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
Plus, the city itself was vibrant, welcoming, and full of history and entertainment, making our stay even more enjoyable.
I returned home energized, motivated, and loaded with great ideas and insights.
Thanks to everyone who made this experience unforgettable. Until next time, keep connecting and growing! Cheers!