VMworld 2021 Day 1 Highlights: Accelerate Innovation

Welcome back to VMworld! We've been building towards VMworld 2021 all year, and here we are at last. The passion, dedication, and ingenuity you brought to imagining what's next absolutely blew us away.

General Session: Accelerating Innovation, Strategies for Winning Across Clouds and Apps

Let's start from the beginning. Calling in from the VMware campus in Palo Alto, CA, VMware Chief Executive Officer Raghu Raghuram shared his vision of the future of multi-cloud technology. "At this stage, it's clear, multi-cloud is going to be the model we're going to use for the next 20 years," said Raghu. Today's organizations are challenging the status quo to move fast, gain competitive advantage, and stay secure. Raghu then showcased the global leader in shipping and delivery, FedEx, as they accelerate their digital transformation across every region in the world.

Next up: VMware President Sumit Dhawan discussed how VMware is delivering the critical capabilities that every digital business needs. He showcased Mercedes Benz.io, National Stock Exchange of India and first responder customers by touching on their first-hand experiences of their digital transformation with VMware.

We then heard from Dormain Drewitz, Mandy Storbakken and Shawn Bass announcing new VMware offerings including the Tanzu Application Platform, Project Dawn Patrol and Tanzu Community Edition. Practical? Inspiring? Yes, to all. Catch the General Session on demand here.

Solution Keynotes: Imagining What's Next

We jumped right in to the complex challenges facing IT today. From the future of hybrid work to modernizing networks to multi-cloud Kubernetes, VMware executives and customers brought new strategies and fresh ideas to enable you to compete, win, and delight customers and employees. You don't want to miss these solution keynotes:

Voices of VMworld: Michael J. Fox

We were joined by Emmy-award-winning actor, author and patient advocate Michael J. Fox, who sat down with VMware Chief Marketing Officer Carol Carpenter to discuss his life and his passion to help find a cure to Parkinson's disease. Tossed into many challenges alongside balancing a career, family, and charity work, Michael nevertheless brings an inherent optimism to all he does. Michael's journey is an inspiration, and we are here for it. And for the fun points too:

• He dropped out of High School to move to California to become an actor.
• Tragedy + Time = Comedy
• "Imagine if we could all agree on the truth"

Did you know for every VMworld attendee, one tree will be planted globally in local regions? Way cool. But did you know that for every 1,000 attendees, 5,000 mangroves will be planted? No? Well, thanks to you all for joining today and contributing to our commitment to forest regeneration as a strategy for getting to net zero! It doesn't stop here so keep an eye out for more opportunities across VMware.

VMworld Challenge: A Chance to Win the VMworld 2021 Backpack and more

It wouldn't be VMworld without a friendly competition of engagement throughout the conference. By participating in various elements of VMworld 2021, challenge participants qualify for a chance to win exclusive prizes, like the limited-edition backpack sponsored by Dell Technologies. The VMworld backpack is the thing of legends, so be sure to complete the survey to play, if you haven't already! More details here.

Stay tuned, because VMworld 2021 Day 2 starts in mere hours. What can you expect? Well, how about a word from none other than acting legend Will Smith and several other VIP guests… Thank you for joining us today!

Missed out on Day 1? We got you, here's the registration link for Day 2.

Need a little more in-depth support? Be sure to upgrade your pass to Tech+ to access 1:1 expert consultations, hands-on labs guided workshops, meet the experts and tech+ tutorials, and exam guide reviews.

Missed the last blog posts? Catch up on VMworld 2021: What to Know Before You Join, Imagine That - Inspire Change at VMworld 2021, and/or Not to miss sessions featuring VMware Partners.