Viva Las Vegas!

You probably use Broadcom VMware products every day in your job—whether you’re a customer or a partner. Maybe you attend trainings, hunt for documentation, or have even braved a VMUG event. BUT, let’s be honest: that’s not enough.

We’ve survived some major industry shakeups (Hello, ChatGPT…) and the VMware world is no exception. Everyone’s still trying to wrap their heads around VCF and VVF. It’s a lot to digest—trust me, I know.

So here’s your chance: not only to learn a ton in just a few days, try out new stuff, and grill product managers and engineers, but also to connect with your peers! Sure, there are community sessions, VMUG, vExpert, and VMware {code} volunteers, but I’m also talking about the person sitting next to you in the general session, or the random tablemate at lunch. Are they running NSX? What scripting tools do they use? (And will they admit to still running Windows XP somewhere?)

This isn’t a marketing spiel. I’ve attended every version since 2012 in Europe as an employee, once in the US as a lab captain, and three times as a technology partner. Plus, a few dozen other conferences since… well, the early 90s. (Yes, the 1990s. Anyone remember Novell Brainshare?) Sure, things are changing—hey, it’s IT!—but there are still some rock-solid reasons to show up (I wrote something similar ages ago about VMworld):

Product information

If you scroll through this blog, you’ll see how often there are announcements or updates about Aria products at Explore (formerly VMworld). That’s true for all VMware products. There are sessions galore!

Hands-on Labs

I’ve always been a fan, and they just keep getting better. You can test any recent product in a safe, ready-to-go environment. Is your home lab too puny for VCF? (Like mine.) No worries—there are complete labs online where you can play with every component, just like in the real world! I could go on, but I’ll restrain myself. At Explore, you get early access to new labs, guided sessions, and even challenges where you can win prizes.

The Social Bit

Don’t underestimate the power of community! Visit the community booths, join sessions, connect with VMUG and vExpert programs, and broaden your horizons. I once ended up at dinner in San Francisco with Luc Dekens (PowerShell legend), and we kept bumping into people he knew. Plus, he’s an excellent culinary guide.

The Elephant in the Room

Yes, Barcelona is off the table this year—now we have regional sessions. But Broadcom’s shiny new pricing structure might actually make it cheaper to attend. Check out the packages and early-bird discounts. And let’s not forget: Las Vegas flights and hotels are usually cheaper than most US destinations.

Another Way to Meet People…

I know, many non-US folks are a bit wary about visiting the US this year. Use common sense—there are plenty of articles online about painless travel. I can’t speak for every nationality, so do your research. But Las Vegas is one of the US’s top tourist spots (along with New Orleans), so they’re used to visitors. They want you there—preferably spending money in the casinos (but maybe don’t do that too much). Pro tip: avoid entering the US through Texas, Florida, or maybe California, where security checks are… thorough. Last year, I spent two hours in a Houston International queue. Good times.

I hope I’ve given you some useful pointers—and that we’ll all meet in Las Vegas! In the meantime, if you have questions about the vExpert program, I’m a vExpert PRO and happy to help with your application. Also, or especially, in French.