My Journey Into the VMware vExpert Community

A couple of years ago, I had no idea what a “vExpert” was.

Like many people working in an organization using VMware technologies, my focus was mainly on my daily tasks, designing, implementing, and operating data center solutions. I was deep into the technical work and didn’t think much beyond my own projects.

That changed in 2022, when I attended VMware Explore in Barcelona.

While walking through the expo area, I noticed a stand with a big sign saying vExpert. Curious, I stopped by and started talking to the people there. I asked a simple question:

“What is vExpert?”

Their answer stuck with me:

A strong global community
Highly skilled and passionate people
Knowledge sharing across blogs, sessions, and discussions
A place where contribution matters more than titles

That conversation planted a seed.

POSTED 22.01.2026

Why the vExpert Community Caught My Interest

What really appealed to me was the community aspect.

When I commit to something, I do it fully. For me, that means:

Being active in the community
Helping others where I can
Learning from people who are more experienced than me
Attending sessions, webinars and community events

The idea of a global group of people doing exactly that felt like a perfect match. At the same time, it became very clear that the vExpert program is not about certifications, job titles, or sales numbers.

It is about sharing knowledge. That is still the first thing I mention whenever someone asks me what the vExpert program really is.

Collaboration and Learning Through the Community

One of the biggest benefits for me has been access to the vExpert community channels, especially Discord.

Through these channels I’ve been able to:

Ask technical questions
Share ideas and opinions
Get feedback on blog content
Learn from other people’s real-world experiences

That feedback has helped me significantly improve both my technical understanding and the quality of the content I share with the community. And this is just one part of the program.

vExpert Program Benefits

Some of the key benefits include:

One year complimentary VMUG Advantage subscription
3-year VCF or VVF license for home lab use
(requires passing VCP-VCF or VCP-VVF)
50% discount on VMware exams
Networking with over 1,300+ vExperts across 70+ countries
Opportunity to apply for vExpert sub-programs tied to VMware business units
Access to private vExpert communication channels
Permission to use the vExpert logo on websites, blogs, and profiles
Private technical deep-dive webinars with VMware and partners
Access to private betas (subject to approval)
Pre-launch product briefings before VMware Explore
Listing in the official public vExpert Directory
Access to curated VMware and virtualization content through Broadcom Advocacy
Invitation to the Community Leadership Reception at VMware Explore U.S.

Your name is also listed in the official vExpert Directory, which is frequently referenced by organizations looking for VMware expertise. Adding vExpert to your LinkedIn profile is another great way to showcase both your technical skills and your community contributions.

I also want to highlight how much attending VMware Explore as a vExpert enhances the overall experience. I had attended VMware Explore three times before becoming a vExpert, but the first event I joined as a vExpert felt completely different in the best possible way.

Being able to meet the community face to face, connect with other vExperts, and openly share real-world challenges and solutions added a whole new dimension to the conference. Conversations that might normally happen online suddenly continued in hallways, sessions, and late-night discussions.

It transformed VMware Explore from being “just a conference” into a true community experience.

How Can You Become a vExpert?

When I started researching the program, I discovered there are several paths to qualify:

Customer
Enterprise influencer
Evangelist
Partner
VCDX
VMTN Moderator, Other Forum Moderator
VMUG Leader, Co-Leader, Steering Committee

There is no single “correct” path.

My path: Evangelism

My way into the program was through blogging, writing technical articles, sharing lessons learned, and documenting real-world experiences.

How I Started Blogging

I didn’t start with a perfect plan. I was completely new to blogging and had no idea where to begin. Questions kept popping up:

Where should I host my website? Which platform should I choose? What solution actually makes sense for a beginner?

There are countless ways to start a blog, and that can feel overwhelming at first. I began by watching YouTube videos and reading reviews, and eventually I came across a platform called Hostinger. It looked simple and beginner-friendly, which was exactly what I needed as a first-time blogger. Instead of overthinking everything, I chose a solution that allowed me to get started quickly and that turned out to be the most important step.

Start simple

Write about the challenges you encounter, how you solved them, and the scripts or solutions that help you in your day-to-day work.

If you struggled with something yourself, chances are others will too and that’s exactly what makes it worth writing about.

Keep notes

One of the best habits I developed was keeping a running note of my work:

Errors I encountered
Fixes that worked
Design decisions
Lessons learned

Over time, those notes naturally turned into blog posts.

Blogging taught me how to:

Structure technical explanations
Improve clarity
Share knowledge in a reusable way
Reflect on what I actually learned

Community Leadership Matters

Another important part of the program is the incredible community leadership. The vExpert program is led by Corey Romero, who has built and grown the community over many years. Through the program, there are frequent opportunities to:

Learn directly from VMware product teams
Join deep technical sessions
Participate in community-driven initiatives

Final Thoughts

The VMware vExpert program isn’t just about recognition.

It’s about:

Community
Collaboration
Knowledge sharing
Continuous learning

If you’re already contributing through blogging, mentoring, speaking, or helping others in the community, I strongly encourage you to apply.

And if you’re not contributing yet, this could be the perfect motivation to get started.

I also want to share some good news: the application deadline has been extended. You now have until 02.02.2026 to submit your vExpert application.

I hope many of you decide to apply!

👉 Apply here: https://vexpert.vmware.com

Conclusion

The VMware vExpert program is more than a title, it’s a global community built on passion, curiosity, and sharing. If you enjoy helping others, learning new things, and being part of something bigger than your day-to-day job, then vExpert might be exactly what you’re looking for.