Let’s be honest—while the leadership and breakout sessions at VMware Explore are fantastic, some of the best conversations happen in the hallways, at the vendor booths, and over drinks with fellow practitioners who’ve been in the trenches with you. That’s why we’re doubling down on community this year.
Whether you’re a longtime VMUG member, a developer looking to geek out at the VMware {code} Hackathon, or someone who just wants to connect with other IT folks, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s your unofficial guide to all the community happenings at VMware Explore 2025 in Las Vegas.
Heading to #VMwareExplore this year? From the VMUG Member Reception to the VMware {code} Hackathon—Here's your unofficial guide to all the community happenings at this year's event. Share on X
VMUG: Where the “Real Talk” Happens
If you’ve never been to a VMware User Group (VMUG) event, you’re missing out on some of the most authentic conversations in the VMware ecosystem. These folks have been the heartbeat of the community for years, and once again, they’re bringing their A-game to Vegas.
Not a member yet? Learn more about VMUG and exclusive member perks.
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VMUG Booth #105
New this year, VMUG will have a dedicated booth in the expanded space within The Hub. Stop by to meet other members from around the globe and interact with VMUG leaders. Find your community and practice your swing at the Pub-Putt with VMUG, a mini golf course offering cold drinks and plenty of fun. Plus, swag and giveaways—because who doesn’t love free stuff?
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Top 2025 VMUG Session: Tales from Broadcom Customers in 2025
As an official sponsor, VMUG also has dedicated content to help you stay on top of current events and what’s trending in IT. Their session is a can’t miss!
Join the VMUG team for a discussion that blends customer experience, technical strategy, and community insights. Presented by VMUG Vice President, Matt Heldstab, and VMUG President, Brenda Emerson, this session highlights how VMUG supports users throughout their VMware portfolio journey—and what navigating the Broadcom transition really looks like.
Learn more about VMUG at VMware Explore
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VMUG Member Reception
Tuesday, August 26, 6:30 – 8:30 PM PDT | Wakuda | RSVP Required
Looking for a little evening fun? Join the VMUG Member Reception on Tuesday evening at Wakuda, inside of The Venetian. VMUG members will get to mix and mingle with the community while enjoying complimentary refreshments in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. Whether you’re a vExpert, part of the Champions program, or just a regular attendee, you’re invited to sign-up for VMUG and join this special event. Register for the VMUG Member Reception to become a VMUG member and get added to the entry list. Come for the people, leave with the insights. Please note—space is limited and once we reach capacity there will be a line to gain access, we encourage you to arrive early!
VMware {code}: For the Developers and Automation Enthusiasts
VMware {code} is a vibrant developer and IT professional community focused on driving technology innovation forward. The community serves as a collaborative platform where members can access essential development resources including tools, SDKs, APIs, and sample code snippets.
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VMware {code} Hackathon
Monday, August 25, 7:00 – 11:00 PM PDT | Level 2 Venetian Ballroom C
The VMware {code} community is hosting their annual Hackathon event as part of VMware Explore in Las Vegas. The lead up to this event runs from July through August, culminating with live presentations and judging on Monday evening, August 25, at the event.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Timeline: July – August development period, with final presentations on August 25 at VMware Explore
- Focus: Automation projects for datacenters, including tools, enhancements, scripts, and GUIs
- Teams: 1 – 10 participants per team, with multiple teams already forming
- Prizes: Winners receive recognition and all participants get exclusive VMware {code} Hackathon t-shirts
Want to participate? Developers can register online to either create their own team or join existing ones. The event encourages both seasoned automation experts and newcomers to collaborate on innovative datacenter automation solutions. Teams have months to develop their projects before presenting live demos during the judging period (10:00 – 11:30 PM PDT on August 25).
The Hackathon represents a unique opportunity for the VMware {code} community to showcase their technical skills while networking with fellow automation enthusiasts at one of Broadcom’s flagship events.
