I can’t believe VMworld 2020 is finally here! I have taken my own advice and treated VMworld this year as an online adventure. This post outlines the details for for my VMworld campaign.
All times are in my timezone – Central.
Gathering Places
Gathering places are important when we are in San Francisco (or Vegas), and they are just as important online for VMworld 2020. Here’s where I’ll be hanging out in between sessions and events I’m attending.
vHallway
vHallway is a Discord Server I am hosting. I know I roam a lot at VMworld, and tend to run into folks. I wanted to be sure I’d run into my usual crewe, so I made vHallway.
I’m collecting everything I know about as far as parties and events in a channel called Departure Board. So come in and check the board, say hi to folks, maybe sit a spell between the places you plan to go. Here’s the server invite.
vTrailMap
vTrailMap just came out. It is a great resource to everything VMworld. There are even vTrailMap guides to help you out if this is your 1st time. If you’re feeling lost, this is the map to consult!
Orbital Jigsaw
Another group of folks have created a massive Discord Server called Orbital Jigsaw. They have lots of chat and video channels and guides to help you out. They will be live streaming lots of the sessions here, so make sure you check that out too. Here’s an invite to that server.
Monday, September 28
vBrownBag
Monday is when the vBrownBag sessions that are not in the VMworld 2020 scheduling tool will be played (they are all previously recorded).
My session, on how to build your own online adventure, will be played at 11:15 Central.
Where will this be? All of the sessions are listed on the vBrownBag page. They will also be streaming from that page as well as Twitch. If you follow vBrownbag on Twitch, you can choose to be notified when they go live.
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Tuesday, September 29: VMworld 2020 Kicks Into Gear
Opening Acts
Opening Acts starts at 10:00 central. The entire lineup can be found here. I’m on a panel called Where’s the Hallway Track? They are doing sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, so be sure to check out the lineup.
Where will this be? They are broadcasting to their YouTube channel. Give them a subscribe and turn notifications on so you’ll be alerted when they go live. The VMundground team will also be streaming live to the the Orbital Jigsaw Discord server, and that is the only place they’ll support interaction for folks watching the panels.
I know from past experience that y’all talk [LOUDLY] through the panels when we do them live, so why should the virtual version be any different. 🙂
Keynotes
General Keynotes
The keynotes kick off at 11 AM central. I’m going to listen to the general keynote and then the 5G keynotes that follow.
I’m very interested in hearing how Pat frames the edge and 5g. There are companies already working on the edge, the digital transformation is here. I am very interested to see what the VMware direction will be on this.
I’m not sure where I’m going to watch, but for sure I’ll be tweeting.
Future of the Data Center
Kit Colbert and Pere Monclus are delivering this keynote at 3:30 central (after the main keynotes). It promises to expand on what Pat says in the keynote. I’m attending the Cloud 2030 watch party. We are going to watch the session then have a discussion. Join us!
Jon Legend!
VMworld 2020 has figured out how to have a musical act, and it is Jon Legend! You need to be registered, and register for EZ3356. There are several sessions, I’m registered for the one that starts at 5:30.
I am hoping to watch this on my TV and jam out in my living room! Hoping to hear his new songs.
Virtual Family Sing-Along
I just KNEW Cohesity would come through with a party for VMworld 2020. They are doing a virtual Virtual Family Sing-Along that starts at 7:30. This will be a sing-along with Jonathan Groff (voice of Kristoff and Sven from Disney’s Frozen and King George in the Broadway production of Hamilton) and JD McCrary (voice of Young Simba in The Lion King).
A SING-ALONG WITH JONATHAN GROFF! I’m so excited for this and yes I will be singing! I am hoping he sings this one!
Here’s the registration link.
Wednesday, September 30
Doggies!
Every year there is a place to go pet doggies. Not sure how it is working this year, but I’m signed up to go see the doggies at 2PM. You have to be registered to sign up, it is sponsored by Commvault and the session is EZ3110. I’m so excited to see how they do this for virtual VMworld 2020!
Dell Storage Alumni Breakfast
Every year on the Wednesday at VMworld we have a breakfast. It used to be when we all worked for Dell Storage, now it’s just an annual touch point. It’s not exclusive for Dell Storage Alumni, it’s really just a breakfast!
Join us in vHallway Discord server at 7:30 Central. If you need an reminder, sign up on EventBright (not required).
Yes, I know this looks like I’m double-booked. That’s the beauty of seeing events as a streaming adventure. I think i can do both. 🙂
Sessions
My plan today is to watch sessions. I’m only signed up for one scheduled session: Technical Considerations for Designing Private 5G services[TLC3000].
I will also watch the session I’m speaking in:
Expand Your Sphere of [fill in the blank] with VMUG [ETPD2864S].
This session is on-demand, make sure to search there! I was on a panel with Steve Athanas, Caleb Wells, Jorge Torres, and Claire O’Dwyer. We talked about all the ways the VMUG community connects people, it was a great conversation!
There are several other sessions I want to watch. Right now I’m keeping my options open, but I will probably just watch and live tweet what I’m watching. If that’s not working, maybe I’ll livecast.
We’ll see what happens! Do you have a session you’re excited to see? Are you presenting something cool? Let me know in the comments!
Thursday, October 1
vLadies Nite
The 4th annual vLadies Nite will be virtual! Dinner on Discord starting at 7PM central, then there is limited seating for a Japanese Whiskey Tasting event. We still have some seats available on EventBrite.
Real Talk
VMworld 2020 is definitely going to be weird. But I think it can be fun – especially if you have never had the opportunity in the past to attend.
Do you have your adventure campaign mapped out? Well what are you waiting for! If you have questions, let me know in the comments. If you have suggestions, please leave those too!
Hopefully next year we can do a real cool blended event. How would that look?
