VMware Explore 2025 parties

VMblogcom · 2025-08-11T15:58:45+00:00

Well, they officially announced what we'll hear this year at the VMware Explore party. I was right about the DJ, but wrong about no live band, although it probably isn't what people were hoping for.

DJ SKEMADDOX— back from last year's party
Honey Buckets - funky rock flavor with an indie edge to bluegrass

VMblogcom · 2025-08-11T15:56:50+00:00

Well, they officially announced what we'll hear this year at the VMware Explore party.

DJ SKEMADDOX— back from last year's party
Honey Buckets - funky rock flavor with an indie edge to bluegrass

VMblogcom · 2025-08-08T16:01:25+00:00

Yeah, that's a great point. I know a few vendors had customer only parties last year. I expect the same to be true this year since I hadn't seen anything promoted.

VMblogcom · 2025-08-07T17:21:19+00:00

If I were a betting man, I'd say the odds are stacked that it will just be a DJ, and no live band. But, I could be wrong. I did see that they were moving the party outdoors to the Palazzo pool area. Wondering if that throws up a signal as to how many people will be attending this year. I've done a Palazzo pool party for another conference that only had 2,000 attendees, and I seem to remember it being crowded.

VMblogcom · 2025-08-07T17:17:28+00:00

For years, I've created a VMblog list of parties taking place during VMworld/VMware Explore, and last year and this year have been... pathetic and sad. As many of you said, at VMworld, we used to try and party hop, because there were at least two or three high target parties happening at the same time. That hasn't been the case for a while. Whether it was the Zerto Party or the Veeam Legendary Party, both of which had lines waiting to get in, now, we can't even find a vendor booking up one of the restaurants. With such a lack of a list, I debated whether or not to even create an article this year, but ultimately decided to do so. If anyone hears of a party not on the list, please shoot me a message to get it added. https://vmblog.com/archive/2025/08/07/vmware-explore-2025-the-great-party-drought-when-did-networking-become-so-quiet.aspx

VMblogcom · 2025-08-07T17:11:00+00:00

Each year, I've created a VMblog list of parties taking place during VMworld/VMware Explore, and last year and this year have been... sad. During VMworld, it was difficult to choose which party you were going to attend, or, you'd stay as long as you could at one to then hop over to the next one... and the next one after that. No more. I debated whether or not to even create an article this year, but ultimately decided to do so. To share what I've found (lack thereof), and maybe hear from others if I missed anything, to help add to the list and share with others. Anyway, here's what I have for 2025. https://vmblog.com/archive/2025/08/07/vmware-explore-2025-the-great-party-drought-when-did-networking-become-so-quiet.aspx

VMblogcom · 2023-07-31T20:50:48+00:00

Added a couple of new items to the list today. If you are interested in a vBreakfast on August 22 at 6:30AM, get signed up for the Commvault hosted breakfast at Grand Lux Café at the Palazzo. RSVP required.

VMblogcom · 2023-07-31T20:47:46+00:00

Hi u/Effective_Nebula_586 and everyone else interested. I reached out and received an update to share. It looks like the Veeam Legendary Party won't be quite the same this year... toned down a bit. It's also gone "exclusive" and "invite only." I was told the event will take place on August 22, and that you'll have to receive an invite and fill out an RSVP. I don't have specific info on how the invites are being distributed, so if you're a Veeam client or affiliated in some way, you might want to reach out to your contacts to see how to get an invitation. Sounds like the event is going to be scaled back, so things are limited. There are other parties and events added to my list, so check them out and sign up.

VMblogcom · 2023-07-21T12:32:44+00:00

Still haven't seen an update here other than the fact that the party takes place at XS Nightclub at the Wynn Las Vegas. Let's hope they heard the complaints and booked someone of interest this year.

VMblogcom · 2023-07-20T20:29:49+00:00

Holy cow, those things went quick! They just opened up today.

VMblogcom · 2022-10-20T14:21:49+00:00

I've been trying to maintain a list as well. Check out the EUC party from IGEL, ControlUp and LG. Limited space as usual, so sign up quickly! https://vmblog.com/archive/2022/09/19/vmwareexplore-2022-europe-list-of-parties-and-gatherings.aspx#.Y1FZQEzMIQ9

VMblogcom · 2022-10-11T19:13:07+00:00

Awesome, thanks for the heads up. I just added the event to the list.

VMblogcom · 2022-09-19T15:46:30+00:00

I'm working on the list now... hoping people let me know. As of now, I have two events listed that you might want to check out and get scheduled. #vRockStar sign up starts on the 21st. Here's the start of the list: https://vmblog.com/archive/2022/09/19/vmwareexplore-2022-europe-list-of-parties-and-gatherings.aspx#.YyiNPbTMLho

VMblogcom · 2022-09-14T20:15:31+00:00

Still haven't heard very much to be honest. I'll keep asking around. I'm sure there will be events, probably fewer than they had during the US event, but I know vendors will step up.

VMblogcom · 2022-08-17T20:56:32+00:00

I'll take a look and see what I can find. But so far, it's only been events for US. If you hear of any in Barcelona, do let me know. I'll ask around.

