This was my first VMworld as an employee. My new role gave me a unique perspective to the conference. Having attended every previous conference as a VMware customer has given me knowledge and experience I can pass on to my customers so they can get the most out of the conference.
Consequently, I walked through the Solutions Exchange but didn't spend as much time there as I normally do. I attended a whopping one break-out session, and all of the general sessions. Why? Because I spent most of my time with my customers - assisting them in some form or shape. I also spent a lot of time at TAM Customer Central. What is TCC you ask? It's a top secret location we reserve for VMware TAM customers where we provide special break-out sessions not available to VMworld attendees, receptions and meeting rooms among other things.
The theme this year was NO LIMITS. Here is some cool desktop wallpaper for you:
And here is the Moscone all dressed up:
We were asked to provide pics of us with our customers for use as a collage at VMworld to be displayed at various times such as just before and after the general sessions. Here's the pic I sent in with "Mr. Corvette" Jarod and his red sports car that made us mini-celebrities for the week:
Another one of those TAM customer benefits is the Hands-on Labs VIP tour. This gives select customers a behind-the-scenes look at HOL operations and how the whole thing is managed. Check out these stats:
Its interesting that the NSX lab remained the most popular lab during the entire conference - indicates a lot of interest by our customers. And, consequently I think, this product continues to gain momentum in the marketplace.
And pics of how we used Log Insight and vCOps to monitor the environment via custom dashboards:
Why yes Johnny, everything is better with bacon:
And a pic from the Alumni Elite pre-party party - the pic I was waiting for as it was taken by someone else's camera - which wouldn't be complete without a shot with the big guy (me=literally, Mr. Gelsinger=figuratively):
I found a "Meet the Experts" area hidden (not really) on the third floor of Moscone West. If you have any technical or strategic product questions, these are the guys to ask and anyone can sign-up. I highly recommend this resource if we offer it again in 2015.
Here's to seeing you there next year (he says with bacon in one hand, bourbon in the other)!