VirtualMystery.info is in!! I received the vExpert 2022 award!!
First of all ...yaayyy!!! It took a while for the excitement of receiving this award to sink in!
I started working on virtualization technologies about 3 years back. At that time, I had made it a point to go through the top VMware blogs regularly in order to gain knowledge and skills in this technology. That is also the reason why I had setup my homelab and started this blog. It was while going through these blogs that I also came to know about the vExpert program, and I wanted to be a part of this amazing community. Why you would ask? Well, it is because the program offers the following cool benefits:
Network with over 2,000 other vExperts
Opportunity to apply for 8 Official VMware Business Unit lead vExpert sub programs.
Invite to our private vExpert #Slack channel
Opportunity to apply for 10 product BU led vExpert sub-programs
vExpert certificate signed by our VMware CEO
Permission to use the vExpert logo on cards, website, etc. for one year
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)
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
That is a lot!!
So what is the VMware vExpert program? well:
According to the vExpert website:
"The VMware vExpert program is VMware's global evangelism and advocacy program. The program is designed to put VMware's marketing resources towards your advocacy efforts. Promotion of your articles, exposure at our global events, co-op advertising, traffic analysis, and early access to beta programs and VMware's roadmap. The awards are for individuals, not companies, and last for one year. Employees of both customers and partners can receive the awards. In the application, we consider various community activities from the previous year as well as the current year's (only for 2nd half applications) activities in determining who gets awards. We look to see that not only were you active but are still active in the path you chose to apply for."
How do we get into the program?
The vExpert program recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the VMware community over the course of an entire year. It is for IT Professionals who are sharing their VMware knowledge and contributing that back to the community. The term "giving back" is defined as going above and beyond your day job. There are several ways to share your knowledge and engage with the community. Some of those activities are blogging, book authoring, magazine articles, , active in Facebook groups, forum (VMTN as well as other non VMware) platforms, public speaking, VMUG leadership, videos and so on.
When and how do we apply?
The process to apply is easy, twice per calendar year applications open for a period of 30 days. Applications open for each calendar year in November / December and results are announced in February. The applications open again in June with an August announcement. Every vExpert, VCDX as well as any new applicants must apply at least once per year. Visit https://vexpert.vmware.com/ for more information on this.
I am extremely thankful to the VMware vExperts' community for considering me in this amazing community.
Reference: https://vexpert.vmware.com/