VMware vExpert 2018

A few weeks later than planned, yesterday was the day many of us were waiting for. vExpert 2018 announcements were due. We had a sneak peak of the application process and it was clear the standards were being rigorously evaluated. Everyone seems in agreement 2018 has been the hardest year yet to make the grade

So after the delay and a frustrating day watching my inbox last night the news I was waiting for finally arrived.

For those that aren’t familiar with the programme;

Program Overview

The VMware vExpert program is VMware’s global evangelism and advocacy program. The program is designed to put VMware’s marketing resources towards your advocacy efforts. Promotion of your articles, exposure at our global events, co-op advertising, traffic analysis, and early access to beta programs and VMware’s roadmap. The awards are for individuals, not companies, and last for one year. Employees of both customers and partners can receive the awards. In the application, we consider various community activities from the previous year as well as the current year’s (only for 2nd half applications) activities in determining who gets awards. We look to see that not only were you active but are still active in the path you chose to apply for.

Not alone

This year was my 3rd consecutive year in the vExpert programme. If anything i would say i was more excited by yesterday’s announcement than my first year. However as alluded to above i wasn’t the only one waiting for the announcement. All of the leaders of the Scotland VMUG leaders  are delighted to be returning vExpert’s. Sandy for his 8th consecutive year, but more so than that… As far as we can tell there were another 5 Scottish VMUG members rewarded for their evangelism.

There are ~1600 vExperts globally , and 9 of them are here in Scotland. If anything i looked at yesterday’s announcement as validation for something i already knew. The community here in Scotland is STRONG. I’ve been banging this drum for a couple of years now but i’m immensely proud of the core community we’re developing here and think it’s going from strength to strength. There are some really smart people involved; but more importantly than that there are some really kind, conscientious, approachable folks trying to give something back. There’s a lot of folk who get it, the more we put into the community the more we all get back.

Who’s In

All current global vExpert’s can be found in the directory, including contact details https://vexpert.vmware.com/directory .

The Scottish vExperts currently are

Chris Storrie
James Cruickshank
Sandy Bryce
Iain Balmer
Ian Noble
Colin Westwater
Aidan Thomson
Craig Dalrymple
Brian Gerrard

I think it’s safe to assume there’s going to be some content from 9 newly minted vExperts at the Scottish VMUG this year, after all they’ve status to defend and justify.