VMUG Connect
Built for Better Technologists
We know VMware is only part of your job. You’re also running Kubernetes platforms, securing hybrid environments, standing up AI infrastructure, and keeping it all working together.
That’s why every VMUG Connect in 2027 is built around the three areas members told us they need the most help with: infrastructure and operations, security, and AI and modern workloads.
Bring your toughest questions. VMUG Connect is where you’ll get them answered.
2027 LOCATIONS
March 31 - April 1, 2027
Amsterdam
RAI Amsterdam
September 22-23, 2027
Orlando
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Theme Park Resorts
October 20-21, 2027
Denver
Renaissance Denver Hotel and Convention Center
What's A Better Technologist?
A Better Technologist isn’t defined by a single platform. It’s someone who understands how the whole environment fits together, from the virtualization layer to the Kubernetes clusters, security stack, and AI workloads running on top of it.
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See the whole stack. Go beyond a single platform to understand how infrastructure, security, and AI work together
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Keep learning. Build the skills you’ll need next, not just the ones you need today.
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Grow together. Learn from peers, share what you know, and move your career forward with the community.
That’s who VMUG Connect is built for. Every session, lab, and conversation is designed to help you grow across the full stack, alongside a community of practitioners who are doing the same work you are.
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VCF architecture, upgrades, and design patterns
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vSphere and vSAN capabilities
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Networking with NSX and VPC
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Automation and operational management
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Storage modernization
- vDefend and distributed firewalling
- Advanced Cyber Compliance
- Hypervisor hardening and threat detection
- SSL/TLS and encryption management
- Load balancing and application security (AVI)
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Private AI Foundation and GPU infrastructure
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AI assistants and Copilot Studio
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LLM runtimes and inference
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ML engineering best practices
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Intel Xeon AI accelerators
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VCF operations and automation labs
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Security labs (vDefend, network segmentation)
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vSphere and storage labs
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Kubernetes and VKS labs
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GPU/Private AI code labs
People Love this Event
"VMware Connect is smaller than VMware Explore while still having top-notch content from VMware employees and access to talk to them."
Brandon S.
"It’s one of the only events where you can walk out with answers you can implement the next day."
Eric K.
"Finally, a conference for technical admins, not sales pitches."
VMUG Connect Attendee
"Everything I picked up here – architecture discussions, security insights, real-world deployment stories – is going to directly feed into my work."
Allen J.
"VMUG Connect is absolutely worth the investment. One conversation here can save you weeks of research or troubleshooting."
Justin S.
"VMUG Connect continues to be one of the more relevant gatherings for anyone working with VMware technologies. Conversations stayed grounded in real-world experience."
Christian M.
"I was able to check out major updates related to VCF and NSX, and above all, network with global IT professionals."
VMUG Connect Attendee
"Where else do you get this much technical depth for this price? VMUG Connect is the best ROI in the industry."
Rizwan K.
"VMUG Connect isn’t a sales pitch, it’s the community running the show. Real people, real problems, real solutions."
Brenda E.
Click + Drag To Explore
YOUR NEXT STEP TO BECOMING A BETTER TECHNOLOGIST
Passes Start at $99 in the US and €225 in Amsterdam
Every event runs Wednesday through Thursday: arrive and check in Tuesday evening, dive into a full day of content on Wednesday, then wrap up Thursday with closing sessions and on-site certification before heading home.
€ 375
Regular Pass
Amsterdam
Get full event access March 31–April 1 to deepen your technical knowledge, connect with peers, and bring practical ideas back to your team.
€ 225
One-Day Pass
Amsterdam
Attend Wednesday, March 31, or Thursday, April 1, for a full day of sessions to help you in your daily work.
$ 240
Full Pass
Orlando & Denver
Get full event access Wednesday and Thursday, from technical sessions to conversations that help you tackle your next challenge.
$ 700
All-In Pass
Orlando & Denver
Make the most of VMUG Connect with full event access and a two-night hotel stay included.
Built for simplifying approvals, get your hotel and ticket all in one purchase.
$ 99-150
Single-Day Pass
Orlando & Denver
Built for busy schedules, enjoy one day of content on Wednesday for $150 or Thursday for $99.
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.
Reach out to the VMUG Team for teams greater than 5.
TEAM OF 3 - $2,000
Bring three of your team members for just $2,000 with all-in-pricing, hotel stays included.
TEAM OF 4 - $2,500
Bring four of your team members for just $2,500 with all-in-pricing, hotel stays included.
TEAM OF 5 - $3,000
Bring five of your team members for just $3,000 with all-in-pricing, hotel stays included.
Become a VMUG Connect Speaker
We want real stories, hard-won lessons, and honest takes, not polished sales pitches.
Your experience with VCF is welcome, and so are stories about everything you run alongside it: hybrid and multi-cloud architectures, Kubernetes platforms, AI stacks, and the tools that hold modern infrastructure together.
YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VMUG Connect?
VMUG Connect is a multi-day powerhouse event designed to help IT professionals become Better Technologists. It brings practitioners together for deep learning, meaningful networking, and hands-on exploration of the technologies they work with every day, from VMware and virtualization to AI, security, cloud, automation, and modern infrastructure.
Expect keynote presentations from industry leaders, exclusive networking experiences, product demos, tailored learning tracks, and immersive experiences that go far beyond a traditional conference. Whatever your environment looks like, you’ll leave with skills and connections you can put to work right away.
When and where are VMUG Connects in 2027?
In 2027, VMUG Connect will be hosted in Amsterdam (March 31 - April 1), Orlando (September 22-23), and Denver (October 20-21). Each event runs Wednesday through Thursday. Check out all the locations here.
What is the event schedule?
Each city brings its own lineup of sessions, with a consistent schedule across all events. Full agendas will be announced for each location. In the meantime, use the schedule below to plan your trip.*
Wednesday
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7:30 AM | Registration Opens
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9:00 AM | Opening Keynote
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10:45 AM | Sessions Start
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6:00 PM | Networking Reception
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Certifications available 10:45 AM-5:00 PM.
Thursday
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8:00 AM | Registration Opens
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9:00 AM | Sessions Start
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3:00 PM | Closing Keynote
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Certifications available 9:00 AM-3:45 PM.
*Exact times are subject to change.
Who should attend a VMUG Connect event?
VMUG Connect is built for IT professionals at every stage of their career and across every part of the stack. Whether you’re an administrator just starting out, a platform engineer working across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, or an IT executive driving strategic business outcomes, you’ll find sessions and networking opportunities designed to meet your needs. With personalized content tracks, hands-on workshops, and peer connections, VMUG Connect ensures every attendee walks away with actionable insights, broader skills, and stronger professional relationships.
What types of sessions will be offered?
VMUG Connect offers a rich mix of learning formats and topics to match every learning style, including:
- Inspiring keynote presentations from technology and industry leaders
- Technical breakout sessions spanning VMware, AI, security, cloud, automation, and modern infrastructure
- Hands-on labs to test-drive new technologies in real time
- Workshops and certifications for skill building and career growth
- Panel discussions featuring experts and practitioners sharing real-world insights from the environments they manage every day
What ticket options are available?
Ticket prices vary based on location and pass type. Exclusive discounts will be available to group purchases. See pricing above for full details.
How can I become a sponsor?
VMUG Connect offers premier sponsorship opportunities for organizations looking to connect with IT leaders and practitioners across technologies. Reach out to the VMUG Sales Team for details on packages, visibility options, and how to get involved.
