Each year technology vendors put on an industry show to showcase the very best of their products. Vendor conferences can be an amazing experience for industry pros and newcomers alike. Big name vendors like VMware, Dell, and Cisco put on shows that can draw thousands of attendees each year. Some shows have a rock show feel while others can feel like a carnival at times. With so many good vendor conferences to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one to attend, especially since most conference passes are fairly pricey.
Top Vendor Conferences to Attend
Here is a list of what I believe are the best vendor conferences to attend. If I leave out your favorite, leave a comment below and let us know which conference you love.
1. VMware Explore
For anyone involved in managing a virtual infrastructure, VMware Explore (formerly VMworld) is the one vendor conference that you don’t want to miss! With so many conference options available, VMware’s annual event stands out in the crowd. VMware Explore 2023 had an attendance of around 10,000 in-person participants. At VMware Explore, you can spend an entire day in the Hands-on-Labs Hall testing the latest and greatest the SDDC vendor has to offer. Along with the Hands-on-Labs, there are several learning tracks to choose from with many technical sessions and breakout sessions to attend throughout the week. Here is a list of the technical tracks you can choose from:
- Hybrid Cloud
- Multi-Cloud
- Modern Apps
- Networking Security
- Digital Workspace
- Emerging Trends
Wednesday night at VMware Explore means the VMware Party is in full swing. Past party acts have included Train, Imagine Dragons, Bon Jovi, The Killers, and many more. Throughout the day you can participate in breakout sessions led by VMware experts, as well as other sessions based on a technology or feature that interests you. There is so much to do at VMware Explore, it is hard to cram it all in 4 days, but if you plan it right, it is an absolute blast.
2. Cisco Live!
It makes sense that the worldwide leader in networking would host a world-class technology conference each year. Cisco Systems hosts their annual conference, Cisco Live! in Las Vegas each May. Cisco Live! 2023 welcomed approximately 20,000 attendees in-person, with almost one million tuning in via the live-streamed digital event. Here is a look at some of the technology tracks you can follow at Cisco Live!
– Security
– Internet of Things
– Data center
– Collaboration
– Cloud
– Certification
Along with all of the technical sessions and mindshare going on at Cisco Live! there is plenty of time to play too. Each Wednesday night there is a Cisco Live! Celebration which has included live music from the likes of Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, Aerosmith, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons, and Sam Hunt.
3. Dell Technologies World
One of the biggest technology conferences in the world, Dell Technologies World, has become a can’t-miss destination for administrators and engineers alike. There are several companies that fall under the Dell Technologies umbrella, including Dell, DellEMC, VMware, Pivotal, RSA, Virtustream, and SecureWorks. With so many different technologies under one roof, it is easy to see how this has become one of the biggest vendor conferences in the world. Dell Technologies World 2023 saw around 8,000 attendees. There are so many different tracks to follow at Dell Technologies World, it can be hard to choose one or even a few. Here is a list of the tracks available at the conference:
- Technology Track – Learn practical skills and steps to solve your unique technical challenges and maximize your IT investment. This track covers a broad range of topics at all levels of technical competency to help you drive better business outcomes.
*For IT practitioners, managers, administrators, and architects. - IT Leadership in the Multi-Cloud Era – Realize industry insights, macro-trends, and prevailing strategies you need to succeed as a digital business. Get the technical and business insights you need to navigate your Digital Transformation.
*For IT decision-makers, directors, senior architects, executives, and consultants. - Emerging Technology Track- Learn about trends and technologies that are reshaping our world including AI and Machine Learning. Gain a practical understanding of where and how to apply these technologies to your digital journey.
*For attendees of all roles and competencies. - Within each of those tracks, there are multiple breakout sessions and other technical sessions to get you up to speed on different technologies and/or methods within the technology stack. Along with all of the learning and networking, there is also an epic entertainment lineup. In the past, Dell Technologies World’s entertainment lineup has included Sting, David Blaine, Duran Duran, Gwen Stefani, Weezer, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Alabama Shakes, and Imagine Dragons.
Find the Right Conference for You
There are so many good vendor conferences held every year, this is just a small collection of the conferences that are big hits among attendees. Other conferences such as Nutanix Next, VeeamON, Commvault GO, and others are also of high quality and have garnered good reviews. What conferences have you attended or that I’ve left off this list that should be added? It helps for others to share their experiences and which conferences are good or bad. These vendor conferences can be great experiences; however, they can be expensive, running upwards of $2500 or more for a full conference pass. Do your research and find a conference that fits your budget and interests.
