We’re pleased to announce that applications for the vExpert 2010 program are now open. To find out more about the program, and to apply or nominate someone, go to the new vExpert 2010 site. The deadline for application is April 30 at midnight Pacific time.
[There seem to be some temporary caching issues; If you don’t see the new vExpert site with the new logo, check back in a bit.]
The vExpert designation is based on your activities in 2009, and lasts for one year.  vExperts from 2009 should reapply for the 2010 program. I encourage everyone interested in participating to fill out the application form, since we don’t otherwise have a comprehensive record of all your virtualization evangelism activities in 2009. Of course, if you’d like to nominate someone else, feel free. (Multiple nominations don’t count extra, so ’get out the vote’ campaigns are not necessary.)
The vExpert program is a way for VMware to acknowledge and help those who ’go the extra mile’ and give back to the VMware user community by sharing their expertise and time. vExperts are bloggers, book authors, VMUG leaders, event organizers, speakers, tool builders, forum leaders, and others who share their virtualization expertise.
The first year of our program was 2009, and we designated almost 300 people as vExperts. Among the various activities the vExperts participated in this year were:
- nomination for private beta programs
- pre-release product briefings
- access to conference content vmworld.com
- featured at a vExpert demo pod at the VMworld Communities Lounge
- VMworld meeting with Steve Herrod 
- featured at the Online Virtualization Forum
vExperts also had access to a private community that let them network, share knowledge, and get to know each other. 
We had a great first year to kick this new program off. This year, we have more resources and some amazing plans for 2010. Thanks to everyone who participated in the vExpert 2009 program, and I’m looking forward to working with all of you more closely, and to your continued success. If you have any questions about the process or the program, you can leave a comment here or email us at vexpert@vmware.com.
Apply at the vExpert site. [There seem to be some temporary caching issues; If you don’t see the new vExpert site with the new logo, check back in a bit.]
John Troyer
VMware vExpert Program Manager
