There has been talk about changes to the VMUG program coming soon. Earlier this year a steering committee meeting took place in Chicago, IL. Below are some of the upcoming changes that are a result of the planning and new direction. I am waiting to hear how this will have a positive or negative affect on the VMUG program.

VMware User Group Members,

As announced earlier this year, VMware is supporting the establishment of an independent, customer-led, customer-driven global VMware User Group (VMUG). The VMUG Steering Committee has been focused on forming the structure for this new organization and we are pleased to announce the inaugural VMware User Group Board of Directors.

Name – Position – VMUG Local Group
Mariano Maluf – President – Atlanta, GA (USA)
Charlie Gautreaux – Vice-President – Charlotte, NC (USA)
Scott Elliott – Secretary/Treasurer – SW Ontario (Canada)
Virgil – Director – Brisbane (Australia)
Ben Clayton – Director – Kansas City, MO (USA)
Rod Gabriel – Director – Wisconsin (USA)
Matt McLaughlin – Director – Iowa (USA)
Viktor van den Berg – Director – Netherlands (Europe)
Chris Harney – Director – New England (USA)
Jodi Shely – Director – Omaha, NE (USA)
Kathi Kaplan – VMware Board Member VMware
Teresa Streit – VMware Board Member VMware

The board is comprised of a group of experienced VMUG leaders whose knowledge, expertise and vision will provide an invaluable contribution to the VMUG organization. There is much for this Board of Directors to accomplish, as we look forward to the formal launch of the independent VMUG at VMworld in San Francisco this coming August.

The board has developed a VMUG mission statement to reflect the new organization:
The VMware User Group is an independent, global, customer-led organization, which maximizes members’ use of VMware and partner solutions through knowledge sharing, training, collaboration, and events.

The VMware User Group is a user community—of the users, for the users, by the users. Through an independent global VMUG, we believe we can strengthen our collective VMware and VMUG value proposition with expanded collaboration, member programs, and benefits.

As a VMUG member, your feedback and ideas will be critical to improving the VMUG experience and taking it to the next level. We believe that some of the benefits of the new model will be:

Tap into new VMUG member benefits and programs, such as Special Interest Groups and VMware technical education offerings
Increase your value to your organization by becoming the recognized VMware subject matter expert through knowledge and contacts gained through VMUG
Gain more direct access to VMware subject matter experts
Become part of a global, collective customer voice, impacting VMware products/services

While we are planning the official launch of the new group for August, there are several ways VMUG is already driving value to the members:

The VMUG Voice—VMUG’s monthly newsletter—will provide news and updates for members
New member recruitment activities at all VMware events
Development of new onsite program for VMUG Regional Events
VMware Technical Sponsors have been assigned to all VMUG Local Groups
VMUG members will receive the discounted “Early Bird” pricing throughout the VMworld registration period

As we work to establish an independent VMUG, we want you to know that your voice will be heard. To that end, the VMUG Board of Directors is conducting a short survey of our members to better understand the members’ vision for VMUG and define the VMUG value proposition. It should only take about ten minutes of your time and all results will be kept completely confidential. In addition, all survey respondents can enter to win an Apple iPad—just complete the survey by July 30.

We look forward to hearing your feedback and ideas about the new organization. Please direct all communications to memberservices@myvmug.org or 1.800.606.8695.

Together we look forward to launching the new VMUG at VMworld and we hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
The VMware User Group Board of Directors

Brian Suhr is a Senior Virtualization Engineer and Architect working for HP Enterprise Services. He’s worked in the IT Industry since 1991, and worked for several companies. He runs the blog virtualizetips to document tips and problems encountered during his projects and reads. A VMware Certified Professional (VCP VI3.5) MCSE on Windows NT – 2000, Cisco CCNA/CCDA. Brian is currently working on upgrading my VCP to vSphere and will be pursuing VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) next.