Another VMworld here and gone, blink and you might have missed it with it being a all virtual event again this year. I previously wrote that I wasn’t excited at all for this event based on my experience from last year. I did have higher expectations for this event compared to last year as this time around VMware has had a whole year to prepare for it and some experience from last years event. However overall it seemed to me even more disappointing an event compared to last year and it seemed like VMware put the bare minimum in to execute it perhaps based on they felt they won’t have to do this again after this year as they transition back to physical events.
Overall the event felt like giant webinar and not like an organized event. Their was nothing really to guide you through the event, their was a main page with some links and that was about it. The general session keynote felt like a big low energy infomercial, nothing like the exciting keynotes of past events. The breakout sessions were a mix of on-demand and live Zoom calls, they were OK but again you didn’t feel like you were part of the session at all. The Solutions Exchange was largely worthless, I know you can’t replicate an on-site event but they could of done much more to make it a better experience for both vendors and attendees.
Thankfully this will be the last year as a virtual event, according to VMware next years event will be largely on-site. Here’s their official statement on that:
[important]We are making plans to return to an in-person event in San Francisco, August 30 – September 1, 2022 and Barcelona, November 7-10, 2022. We are currently evaluating opportunities for a hybrid model, offering some elements of content in a virtual form, but expect the major program components and opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors to be in an in-person format. We will share more information as it becomes available.[/important]
I can’t wait until things are back to normal as I really miss the whole VMworld experience which was like the Super Bowl for VMware geeks. For next years event it will have been 3 years since I have seen old friends and I’m hoping next years event will be a special one for all of us.
