vExpert 2012 - I'm in again :-)

The first set of vExperts for 2012 have been announced - and I've made the list again!

I'm delighted to be included on the 2012 list, this is my third consecutive year of having vExpert status.

Here's the VMTN blog post that contains a link to the list:
http://blogs.vmware.com/vmtn/2012/04/announcing-vexpert-2012-title-holders.html

Congratulations to all vExperts for 2012, and a huge thankyou to everyone at VMware involved in the vExpert process and the community.

vExpert Spotlight

I'm a proud man again today, I've taken my place in the vExpert Spotlight over on VMware's VMTN Blog. My friend and fellow vExpert Gregg Robertson came up with the idea of publishing a short bio of each of the vExperts, and one by one we've all had our own little chance to step into the spotlight and talk about how we got into IT, into virtualisation, and into becoming a vExpert.

Here's the link to my vExpert Spotlight profile:
http://blogs.vmware.com/vmtn/2011/11/vexpert-spotlight-scott-vessey.html

Being a vExpert in itself is a great enough accolade, it takes a lot of time and energy to get as involved in the community as we all do, and there are many other amazing contributors too!

Lightning DOES strike twice - I'm a vExpert again!

VMware have been sending out notification emails over the last few days to those lucky enough to be designated as vExpert 2011, and on Friday I got mine! I was also the proud recipient of vExpert 2010 status, so lightning really can strike twice!

"We're pleased to designate you as a vExpert 2011 as recognition of your contributions to the VMware, virtualization, and cloud computing communities. You’ve done work above and beyond, and we’re delighted to communicate more closely, to share resources, and to offer other opportunities for greater interaction throughout the year as we continue to grow knowledge and success in the community of IT professionals. Welcome to the vExpert 2011 Program!"

It's a great honour to be selected again and sit amongst such big-hitters in the virtualization community. I know a huge amount of work goes into running the program and there are many VMware employees involved in the selection process - so a big thanks to all! There is one man who gets a mention on every blog post I've read from other vExperts, John Troyer deserves all the credit he gets for the work he does to keep the VMware community alive and kicking!

I love being part of the VMware community, it does take time out of one's business and personal life to contribute in the ways that all vExperts do, but it's definitely a case of "you get out what you put in" and I've made some great contacts who've become good friends along the way.

Well done to all the other vExperts!

VMware vExpert 2010

I've just come back from a 2-week holiday, and whilst I was away I received an email from John Troyer at VMware informing me that I'd been designated as a VMware vExpert 2010!

Here's the VMware definition of a vExpert:
The VMware vExpert Award is given to individuals who have significantly contributed to the community of VMware users over the past year. vExperts are book authors, bloggers, VMUG leaders, tool builders, and other IT professionals who share their knowledge and passion with others. These vExperts have gone above and beyond their day jobs to share their technical expertise and communicate the value of VMware and virtualization to their colleagues and community.

I'm very proud to be given this status, it's great to get recognition from VMware themselves for all the work that gets put in by all of us within the wide VMware community. As well as this blog, I've just spent a lot of time updating my Think Virtually website, but the biggest thing of all from my perspective is the help I give to the community forums on training and certification.

So, for the next year I will be able to use the vExpert logo as well as make use of the other benefits now available to me. The logo looks good, I feel a new blog banner coming on...

Needless to say the hard work goes on, I'll certainly be trying my best to achieve the vExpert 2011 :-)