VMware vExpert 2017

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The news has finally sunk in - I am a VMware vExpert 2017!

Up until a couple of years ago I consumed a lot of content. I used blog content at work, KB articles, scripts, asking for help on forums, attending VMUG’s, etc. It was at a Scottish VMUG where they asked for people to step up and talk that the penny dropped. Time to give back!

So in November 2015, absolutely crapping myself, I presented a session at the VMUG on a virtualisation project I had completed at work. Looking back I relied way too much reading the slides instead of talking about what I wanted to get across. It was such a relief at the end but kind of an adrenaline rush too.

After some reflection I decided I needed to give back. As I have said in other posts my first love is VMware technologies, so I decided to focus on that. This involved me blogging, participating in forums, twitter, contributing ideas and hosting sessions at the Scottish VMUG, and sharing scripts I used at work. I was doing this as it felt right. It’s only fair you give back if you take.

At the last VMUG I was talking to someone and it turned out they were a vExpert. I had heard of the scheme but never really looked into it. We talked and he recommended I apply so here I am!

From the vExpert page here are some of the benefits:

  • Invite to our private #Slack channel
  • vExpert certificate signed by our CEO Pat Gelsinger.
  • Private forums on communities.vmware.com.
  • Permission to use the vExpert logo on cards, website, etc for one year
  • Access to a private directory for networking, etc.
  • Exclusive gifts from various VMware partners.
  • Private webinars with VMware partners as well as NFR’s.
  • Access to private betas (subject to admission by beta teams).
  • 365-day eval licenses for most products for home lab / cloud providers.
  • Private pre-launch briefings via our blogger briefing pre-VMworld (subject to admission by product teams)
  • Blogger early access program for vSphere and some other products.
  • Opportunity to receive a free blogger pass to VMworld US or VMworld Europe (limited to 50 for US and 35 for EU).
  • Featured in a public vExpert online directory.
  • Access to vetted VMware & Virtualization content for your social channels.
  • Yearly vExpert parties at both VMworld US and VMworld Europe events.
  • Identification as a vExpert at both VMworld US and VMworld EU.

To be honest I didn’t do it for the freebies or gifts - I’ve done it to give back to the community and being a vExpert may mean I reach a wider audience and help more people.

Thanks for the award VMware!

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