My first EMC World

This year’s EMC World is going to be my first and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been working as a customer with EMC’s products the past 6 years and our whole storage infrastructure is built on top of their products. I got the ok to go already last year but the due date of my second child was too close so I decided not to go.

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been browsing trough the conference schedule and trying to figure out what sessions to attend. There is lots and lots of good breakout sessions but the four days seems not to be enough. I always book my breakout session schedule too tight and end up not spending enough time at the exhibition and meetups. You can watch the recorded break out sessions later, but you can’t meet all the people later. So I decided to spend more time socializing and networking than I have in the past conferences.

Breakout Sessions

There will be over 500 breakout sessions available and here are some that I’m definitely interested in:

EMC Unisphere Analyzer – Hands-on Workshop

VNXe System Architecture

SQL Server on VMware – Architecting for Performance

vLabs

There will also be a 200 seat virtualized hands on vLab where you can get familiar with several EMC’s products including the new VNX and VNXe product lines. There is a group of EMC employees that have been working hard to make this happen. Big thanks to them already. I know I’m going to be spending fair amount of time in one of those 200 seats. I’m also keen to see Nicholas Weaver’s vLab stats which he’s been teasing about on Twitter this week. This guy can create some cool stuff.

Bloggers lounge

If you are a blogger and attending EMC World you need to check out the Bloggers Lounge. It is the place to meet other bloggers and maybe also do a quick post on your blog. Some bloggers that have been there for a long time might not consider me as a real blogger with my whopping 4 blog posts. But you need to start somewhere right? As a beginner I have lots of questions to other bloggers. I’m also interested to talk to the other newbie bloggers and share thoughts.

Spousetivities

Traveling with the family or spouse? Spousetivities is what you need to get your spouse involved with. Spousetivities organizes fun activities and happenings for spouses around the conference city. It was created by Scott Lowe’s wife Crystal after attending several technology conferences as a spouse and found herself bored while Scott was attending the conferences. I wish I knew about this when I travelled to VMworld -08 and -09 with my family. There are also some good deals for all EMC World attendees on Spousetivities site, so check it out.

vStogies

Apparently this meetup has taken place in the past VMworlds without my knowledge. I like good cigars and I’m not going to miss this one. Good cigars and tech talk sounds good. Follow #vStogies on Twitter for the time and place. I’ve heard there is a good cigar place in Ceasars Palace.

vBeers and storagebeers

Another good meetup organized by Bas Raayman. It is all going to be about good food, drinks and tech talk and socializing. I bet it is going to be good night!

Chad’s World

Chad’s World will be live on Wednesday night before the party and there will also be a happy hour. Wonder if they are serving “frosty cold Canadian adult beverages” there. I’ve been watching Chad’s World episodes and to be honest those are funny but also have really informative content. Getting customers involved in something like that is really awesome. Wade and Chad you rock!

Hopefully I’ll see you in EMC World. It is always nice to meet new people and share thoughts. I’m looking forward to sharing experiences about EMC products, VMware, disaster recovery and anything IT related.