The Journey to Speaking at VMworld: Overcoming Fears and Achieving Dreams

As I sat in the packed room at VMworld, waiting for my turn to speak, I couldn’t help but think back to the journey that had brought me here. It was a journey filled with rejection, determination, and ultimately, success.

Ten years ago, I attended my first VMworld conference, awestruck by the leaders and superstars speaking on stage. I knew then and there that I wanted to be up there one day, sharing my own story and expertise with the crowd. But, as I soon found out, the road to getting there was not an easy one.

I submitted my first session proposal two years ago, only to receive a decline email from the submissions team. It was disappointing, but I didn’t let it deter me. I remembered my father’s saying, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” So, I kept trying, submitting twice more with the same result. It seemed like the odds were against me, and I was starting to feel defeated.

But then, I remembered another quote that has always inspired me: “Goonies never say die!” I decided to take a different approach, focusing on a customer success story that I knew would resonate with both the IT community and the review board. I reached out to Sentara Healthcare, a major healthcare organization on the East coast, and their Principal Technical Architect, Chris Poyner, who was part of the original team that started their project over two years ago. With their support and input, I crafted a compelling presentation that highlighted their journey and success with VMware technology.

After what felt like an eternity, the email arrived – my session proposal had been accepted for VMworld 2019 US! It was finally happening – I was going to get on that stage and speak to my colleagues and fellow tech peers at the biggest show in the industry.

The next step was to prepare, and the VMworld committee and review team provided me with an online portal filled with resources and templates to help me get started. I built a simple yet powerful presentation, and practiced until I could deliver it flawlessly.

The night before my flight, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning – excited and nervous at the same time. As I stood on stage, looking out over the chairs filled with eager attendees, my nerves were at an all-time high. But as soon as I started speaking, something magical happened. The words flowed effortlessly, and I found myself in the zone, connecting with the audience and sharing my knowledge and passion for VMware technology.

The session was a success, and I received overwhelming feedback from attendees who appreciated the customer success story and the insights it provided into the future of the industry. It was a moment I will never forget, and one that has opened up new opportunities for me to interact with people and share my expertise on a larger stage.

Looking back, I realize that the journey to speaking at VMworld was not just about overcoming rejection and fear, but also about finding my voice and my purpose as an IT professional. It has taught me to embrace challenges, take risks, and never give up on my dreams. And for that, I am eternally grateful.