Another year, another VMware "Call for Papers" for a VMworld event. Year after year I due my diligence and fill out the paperwork with new and exciting ideas that would provide significant value to anyone willing to sign up and attend my sessions. Year after year I am turned down. For me, I have several reasons why I'm sure I get denied. I work for an independent software vendor, I talk about things with a different perspective than VMware would like to push as their corporate message, etc. But this rant isn't about me...
I've had my chance at success with virtualization, and like to think I've done a damn fine job of taking every advantage thrown at me. I got started in the virtualization community. I gave real answers that provided significant value to many people. I started collecting data and learning virtualization inside and out and was able to write not just one, but two books on virtualization technology. I've done as much as any single individual when it comes to not only allowing people to understand virtualization, but how to truly take full advantage of everything it has to offer. With my experience I rose through the ranks and am now leading new product development and virtualization strategy at an $800M/Year software organization. But, as I said, this is not about me, I submitted my ideas never expecting to be picked. This is about people like me, who are getting into virtualization and doing some amazingly creative things. When given an outlet to present these ideas to a large group of people, VMware should be nurturing these individuals, not turning them away (and then presenting their ideas the VMware way, cutting out the originator). I've spoken to A LOT of people in the last 12 hours who have some amazingly creative ideas that they wished to show to the world in Las Vegas this September. None of them had any of their proposals accepted. I'm wondering how much of these ideas will be mysteriously presented by either a VMware employee, or a very large customer spending millions of dollars with VMware? How can other people get their chance in the sun and be able to experience what I have? Has VMware gotten to the point in their annual show that Citrix has in which we will start to look at external outlets such as BriForum to truly see innovation and the technical information that people truly want? Is there anyone out there who is not an employee, is not spending millions of dollars on software, and is not pumping a ton of money to VMware to have a booth and a cheesy 15 minute slot that no one shows up to that did get a session approved? Readers have left 6 comments. No.1 Maybe Microsoft would like your ideas?
If VMware doesn't seem to be interested. No.2 Microsoft has bigger issues
They are already 2 years behind and desperately need to play catchup before thinking about innovation above and beyond. The point I'm trying to make is VMware should not be ignoring their big fan base the way they have started to the last 18 months (The last VMworld show and VMworld Europe were a joke to long-term VMware users). They should rely on those that helped make them successful in the past and use them to maintain their market strength. When these industry leaders and experts are turned away, you are right...they will probably look elsewhere. It shouldn't have to come to that. No.3 Untitled
I have talked to alot of people that like me have been presenting for the last few years and I know I have enjoyed most if not all these sessions but have not yet heard of anyone who has been selected yet. No one from the community is going to present this year? How in the world is that so? I guess time will tell and we will see what topics will be available in Vegas. No.4 me also not selected
Hi Scott,
Well trust me it is not just you... I also submitted a session and was not selected. I think they received an insane amount of submission, so that might explain why so many people are not selected.
No.5 Untitled
Thanks for the information Richard. :-). As I said, there are a lot of people who have or are trying to make themselves known as industry experts. I make this suggestion every year, but VMware should provide a list of these industry experts and give them slightly higher consideration than an average submission. Even work with them to tweak their presentation the proper way. I've found that people better respect the opinions of external/independent industry experts more so than an internal employee pitching the corporate line. No.6 Virtual VMWorld
With the significant effort you put into the presentation, why not post here?
Start a Virtual VMWorld :-) |
