Get ready for VMware Explore Las Vegas, August 31 – September 3, 2026. We’ve put together an exceptional lineup of VCF Edge sessions at VMware Explore Las Vegas designed to deliver immediate, real-world value.
Today, edge computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer afterthoughts; they are the critical twin pillars of modern enterprise IT. As data generation at the edge accelerates, combining robust edge infrastructure with intelligent AI workloads is essential for driving real-time automation and autonomous decision-making. To help you navigate this fast-moving landscape, we’ve built a strong lineup of breakout sessions designed to deliver immediate, real-world value you can put to work right away. Explore our curated guide below to discover the top VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Edge sessions, and start scheduling them in the content catalog today.
Key VMware Cloud Foundation at the Edge Breakout Sessions
AI at the Edge: Running Inference and Agentic Workflows with VCF Edge
CLOB1272LV | Monday, Aug 31 | 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM PDT
Industries adopting agentic workflows to automate edge operations require reliable, scalable AI infrastructure with standardized orchestration for production deployment. This session addresses three critical edge AI constraints:
- Sub-10ms inference latency for closed-loop control systems
- Local sensor processing to eliminate network backhaul
- Data residency compliance in regulated environments
We examine the VCF Edge AI stack: vGPU resource partitioning strategies, vLLM runtime automation for model deployment and versioning, and access controls for AI governance. Attendees learn reference architectures for deploying high-availability computer vision pipelines and agentic workflows across distributed edge fleets with centralized management.
Deploy with Confidence: Tactical and Government Edge Architectures
CLOB1831LV | Monday, Aug 31 | 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM PDT
Government agencies operate across a vast spectrum, from connected enterprise campuses to austere tactical edges with severe power, space, and staffing constraints. Choosing the right architecture requires balancing workloads with strict operational realities. In this session, experts break down deployment models within VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Edge.
From single-node, remote deployments to multi-host configurations at major agency sites, we provide a practical framework to map mission requirements to the right architecture. What you will learn:
- How to evaluate connectivity, footprint, and compliance across VCF Edge models
- Best practices for matching traditional VMs and containerized workloads to the right deployment scale
- How architectural consistency simplifies Day 2 operations and scaling
VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS) at the Edge: Production Design and Architecture Best Practices
CLOB1146LV | Tuesday, September 1 | 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM PDT
Deploying Kubernetes at the edge introduces unique challenges: resource sizing; scaling to a large number of locations; limited bandwidth; high latency; and managing connectivity loss. This session explores best practices for designing and deploying VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS) on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) to support production edge workloads. Attendees will learn how to architect small-footprint clusters, design connectivity between central and edge locations, and enable resilient operations in low/no-connectivity scenarios.
We will cover GitOps-driven deployment using Argo CD, local image management with Harbor, and strategies for maintaining consistency across distributed sites. You will leave with a framework to deploy and operate modern workloads at the edge with confidence, ensuring scalability, reliability, and operational simplicity.
VMware Cloud Foundation Edge 9.1: A Purpose-Built Platform for the Distributed Edge
CLOB1175LV | Tuesday, September 1 | 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM PDT
The edge is the new frontier of the modern private cloud, but managing distributed sites with zero local IT staff presents massive operational challenges. This session introduces the latest innovations in VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Edge 9.1, a lightweight architecture with options for the unique demands of retail, manufacturing, and defense. New capabilities streamline rollout of infrastructure and slash deployment times for workloads.
We will explore how new Live Patching capabilities help eliminate downtime and how the platform secures distributed environments through confidential computing. Whether you are scaling edge AI workloads or navigating strict HIPAA and PCI compliance, you will walk away with a blueprint for a self-healing, automated infrastructure that thrives where traditional data centers cannot.
Living on the Edge: What’s New with VCF Edge
CLOB1260LV | Wednesday, Sept 2 | 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM PDT
We saved the big picture for Wednesday. This session brings together expert analysis on Edge Compute Trends from industry analyst David Linthicum as well as a detailed look at the latest innovations delivered in VCF Edge 9.1.
In this session, you’ll get an assessment of the key drivers of distributed edge infrastructure and how AI is reshaping the convergence of IT and OT. Through customer case studies, this session will also highlight the key use cases and benefits of extending private cloud beyond the confines of the data center. Whether you are still building a business case internally, or planning to scale your edge compute infrastructure globally, this is a must-attend session.
Don’t Miss Us on the Show Floor
Stop by the VCF booth for a demo on “Deliver Scalable Autonomous Edge Architectures.” Our team will be running demos throughout the show, and it’s the best place ask product questions directly, and dig into use cases specific to your environment.
Start Planning Now
This year’s event brings together the technology and expertise you need to take AI beyond the traditional data center. Whether you’re building your edge AI roadmap, deploying intelligence directly at remote sites, or learning how to process workloads closer to where data is generated, VMware Explore in Las Vegas is the place to be.
We’re heading to Explore with alot of momentum behind VCF Edge, and we want you to be part of the conversation. Here’s a quick orientation based on where you’re focused:
- Building an edge AI roadmap? Start Monday morning with CLOB1272LV.
- Navigating government or mission-critical and tactical edge deployments? Join CLOB1831LV on Monday morning.
- Modernizing Kubernetes skills at the edge? Block Tuesday morning for CLOB1146LV.
- Scaling distributed operations or reducing site visits? Make the VCF Edge 9.1 deep dive (CLOB1175LV) your anchor session on Tuesday afternoon.
- Looking for big-picture strategy and real-world customer insights? Catch Living on the Edge (CLOB1260LV) on Wednesday morning.
Learn more:
VMware Cloud Foundation Edge Solution Brief
IDC Whitepaper: Modernizing the Distributed Frontier with VMware Cloud Foundation Edge
Discover more from VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Blog
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