Awarded VMware vExpert 2021 < ProVirtualzone

It is official, I have been awarded VMware vExpert 2021 for the 6th year in a row.

Since I start applying for this vExpert program, I have been award every year. I could and should apply before 2016m but I dint and today I know was a mistake. I should apply to this awesome community program earlier.

What I have gained personally and professionally from this program, is too much and I for sure changed my life in IT.

Just to highlight again what is to be a vExpert and the official benefits. Because the non-official benefits are more but more than this list.

Benefits of being a vExpert

Here’s is a list of some of the benefits when receiving the award.

Networking with 2,000 vExperts / Information Sharing
Knowledge Expansion on VMware & Partner Technology
Opportunity to apply for vExpert BU Lead Subprograms (see below)
Possible Job Opportunities
Direct Access to VMware Business Units via Subprograms
Blog Traffic Boost through Advocacy, @vExpert, @VMware, VMware Launch & Announcement Campaigns
1 Year VMware Licenses for Home Labs for almost all Products & Some Partner Products
Private VMware & VMware Partner Sessions
Gifts from VMware and VMware Partners
vExpert Celebration Parties at both VMworld US and VMworld Europe with VMware CEO, Pat Gelsinger
VMware Advocacy Platform Invite (share your content to thousands of vExperts & VMware employees who amplify your content via their social channels)
Private Slack Channels for vExpert and the BU Lead Subprograms

Which Path Should you Apply for?

Evangelist Path
The Evangelist Path includes book authors, bloggers, tool builders, public speakers, VMTN contributors, and other IT professionals who share their knowledge and passion with others with the leverage of a personal public platform to reach many people. Employees of VMware can also apply via the Evangelist path. A VMware employee reference is recommended if your activities weren’t all in public.

Customer Path
The Customer Path is for leaders who evangelize VMware. We are looking for passionate customers who do the work to evangelize within their organization or worked with VMware to build success stories, act as customer references, given public interviews, spoken at conferences, or were VMUG leaders. The actives must not be related to your position within the company, i.e. not being paid for evangelizing VMware. A VMware employee reference is recommended if your activities weren’t all in public.

Partner Path
The VPN Path is for employees of our partner companies who lead with passion and by example, who are committed to continuous learning through accreditations and certifications and to making their technical knowledge and expertise available to many. This can take shape of event participation, video, IP generation, as well as public speaking engagements.

VMUG & VCDX

If you are an active VMUG Leader or hold the title of VCDX you will qualify for the vExpert award. VMUG leaders are verified through the VCDX directory. VMUG leader titles and activities are also verified and you must be an active leader in your chapter. Inactive VMUG leaders will not qualify for the award. To apply via VMUG or VCDX, please use the evangelist path and state you are a VCDX or VMUG leader and which chapter. All VCDX applicants will be verified via vcdx.vmware.com.

To apply you need to enter vexpert.vmware.com and apply. If it is for the first time, you need to create an account and then you can apply. If you need any help with your application you can always contact a vExpert PRO. They will assist you with how to apply and explain the best way to apply.

I would like to finish to congratulate everyone that was awarded the vExpert 2021 and give a big welcome to the newcomers.

If you did not apply, or you are not on the list of the 2100 vExpert, you can apply again in the vExpert 2021 second half application that should be open around June/July.

Personally, I will apply to some vExpert subprograms that should be open in the next weeks (like NSX, or vExpert Cloud Management).

My vExpert page: https://vexpert.vmware.com/directory/281
My VMware forum page: https://communities.vmware.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/62524 (I am not very active here).

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