This time next week VMworld 2017 will be kicking off with the Sunday evening Welcome Reception among other sponsor and community events and for me, it will mark my fifth VMworld since 2012 having only missed the 2013 event. It’s become an annual pilgrimage to the west coast of the US so much so that my wife locks in the dates at the beginning of every year. It just so happens that Father’s Day in Australia is the Sunday after VMworld and it’s also around the time of my wedding anniversary…so if anything, VMworld reminds to take time out from the event and pick up that year’s anniversary gift.

Having been lucky enough to attend five out of the last six VMworld’s it has almost become automatic that I am at the event, and it could be easy for me to take VMworld for granted. I am very mindful of the fact that while the event is starting to loose a little bit of it’s perceived shine in certain circles it’s still the #1 Information Technology Industry Ecosystem event of the year and with that it’s still the must attend event for IT professionals, customers, partners and vendors alike.

I am also mindful of the fact that even after attending so many VMworld’s to not waste the opportunity that presents it’s self as an attendee. If I think back to my first VMworld in 2012, I still remember being somewhat timid and reluctant to participate in not much more than the sessions and official parties however the one thing I did do was observe how others where using the event to their advantage. While there is brilliant technology to be uncovered and lots of learning to be done, those that have been do VMworld before come to understand that networking is a primary benefit of attending and the networking should be milked for all it’s worth!

Someone told me while at VMworld 2014 that “you never know who is interviewing you”. This is very true and should be something that first timers and regulars understand and use to their advantage as a mechanism for potential career advancement…there is no better event to rub shoulders with industry peers, community leaders a tech rockstars. With that you should always be aware of your surroundings and not to waste any opportunity the may present it’s self. I’m not saying that you will get a new role just by attending and seeking out conversation..but what I am saying is to constantly be on your game!

Even for those, like me that have been lucky enough to attend multiple VMworld’s it’s easy to fly in and just go with the flow. Easy to not appreciate what it means to be there and easy to turn it into a week long drinking event. So my closing message is for everyone attending VMworld this year, be it your 10th or you 1st is to make sure you maximize everything that VMworld has to offer. Take advantage of the opportunity to not only get exposure to new technologies and products but also to network and realize the value that being at such an event offers. You never know when this VMworld could be your last…

Don’t take it for granted!

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