Just got back from VMUG Connect 2025 in Saint Louis, and what an incredible experience it was! From the moment I landed, the energy was buzzing, and kicking off the event at the pre-connect gathering in a Budweiser brewery set the perfect casual tone to network and catch up with friends and peers from around the globe.

The keynotes were truly inspiring. Pablos Holman, the hacker, inventor, and investor, delivered a fascinating talk about innovation, challenging us to rethink possibilities.

Meanwhile, Frank Denneman’s keynote on AI’s evolving role in technology had me scribbling down notes like crazy—exciting stuff ahead!

My favorite session had to be the PowerCLI Deep Dive. As someone who loves scripting and automation, it was packed with practical insights that I can’t wait to implement back at work.

Other standout sessions included:

The Art of Public Speaking
Technical Deep Dive into VCF Integration
Building Private Cloud with VCF
Simple Kubernetes
VMware Cloud Foundation – Edge
Hands-on Labs featuring VMware Live Recovery, Kubernetes, and NSX Networking
Corey Romero’s Jedi-level tips on how to become a vExpert

One session that particularly resonated with me was the HomeLab workshop. Being passionate about HomeLabs, this session provided fantastic ideas and tips on building efficient, powerful, and cost-effective lab environments at home. The discussions around hardware choices, networking setups, and virtualization best practices were incredibly valuable and left me inspired to upgrade and refine my own setup.

I also attended the big session with Weiguo He, “A Look Inside the Future of VMware Cloud Foundation“, which offered exciting insights into upcoming developments.

Exploring the vendor hall was another highlight. Interacting directly with solution providers offered valuable face-to-face discussions, giving insights into some great tools that I’ll definitely look into integrating into my workflow.

The event wrapped up with a fantastic fireside chat featuring Hock Tan and Chris McCain, offering thoughtful insights and discussions on the future direction of VMware.

One personal highlight was passing my VCP-VCF Administration exam during the event—what better way to celebrate than surrounded by the vibrant VMUG community?

Already looking forward to our VMUGCZ event on May 29… Stay tuned!

MyVMUG #VMUGConnect2025 #TechCommunity

I recently had the fantastic opportunity to travel from the Czech Republic to Saint Louis, USA, for the 2025 VMUG Leader Summit. As a proud Czech Republic VMUG Leader, this journey was particularly exciting for me—filled with long flights, amazing people, and tons of great insights.

My trip began in Prague, with stopovers in Amsterdam and Minneapolis before finally landing in Saint Louis. Traveling halfway across the globe was an adventure itself, and despite the long hours, the excitement of attending the Summit made it more than worth it.

The Summit was held at the Hilton at the Ballpark, right in the heart of Saint Louis, which made it convenient to explore and attend the planned events. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this was going to be a special experience. VMUG had everything meticulously organized—from airport transportation (thanks to handy Uber vouchers) to welcoming receptions at iconic local spot like the Cardinals Stadium.

The two days of the event were packed with insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and interactive workshops. The Workshops were highlights for me, providing practical ideas and tools that I’m excited to implement back home. It was incredibly inspiring to see VMUG leaders from six continents sharing their experiences, challenges, and visions for the future.

A standout part of the Summit was reconnecting with old friends and making new ones from all over the world. The community spirit was genuinely heartwarming. It reminded me once again why I’m passionate about VMUG—it’s more than just technology; it’s about the people and the impact we create together.

Another exciting part of the Summit was celebrating the outstanding achievements of our peers at the VMUG Service Awards. Congratulations again to all the winners:

Stephen Wagner (Calgary VMUG)- President’s Award
Alejandro Padilla (Ecuador VMUG)- President’s Award
Jens Klasen (Kaiserslautern VMUG)- Innovation in Leadership Award
Sweta Sharma (Bangalore VMUG)- Innovation in Leadership Award
Pedro Acosta (Myrtle Beach/Charlotte/Columbia VMUG)- Collaboration Excellence Award
Barcelona VMUG– Collaboration Excellence Award
Galicia VMUG- Collaboration Excellence Award
Vali Cyber- Partnership Award
Franky Barragan– Outstanding VMware Support Award
Joe Graziano (Philidelphia VMUG)- Newcomer Award