, learn about technology trends, and discover the latest whiz-bang applications. During that time, there was no web, forums, Slack, or even computer documentation, and using a computer was difficult and complex. Usually, if any documentation existed, it was obscure, and nothing was pre-assembled. If you had a problem, you were on your own. Most members were hobbyists but had an electrical engineering or computer programming background. They came to the meetings to talk about, for example, Altair 8800, to review other technical topics, and to exchange schematics and programming tips.
Some User Groups had a newsletter. Computer user groups were (and to some extent still are) all-volunteer organizations, usually non-profits. Bigger groups attracted vendors, who saw them as early adopters and testers. So, the vendors spent an hour or two showing the latest version of their software or hardware. The demonstrations were more well-crafted tutorials than sales pitches. In every case, I learned something new. User groups gave everyone the opportunity to learn about technology, often from the people who invented it. And it is the same story with VMware Explore.
A famous example is Homebrew Computer Club, where the Apple I got its start.
I still don’t get it. What is the VMware Explore?
It is IT people Disneyland or Lego Land where they have the best time of their life and where IT enthusiasts share knowledge and talk about fun stuff. Topics included servers, switches, storage, GPU, AI, Machine Learning, software, and all other Multi-Cloud technology.
Take your kids to Disneyland or Lego Land and see how they feel there. It is the same way IT people feel during this event, but they are gaining knowledge and making new friends. Sharing is caring, and thanks to those communities, technology has advanced. Most IT innovations have grown or started in this kind of community meeting.
Does VMware have a User Group?
Yes, VMware has two user groups.
VMware User Group (VMUG) is an independent, global, customer-led organization created to maximize members’ use of VMware and partner solutions through knowledge sharing, training, collaboration, and events. If you become an Advantage VMUG member, you get a 365-day evolution license for most VMWare products. The price is only around 200 USD per year, and you can use my discount code “vAndu” to get 10% off.
HP: https://www.vmug.com/membership/vmug-advantage-membership/
vExpert- The VMware vExpert program is VMware’s global evangelism and advocacy program. The program puts VMware’s marketing resources toward your advocacy efforts. It includes promoting your articles, exposure at our global events, co-op advertising, traffic analysis, and early access to beta programs and VMware’s roadmap. The awards are for individuals, not companies, and last for one year.
HP: https://vexpert.vmware.com
Remember, how much you get out of VMware Explore is all up to you. I only try to give some ideas so you can create your master plan to take the maximum benefit out of the VMware Explore and learn why it is very beneficial for your company to send people.
If you remember, I mentioned this event is like a gathering of 70s enthusiast groups. So, you should prioritize meeting people. And you can meet people who are developing VMware products and product managers deciding what features will be included or left out from the next product release. You can schedule a meeting with those people to help them solve your problems, or you can influence the next product release that would help your business. In addition, you can meet other top leading experts or influencers and ask for advice, become a friend, or have a compelling discussion about cool tech. Or you could meet someone who has written a book or developed a hands-on lab.
If you know what you are looking for or what kind of help you need, it is the place where you can get help quickly or be directed in the right direction. Remember, how much you get out of the event and how well you plan everything is all up to you.
VMware Explore Event registrations pages
You can buy a ticket, search for sessions, read more about the sessions, and register. They recommend you register as early as possible because each session has a specific number of attendees. If it is full, you cannot get in. During the VMware Explore 2022 Barcelona, Spain, I was a few minutes late and could not get in. If you are late, they let in people waiting in line. So, they ask you to be there at least 10-15 minutes earlier to secure your spot.
VMware Explore Mobile App
This event is your lifeline. You can register sessions, communicate, and search for people, such as VMware workers, with the app. You can see the floor plan, give feedback about sessions, and so on. You can find more information from this app than on the VMware Explore Event pages. They stopped updating the web pages during the event, and floor maps and many other things were missing. So, this app is a must to install after it becomes available.
Sessions
There are 100 different sessions that you can sort from the Content Catalog.
Like Level, Technical 100, 200, and 300. Business 100 and Business 200. I have heard that EU sessions are more technical than US sessions. That is, EU Technical 100 is US Technical 200. Then, you can filter out by Audience, Products, Track, or Session Type, like General Sessions, Solution keynotes, tutorials, and Breakout Sessions. But remember that most of the sessions are recorded, and you can re-watch them later. So, only attend what you want to watch badly or is not recorded. The tricky part is that they do not publish what they will or will not record. People were confused during the Barcelona event, and, in some places, they did not see cameras. So, the attendees had no idea. Are they recorded or not? And one thing that I disliked the most was the Technical sessions. For example, NSX sessions occurred in an open space close to the lobby where other people were speaking, and it was hard to hear what the presenter said, but they did not record it. But again, they record most of the sessions, and you can later re-watch them.
Executive Leadership Meetings
These are for the C-level executives in your company. A comprehensive CIO and CISO event precedes VMware Explore, which is a one-day event. Access to this event is provided through your local VMware representative.
TAM and VMware Success 360 Customer Central
These are the TAM sessions, exclusively for TAM customers. If you are not a TAM customer, you cannot attend. If you are a TAM customer, please ask your TAM for access!
The Meeting Center
It is the meeting place located behind the area where the cold lunches were served. This event is their ‘secret sauce’; you can request a meeting with VMware staff and experts on the product you’re interested in. They bring you into the room like a VIP, moving you from a 400-person presentation area to an intimate setting with product managers and engineers. Here, you can discuss your problems, future plans, and anything else on your mind. Preparation is key; the value you get from this experience depends entirely on how well you are prepared.
Partner Lounge
If you are there on a partner ticket, you have access to a nicer lounge with better pastries, great coffee, and more. If you are not on a partner ticket, you cannot enter.
Drop-in Meetings
These meetings are design sessions led by an expert.
Design with Us
You can meet product managers who decide what will be included in or left out of the next product release. This is your chance to influence their decisions and explain your needs. The value you gain from these meetings depends entirely on how well you are prepared.
End of the day social event
These events are vital, so sign up for as many as possible and make an effort to attend them. They provide an excellent opportunity to meet new people and make new friends easily.
VMware Odyssey Tournament
This event is a game—a Hands-on Lab with time constraints. The Hands-on Lab involves installing and setting up VMware products from start to finish. Your completion time is calculated into points, and the person who sets up the fastest is the winner. Some participants receive awards, many of which are Legos.
And the last piece of advice
If you attend with friends or coworkers, avoid staying together the whole time. It is wiser for everyone to have their own plan and explore independently. This way, you can meet new people and gain more from the experience.