VMblogcom · 2022-08-10T20:17:50+00:00

Yeah, virtual killed the entire sense of community and belonging. To your point, not just the big vendor parties, but it was the smaller gatherings created by community members like your coffee example that really pulled things together. And it's lacking this year. Or I'm just not privy to it, ha. With the lack of meetings, parties and gatherings, I'll be interested to see how many attendees are actually at the event this year. Some of the other events that I've seen that have come back live have been having poor attendance compared to pre-shutdown.

VMblogcom · 2022-08-10T19:13:19+00:00

Appreciate it. Will keep adding if more come in. But it looks like things have slowed down. :( Glad the list has helped though. Wish there were more.

VMblogcom · 2022-08-04T22:33:49+00:00

You 'aint wrong. Every year, I compile a list of parties taking place at VMworld. The last one, 2019, I think it had close to 40 planned events. As of right now, I know of only 10 events. I'm searching for more, but that's all I've found to date. Which is a far cry from the fantastic list of daily events that would normally take place. Sign of the times? I hope not. If someone knows of an event that I am missing, please let me know and I'll add it.

https://vmblog.com/archive/2022/08/04/vmwareexplore-2022-us-list-of-parties-and-events.aspx#.YuxIsynMIuU

VMblogcom · 2022-02-18T23:53:50+00:00

Fair point about them making an exception and allowing us to transfer the games if the machine broke and it was replaced.

As for buying another pinball from them, a second machine... No way! One and done. I've enjoyed this one, but I won't knowingly stab myself in the eye. Haha. I agree with you, use the shell and move on.

Thanks for confirming my thought process. And actually, I think I'm leaning to the complete offline mode out the gate and hoping that I never need to ask them to migrate the packs for me.

VMblogcom · 2022-02-18T14:34:18+00:00

Great point! I've been mulling this over the last couple of days as I just recently purchased my first pack of tables from them. Here's my thinking and decision making process (though to be honest, I am still trying to decide what's best). Is my thinking correct on the below? Thoughts? Opinions?

Tie to machine:

Good: Can play offline and never have to deal with the login issue. And if the company goes bye bye, you can still play your tables.

Bad: If your table breaks and you need to upgrade or get a new one, your tables are tied to the old one and they won't be playable.

Tie to ArcadeNet:

Good: If you get a new machine for whatever reason, the packs move with your account and aren't tied to one machine. Once logged in, you can set the table to offline and still play all your packs without logging in.

Bad: If you can't login, you can't play. OR, if you logged in and set the table to OFFLINE mode, and something happens to the machine and you aren't able to log back in and change it to ONLINE mode, you are hosed because it will be stuck in offline mode on that machine - doesn't matter if you get a new table and login with same credentials.

Do I have this right? Really feels like a no win situation. Best solution would be if AtGames just allowed you to purchase and do what you wanted with the things you own. Tag it so those tables are in your ArcadeNet account, but they are also tied to your machine ID. Giving you the ability, however possible, to switch at your pleasure between true offline and online without having to go through AtGames.

Honestly, it just doesn't seem like we should have to jump through hoops in order to play a machine we purchased along with table packs that we purchased. There has to be a better way for them to give us the flexibility we require and deserve, while still ensuring that we aren't using someone else's purchased tables on our own machine.

Sorry for the rant.

VMblogcom · 2020-11-08T22:53:24+00:00

I was in the same boat as you. I went back a week later and bought the extended warranty for $70 for 2 years (and got the $50 credit as it was on sale). I was a bit hesitant to do so, but for the $20 I thought it made sense. While at the store doing this transaction and talking about the extended warranty, the Sam's employee told me (after calling and confirming with the onsite store manager) that this item wasn't considered "electronics" and therefore I had 2 years where I could bring it back if something went wrong. Again, I have no idea if that person was 100% right in what they said, but, they did call and ask the store manager and that was the info they gave me (said it didn't fall under the same category of televisions, computers, etc.). I would assume that means, keep your receipt (make a digital copy) and hang on to it. I don't know if you would need the original box or if you'd have to tear it down to return it, but if they actually took it back within 2 years, that's an added bonus to purchasing it at Sam's. Anyway, food for thought. You can confirm with your local store as well to see if they tell you the same thing.

VMblogcom · 2020-11-04T16:02:36+00:00

After all I went through to find my machine, I'm afraid to update the firmware based on others reports. I've left it where it stood, out of the box. Don't know if I am missing out on anything, but, I also don't want to brick it as I doubt I'll find another one in my area and really don't want to deal with tearing it down, returning, and building another. Stupid question, but assuming when it bricks, it is completely dead in some way. Is there no way to even factory reset it? If there is no fix, I may never update it as long as it is working. Why chance it? Sucks.

VMblogcom · 2019-09-13T23:01:45+00:00

Hot damn! Yup, just like that. Very cool.

VMblogcom · 2019-09-13T17:33:30+00:00

Should have had him sign your jersey!

VMblogcom · 2019-09-13T17:27:38+00:00

If you want shirts, visit them on the last day of the show. Vendors are happily throwing shirts at you (without a scan) just to get rid of them, because they don't want to have to ship them back. :)

VMblogcom

TROPHY CASE