VMware Expore 2023 was the best Conference that I ever attended!

You may be wondering why the headline says “VMware Explore 2023 was the best Conference that I ever attended!”. Here are my reasons.

• I got to meet some of my co-workers in person and shake their hand and thank them personally for all their help and support. So many people helped me get to where I am in my career and it was good for me to personally thank them.

• I was the Team Captain of a Hackathon Team that won 2nd place. The Hackathon Team was a great group of people that I will now call my friends for the rest of my life. During the Hackathon I did 1:1 presentations to Alan Renouf, Chris Wolf and other great Hackathon Judges. While doing the 1:1 to Alan, William Lam was also at my table to discuss the Teams project.

  • Hackathon Team:
    • Tina Krogull
    • Wes Milliron
    • Viviana Miranda
    • Madison Welsch
    • Edgar Sanchez
    • Dale Hassinger

• I did my first live presentation in the VMware {code} Theater. The session was full with friends, co-workers, customers and other conference attendees. The feedback after my presentation was great with many people wanting more information and follow-ups. The topic was of interest to a lot of people.

• There were many sessions with new VMware product announcements that are very exciting. Go view the recorded session videos on the VMware Explore Web Site.

• Attending VMware Explore as an employee for the first time was a much different experience than when I was customer. I had a feeling of pride for being part of such a great company and culture.

Favorite PICs from VMware Explore 2023.

My Presentation in the VMware {code} Theater:

My Presentation in the VMware {code} Theater:

At the Hackathon:

At the Hackathon with Alan Renouf and William Lam:

Hackathon 2nd place trophy. Won by the Team that I was the Captain:

Hackathon participants and Judges:

Hackathon Team Member Ed Sanchez:

Hackathon Team Member Viviana Miranda:

Christopher Kusek: Friend, Mentor, Team Member:

Christopher Kusek: Doing an awesome presentation:

Christopher Kusek (L) and Iwan ’e1’ Rahabok (R) | Both part of the Aria Family and friends:

Cosmin Trif (L) Christopher Kusek (C) and Ron Singler (R) | Members of my Team, Friends, Mentors:

Ariel Sanchez (L) Christina Griffus (R) | (2) of the Best TAMs and Mentors you will ever meet:

left to right: Ariel Sanchez, Greg Bates, Dale Hassinger, Ed Sanchez, Admin Willie | All friends from the vCommunity:

Ariel Sanchez Packing the house during his session:

Healthcare SE Breakfast group | Marjorie Abdelkrime, Cory Lyons, Jeff Pardi, Dan Mitchell, Dale Hassinger | Another great group of co-workers:

Whiskey that I shared with Ariel Sanchez. Small token of my appreciation for everything he has done for me in my career:

Amanda Blevins (l) Ariel Sanchez (c) Viviana Miranda (r) | All great people and members of the VMware family:

Nathan Bennett | We met on the socials and did a podcast together:

VMware Aria Operations Dashboard used at Hands On Labs:

Hackathon Team:

VMware {code} Theater Session:

Video of the Presentation at VMware Explore 2023.

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