When Brian Malerby headed to VMUG Connect, he expected solid technical sessions, but what he didn't expect was just how far the event's reach would stretch. As a leader for the Kamloops VMUG, Brian found that every lunch table and coffee break doubled as a venue for meeting incredible, like-minded professionals from across Canada and the United States.
"My favorite part about Connect was meeting people!" Brian recalled. "I met some really incredible, interesting people from different Provinces and the States... The reach was incredible."
That collaborative energy carried right into the keynotes, which mapped out the future trajectory of the VCF platform. Coming from a background in data services, Brian was focused on learning how to translate those future roadmaps into real-world production on-premises. The keynotes provided the exact spark he needed to return home with actionable ideas for his infrastructure team.
The value extended beyond the main stage into the dedicated leader training sessions. By digging into data around changing attendance patterns, Brian walked away with fresh strategies to drive user engagement and build stronger local meetings back home.
"From the Leader Training, we learned so much," Brian explained. "I liked that we saw data into why meeting attendance has changed. That’s going to help me plan and create better meetings. The whole idea of VMUG is the user aspect, and I want to have the engagement."
For professionals who might hesitate about taking time off or traveling long distances, Brian points out that regional Connect events strike the perfect balance. You get direct access to elite presenters and high-level content, all while networking with peers who face the exact same technical and regional realities.
"Connect for me is really good because it’s in the country I live," Brian noted. "I didn’t have to ask for permission from work or take the time away from family for out of country travel. I got good content, good presenters. I got to meet the people doing the same work in my country, knowing my issues, knowing our needs."
For those looking to stay connected, level up their skills, and learn directly from peers across the industry, VMUG offers a place to do just that. Brian's experience offers a look at what that kind of connection can lead to.
Don't miss out on the final stop of the series. Join us for VMUG Connect Orlando to experience these connections, strategic insights, and exclusive content for yourself!
Thank you to Brian for sharing his experience and for his leadership within the VMUG community in Kamloops.