VMUG Connect

Now Bigger Than Ever

VMUG Connect is expanding! In 2026, we’re delivering more of what you love: deeper technical dives, richer discussions, and powerful in-person connections to five locations. This is where progress is powered by community, and where VMware professionals around the globe come together to drive what’s next.

LOCATIONS

March 17-19, 2026

Toronto

Hilton Toronto/ Markham Suites

June 9-11, 2026

Orlando

Caribe Royale Orlando

"It was packed with valuable insights at an affordable price. I can’t wait to keep coming back to future VMUG Connects. I got more out of this event than most other conferences!"

VMUG Connect Attendee

"I had direct access to Broadcom on-site at VMUG Connect – they were very accessible and willing to have a conversation and help problem-solve."

VMUG Connect Attendee

"I was able to check out major updates related to VCF and NSX, and above all, networking with global users using VMware. VMUG Connect was a great opportunity to gain a lot of insights."

VMUG Connect Attendee

"I met with several consulting partners at VMUG Connect, who I have now turned into new business!"

VMUG Connect Partner

"VMUG Connect was a great size, and I was still able to get top-notch content from VMware employees!"

VMUG Connect Attendee

"The sessions are great, but it’s the conversations between them - at lunch, in the hallway at the social - that really stick with you."

Wil Gonzalez

"If you're looking to stay ahead, VMUG Connect is your roadmap - real insights by real customers."

Marc Crowford

"VMUG Connect is your chance to ask the hard questions, share what you know, and walk away with real-world solutions."

Brenda Emerson
VMUG President

4 Dynamic Content Tracks

Create a curated journey exclusively at VMUG Connect by mixing and matching our custom content tracks.

Build Better. Optimize Smarter

Take a deep dive into the technical side of VMware. Explore how you’re building, deploying, and optimizing solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Hear wins, lessons learned, and best practices that you can apply to your own environments.

Real Stories. Real Impact.

See innovation come to life through real-world problem-solving. These sessions showcase the projects, integrations, and collaborations that made a measurable difference, whether that’s improving performance, driving automation, or modernizing infrastructure.

Grow. Adapt. Lead.

Go beyond the tools and platforms to focus on you, the technologist, and the evolving tech landscape around you. Explore what it means to lead and grow in a multi-cloud world, where adaptability, innovation, and connection fuel success. Sessions span leadership, career development, and modern cloud strategy, helping you stay ahead in a fast-moving industry.

Lab It. Learn It. Live It.

Roll up your sleeves and dive into VMware Hands-on Labs designed for curious minds. These sessions are all about experimenting, testing, and learning by doing, guided by experts who live and breathe VMware technology.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Each event location is packed with exciting content you won't want to miss.

Plus, VMUG Advantage Members enjoy the VIP experience

Free on-site VMware certification, exclusive content, custom swag, and a host of other Advantage-only perks!

Panel Discussions

Industry experts take on current trends, real IT challenges and the future of the tech landscape.

Product Demos

Get a first-hand look at the latest innovations in tech with new product/solution walk-throughs.

VMware Certification Exams

Get certified on-site with direct Broadcom support through 1:1 prep sessions and expert guidance, then celebrate your success with your team!

Real Talk

Career advice and connections rooted in your industry; You’ll love these IT focused professional development sessions geared to help you achieve whatever is next in your career.

Social Events

Build real connections through a series of unique networking experiences that you’ll only find at VMUG Connect.

Hands-On Labs

Take the latest technology for a spin. Platform experts will provide guided walk-throughs and answer questions in real-time.

Q&A Sessions

Engage directly with speakers and experts getting quick answers to your most pressing questions.

Swag, Giveaways & More!

The event is bigger and so are the prizes. Whether you’re grabbing the latest VMUG swag or winning big, there’s a surprise in store at every turn at VMUG Connect.

Click + Drag To Explore

Tickets Range from $250-$630

Options vary by location, length of stay, and membership status.
Check each event’s registration page to find the pricing option that’s right for you.

