I haven’t been to Las Vegas in quite a while. The last time I walked down the Strip, vSphere 8 wasn’t even announced, Broadcom had yet to finalize any big acquisition, and VMware Explore was still called VMworld (and there was an event like #vSoccer & #vDodgeball that demonstrated my lack of fitness).
So I went down the registration road & here we are
I’m back.
Flight booked – ✅.
Explore pass – ✅.
Hotel sorted – ✅.
I’ve always loved this event. Not just for the technology, but for the atmosphere. The community vibe. The conversations you don’t find in slide decks. The random reunions with people you’ve only seen on Zoom over the past years. It’s the energy that makes Explore what it is. And if i look at my linekdIn Poll still 33% of my network will come to the US.
What’s new this year? Besides a whole new range of tech topics and announcements, VMware Explore 2025 introduces a more flexible event structure. For the first time, you can choose between three different types of passes depending on how deep you want to dive into the content—or how much you just want to connect with others.
The Full Event Pass gives you the classic, all-in experience: breakout sessions, Hands-on Labs, access to the general session, the party, the Hub, the exam voucher , and yes, the infamous backpack [if somebody wants it – drop me a message :)]. It’s what most of us are used to from past years—and still the best choice if you’re coming for both knowledge and community.
The Essentials Pass is a lighter version of that. You’ll still get to queue for sessions onsite, hear from leadership in the general session, and meet vendors and peers in the Hub. It’s a focused, flexible way to attend – especially if you want to avoid being overscheduled.
Then there’s the Meetings+ Pass, which actually had me thinking. It’s clearly geared toward business networking: access to the Meeting Center, the Hub, partner areas, and sponsored sessions. I’m a big fan of the face-to-face format, and this pass supports exactly that .So yes, I briefly considered going the Meetings+ route. If you know me, you know I enjoy meeting folks from across the ecosystem,partners, customers, tech friends. Building those connections is a huge part of what Explore is about for me.
But then I checked the session catalog.
And there it was: deep dives on VMware Cloud Foundation 9. New architecture models. Operations and automation changes. A real shift in how we approach private cloud.
My technical heart kicked in.
I’ve always been hands-on. I want to get my information straight from the engineers and field experts who built it. I want to sit in the front row and ask the awkward architecture questions. I want to come home with practical insights I can use in customer projects the next day.
So yes I went for the Full Event Pass.
Not just for the VCF content (though that was the tipping point), but because I still enjoy getting certified on-site, wandering through the Hands-on Labs, soaking in unexpected product updates, and of course: joining the party. Let’s not kid ourselves—Explore without the party just isn’t the same.
So here we are. I’m heading back to Vegas.
I’ll post my session list in a follow-up. There’s a good mix of technical VCF sessions, architecture content, and a few that dive into where the whole Broadcom + VMware story is headed from a partner perspective.
If you’re attending, let’s grab a drink. Or coffee. Or food. Or meet in a breakout. Or just say hi while crossing The Hub. You know how it is—random encounters often lead to the best ideas.
Btw. we are also organizing a Poker event – And if you want to see why I am one of worst Poker players in the world…. join us :)
https://go.comdivision.com/en/comdivision-poker-vegas2025
Looking forward to connecting, learning, sharing and yes, maybe dancing a bit too :D.
Let’s make this one count.
See you in Vegas.