VMworld Las Vegas is just around the corner. For some of you it might be the first time you are going to visit this event in Las Vegas. In my opinion there are some things I would have loved to know before I have been there for the first time.
So let’s don’t lose time and start:
- Spend your time wisely. As it’s always been in life, it is important to find a good balance. At VMworld it is important to find a good balance between scheduled appointments (sessions, meetings, etc.) and ‘time-to-discover’. The sessions are great, but remember. They are getting recorded. Pick those session with the real hot topics for yourself; pick those session that have a level of interactivity or expert level. It is always great to ask the questions and interact after the particular session.
- The best sessions are full at an early stage -> Schedule those sessions early.
- VMworld is much more than just sessions. It’s about meeting people that are also as geeky as you are. Don’t hesitate to talk to the people around you. How to meet them? Join twitter and look for the #VMworld hashtag; Join the VMware code channel on Slack; Go to the #VMworld hackaton. How to participate? Register in the schedule builder and go to the hackathon site to join a team.
- Check out the VMware community booth and hang out at the blogger table :-). If you meet me, I am looking forward to any kind of chat.
- Plan the evening. Checkout Andreas Lesslhumers fantastic collection of parties and gatherings during VMworld US.
- Bring a bottle you can fill up with water. One thing I hate during VMworld US is the fact that there is a lack of drinking water. The prices around the convention center are ridiculous -> Bring larger bottle to fill it up once you find a water dispenser.
- Wear comfort shoes ;-) You will walk a lot – no matter if you spend the nights in the Mandalay or Luxor.
- If you walk from the Luxor to the Mandalay Bay in the morning and need a quick coffee. There is a Starbucks just around the corner before entering the shoppes between both Hotels.
- A good place to meet other fellows in the afternoon or evening is the Eyecandy in the middle of the Mandalay Bay. This is always a good gathering point ;-).
- Bring a warm pullover or jacket for the sessions. Even though we have pretty high and humid temperature in Las Vegas they conference rooms will be frozen down close to zero degrees celsius :P.
- Leave as much work at home as possible. Going to VMworld is also some kind of invest. To get the maximum benefit out of it try to spend as much time as possible to extend your knowledge and network. –> Bringing to much work to VMworld will definitely decrease the ROI ;P
Follow me on Twitter and try to reach out for me during VMworld. I will participate in a EUC/VDI Session with fantastic experts on Monday at 1PM. Check out and schedule our ‘ EUC Champions Panel: Everything You Were Afraid to Ask About VDI [WIN3530PU]’ .
You want to see how it has been last year? Check out my video…