$ 450

VMUG Connect Advantage VIP Pass

As a VMUG Advantage member, you get VIP access at VMUG Connect!

You get exclusive access to:

Free on-site certification exams
Custom swag
Exclusive content
And so much more!

$ 639

VMUG Connect Pass + Upgrade to Advantage VIP

Bundle your event pass with a VMUG Advantage membership to get the ultimate VIP experience!

You get exclusive access to:

Annual VMUG Advantage Membership
Free on-site certification exams
Custom swag
Exclusive content
And so much more!

Learn More About Advantage

$ 599

VMUG Connect Pass

Early Bird Pricing Available Now!

Grab your early bird ticket today and save $100!

EARLY BIRD CUT OFF DATES
Amsterdam: February 15, 2026
Minneapolis: March 2, 2026
Toronto: April 6, 2026
Dallas: May 4, 2026
Orlando: September 7, 2026

You get to experience:

40+ sessions
Exciting keynotes
Networking opportunities
And more!

The More Team Members You Bring, the Greater You Save!

Discounts are available for full VMUG Connect passes and are automatically applied when you purchase multiple tickets.

Want to become a VMUG Connect Speaker?

We're looking for dynamic content across our VMUG Connect locations. If you or someone you know is interested, let us know!

YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VMUG Connect?

VMUG Connect is the next evolution of the VMUG event experience. It’s a paid, multi-day powerhouse event designed to bring IT professionals together for deep learning, meaningful networking, and hands-on exploration of the latest VMware and partner technologies. Expect keynote presentations from industry leaders, exclusive networking experiences, product demos, tailored learning tracks, and immersive experiences that go far beyond a traditional conference. VMUG Connect takes the community-driven spirit of VMUG and elevates it to the next level.

When and where are VMUG Connects in 2026?

In 2026, VMUG Connects will be hosted in Amsterdam, Minneapolis, Toronto, Dallas, and Orlando to make it easier for VMUG members everywhere to participate. Check out all the locations and register here.

Who should attend a VMUG Connect event?

VMUG Connect is built for IT professionals at every stage of their career. Whether you’re an administrator just starting out, a platform engineer deep in technical solutions, or an IT executive driving strategic business outcomes, you’ll find sessions and networking opportunities designed to meet your needs. With personalized content tracks, on-site certifications, workshops, and peer connections, VMUG Connect ensures every attendee walks away with actionable insights and stronger professional relationships.

Do VMUG Connects replace UserCons?

Yes, VMUG Connect will be the only in-person event model offered in 2026. Members have told us they want more time together to dive deeper into technology and build stronger connections. VMUG Connect delivers that by offering multi-day programming, customizable agendas, and an elevated experience that combines the best of UserCons with even more opportunities for technical deep dives, networking, and career development. Learn more about the evolution of the VMUG event model in this announcement video.

What types of sessions will be offered?

VMUG Connect offers a rich mix of learning formats to match every learning style, including:

Inspiring keynote presentations from VMware and industry leaders

Technical breakout sessions on the latest VMware innovations

Hands-on labs to test-drive new technologies in real time

Workshops and certifications for skill building

Panel discussions featuring experts and practitioners sharing real-world insights

Is there a cost to attend?

Yes, VMUG Connect is a paid event. Ticket prices will vary based on location, length of stay, and membership status. Exclusive discounts will be available to VMUG Advantage members. Please visit the event registration pages for full pricing details.

Can you help me discuss VMUG Connect with my management team?

Absolutely. We have created editable letters to your boss for General Member tickets and Advantage tickets for you to use!

How can I become a sponsor?

VMUG Connect offers premier sponsorship opportunities for organizations looking to connect with VMware users and IT leaders. To learn more, download our sponsorship one-pager or reach out to acoker@vmug.com for details on packages, visibility options, and how to get involved.

Now Bigger Than Ever

LOCATIONS

Amsterdam

Minneapolis

Toronto

Dallas

Orlando

4 Dynamic Content Tracks

WHAT TO EXPECT