Learn more about this year’s Hackathon and find a team here
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VMware {code} Labs
Led by Eric Nielsen, the {code} Labs will run three hands-on sessions per day in the Hands-on Labs area, adjacent to The Hub, during Explore in Las Vegas. These labs focus on real-world scenarios, like running VCF 9.0 on small home-lab hardware (including mini PCs and Raspberry Pi 5s), with PowerShell automation and exposure to the new VCF 9 API interfaces. They can last for up to two hours, so plan for time accordingly and prepare yourself for some game-changing learning. Advance your skill set, advance your career.
vExperts: Broadcom’s Global Influencer Program
The vExperts program awards individuals for their contributions to the VMware Software Ecosystem and they can’t wait to meet up in-person at VMware Explore. vExperts create content and share peer-to-peer knowledge in a multitude of ways, thus creating a powerhouse for community. Earning the vExpert award means you’ve demonstrated a strong commitment to sharing knowledge and contributing to the VMware ecosystem, and have been recognized by your peers for these contributions. There are many advantages to becoming a vExpert, and once you do, you are instantly connected to a vast network of over 1,200 members. Get to know the vExpert program while at Explore.
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vExpert Blogger Meetup at Explore
Monday, August 25, 1:00 – 2:30 PM PDT | Level 2 The Hub, Communities Lounge
At VMware Explore in Las Vegas, vExpert bloggers will kick off the event week at the Communities Lounge inside of The Hub on day one, August 25, from 1:00 – 2:30 PM PDT. Get to know Corey Romero, the VMware Blogger & vExpert Program Manager, and meet the VMware Explore Official Bloggers, in real life. This meetup will be the perfect place to meet and network with other bloggers, and is going to be ripe for growing your professional community. If you’re not already, come on by and learn how to become an official vExpert blogger yourself for VMware Explore next year.
VMTN Moderators Meetup at Explore
Monday, August 25, 2:45 – 3:30 PM PDT | Level 2 The Hub, Communities Lounge
Right after the vExpert meetup, join us for a special meeting with VMware Community Forum Moderators—long-time leaders who’ve helped shape VMTN for over 20 years. They’ll share how the communities have evolved, what being a moderator means, and why VMware Communities remain a unique and powerful force. Curious about becoming a moderator or learning how to contribute? Stop by and connect with the people who’ve helped build it all.
Broadcom Rewards Program: Connect, Contribute, and Collect the Benefits at Explore
The Broadcom Rewards Program celebrates Broadcom’s most engaged and loyal customers. Rewards members earn points by completing online challenges to unlock exclusive perks, recognition and opportunities. It’s more than just a loyalty program.
During Explore in Las Vegas, new and existing Rewards members can play the Explorer Expedition game by earning points exchangeable for exclusive swag! While you’re onsite, visit the Rewards Space in The Hub to register and discover all there is to experience as a member.
Not a member yet? Activate your Account today
Community Spaces: Where Networking Magic Happens
The Communities Lounge + Meetups
The newly expanded space in The Hub will include an even larger Communities Lounge, which is your one-stop-shop for peer engagement and networking.
This space includes dedicated areas for several community groups where you’ll have the chance to meet new members and catch up with old friends.
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Quick Talk Sessions
Hear what’s top of mind from community experts at the Discovery Theater. This year, the stage will feature more than 30 quick talks ranging from deploying VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) to scaling AI innovation. As the name suggests, these short sessions are only 20-minutes long, but pack a heavy punch with tactical insights.
See the full list of Quick Talks
Don’t Miss Out on the Good Stuff
Look, we get it—conference schedules are packed, and it’s easy to get caught up in the official agenda. But here’s the thing: some of your best takeaways from VMware Explore won’t come from a slide deck. They’ll come from that conversation with a fellow admin who solved the exact problem you’re wrestling with, or from brainstorming with a developer who’s thinking about automation in ways you hadn’t considered.
The community events aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re where real learning happens. Whether you’re troubleshooting war stories over drinks at the VMUG Member Reception, collaborating on code at the Hackathon, or catching rapid-fire insights at the Quick Talks, these are the moments that make the conference worth it.
So mark your calendars, charge your phones, join the Explore LinkedIn Showcase Page (for all those new connections), and get ready to dive into the community side of VMware Explore in Las Vegas. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
