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The first edition of VMUG Connect in St. Louis brought together hundreds of IT professionals and VMware ecosystem leaders in an experience that was much more than a technical conference.
With the energy of a significant milestone, VMUG Connect 2025 established itself as the new pillar for the global VMware user community. From April 23 to 25, professionals, vExperts, and partners gathered for an event that combined training, certification, networking, and an unusual dose of closeness with executives from Broadcom, VMware’s new owner.
Over three days, attendees not only accessed top-tier technical content—including sessions on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0, ransomware security, NSX Firewall, and new minimalist deployment models for VCF—but also enjoyed an atmosphere of community rarely seen at corporate conferences.
Learning, Certifications, and Career Boosts
One of the event’s major attractions was the opportunity to take VCP certification exams for free for Advantage members, courtesy of Broadcom. Many attendees took the chance to validate their knowledge in real-world environments and earn a professional credential at the event.
The conference also offered professional development spaces with sessions like “How to Speak in Public”, “How to Be a Tech Influencer”, and “Sharing Knowledge to Boost Your Career”, reflecting VMUG’s commitment to going beyond technical content.
A Closer Format: Direct Talks with Executives and Experts
One of the most valued moments was the “Fireside Chat” between Chris McCain and Hock Tan, CEO of Broadcom, who answered live questions from attendees about VMware’s future following the acquisition. Tan’s presence was seen as a clear sign of Broadcom’s support for the VMUG community.
Highlighted sessions included “PreConnect,” where attendees could interact face-to-face with Broadcom experts, and the new “Expert Exchange” format, designed to foster technical debate and the sharing of real experiences.
Beyond the Sessions: Community and Lasting Connections
Attendees agreed on one thing: the strength of the event lay in its community. From the morning “vRun” to informal gatherings on the hotel rooftop or at local breweries, VMUG Connect became a space to reconnect with old colleagues, meet new faces, and share success stories (and learning moments).
Representatives from over 50 countries attended, adding a multicultural dimension to the event. As one German participant wrote in their personal account: “It’s incredible how easy it is to connect with someone who shares your passion for technology, even if they come from the other side of the world.”
VMUG Connect Was Not Just Technology; It Was Experience
The venue in St. Louis also contributed to the experience. Visits to the iconic Gateway Arch, the City Museum, and the Anheuser-Busch Biergarten, along with a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Brewers, made this event more than just a technical conference: it was a personal and professional journey.
As one attendee stated at the end of the event: “VMUG Connect was a reminder of why we started this. Not just for the products, but for the people, the learning, and the connections that drive us every day.”
What’s Next?
Following the overwhelming success of this first edition, VMUG plans to repeat the Connect format in more regions. Meanwhile, local chapters are already organizing their upcoming meetings with the renewed momentum from this event. As many have shared on LinkedIn and X: “See you at the next VMUG Connect.”
References: VMUG, Daniel Goes Outside | VMUG Connect 2025, Justin Sider, Invoke-Automation | VMUG Connect 2025 Four Takeaways, Daniel Krieger, SDN-Warrior | VMUG Connect Blog, Follow the comments on X/Twitter and Check out the LinkedIn conversation.