Each year there are two opportunities to apply for the vExpert program. Today is the second chance to apply for the program for 2020 for anyone who missed out first time around.
What is the vExpert Program?
As a reminder, the vExpert program is VMware’s global evangelism and advocacy program. It is designed to recognise those individuals (not companies) who promote and evangelise VMware’s products and brand. VMware has is fortunate to have a very strong community; individuals who are willing to share information and support their peers which is what this program is all about.
What are the benefits?
There are a number of benefits directed towards those awarded vExpert status. I’ll call out some of the main ones but the fact is the value of these benefits is a very personal thing. For some, software licenses might be the best perk while for others it may simply be the recognition for their contributions towards the community or perhaps a stepping stone towards a different role (whether formally or informally). Certainly it is a differentiator, and for me the validation that I’m channeling my efforts towards something useful is really worthwhile.
- Invite to the vExpert private #Slack channel
- 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 NFRs.
- 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.
- 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.
How do I become a vExpert?
There are different tracks to become a vExpert. Customer, partner, evangelist or VCDX (who get the award automatically should they choose to apply). For customers and partners, the individuals may be VMware ‘champions’ within their retrospective organisations and potentially have multiple VMware certifications. The evangelist route is for individuals who have a personal public profile and this is the necessary route for VMware employees (who aren’t VCDX’s).
Essentially you will need to demonstrate how you have added value or contributed to the community. That could be speaking at an event, creating content (blogs, videos etc.), social media activities or other forums (such as the VMware Technology Network) – it could be all of them, one of them or something else but the key thing is contributing in some way. It does not have to have been presenting at VMworld and authoring a best selling technical book.
Personally, my starting point was answering questions on VMTN where there are a lot of folks starting out on their journey’s with vSphere, vRA, vROps or anything else. It’s easy for those of us who have been doing this for a while to forget how daunting it was when we started out and I can remember using VMTN a lot in those days. I also started this blog as a means to share stuff that I was hitting in my day job (sharing exam experiences, study resources etc. again something that helped me in the past) and also being active on Twitter. It’s something that has evolved over time. I’m pretty sure I’m not the most active blogger or Twitter user in the world but fortunately my efforts have been deemed to be of some value! It’s easy for us to look at others and think we don’t meet that bar or play down our own contributions but I’d strongly encourage anyone who’s unsure to give it a shot.
Applications will be open from June 1st, 2020 to July 19th, 2020 and the awards will be announced on July 17th. Good luck!
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