I’ve attended VMware Explore in Barcelona before, and it was an incredible experience. However, I’ve never been to the Las Vegas event – this year will be my first time, both attending VMware Explore in Las Vegas and visiting the city itself. I can’t wait!

Why Do I Love Explore?

The last time I attended VMware Explore in Barcelona, I gained so much. I maximised my days by attending as many sessions as I could, walked over 60 km during the event, and absorbed an incredible amount of knowledge about VMware’s products. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about new advancements and discover products I hadn’t yet worked with.

The investment was absolutely worth it – both personally and professionally. I was able to spend focused time learning about solutions relevant to my customers, explore the latest technological advancements, and bring this new knowledge back to share with my colleagues, ultimately shaping customer solutions.

I also built a fantastic network of VMware employees and peers, which has been invaluable. After the event, I’ve continued to connect with them on LinkedIn and Reddit, following their blogs and exchanging insights.

What am I looking forward to?

I am beyond excited to be attending VMware’s flagship event in Las Vegas! I’m particularly looking forward to Hock Tan’s keynote address and hoping for some major announcements this year, especially around VCF 9!

I’ll be signing up for plenty of technical Deep-Dive sessions – these were my favourites when I attended before. I’m especially keen to hear from true SMEs. I am hoping for talks from Duncan Epping about vSAN, and Frank Denneman about all things AI.

I’m also keeping my figures crossed for some new certification announcements! Last year, VMware introduced the VCP-VCF Architect certification, which I was thrilled to pass within a week of Explore. This year, I’m hoping they’ll announce further developments in the VCF certification track – perhaps even a VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP)?

Last time, Private AI Foundation was a hot topic, and with its General Availability now, I’m expecting even more exciting developments around it.

There’s so much to look forward to, but here’s what else I’m anticipating:

• Learning more about VCF’s enhanced integration with Kubernetes for running cloud-native workloads
• Accessing subject matter experts to discuss current pain points
• Getting the chance to try out brand-new VCF Hands-on Labs at Explore
• Opportunities to earn certifications – especially as there are a limited number of complimentary VCF exam vouchers for those who purchase an Early-Bird ticket!

And of course, I can’t leave out the social side!

I’m really looking forward to the social events, especially the Explore Party! I can’t wait to see who will be performing this year – it’s always one of the highlights of the event and a great way to unwind and network with fellow attendees.

How to get the most out of it?

Preparation is key! Once the content catalogue is released, dive in and start exploring the sessions. Favourite the ones you want to attend so you can quickly access them when booking opens. When the sessions go live for booking, act fast – the most popular ones tend to fill up within minutes.

That said, if there’s a session you really want to attend but it’s already fully booked, don’t worry! You can queue before the session starts, and if there’s space just before it begins, they’ll let people in from the queue. So, get there early to secure a spot near the front and maximise your chances of getting in.

Registration now open – don’t miss out on your Early Bird ticket!

11/05/2025: Updated registration details

Save $200 on your Full Event Pass – the only pass that grants you access to everything at Explore, including a complimentary VCF certification exam voucher.

Early Bird pricing ends on 16th June, so act fast!

To register, be sure to check out the official VMware Explore website.

Calls for Proposal are Open!

Want the opportunity to speak at VMware Explore 2025 in Las Vegas? 🎤 The call for proposals is officially open! This is your chance to share your expertise and insights with the VMware community.

Submit your proposal now at http://vmware.com/explore/us.

11/05/2025: Calls for proposal are now closed. I can’t wait to see what sessions are in the session catalogue on the 17th June!

What if I cannot attend?

Don’t worry – there are still ways to get involved! Keep an eye out for details about the Explore On Tour events in Frankfurt, London, Paris, Mumbai, Sydney, and Tokyo, launching in Fall 2025.

Additionally, after the event, you can check out the content catalogue as many sessions are recorded and made available for viewing.

Hope to See You There!

I’m really looking forward to this year’s VMware Explore in Las Vegas, and I hope to see many of you there! Whether it’s in the sessions, networking events, or the Explore Party, it’s bound to be an amazing experience. Don’t forget to prepare, book early, and get the most out of this fantastic opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with the VMware community.

See you in Las Vegas!