For all of you vExperts out there I am sure you have already received an e-mail from John Troyer informing you to fill the forum for VMware vExpert 2011. The nomination/registration process for the VMware vExpert 2011 program has already started, & the last day for registration will be: May 6th, 2011. If you have been a vExpert for 2010, then make sure you fill the required forum to be considered for vExpert 2011 as being a vExpert 2010 does not automatically register you for vExpert 2011. Further, I have noticed the registration form for VMware vExpert 2011 require you to fill much more info about your actual contribution than it did in 2010. Further, even if you nominate someone he will still have to fill the form him self. It seems the vExpert 2011 criteria will be tougher than vExpert 2010.

Further, an important change in the vExpert 2011 program is that it allow VMware Employee to apply, where in the vExpert 2010 VMware employee were not allowed to apply for the vExpert program. I have though noticed that the results for the VMware Employee vExpert 2011 program will be declared separately, which make me feel we will be competing at a different slots from non VMware Employee & maybe at a different criteria set. Though the good news we are allowed to be vExperts if we are chosen.

To register your self to the vExpert 2011 program you should fill the following form: vExpert 2011 Information Form

To nominate a colleague that you think should be considered for vExpert 2011 then you should fill the following forum: vExpert 2011 Nomination Form

For people that have not heard before about vExpert, Below is what VMware say about vExpert:

Each year, we designate several hundred individuals from around the world as VMware vExperts and invite them to participate in our yearly program. The vExperts are people who have gone above and beyond their day jobs in their contributions to the virtualization and VMware user community.

vExperts are the bloggers, the book authors, the VMUG leaders, the tool builders and town criers, the tinkerers and speakers and thinkers who are moving us all forward as an IT industry.

A vExpert should demonstrate knowledge about VMware solutions and their benefits, and how they fit into the overall IT landscape. A vExpert designation is not a technical certification of any kind, although they are often very articulate and knowledgeable about virtualization and IT topics, both technical and non-technical. It should not be confused with a VCDX (VMware Certified Design Expert).

A vExpert designation is

• a thank you from VMware for contributing to the communty and helping people along their journey to the cloud;
• a way for VMware to help you in your evangelism and your career, with access to private beta programs, product licenses, and exclusive briefings from VMware and its partners;
• a way for VMware to dialog with its community of very smart and innovative users.

At the end, I wish everyone applying including my self a good luck to get chosen as a 2011 vExpert & for those of us who will not get elected to try harder for next year.